australia - scenic° usasystems.scenicglobal.com/brochures/od_aud_0809.pdf · 16 day outback...

AUSTRALIA

www.outbackdiscovery.com.au

2008/2009

THE KIMBERLEY • TOP END • CAPE YORK • OUTBACK QUEENSLAND TANAMI DESERT • WESTERN WILDFLOWERS • TASMANIA • FLINDERS RANGES KANGAROO ISLAND • EYRE PENINSULA • SAVANNAH WAY • NULLARBOR PLAIN

Like many Australians, I have been privileged to travel the world and expand my

horizons. Yet, it’s when I explore my own country that I feel the greatest sense of

belonging and satisfaction. From talking to my past clients, I know many people feel

the same way. That’s why I’m proud to introduce Outback Discovery – the ultimate in

Australian outback touring.

Outback Discovery is wholly owned by my company, Scenic Tours. With over 20 years

of experience in planning and operating quality touring holidays, you can be sure

that your journey into the outback will be full of wonderful moments.

We have built brand new state-of-the-art All Terrain 4WD Mercedes Benz vehicles

exclusively for Outback Discovery. The knowledge we have gained from building touring

coaches for over 18 years has been applied to the design of these new vehicles.

When you browse through Outback Discovery’s itineraries, you will see that they are

surprisingly different. We have used our knowledge and experience to put together

these innovative itineraries based on travelling along the best routes and visiting sights

at the right times of day. You won’t need to worry about a thing, and you will return

home having seen and experienced more than you could ever achieve on your own.

I invite you to experience the real Australia with Outback Discovery!

Welcome

T O O U T B A C K D I S C O V E R Y

3Mai

n Im

age:

Bel

l Gor

ge;

Smal

l Im

ages

: Kat

a Tj

uta

(The

Olg

as);

Bird

svill

e H

otel

; Kan

garo

o Pa

w; K

anga

roo

Isla

nd; W

indj

ana

Gor

ge; A

borig

inal

Roc

k Ar

t

Glen MoroneyManaging Director, Outback Discovery

Contents

5Mai

n Im

age:

Kak

adu

Nat

iona

l Par

k; S

mal

l Im

ages

: The

Bun

gle

Bung

les;

Stoc

kman

; Roa

d Si

gn; B

usse

lton

Jetty

; Kin

gs C

anyo

n; C

radl

e M

ount

ain

F I N D Y O U R I D E A L T O U R

The Kimberley & Top End

15 Day Kimberley Spectacular 20-21

15 Day Kimberley and Top End Explorer - Broome to Darwin 22-23

15 Day Kimberley and Top End Explorer - Darwin to Broome 24-25

Outback Queensland & Corner Country

13/25 Day Gulf Savannah Way 26-29

11 Day Cape York Expedition 30-31

16 Day Outback Queensland Adventure 32-33

Western Australia

15 Day Spring Wildflowers and Monkey Mia 34-35

Tasmania

12 Day Tasmanian Discovery 36-37

Southern Australia

16 Day Kangaroo Island and Flinders Ranges 38-39

Red Centre & Beyond

11/17/33 Day Grand Australia 40-43

18/24 Day Red Centre, Kimberley and Top End 44-45

Coast to Coast

8/11/17 Day Across the Nullarbor 46-47

Additional Activities 48

Outback Discovery GreenChoice 49

Terms and Conditions 50-51

Pre & Post Tour Accommodation 51

■ Australian owned and operated – backed by over 20 years of experience and

unmatched local knowledge

■ Travelling on board brand new luxury, air-conditioned All Terrain 4WD

Mercedes Benz 30 seater vehicles

■ Great combination of accommodation styles from 5 star hotels to wilderness

lodges and tented cabins – each chosen to suit the region you’re in

■ All meals including full hot breakfast, lunch and dinner each day whilst

on tour

■ Morning and afternoon teas are included on most days

■ All ‘must-see’ attractions and sights built into each itinerary

■ Innovative itineraries which highlight the best of what Australia has to offer

■ Many 2 night stays for a leisurely paced holiday and to allow you to get a feel for

the destination

■ Fully escorted by experienced and professional Outback Discovery Tour Manager

and Driver

■ All inclusive touring with no hidden extras

■ Exclusive airport transfers

■ An Outback Discovery Kit including a backpack, bush hat, water bottle, map,

ticket wallet and torch

Brilliant...

I N C L U D E D F E AT U R E S

7Mai

n Im

age:

Win

ton-

Boul

ia R

oad

Sign

; Sm

all I

mag

es: K

athe

rine

Gor

ge C

ruis

e; B

room

e C

oast

line;

Kak

adu

Swim

min

g H

ole;

Buf

fet B

reak

fast

; Coc

onut

Bea

ch; R

ainb

ow L

orrik

eet

Pioneers who forged new lives in Australia’s outback encountered almost

insurmountable challenges. Even today, individual travellers can come across harsh

circumstances that take away from the overall experience. Outback Discovery has

planned everything meticulously so that travelling to remote areas is easy.

Purpose Built Coaches for Smaller Groups You will feel like you’re part of a family,

not on a group tour. Our All Terrain 4WD smaller coaches have been specially

designed to carry up to only 30 guests. Wherever we go, you will enjoy the more

intimate experience and added attention from your crew. Even better, our smaller

coaches can access places that larger coaches can’t.

We Look After Everything Outback Discovery guarantees that an experienced Driver

and Tour Manager will accompany you on all tours. The benefits of having a team of

two to look after you are enormous. The Driver can concentrate on getting you to

each destination safely and comfortably, while your Tour Manager co-ordinates

smooth check-ins, sightseeing, meal arrangements and much more. Every Outback

Discovery holiday is fully inclusive in the true sense. That means that you get to visit

all of the ‘must-see’ sights and important attractions, rather than just driving past.

