11 DAY FULLY INCLUSIVE TOUR
27TH JUNE TO 7TH JULY 2021
From the dry Centre of Australia to the lush Top End the beauty and vastness of our great continent will take your breath away. Jumping Crocs, Sunset Cruises, the incredible Field of Light Display, iconic Kakadu National Park, the magnificent Katherine Gorge and of course “The Alice” are just some of the wonderful places you will journey to and a handful of the things you will see on this amazing tour.
Add the option of returning via the transcontinental adventure and romance of train travel on The Ghan. Stretching more than one kilometre in length, The Ghan offers an unsurpassed view of Australia over 3 unforgettable days. It is truly one of the world’s great train journeys.
Tick this amazing experience off your bucket list.
TOUR MAP
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Alice Springs Sightseeing Tour, Earth Sanctuary - Quandong Homestead, Western MacDonnell Ranges, Devils Marbles, Tennant Creek, Mataranka, Katherine Hot Springs, Kakadu National Park, Nourlangie Rock, Darwin City Tour - Wartime Darwin and Litchfield National Park.
CRUISES
Katherine Gorge Cruise, Yellow Water Sunset Cruise, Adelaide River - Jumping Croc Cruise and Darwin Sunset Cruise
MULTIPLE NIGHT STAYS
2 nights in Katherine
3 nights in Alice Springs and Darwin
RAIL
Ghan home option - The Legendary Ghan
PRICE
11 DAY FLY HOME OPTION
SUNDAY 27TH JUNE TO WEDNESDAY 7TH JULY, 2021
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Twin Share Room First Tour:
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 2 - 10 Tours: Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 11 - 20 Tours: Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 21+ Tours: Single Room Supplement: Deposit: |
$6,445 per person
$6,395 per person $6,370 per person $6,345 per person $995 per person $200 per person upon booking |
14 DAY GHAN HOME OPTION
SUNDAY 27TH JUNE TO SATURDAY 10TH JULY, 2021
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Twin Share Room First Tour:
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 2 - 10 Tours: Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 11 - 20 Tours: Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 21+ Tours: Single Room Supplement: Deposit: |
$TBA per person
$TBA per person $TBA per person $TBA per person $TBA per person $200 per person upon booking |
We have limited cabins aboard the Ghan - please contact the office to register your interest.
O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours will match single travellers who wish to twin share, with another single traveller of the same gender.
However, if this is not possible, you shall be provided with single accommodation at the twin share fare (no additional cost).
TOUR MAP
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ITINERARY
DAY 1: sunday 27th june, 2021
MELBOURNE TO ALICE SPRINGS
There’s a tap on the door and we are greeted by our chauffeur who will whisk us away to the airport to connect with our flight to Alice Springs. Welcome to “The Alice”! On arrival we transfer to our accommodation for the next three nights. Here we enjoy a light lunch before our afternoon touring to the Alice Springs Desert Park. Returning to the hotel, we have time to settle in before we join the O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours group this evening at dinner.
OVERNIGHT: Crowne Plaza Lasseters, ALICE SPRINGS
There’s a tap on the door and we are greeted by our chauffeur who will whisk us away to the airport to connect with our flight to Alice Springs. Welcome to “The Alice”! On arrival we transfer to our accommodation for the next three nights. Here we enjoy a light lunch before our afternoon touring to the Alice Springs Desert Park. Returning to the hotel, we have time to settle in before we join the O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours group this evening at dinner.
