MELBOURNE TO CAIRNS

Welcome to our exciting 18 Day Savannah Discovery tour from Cairns to Darwin. With chauffeured pickup from home, we travel to Melbourne Airport. Here we’ll be greeted by an O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours representative who will assist us with check in and see us onto the plane for our flight to Cairns. Arriving at Cairns Airport, we will be welcomed by our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach crew for the short transfer to our accommodation in the heart of Cairns city overlooking Marlin Marina. There’s time to unpack and relax before joining the group for our first dinner together.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement / Refreshments inflight

OVERNIGHT:  Shangri-La The Marina, CAIRNS

MOSSMAN GORGE AND THE DAINTREE

This morning we enjoy the beautiful Mossman Gorge. A shuttle bus will take us to the heart of the Gorge where we will journey through the lush green rainforest, taking in views of the Mossman River and the mountain ranges beyond. From here we continue further north to the quaint township of Daintree. We enjoy lunch before we take a cruise on the Daintree River. Our cruise takes us through tranquil everglades and mangroves, where we hope to see different species of birds and butterflies, and maybe even a crocodile basking on one of the riverbanks.

OVERNIGHT:  Shangri-La The Marina, CAIRNS

CAIRNS TO MAREEBA

After breakfast, our first stop is just up the road where we board the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Enjoy a truly unique perspective of this ancient landscape with unsurpassed panoramic views of Barron Gorge and Australia’s Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.  Glide metres above the pristine jungle canopy between Smithfield (Cairns) and Kuranda, enroute descend to explore the rainforest close up at Red Peak and Barron Falls. Arriving at Kuranda, enjoy some time wandering the Kuranda Rainforest Markets taking in its atmosphere, with many local artists and time to purchase lunch. This afternoon we drive to Mareeba where we can learn more about the township when we visit the Mareeba Heritage Museum. Spend time walking down memory lane, before we check in to our  next two nights accommodation.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT: Cape Gateway Motel, MAREEBA

SAVANNAHLANDER TRAIN

This morning, we make our way to the Mareeba Railway Station to board the historic Savannahlander Train. Whilst on this unique outback rail experience from Mareeba to Almaden, your drivers who are talented, witty and downright charming, will entertain you in their 1960's classic "silver-bullet" rail motors.  Enjoy a relaxed pace and great company whilst travelling in style through country you will never forget. There will be a short stop at the Dimbulah Railway Station. From here cultivated fields and agriculture give way to the rugged bush, and we begin more ascents up the Featherbed and the Lappa Ranges. We arrive at Almaden for a late lunch at the Railway Hotel. After lunch we board our O'Shannessy's Coach and make our return to our accommodation in Mareeba.

OVERNIGHT: Cape Gateway Motel, MAREEBA

MAREEBA TO UNDARA NATIONAL PARK

Leave your swimming gear out today as we head across the Atherton Tablelands making our way to the oldest town on the Tablelands - Herberton. This town sits on a hilly landscape with streets dotted with Jacaranda trees. Herberton's main claim to fame was Tin Mining. We visit The Herberton Mining Museum & Visitor Information Centre, allowing time to see the many mining displays and local history archives. From here, we continue through to the beautiful Millstream Falls, reputedly the widest single-drop falls in Australia. Our next stop is Innot Hot Springs. Enjoy a dip in the natural mineral springs at Nettle Creek, known for rejuvenating and healing.  The water was even bottled and shipped to Europe at one stage. After feeling extremely relaxed, sit back in our coach and enjoy the rest of the journey through to Undara National Park. Tonight some of us will sleep in beautifully restored, turn of the century, ensuited railway carriages, surrounded by tall trees and native wildlife. Guests not staying in the carriages will experience the charm of our ensuited Homesteads, offering modern amenities and a private verandah where you can unwind and take in the surrounding local wildlife.

OVERNIGHT:  Undara Lodge, via MOUNT SURPRISE

UNDARA TO FORSAYTH

After enjoying a lovely bush breakfast, we check out of our rooms in time to join a Savannah guide who will take us on a Lava Tube Tour. This gives us an excellent overview of the Lava Tubes and how they were formed. Your guide will point out other interesting environmental, geological and historical features on your trip to and from the caves.  After a great couple of hours, back at the resort we enjoy lunch, then board the coach to make our way across The Savannah Way through Mt Surprise and on to Georgetown.  Here we visit the world class Ted Elliott Mineral Collection in the Terrestrial Information Centre. Ted’s passion for minerals started back in 1946 on his father’s farm in Wirrimah near Young, NSW.  This is now one of the largest and most comprehensive private collections in Australia, consisting of world class specimens from Australia and all over the world.  From here we continue through to Forsayth for our next two night stopover. 

