Day 1 –
Depart Cairns for the picturesque
drive to the Atherton tablelands to tour through the
Undara Lava Tubes. The Undara Lava Tubes were formed some 190,000
years ago when a major volcano erupted, its molten lava flowing down a dry
river bed. As the top layer quickly cooled and crusted, the fiery magma below
continued to flow through the tubes taking it further and further from the
volcano. The Undara tubes are the world’s longest lava flow.
The word Undara means ‘a long way’ in Aboriginal language. One of the lava
flows from Undara extends over 160 kilometres (or 100 miles). This makes it
one of the longest lava flows from a single volcano on our planet in modern
geological time. The original tube formed by the flow extended for
approximately 100 kilometres, and several sections are accessible. After our 2
hour tour and tasty lunch, we travel via historic gulf towns of Mt
Surprise and Einasleigh to Cobbold Gorge
on Robin Hood Cattle station, for overnight. LD
Day 2 - Cobbold Gorge
is unique, hidden away within the rugged sandstone formations of North
Queensland. This gorge is extremely narrow, closing to only two metres
in places, with spectacular 30 metre cliffs on either side. The overall
length of the gorge is about six kilometres and includes a series of
water-holes and rock falls, with the last 500 meters is accessible
by flat bottom boat. Great walks, swimming and relaxing or optional
canoeing. Overnight Cobbold Gorge. BLD
Day 3 - Travel via
Georgetown and the
multi award winning, Terrestrial - the Ted Elliott
Mineral Collection, the
largest minerals collection in the world. We follow the
Gulflander Railway line via the Gulf Development Road through
Croydon which in goldrush days had 7000 people and 122 pubs.
On to Normanton, and view the Burns Philp store, and the 1870 railway
history from the goldrush days, plus the hot artesian bore. Arriving Karumba on the
edge of the Gulf of Carpentaria, we enjoy a
sunset river cruise.
Karumba is the base of the gulf Barramundi and prawning industry and home to many salt
water crocodiles.
Overnight Karumba BLD - Dinner at own expense in local restaurant -
great fresh fish and prawns here !
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| Cobbold Gorge Spirit Safaris Savannah Way
Tours |
Gulf of Carpentaria sunset Spirit Safaris Savannah Way Tours
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Cobbold Gorge Spirit Safaris Savannah Way Tours
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Day 4 -
Travelling westward and parallel to the coastline of the Gulf of
Carpentaria in this spectacular savannah country, we cross numerous
rivers including the Leichardt River, named after Ludwig Leichardt who
walked this country in 1845. We check out the Leichardt Falls
before travelling across the "Plains of Promise" named
when H M Brig Beagle (the famous ship which had carried Charles Darwin
on his voyage) visited here in 1841. Enjoy a break in the frontier town
of Burketown, named after Burke of
the
Burke and Wills Expedition of 1860 who reached the gulf near here in
February 1861. Burketown was established
in 1865
to service new pastoral holdings established in the region. We travel
by the large Aboriginal community of Doomadgee, before turning off the
Savannah Way to arrive at Kingfisher camp, beside the
Nicholson River for a swim and yarn by the campfire and
overnight. BLD
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| Lost City Spirit Safaris Savannah Way
Tours |
Lost City Spirit Safaris Savannah Way
Tours
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Day 5 - There's time for a morning dip and cooling off
before
Corinda, where police were stationed to provide escorts
for settlers to the escarpments of Hell's Gate, beyond
which the Aboriginals were considered fierce.
Hells Gate is the routes most western settlement in Queensland and
now is a popular stopover with a grassy oasis and refreshments, nearby
Aboriginal rock art and caves. We travel via
Westmoreland (uranium deposits) and enter the Northern Territory,
passing the Redbank (copper) Mine and arrive a the river port town
of Borroloola with time permitting to view the museum
and history of this once wild frontier town, now a popular fishing
destination. Population is around 800 (about 200 whites and 600
Aboriginal), with Aborigines living in camps around the town. Borroloola
has some very different Aboriginal cultures ie the Yanyuwa and Mara are
'saltwater people' from the nearby islands while the Kurdanji and Karawa
people are 'mainland people'. We visit Caranbirini Nature
Reserve to walk amongst the Lost City through
sandstone towers overlooking a billabong and across the escarpment
country of the Gulf Region. Its now less than an hour to Cape Crawford
for overnight. BLD
Day 6 - The Lost City can this morning
be explored by helicopter from base at the Heartbreak Hotel at Cape
Crawford, with an amazing 15 or optional 30 minute flight over these
ancient sandstone pillars, formed when all this area was underwater.
After morning tea we head
off on the Carpentaria Highway
for historic Daly Waters, and here enjoy lunch
amongst the
amusing Daly Waters Pub and township adornments, including an old
helicopter and the thong tree.
We take a short tour of the WWII airbase and aircraft hanger here -
with a fascinating historic display of WWII equipment, aircraft images
and life here at that time. Onwards for a swim at
Mataranka Hot Springs and connect with the famous
classic outback Australian story of "We of the Never Never"
and Elsey's homestead from the film. Overnight
Mataranka. BLD
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| Katherine Gorge Spirit Safaris Savannah Way
Tours |
Katherine Gorge Spirit Safaris Savannah Way
Tours
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Katherine Gorge Spirit Safaris Savannah Way
Tours
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Day 7 -
After a relaxing walk and
swim, we head north to the NTs 3rd largest town, Katherine and nearby
Nitmiluk National Park, at Katherine Gorge.
Here relax on an Aboriginal guided gorge and river cruise
- a fabulous introduction to this spectacular and historic area.
Optionally take a helicopter flight to the top gorges - that's a thrill
! Consider the optional Jawoyn Rock Art Tour - turn
back the clock as you depart Nitmiluk helipad for a unique travel and
outback experience. Destination: 40,000 years ago. Fly deep into the
heart of the Dreamtime to an amazing Jawoyn rock art site.
Fly over the rugged stone country and all 13 gorges on your return.
Alternatively simply relax or take a swim by this beautiful
peaceful river. In the afternoon we take the 3 hour drive to Darwin,
passing through Pine Creek (old gold town) and Alligator River,
home of the famous & retired water buffalo downed by Crocodile Dundee
(test your hypnotic skills). Overnight Darwin BLD.
Optionally tour by Kakadu National Park
for 1 or 2 nights
from Katherine, or do Kakadu in a day or more from Darwin.
Ask for details.
Day 8 - A free day to celebrate your journey. Enjoy a
leisurely breakfast and the many
sights or activities Darwin has to
offer.
Options include a
trip to Kakadu
or Litchfield National Parks, or simply shop or relax in
Darwin's
balmy climate.
Tour ends after breakfast.
Home Flights depart from Darwin or consider
travelling with us to Alice
Springs
with options including Kakadu, Katherine Gorge
(optional), Lost City &
Devils Marbles.