OVERNIGHT: Crowne Plaza Lasseters, ALICE SPRINGS
day 2: monday 28th june, 2021
ALICE SPRINGS CITY TOUR
We begin today with a view of Alice Springs from Anzac Hill. From here we can see the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, the Stuart Highway, the Todd River, the Ghan Line and the prominent city buildings. We take a virtual journey into 'The World's Largest Classroom' which will leave us enlightened and inspired as we visit the School of the Air, this year celebrating their 70th anniversary. The film and guide presentations reveal stories about the school and its students, sharing a distinctive history, outback lifestyle and world-renowned innovations of this uniquely Australian school. Next we visit Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and hear the incredible history of one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world. Using the latest aviation, medical and communications technology, the RFDS delivers extensive primary health care and 24-hour emergency service to those who live, work and travel throughout Australia. We enjoy some free time this afternoon to relax or go for a swim. We have a special evening planned tonight - just 15 minutes out of Alice is Earth Sanctuary - a World Nature Centre at Quandong Homestead. We will enjoy a mouth-watering bush BBQ with music and entertainment and experience the spirit of the outback through stories of the aboriginal dreamtime. We will even learn how to cook a swagman’s damper! We can relax around the camp fire before heading back to the hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Crowne Plaza Lasseters, ALICE SPRINGS
We begin today with a view of Alice Springs from Anzac Hill. From here we can see the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, the Stuart Highway, the Todd River, the Ghan Line and the prominent city buildings. We take a virtual journey into 'The World's Largest Classroom' which will leave us enlightened and inspired as we visit the School of the Air, this year celebrating their 70th anniversary. The film and guide presentations reveal stories about the school and its students, sharing a distinctive history, outback lifestyle and world-renowned innovations of this uniquely Australian school. Next we visit Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and hear the incredible history of one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world. Using the latest aviation, medical and communications technology, the RFDS delivers extensive primary health care and 24-hour emergency service to those who live, work and travel throughout Australia. We enjoy some free time this afternoon to relax or go for a swim. We have a special evening planned tonight - just 15 minutes out of Alice is Earth Sanctuary - a World Nature Centre at Quandong Homestead. We will enjoy a mouth-watering bush BBQ with music and entertainment and experience the spirit of the outback through stories of the aboriginal dreamtime. We will even learn how to cook a swagman’s damper! We can relax around the camp fire before heading back to the hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Crowne Plaza Lasseters, ALICE SPRINGS
DAY 3: tuesday 29th june, 2021
WESTERN MACDONNELL RANGES
A great day is in store as we explore the majestic Western MacDonnell Ranges. The natural beauty in this area is outstanding! After a walk through Standley Chasm with its towering walls, we continue the scenic drive to Glen Helen Gorge and Glen Helen Homestead. This afternoon we have the opportunity to swim in the fresh waterhole at Ormiston Gorge or just relax and enjoy the atmosphere of this special place. We also visit beautiful Simpsons Gap before returning to our accommodation.
OVERNIGHT: Crowne Plaza Lasseters, ALICE SPRINGS
A great day is in store as we explore the majestic Western MacDonnell Ranges. The natural beauty in this area is outstanding! After a walk through Standley Chasm with its towering walls, we continue the scenic drive to Glen Helen Gorge and Glen Helen Homestead. This afternoon we have the opportunity to swim in the fresh waterhole at Ormiston Gorge or just relax and enjoy the atmosphere of this special place. We also visit beautiful Simpsons Gap before returning to our accommodation.
OVERNIGHT: Crowne Plaza Lasseters, ALICE SPRINGS
DAY 4: wednesday 30th, 2021
DEVILS MARBLES TO TENNANT CREEK
After our breakfast, we depart Alice Springs and continue on the Stuart Highway, calling in at Ti Tree Creek and historic Barrow Creek. Later this afternoon we spend some time at the “Devils Marbles” before arriving in Tennant Creek.
OVERNIGHT: Bluestone Motor Inn, TENNANT CREEK
After our breakfast, we depart Alice Springs and continue on the Stuart Highway, calling in at Ti Tree Creek and historic Barrow Creek. Later this afternoon we spend some time at the “Devils Marbles” before arriving in Tennant Creek.
OVERNIGHT: Bluestone Motor Inn, TENNANT CREEK
DAY 5: thursday 1st july, 2021
TENNANT CREEK TO KATHERINE
We have an early start this morning as we begin travelling to what is termed the “Top End”. We lunch at Daly Waters Pub, a well-known spot for many of the air personnel who served in the Pacific during World War II. Our afternoon break is at Mataranka where we have plenty of time to enjoy the fantastic mineral pools - so bring your bathers! The last leg of our journey today is to Katherine where we settle in to our accommodation.