OVERNIGHT: Finnigans Rest, FORSAYTH

EXPLORING COBBOLD GORGE

This morning we head to Cobbold Gorge, a hidden oasis tucked away within the rugged sandstone formations of North Queensland - an ancient landscape which invites you to breathe in the bush and breathe out your worries. First we take a spectacular three hour Cobbold Gorge Cruise and Escarpment walk with a local Savannah guide. Majestic sandstone 30 metre cliffs tower on either side, only two metres wide in some places. The silence is broken only by the distant chattering of birds. The gorge is home to fish such as black bream, archerfish, long tom and freshwater crocodiles. After lunch, you may wish to take an optional helicopter flight over the escarpment (own expense), or relax around the resort before we return to our accommodation.

OVERNIGHT:  Finnigans Rest, FORSAYTH

FORSAYTH TO KARUMBA

This morning we drive through to the former booming gold town of Croydon. The Croydon Historic Village contains what is left of a much larger gold mining city of the late 1800s. Two museums display the early mining machinery from the age of steam and walking tracks provide us with an insight into local environs. After enjoying lunch here, we continue our journey through to Karumba, being the only town along the southern Gulf of Carpentaria. This isolated fishing village is home to a large fleet of prawn trawlers and once an important Catalina Base during World War II. Before dinner we take a Sunset Cruise, enjoying some nibbles and local banana prawns.

OVERNIGHT:  Karumba Lodge Motel, KARUMBA

GULFLANDER TRAIN— MT ISA

This morning, we catch “the Rattler” – the famous Gulflander motor rail. This historic train takes us through to Critters Camp, where we will alight “in the middle of nowhere” to meet our coach. The Gulflander is probably Australia’s most unusual train service, running along a completely isolated and unconnected 150km line from “nowhere to nowhere”. The line was first planned to be operated between Normanton and Cloncurry, but the 1880’s gold rush at Croydon lead to its diversion to this destination. From here our coach takes the Burke Developmental Road to the Burke & Wills Roadhouse. We make a stop here as this is the only place for a few hours. A couple of hours further on we arrive in Cloncurry. In the 1880’s Cloncurry was an important resting spot for drovers overlanding cattle across northern Queensland and the Northern Territory. We then continue our scenic drive through to Mt. Isa for our next two night stay.

OVERNIGHT:  Abacus Motel, MT ISA

DISCOVERING MT ISA

Today, we explore the township of Mt Isa, which is nestled among the ochre-red Selwyn Ranges on the banks of the Leichhardt River. The town is a bustling melting pot of culture and industry being home to one the most productive single mines and hosts the southern hemisphere’s largest rodeo. It’s grown from strength to strength over the years but the harsh picturesque landscape has barely changed. This morning we visit the information centre to experience the Isa Experience Museum. This will give you a fascinating insight into the mining industry development in the area around Mt Isa. We also visit the Mt Isa Underground Hospital and Museum. This wartime underground civilian Hospital, constructed during 1942 was built by off-duty miners from Mount Isa Mines.  Enjoy some free time in town and a chance to grab some lunch, before we finish our day with a drive to the local lookout for a bird’s eye view of Mt Isa City.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT:  Abacus Motel, MT ISA

MT ISA TO BARKLY HOMESTEAD

We depart Mt Isa this morning, driving through only one place today, Camooweal.  This town is located just 12kms from the Northern Territory border and still classed as a suburb of Mt. Isa. Once a colourful droving centre, Camooweal's droving heritage has not been forgotten. We will visit the Droving Heritage Centre, a museum housing a history of Australia’s pioneering past. The bush art gallery has portraits of drovers done by the artist Yvonne Dorward. Along with photographic treasures and memorabilia from Australia's droving industry donated by families or relatives of drovers. This afternoon we cross into the Northern Territory, stopping for a photo, then on to our accommodation at Barkly Homestead, an oasis roadhouse in landscape surroundings with all amenities.

