Welcome to Queensland! You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel in Port Douglas where the remainder of the day is yours at leisure. Enjoy exploring the marina and strolling along stunning beaches or simply relax at your hotel.
Your accommodation this evening is one of National Geographic’s ‘Unique Lodges of the World’, located on a private headland between Cairns and Port Douglas. Complimentary experiences are provided for guests including nature/wildlife walks, star gazing nights and specialist talks from local experts. Why not dine in the treetops this evening, at the hotels popular Ospreys Restaurant?
Overnight Thala Beach Nature Reserve Resort or similar.
An early start this morning as you set off into the Queensland outback with your expert Indigenous guide. Learn all about the region you are traversing and its history. Stop at a quirky café for morning tea at Mt Molloy.
Continuing on, you will reach the old Jowalbinna Station where you can see Red Bluff in the distance, aka Jowalbinna, which is a mountain of cultural significance to the local Indigenous people. Nearby is the historic Cobb and Co. staging post and the Patrick Mail Hotel site with the remains of the sandstone floor and kitchen.
Along the way, following the 4WD only Laura – Maytown Coach road adventure track, you will see the pickaxe marks in the sandstone from the ‘old timers’ who forged the road. Natural formations in the sandstone, like Jockey Cap, will also be seen. Hop out of your vehicle, stretch your legs and head into the bush to learn about native bush tucker, traditional bush medicine, as well as many other interesting facts about the Australian bush with your passionate guide.
Arrive at your bush camp around lunch time. Enjoy lunch and be shown to your comfortable camping tents. After lunch, venture on a short walk to your interpretive guided rock art tour. Be educated about the Indigenous history of your guides people through the rock art – the stories are there in red, yellow and white.
Following your guided tour, you will have some free time to wander and explore the wilderness or simply enjoy the jaw-dropping scenery from the lookout. Wash off the day’s red dirt in a hot water bush shower overlooking the deep gorge and rocky cliff-faces.
In the evening, curl up around the fire as the sounds of the Yigi Yigi (didjeridoo) echo through the valley while your roast dinner cooks on the coals. Then it’s billy tea and yarns around a campfire.
Wake up and watch the beautiful sunrise coming up over red sandstone, escarpment country. A hot bush breakfast over the campfire will be served followed by some free time to wander and explore this rugged outback and soak up the views. When you are ready, journey back to Cairns. En route, time permitting, stop along the way for a crystal clear creek swim with lunch. There is nothing quite like an Australian bush swim. Return to Cairns in the early evening.
You will be transferred to Cairns airport for your flight to Mt Isa. Fly over the rugged outback terrain as you venture inland. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours at leisure.
This morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and drive 190km to Camooweal. Continue northward towards the Stock camp, stopping for some sightseeing and a picnic lunch along the way.
On arrival, settle into your luxurious eco tents which are set up in a spectacular location, designed to expose you to the surrounding country. Enjoy some free time for a relaxing dip in the nearby waterhole, a lush and welcoming paradise among the harshness of the land, or simply relax around your campsite. As the sky starts to change colours, head to the Old Station for sundowner drinks as the sun continues to dip. Each evening for the next four nights, you will be wined and dined with a meal carefully prepared using only the finest local produce under the canopy of the night sky – another truly Australian luxurious experience.
Today you will hike the 9km Pinnacle Trail. Your path has only been travelled by a select few. There is an incredible amount of history along the way and our expert guide will educate you as you walk. You will be lead through this incredible environment as you look out for a range of endemic flora and fauna. Explore deserted camps and discover what it was like living so remotely 50 years ago. You will traverse the sparse spinifex hills, be amazed by the sheer expanse and never-ending views. Jump in your vehicle and drive to The Big Gorge for a gourmet picnic lunch with an incredible view.
This afternoon, you have free time to swim in the waterhole or relax on the rocks with a cold drink and enjoy the bird life and peacefulness. Enjoy wine and cheese as the sun starts to dip. You will overnight at the gorge, on a remote escarpment where you will enjoy a traditional Australian stock camp dinner – think camp oven, billy tea and damper. A rare and private experience that will immerse you in the story of the land. Relax around the crackling campfire and enjoy the uninterrupted night sky – we call this evening the ‘star-bed’ experience and it is often the highlight for many.
After breakfast, transfer to the River View track with stunning views of the region. Today’s luxurious hike is approximately 15km. Enjoy morning tea along the trail. You will return to camp for a long lunch. Be spoiled by your crew while you relax and enjoy great conversation, cold drinks and delicious, sustainably sourced food. Drive to the Border Waterhole and explore the untouched beauty of the landscape and enjoy an afternoon of exploring and relaxing. As the escarpment begins to glow in that red-gold rich light of the sunset, return to the stock camp where dinner is served after the most satisfying hot shower under the dimming sky in Australia’s remote outback. Sit down to a safari styled dinner table adorned with white linen, crockery and a beautiful bottle of wine. Be spoiled by yet another night of delicious dining and relaxing. Retire to your deluxe bell tent.
Today you will transfer to the Lost City, a 2km walk from where you leave the vehicle and will explore the one-of-a-kind rock formations in this ancient area. Time will fly as you look in wonder at the 530 million-year-old Cambrian marine limestone stacks. Enjoy a picnic lunch at The Look Out before you transfer back to camp for some free time to relax and the opportunity to take in the magical views whilst stand up paddle-boarding! For those still feeling active, there is the option for a 4km hike to Stock Camp Gorge. This evening, enjoy your final dinner together.
Savour your last outback breakfast before making your way back towards Mt Isa. Enjoy a short break at the Herbertvale Station homestead for morning tea before one last gourmet lunch. Enjoy a tour of the cattle yard and if mustering is taking place, witness the spectacle of the round-up process of moving livestock from one location to another. Return to Mt Isa.
Your tour ends after breakfast this morning, as you transfer to Mt Isa airport for your onward flight.
Advertised prices are per person twin share, correct at time of publication, are subject to availability and can change at any time without notification due to fluctuations in charges, taxes and currency. Offer is valid on new bookings only. A 30% deposit required to secure booking. Full payment is due 60 days prior to travel. Min 4 pax to guarantee departure. Other conditions apply. Please contact your personal travel manager for full terms and conditions.
Find a personal travel manager to make an enquiry