OVERNIGHT: Knotts Crossing Resort, KATHERINE
We have an early start this morning as we begin travelling to what is termed the “Top End”. We lunch at Daly Waters Pub, a well-known spot for many of the air personnel who served in the Pacific during World War II. Our afternoon break is at Mataranka where we have plenty of time to enjoy the fantastic mineral pools - so bring your bathers! The last leg of our journey today is to Katherine where we settle in to our accommodation.
OVERNIGHT: Knotts Crossing Resort, KATHERINE
DAY 6: friday 2nd july, 2021
KATHERINE HIGHLIGHTS
We have a more leisurely breakfast this morning before making our way to Katherine Gorge. We can look through the Visitors and Interpretive Centre before our cruise. Within the Nitmiluk National Park are 13 separate gorges of the extended system through which Katherine River flows. Sheer walls of sandstone dotted with ancient Aboriginal rock art surround the crystal waters of the Katherine River where freshwater crocodiles can be seen along the banks with flowering orchids and lilies. This afternoon is at leisure - perhaps an option is to visit to the Katherine Hot Springs. Sit back and relax in the beautiful thermal pools. The bubbling natural spring has a constant temperature of approximately 25-30 degrees Celsius. Used by many as a way of healing, we can let our muscles unwind after a hard morning of cruising!
OVERNIGHT: Knotts Crossing Resort, KATHERINE
We have a more leisurely breakfast this morning before making our way to Katherine Gorge. We can look through the Visitors and Interpretive Centre before our cruise. Within the Nitmiluk National Park are 13 separate gorges of the extended system through which Katherine River flows. Sheer walls of sandstone dotted with ancient Aboriginal rock art surround the crystal waters of the Katherine River where freshwater crocodiles can be seen along the banks with flowering orchids and lilies. This afternoon is at leisure - perhaps an option is to visit to the Katherine Hot Springs. Sit back and relax in the beautiful thermal pools. The bubbling natural spring has a constant temperature of approximately 25-30 degrees Celsius. Used by many as a way of healing, we can let our muscles unwind after a hard morning of cruising!
OVERNIGHT: Knotts Crossing Resort, KATHERINE
DAY 7: saturday 3rd july, 2021
KATHERINE TO KAKADU
Today we travel to the old gold mining town of Pine Creek then join the Kakadu Highway into the Kakadu National Park. At Cooinda, we enjoy a cold lunch, then have some free time to relax before a late afternoon boarding for our magical Yellow Water Sunset Cruise. Nowhere else will we see such a concentration of so many species of diverse wildlife than here, including Brolgas, Egrets, Jabiru and hopefully Crocs! Following our cruise, we return to the lodge for dinner.
OVERNIGHT: Kakadu Lodge Cooinda, KAKADU
Today we travel to the old gold mining town of Pine Creek then join the Kakadu Highway into the Kakadu National Park. At Cooinda, we enjoy a cold lunch, then have some free time to relax before a late afternoon boarding for our magical Yellow Water Sunset Cruise. Nowhere else will we see such a concentration of so many species of diverse wildlife than here, including Brolgas, Egrets, Jabiru and hopefully Crocs! Following our cruise, we return to the lodge for dinner.
OVERNIGHT: Kakadu Lodge Cooinda, KAKADU
DAY 8: sunday 4th july, 2021
KAKADU TO DARWIN
Our touring this morning includes Nourlangie Rock. After our walk to view the aboriginal art, we drive to Jabiru for our morning break. Here we have the opportunity to take an optional scenic flight over the incredible escarpment and Kakadu National Park. This flight can be booked with your Tour Director who will have further details for you.
Please note optional flight is subject to availability and is at your own expense.
We stop for lunch on the way to Adelaide River where we join the Jumping Croc Cruise for some close encounters with the resident salt water Crocodiles! We then drive into Darwin for our next three night’s accommodation. Our day isn’t over yet though! This evening’s dinner will be aboard the “Spirit of Darwin”. It is a great way to see Darwin from the water.
