ITINERARY

Day 1: Alice Springs - Boulia
Your 2,067km road trip from the heart of the Australian to the Tropics begins early today. Your next set of traffic lights will be in Cairns! A big day is ahead of us as we travel unsealed roads through one of the most remote areas in Australia, where you won’t see any townships all day! Lunch today is at Jervois Station, a working cattle station. We then skirt the top of the Simpson Desert (largest in Australia) with its spectacular red sands, stopping enroute to view a 5 metre termite mound. Pass through cattle stations larger than many European countries. Traffic is almost non-existent, with hours between passing cars. Stop at Tobermorey Station before crossing into Western Queensland. If you’ve never had a feeling of remoteness before, you will today! Take a “nothing walk” and experience first hand the eeriness of this remote area in the middle of nowhere. Tonight stay at Wirrelyerna Station, an authentic working sheep/cattle station with lots of animals to meet - a fantastic experience! (LD)

Day 2: Boulia - Hughenden
Your road trip departs Wirrilyerna this morning, re-joining the sealed Highway passing through Boulia. Our first stop this morning is a little pub in the middle of nowhere, Middleton Pub - population 5 (including kids & pets!). After a refreshment stop here, we continue on to Carisbrook Station where we enjoy a BBQ lunch. Time is allowed to view the basement of the original inland sea from the ochre red escarpments and also authentic aboriginal rock art. Board the coach again for a short drive to the township of Winton, rich in Australian history claiming fame as the birthplace of Qantas (Queensland & Northern Territory Aerial Service) and Australia’s unofficial national anthem, Waltzing Matilda. A complete change of landscape this afternoon as we travel through the flat black soil plains to our overnight destination of Hughenden, and the Western Hotel. Enjoy a hot buffet dinner & air-conditioned multi-share accommodation. (BLD)

Day 2: Hughenden - Cairns
Your road trip starts with a short drive this morning to Porcupine Gorge, re-joining unsealed roads, where time is allowed to take in the spectacular views of this natural wonder from the Lookout. The unsealed roads and Ironbark eucalypt country provide a great opportunity to spot our unique native wildlife, especially this time of day. The Oasis Roadhouse, Australia’s smallest bar, is our first taste of civilisation today. After a brief stop, we re-join the sealed road watching the landscape change from Eucalypt Forest to Rainforest. The lush green grass, volcanic soil & dairy farms of the Atherton Tablelands provide us with a different contrast to the morning’s landscape. Wooroonooren National Park is our next stop, where we enjoy lunch. Following lunch, take a breathtaking rainforest walk (relaxed 2hrs) and wash off the dust with a swim at the spectacular Nandroya Falls. Evening arrival into Cairns, where it’s time to say goodbye to our travelling companions.(BL)

Please Note: Itineraries may vary due to weather and road conditions. Click here for alternative wet weather itineraries.

DEPARTURES