OVERNIGHT:  Barkly Homestead, BARKLY TABLELANDS

BARKLY HOMESTEAD TO CAPE CRAWFORD

Today we take the 380km drive from Barkly Homestead to the Heartbreak Hotel, on the Tablelands Highway. It's an interesting drive with plenty of places to pull up for a rest. A lot of the road is unfenced, so keep an eye out for the free-roaming cattle. We will arrive in time to relax, have a swim in the pool or enjoy a drink at the bar with the locals.

OVERNIGHT:  Heartbreak Hotel, CAPE CRAWFORD

THE LOST CITY—DALY WATERS

Today will be a highlight as you enjoy a scenic flight over The Lost City. The Lost City is a series of towering sandstone formations, considered an Indigenous ceremonial site and accessible primarily by helicopter. Our flight takes us over the Abner Escarpment onto a plateau of the Abner Ranges situated on McArthur River Station. From the air you will see exactly how these natural sky scrapers were formed. The area was once an inland sea, the water seeped into the rock and eroded it, breaking it into columns up to 25m tall.  While others are enjoying their flight, you can cool off with a swim in the pool or relax at the hotel, before we leave for our next destination. Later this afternoon, we arrive at Daly Waters. Stretch your legs as you wander down the “main street”; here we’ll find Tim’s Junk Yard, a museum full of really cool old cars and bikes and very random items with 30 plus years of collecting junk from all over Australia and overseas. Dinner tonight is at the Daly Waters Pub, one of the Territory's most famous watering holes.

OVERNIGHT: Daly Waters Pub, DALY WATERS

Note: max weight for helicopter flight is 136kg per person

DALY WATERS TO KATHERINE

Today as we head north, look out for the Giant Termite mounds, as they get bigger and taller as we travel further north. Our first stop this morning is Mataranka Thermal Pool and Rainbow Springs. Take the easy walking 500m walk amongst the towering Livistonas and enjoy a dip in the crystal clear and warm springs. After lunch, we then travel to our accommodation in Katherine.  This afternoon we will be treated to a Katherine Outback experience. The show is a lighthearted introduction to life on an Outback cattle station, and an easy alternative to outdoor adventures and sightseeing. See horse-starting and working dog demonstrations set to live Australian country music and story-telling.

OVERNIGHT:  Knotts Crossing Resort, KATHERINE

EXPLORING KATHERINE

This morning we visit the beautiful Katherine Gorge. Our two-gorge cruise takes us to spots not accessible on foot or by tour vehicle. Enjoy the commentary on the geology and history of the area, and wind through the network of waterways that make up Katherine Gorge. After lunch, we return back to Katherine, where you can relax and enjoy a swim in the resort pool.

OVERNIGHT:  Knotts Crossing Resort, KATHERINE

KATHERINE TO DARWIN

We leave Katherine making our first stop at the lovely Edith Falls for a quick dip. This is a real Oasis, where there is lush green grass and a beautiful refreshing swimming hole that is very safe, remember to keep your bathing costumes out. From here we continue through to Pine Creek for our lunch stop and time to visit The Shed Museum, a private collection form Harley to Holden, a collection that will bring fond memories. We continue to Adelaide River, site of the only Australian war cemetery on Australian soil. There are 432 servicemen and 63 civilians, all of whom died as a result of Japanese bombing raids, buried in the cemetery.  Our last day of travel and our destination tonight is Darwin.

OVERNIGHT:  Hilton Garden Inn, DARWIN

FREE DAY IN DARWIN

With this fabulous tour coming to an end, today you have a free day to enjoy the city of Darwin. Maybe take a stroll along the Esplanade, a swim at the Waterfront Lagoon, visit a museum, catch up on some shopping or just relax around the pool. The day is yours to fill before we enjoy our last dinner together.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT:  Hilton Garden Inn, DARWIN

DARWIN TO MELBOURNE

Time to pack our bags and head for home. Completing our memorable tour of the naturally beautiful top of Australia, we are transferred to Darwin Airport for our return flight to Melbourne. Upon arrival, our chauffeurs will be waiting to transport us safely home with many interesting stories to tell of our Savannah Discovery adventure - all part of the O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours experience.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement / Refreshments inflight