OVERNIGHT: Doubletree by Hilton Esplanade, DARWIN
Our touring this morning includes Nourlangie Rock. After our walk to view the aboriginal art, we drive to Jabiru for our morning break. Here we have the opportunity to take an optional scenic flight over the incredible escarpment and Kakadu National Park. This flight can be booked with your Tour Director who will have further details for you.
Please note optional flight is subject to availability and is at your own expense.
We stop for lunch on the way to Adelaide River where we join the Jumping Croc Cruise for some close encounters with the resident salt water Crocodiles! We then drive into Darwin for our next three night’s accommodation. Our day isn’t over yet though! This evening’s dinner will be aboard the “Spirit of Darwin”. It is a great way to see Darwin from the water.
OVERNIGHT: Doubletree by Hilton Esplanade, DARWIN
DAY 9: monday 5th july, 2021
DARWIN CITY TOUR & WARTIME DARWIN
This morning we are joined by a local who will show us around Darwin. We will be taking a look at several things relating to Australia’s involvement in World War II and the role played by Darwin in particular. We drive along the Esplanade, past Darwin’s War Memorial and anti-aircraft gun sites. Then we head to Charles Darwin National Park to see the ammunition storage shelters built in 1944 and take a walk to the lookout platform for views of Darwin’s harbour and city skyline. We also explore East Point Military Precinct, the site of Australia’s only wartime battleground. Here, we’ll see where anti- aircraft guns were positioned, along with the storage bunkers and observation tower that survived the WWll bombing of Darwin. It will be a really interesting tour! We have the afternoon free to relax, swim in the pool or for some last minute souvenir shopping. Later we make our way to beautiful Cullen Bay where we enjoy our dinner whilst watching the sun set.
Lunch at own expense and arrangement.
OVERNIGHT: Doubletree by Hilton Esplanade, DARWIN
This morning we are joined by a local who will show us around Darwin. We will be taking a look at several things relating to Australia’s involvement in World War II and the role played by Darwin in particular. We drive along the Esplanade, past Darwin’s War Memorial and anti-aircraft gun sites. Then we head to Charles Darwin National Park to see the ammunition storage shelters built in 1944 and take a walk to the lookout platform for views of Darwin’s harbour and city skyline. We also explore East Point Military Precinct, the site of Australia’s only wartime battleground. Here, we’ll see where anti- aircraft guns were positioned, along with the storage bunkers and observation tower that survived the WWll bombing of Darwin. It will be a really interesting tour! We have the afternoon free to relax, swim in the pool or for some last minute souvenir shopping. Later we make our way to beautiful Cullen Bay where we enjoy our dinner whilst watching the sun set.
Lunch at own expense and arrangement.
OVERNIGHT: Doubletree by Hilton Esplanade, DARWIN
DAY 10: tuesday 6th july, 2021
LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK
We spend the day touring Litchfield National Park. This National Park is very understated and offers an unforgettable day out. We travel through Batchelor to Florence Falls and admire the Magnetic and Cathedral Termite Mounds, some standing 16 feet (5 metres) high. We enjoy lunch at the Litchfield Café and have some free time at nearby Wangi Falls. This is a most relaxing area, perhaps take a swim or a walk.
Back at our hotel, we can freshen up for dinner and those who are flying home can pack for their departure tomorrow.
OVERNIGHT: Doubletree by Hilton Esplanade, DARWIN
We spend the day touring Litchfield National Park. This National Park is very understated and offers an unforgettable day out. We travel through Batchelor to Florence Falls and admire the Magnetic and Cathedral Termite Mounds, some standing 16 feet (5 metres) high. We enjoy lunch at the Litchfield Café and have some free time at nearby Wangi Falls. This is a most relaxing area, perhaps take a swim or a walk.
Back at our hotel, we can freshen up for dinner and those who are flying home can pack for their departure tomorrow.
OVERNIGHT: Doubletree by Hilton Esplanade, DARWIN
DAY 11: WEDNESDAY 7th july, 2021
DARWIN TO MELBOURNE or DARWIN TO KATHERINE
After three wonderful nights in Darwin we farewell our fellow passengers who are flying home today. Passengers who have chosen the “Fly Home Option” will be transferred to Darwin Airport to join their flight to Melbourne. Upon arrival on home soil, O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours Chauffeurs will return you safely to your door.
