Depart Brisbane

Depart on the Spirit of Queensland Train from Brisbane at 3.45pm in your Premium Economy Seats or upgrade to Deluxe Rail Beds with all meals included.     (All meals  on the train for Rail Beds)     Plus Applicable Discount Rail Fare Applies

Note: If you are making your own arrival arrangements and not using the train service, we would recommend you arrive today in Townsville for 1 nights pre-tour accommodation as the train will arrive next morning in to Townsville at 9am.  Accommodation & pick up from Madison Plaza Hotel can be arranged.

Return Rail Fares Add the following:

QLD Pension, Seat $50 / Rail Bed $354

Australian Senior,  Seat $315 / Rail Bed $569

Adult no concessions, Seat $423 / Rail Bed $720

Arrive Townsville Depart for Hughenden

This morning after arriving in Townsville we are meet your tour host and  depart on the coach tour through to Mt Isa. Our First Stop is a local pub for lunch and then on to Hughenden. Hughenden is  part of Australia’s Dinosaur Trail and the Flinders Discovery Centre houses an amazing exhibition of fossils and gems from around the world, as well as an extensive and growing display of fossils from the local area. “Hughie” is the star attraction; a life size replica of the Muttaburrasaurus. We also visit other historical sites such as the Windmill Rotunda is one of 5 sculptures erected to celebrate Centenary of Federation. The on to the Historical Coolabah Tree which is linked to two relief expeditions searching for the Burke and Wills Expedition, the Coolabah Tree is of immense historical importance.  It is believed that both expeditions blazed the tree on the banks of what is now Station Creek. Dinner tonight at our Hotel.

(B, D) Overnight Hughenden Royal Hotel

Hughenden to Mt Isa

We make our way to Mt Isa today through the towns of  Julia Creek, Richmond and Cloncurry, arriving in the ISA early Afternoon. Following Check in, we depart for the Mt Isa Look out  for excellent 360-degree views of Mt Isa. We arrive at Sunset which is the best time, when the smelter stacks are silhouetted and the mine lights begin to twinkle.

(B,  D) Overnight Mt Isa  Burke & Wills Inn

Discover Mt Isa 

We spend the morning at Outback at Isa and take part in the Hard Times Mine Underground Tour, Outback Park, the Regional Art Gallery and Riversleigh Fossil Center.  We then visit the WW2 Underground Hospital and the Beth Anderson Museum (own entry cost) along with lots of the ISA highlights.

(B, MT, D) Overnight Mt Isa  Burke & Wills Inn

Cloncurry

Known as “The Curry” the town is recognized as the friendly heart of the great North West, Queensland’s and won the Friendliest Town in 2013.Few places can claim to be as influential in shaping Australia being the  birthplace of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and destination of the first Qantas flight. We visit the Unearthed Museum with the star exhibit being Robert Burke’s (Burke and Wills) water bottle, along with the history and photographs of their exploration.

(B, D ) Overnight Cloncurry Gidgee Inn

Gregory & Adels Grove @ Lawn Hill National Park

Following breakfast we will travel up through to  Gregory arriving into  Adel’s Grove  mid afternoon. We then join our guide for the amazing sunset tour to Harry’s Hill scenic lookout. Returning for our dinner on the deck overlooking Lawn Hill Creek.

(B, L, D)  Overnight Lawn Hill Adels Grove

Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) & Riversleigh World Heritage Site Fossil Fields

After breakfast we will meet our Savannah Guide for the short drive to the National Park and start with a optional bush walk in paradise, with views you need to see to be believed. Morning tea, then we board our cruise through the spectacular Gorge and on to the picturesque Indarri Falls Lunch then time to make our way to the Riversleigh World Heritage Site. The Riversleigh fossil deposits are among the richest and most extensive in the world, with some fossils dating back 15 to 25 million years. The site provides exceptional examples of mammalian assemblages in a continent whose mammal evolutionary history has been the most isolated and most distinctive in the world.

(B,MT, L ,D)  Overnight  Adel’s Grove

The Four Ways, Burke & Wills Road House, Julia Creek

Today after Breakfast we make our way to the Bourke & Wills Road House and break for Lunch Then on to Julie Creek. Following our town tour we check in  and enjoying dinner at a local hotel.

(B, D) Overnight Julia Creek Villas

 Julia Creek to Charters Towers

Driving through the streets of Charters Towers is like viewing a living montage of Australian history and heritage. When gold was first discovered in Charters Towers in 1871, it became a gold rush town and quickly grew to become the second largest town in Qld. Today, the magnificent heritage buildings are testament to the prosperity of years past. Our tour of Charters Towers includes a visit to the Miners Cottage which houses a collection of goldfields memorabilia. We will also visit the Zara Clarke National Trust Museum which houses a large collection of photographs, equipment and other memorabilia that reflects Charters Towers’ golden and military past. This evening following sunset drinks from the Lookout, we embark on the Ghosts of Gold Heritage Movie, where the ghosts of the gold rush era tell their tales as the evening settles in.

(B, D) Overnight Park Motel Charters Towers

Arrive Townsville, Depart for Home Port

This morning following breakfast, we make our way to Townsville and explore the Capital of Nth Queensland including a visit to the iconic Castle Hill. As well as offering a center piece for the city and spectacular scenic views, Castle Hill has a significant history. The Hill’s vantage was used by visiting American soldiers during World War II. According to local legend, the visitors famously offered to demolish the hill and use the rock to build a bridge to Magnetic Island. A World War II observation bunker sits on one corner of the Hill reminding visitors of Castle Hill’s military history.  We them make our way to the train station for your departure at 2.30pm this afternoon. (B)

Note: If making own return arrangements and not using the rail service, a transfer service will be provided to the airport and please book flights for 4.30pm onwards. Extra nights at the Madison Plaza in Townsville can also be arranged upon request.

Arrive Brisbane 

This morning you will wake to the breakfast service before arriving into Brisbane at 9am with wonderful memories of your Eden of the Outback tour.

Note: If returning interstate by air, please make your way to the Brisbane airport via Skytrain and book flights form 1pm onwards.