Take the trip of a lifetime through Australia’s unspoilt corner country. Delight your senses - glorious sunsets and colourful characters magical landscapes and heritage like no other. (A Fun Over 50 Signature Tour)

Day 1 – Thursday

Depart Brisbane for an overnight journey on the Westlander to Charleville.

Day 2 – Friday (L & D)

On arrival at Charliville Railway Station meet your Outback Aussie Tours guide around noon as your adventure begins in Southwest Queensland’s outback. Following a brief town tour, enjoy a delicious welcome lunch with your hosts at the historic Corones Hotel. Experience a spectacular day visit to the Cosmos Centre a modern interactive complex, transporting you through an amazing journey of discovery introducing one of the many clear night skies to follow. Departing Charleville we encounter the red earth of the Mulga country and open Mitchell Grass plains as we head for the 110,000 acre Nardoo Station to enjoy the great hospitality of the station manager, Carmel. Settle into your accommodation before joining in a ‘Happy Half Hour’ prior to dinner. You may wish to relax and unwind in a Hot Artesian Spa before retiring. Overnight Nardoo Station.

Day 3 – Saturday (B, L & D)

This morning after a hearty breakfast, take a walking tour of the homestead precinct with Carmel learning about life on the land through her eyes. Visit the school room, see the hot artesian bore, and absorb the aroma of the shearing shed, before travelling on to Cunnamulla, and the sleepy little town of Eulo. Spend time at the Date Farm Gift Shop, General Store, the Bilby Burrow Art Gallery, and maybe stop for a drink at the Eulo Queen Hotel. Continuing we call into Lake Bindegolly National Park, a breeding ground for many species of water birds and native flora and fauna. On arrival at Thargomindah on the Bulloo River, we have some free time to freshen up before enjoying “Happy Hour” while taking in the sunset at the artesian bore on the edge of town to dicover the history of electricity behind this icon of the Australian Outback. Enjoy dinner at the Oasis Motel. Overnight Thargomindah.

Day 4 – Sunday (B, L & D)

Passing through the Dingo Barrier Fence we travel to Noccundra Hotel built in 1882, for smoko before travelling to the Warri Gate and into outback New South Wales for a picnic lunch, we explore the eastern sections of the Sturt National Park. Over floodplains, gibber country, sandhills, rocky gorges and spectacular jump up country we make our way to Tibooburra, keeping an eye out for the delicate but hardy Sturt’s Desert Pea. Time to freshen up before we discover the route of Sturt’s expedition and reflect on the significance of their survival in this harsh environment. Enjoy a ‘Happy Half Hour’ before returning to the famous Tibooburra Hotel for a hearty dinner. Overnight Tibooburra.

Day 5 – Monday (B, L & D)

Moving on to Cameron’s Corner for lunch we cross the red sand dunes heading towards Merty Merty Station to join the famous Strezlecki Track pioneered by Harry Redford (Captain Starlight). Heading north through the heart of the Strezlecki Desert, we pass the enormous Moomba Gas Field Complex enroute to Innamincka. Overnight Innamincka.

Day 6 – Tuesday (B, L & D)

Today we relax at Innamincka on the banks of the Cooper Creek and soak up the ambience of an area steeped in history. Visit the locations where the Burke and Wills saga took place. See the restored Australian Inland Mission Hospital building and tour the cemetery’s early pioneer graves, hearing about the town with two lives. Overnight Innamincka.

Day 7 – Wednesday (B, L & D)

As we leave Innamincka this morning we head through the huge pastoral holdings of the Channel Country making our way towards Birdsville in the comfort of our air conditioned coach and embark on the rich cultural history as we retrace the steps of the ill fated Burke and Wills expedition. Visit the famous Dig Tree to wrap up this epic piece of Australian history. Travelling to Cordillo Downs we parallel ‘Haddons Corner” at the top end of the Strezlecki Desert and onto the Cadelga Ruins for a picnic lunch. Afternoon sees us crossing numerous sand dunes and stony ridges as we venture on, joining the Birdsville Track, crossing the Diamantina River to enter Birdsville, an amazing desert community. Overnight Birdsville.

Day 8 – Thursday (B, L & D)

Today we will travel less kilometres as our journey will be one of discovery as we explore Birdsville. Beginning with a visit to the Birdsville Working Museum where we meet John and Judy Menzies, outback characters in their own right. The famous Birdsville Race Club is our next stop before heading to the Burke and Wills tree on the banks of the Diamantina, then to lunch at the Birdsville Bakery. Time to yourself this afternoon to rest or visit the Australian Inland Mission Ruins, Wolfgangs Art House for a coffee, the Wirrari Centre or the Birdsville Billabong. Mid afternoon we head out to Big Red for ’Happy Hour’ and take in the amazing red sand dunes on the edge of the Simpson Desert, surrounding and protecting ‘Poeppel’s Corner’. Experience the very soul of Australia as the sun sets over the heart of the outback. Tonight enjoy dinner at the Birdsville Pub and participate in a Flying Doctor Auction. Overnight Birdsville.

Day 9 – Friday (B, L & D)

Heading out for Boulia we encounter the Cacoory Ruins, remains of one of the first European settlements established in 1870 set in some of the toughest country in the heart of the Lake Eyre Basin. Travelling on we approach Cuttaburra Crossing an amazing wetland, a great spot for a break before moving on to Bedourie for an early lunch. North of Eyre Creek where the channel country meets the desert, we arrive at Boulia mid afternoon and check into your accommodation. Later in the day, visit the Min Min Encounter to hear of the phenomena of the mysterious Min Min light and later reflect on our experience over a ‘Happy Half Hour’ before enjoying dinner at the Australian Hotel. Overnight Boulia.

Day 10 – Saturday (B, L & D)

Our destination today is Longreach as we travel east via Winton through open pebbly plains to a timeless landscape of majestic mesas as viewed from Cawnpore Lookout. At At the Middleton Hotel, catch up with the locals for morning tea to hear their yarns about life in Min Min country. Arriving in Winton for lunch at the Waltzing Matilda Centre, the only museum in the world dedicated to a song. Time to explore the collection before departing for Longreach. Travelling out of the mesa country we observe the changes in landscape, with vast open Mitchell Grass plains and Coolibah lined creeks. Crossing the Thomson River to arrive in Longreach and check in for a 2 night stay. Overnight Longreach.

Day 11 – Sunday (B, L & D)

Step back in time with a visit to the Qantas Founders Museum to the dawn of aviation in Australia. Enjoy learning about the Qantas story including the recently acquired Boeing 707, the first passenger jet aircraft purchased by Qantas and join the informative Secrets of the Boeing 747 tour. From one Australian icon to another we move on to the Stockman’s Hall of Fame, a tribute to the pioneers of the outback, legends and unsung heroes. Freshen up and rest before joining your host for the Spectacular Sunset Cruise and dinner. As the colours of the vivid sunset fade into starry outback skies over a timeless waterhole and majestic floodplains, relax outback style and enjoy the fun farewell awards night. Overnight Longreach.

Day 12 – Monday

Return home this morning on the ‘Spirit of the Outback’ after exploring one of the last frontiers, Australia’s amazing outback deserts with memories to share for many years.

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

MOST MEALS (B= Breakfast, MT= Morning Tea, L= Lunch, AT= Afternoon Tea, D=Dinner)

Subject to availability & change. Min of 15 people required to operate. Valid from April through to September 2008