Passengers who have chosen the “Ghan Home Option” will board The Legendary Ghan to begin our journey south across the continent. We arrive at Katherine in the afternoon and disembark. There are a series of unique tours available, with most of these tours included in our fare. Perhaps enjoy the Katherine Outback Experience which provides a unique window into the real Australian Outback and the inner workings of life on a cattle station through the sharing of stories and experiences, cattle dog demonstrations and live music performances. The ‘Stock Yards’ is where the action takes place, where we can enjoy a live demonstration of the art of horse-breaking, depicting the psychology between man and horse, watch the Riverboyne Dog Team working cattle, goats or ducks in harmony, before interacting with Bernie the Buffalo, Tin Shaker, the Brahman Steer and Legend the Trick Horse. There is even time to sit back and relax, listening to live music including some well-known Aussie Anthems and originals, often performed from atop a horse.
Please note: On tour with O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours, Day 6 includes the Katherine Gorge Cruise, so we suggest you choose one of the other sightseeing options for today.
Lunch at own arrangements and cost / Refreshments on flight (Fly Home Option)
OVERNIGHT: The Ghan, KATHERINE
After three wonderful nights in Darwin we farewell our fellow passengers who are flying home today. Passengers who have chosen the “Fly Home Option” will be transferred to Darwin Airport to join their flight to Melbourne. Upon arrival on home soil, O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours Chauffeurs will return you safely to your door.
Passengers who have chosen the “Ghan Home Option” will board The Legendary Ghan to begin our journey south across the continent. We arrive at Katherine in the afternoon and disembark. There are a series of unique tours available, with most of these tours included in our fare. Perhaps enjoy the Katherine Outback Experience which provides a unique window into the real Australian Outback and the inner workings of life on a cattle station through the sharing of stories and experiences, cattle dog demonstrations and live music performances. The ‘Stock Yards’ is where the action takes place, where we can enjoy a live demonstration of the art of horse-breaking, depicting the psychology between man and horse, watch the Riverboyne Dog Team working cattle, goats or ducks in harmony, before interacting with Bernie the Buffalo, Tin Shaker, the Brahman Steer and Legend the Trick Horse. There is even time to sit back and relax, listening to live music including some well-known Aussie Anthems and originals, often performed from atop a horse.
Please note: On tour with O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours, Day 6 includes the Katherine Gorge Cruise, so we suggest you choose one of the other sightseeing options for today.
Lunch at own arrangements and cost / Refreshments on flight (Fly Home Option)
OVERNIGHT: The Ghan, KATHERINE
DAY 12: thursday 8th july, 2021
KATHERINE TO ALICE SPRINGS
We arrive in Alice Springs early morning with the opportunity to choose one of many whistle stop tours available in Alice Springs. These are organised by Great Southern Rail (The Ghan) with many tours included in your fare, with some optional tours at your own expense. Up to date information and prices will be available on board The Ghan.
OVERNIGHT: The Ghan, ALICE SPRINGS
We arrive in Alice Springs early morning with the opportunity to choose one of many whistle stop tours available in Alice Springs. These are organised by Great Southern Rail (The Ghan) with many tours included in your fare, with some optional tours at your own expense. Up to date information and prices will be available on board The Ghan.
OVERNIGHT: The Ghan, ALICE SPRINGS
DAY 13: friday 9th july, 2021
ALICE SPRINGS TO COOBER PEDY
We will wake up and rub our eyes with disbelief as we pull into the middle-of-nowhere stop at Manguri. A friendly tour guide awaits ready to whisk us away for the day returning to the sun-scorched opal mining capital of the work – Coober Pedy. Below the earth’s surface, we’ll enjoy a gourmet lunch in the most unique location. After an
eye-opening, action packed day – it’s back on board with plenty of time to ease into a slower gear and prepare ourselves for our final evening on board The Ghan. We dine in style in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant, meet and share stories with new friends in the Outback Explorer Lounge or simply head back to the privacy of our cabins to wind down, read a book and plan our next epic journey.
OVERNIGHT: The Ghan, COOBER PEDY
We will wake up and rub our eyes with disbelief as we pull into the middle-of-nowhere stop at Manguri. A friendly tour guide awaits ready to whisk us away for the day returning to the sun-scorched opal mining capital of the work – Coober Pedy. Below the earth’s surface, we’ll enjoy a gourmet lunch in the most unique location. After an
eye-opening, action packed day – it’s back on board with plenty of time to ease into a slower gear and prepare ourselves for our final evening on board The Ghan. We dine in style in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant, meet and share stories with new friends in the Outback Explorer Lounge or simply head back to the privacy of our cabins to wind down, read a book and plan our next epic journey.
OVERNIGHT: The Ghan, COOBER PEDY
DAY 14: saturday 10th july, 2021
ADELAIDE TO MELBOURNE
Arriving in Adelaide mid-morning, we are greeted by a local representative and taken to the Adelaide Central Market to purchase lunch before being transferred to the Adelaide Airport for our flight to Melbourne. We will be met by our chauffeurs who will return us safely home with wonderful memories of our unique overland experience through the Red Centre and the Top End of beautiful Australia.
Lunch at own arrangements and cost / Refreshments on flight (Ghan Home Option)
Arriving in Adelaide mid-morning, we are greeted by a local representative and taken to the Adelaide Central Market to purchase lunch before being transferred to the Adelaide Airport for our flight to Melbourne. We will be met by our chauffeurs who will return us safely home with wonderful memories of our unique overland experience through the Red Centre and the Top End of beautiful Australia.
Lunch at own arrangements and cost / Refreshments on flight (Ghan Home Option)
TOUR INCLUSIONS
Complimentary chauffeur driven transfers
Victorian passengers from Greater Melbourne, Bendigo, Torquay, Ballarat, Geelong, the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas, Phillip Island and selected areas of Gippsland will be picked up and returned home in a private chauffeured vehicle by one of our professional drivers.
Luxury Touring Coaches
Our full size 3 axle luxury coaches have only 34 -36 passenger seats allowing you even more personal space and huge leg room. Our coaches are fitted with comfortable reclining seats with aisle arm rests, foot rests, seat belts, panoramic windows with blinds, refrigerator for passenger use, Climate control air conditioning & Road Cam monitors which display the road ahead in real time. Each coach also has a second door for easier entry and exit and touchless hand sanitizer dispensers at each entry to help keep everyone safe. The coaches have full air suspension delivering a smooth and quiet ride which also allows us to lower the coach closer to the ground, making boarding and disembarking even easier.
Fly Home Option
Economy flight from Darwin to Melbourne.
Ghan Home Option
Gold Service Accommodation, all-inclusive dining in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant, off train excursions and outback experiences, access to the Outback Explorer Lounge for beverages and socialising, all-inclusive Australian wines, beers, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages aboard The Ghan, Darwin to Adelaide. Economy flight from Adelaide to Melbourne.
Tour Director
Dedicated O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach crew (tour directors) on board to ensure your travel experience is memorable.
Best Available Quality Accommodation
Ensuite motel accommodation each night.
Attractions
All tours and interest venues as per itinerary.
Meals
Full cooked breakfasts, morning tea and two course restaurant dinners daily, and most lunches - 3 lunches at your own expense as per itinerary.
No Hidden Extras
O'Shannessy's Quality Tours are fully inclusive.
PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION POLICY
Balance due on invoice approximately 45 days prior to departure.
Deposit is fully refundable until 46 days prior to departure date.
Prices include GST and all taxes.
Cancellation 45 to 8 days before tour departure date, 20% Refund of Tour Cost
Cancellation within 7 days of tour departure date, No Refund
On or after tour date departure, No Refund
Travel Insurance is not compulsory, however we highly recommend
you take out comprehensive travel insurance with a reputable insurer
at the time you pay for your tour.