We have included all meals, so that you don’t have to search for somewhere to eat

in remote areas. And we guarantee that you will stay in a wonderful range of

accommodation types, each chosen to suit the region you’re in.

Dedicated

T O Y O U R T O TA L E N J O Y M E N T

9Mai

n Im

age:

Loc

h Ar

d G

orge

; Sm

all I

mag

es: W

ave

Rock

; Mar

gare

t Riv

er W

ine;

Lot

us L

ily K

akad

u; Ji

llaro

o an

d H

orse

; Ulu

ru (A

yers

Roc

k);

Park

Ran

ger

The ultimate in 4WD vehicles We have commissioned a brand new fleet of luxury All

Terrain 4WD Mercedes Benz coaches so that you can enjoy the ultimate in comfort on the

road. In designing these state-of-the-art vehicles, we have considered the long distances

that are unavoidable when travelling in the outback. As soon as you board your new 5 star

Mercedes Benz vehicle, you will appreciate the special touches we’ve added. Stretch out in

the spacious legroom between you and the seat in front. Settle in to your comfortable, plush

upholstered seats. See the best views in the world from our large tinted windows. We will

be making regular rest stops but you will be pleased to know that our onboard washroom

is there whenever you need it. And in the event of extreme outdoor temperatures, our

industrial-strength air-conditioning will keep you very comfortable on board at all times.

Some of the great features of our brand new Mercedes Benz vehicles include:

Discover

T H E O U T B A C K I N S T Y L E

11Mai

n Im

age:

Out

back

Dis

cove

ry V

ehic

le;

Smal

l Im

ages

: Gul

fland

er T

rain

; Sou

nds o

f Sile

nce

Din

ner;

Lake

Arg

yle;

Gei

kie

Gor

ge C

ruis

e; O

utba

ck D

isco

very

Veh

icle

; Mos

sman

Gor

ge

■ Spacious legroom

■ Plush upholstered reclining seats,

with footrests

■ Video, DVD player and 5 television

monitors for better viewing from all seats

■ ‘Roadcam‘ fitted to the roof of all

vehicles allowing uninhibited viewing on

the TV monitors of where we are

travelling at all times

■ Fully ducted air-conditioning

ensuring you feel comfortable at all

times

■ Onboard restroom

■ State-of-the-art satellitecommunication with back to basemonitoring for added safety

■ GPS Navigation

■ Advanced safety features

■ State-of-the-art PA system

■ Overhead luggage racks for yourpersonal belongings

■ Carpet interior to ensure a quiet ride

■ Large tinted windows

Images of the Outback Discovery Vehicle are an artist’s impression. The layout and size are correct at time of printinghowever the final appearance and specifications may vary.

After living your days to the full out in the Australian wilderness, you will be delighted

to know that we have selected the best accommodation and dining available for you

to enjoy.

A Great Mix of Places to Stay You will experience a fantastic combination of

accommodation styles – from 5 star centrally located hotels to wilderness lodges

and deluxe tented cabins. Some of the places we have chosen for you are more about

being there than the accommodation and on 7 nights of our Grand Australia holiday

we will show you the ropes so you can pitch your own tent to sleep under the stars.

We have also included many 2 night stays so that your holiday has a leisurely pace

and you can really get a feel for each destination.

All Meals Included When you’re in the outback, your days will be occupied with ‘once

in a lifetime’ experiences. The last thing you will want to do is wonder where to find

your next meal or how much you will have to spend. No need to worry with Outback

Discovery, as every meal is included. And we mean every meal! You will also enjoy

morning and afternoon tea on most days. To start each day, you will be served a

delicious breakfast and then you’ll look forward to tasty lunches during your midday

break. On some days we will make the most of an exceptional location and dine

outdoors on a hearty bush picnic. At the end of each day, you can relax with your new

found friends over dinner. We have also included some special highlight evenings,

such as the award-winning Sounds of Silence dinner at Uluru (Ayers Rock), the

Australian Outback Spectacular presented by R.M.Williams on the Gold Coast and

dinner aboard Melbourne’s Colonial Tramcar Restaurant.

Relax

S O A K U P T H E AT M O S P H E R E

13Mai

n Im

age:

Cab

le B

each

Clu

b Re

sort;

Sm

all I

mag

es: C

row

ne P

laza

Dar

win

; Cra

dle

Mou

ntai

n Lo

dge;

Din

ing;

Car

narv

on G

orge

Cab

in; E

mm

a G

orge

Res

ort;

Cam

pfire

The success of any holiday depends on how much personal enrichment you get out

of the things you see and do. This is particularly true in outback Australia. At Outback

Discovery, we want our clients to return home feeling that they have experienced

absolutely everything they could wish for. Our holidays are jam-packed with diverse

and interesting activities. Go on guided walks to hidden Aboriginal rock art sites,

stroll along a beach amidst sleepy sea lions, wander on the floor of an ancient

rainforest and explore World Heritage listed sites. Compare lifestyles in remote

outback townships with the bustling cities of Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

In Western Australia and the Northern Territory you will never forget the awe-inspiring

cruises on Geikie Gorge and Katherine Gorge. In Broome, you will tour a working pearl

farm. You will take guided walks into the beehive domes of the Bungle Bungles and in

spring, join us to meet dolphins at Monkey Mia and see the colourful wildflowers.

Queensland is waiting for you to tour the ancient and remote lava tubes at Undara,

visit Riversleigh Fossil Site to marvel at well-preserved dinosaur remains or stand

at Australia’s most northerly point, on the rocky outcrop at the tip of Cape York.

In New South Wales and South Australia explore the ghost town of Silverton, get up

close to Kangaroo Island’s wildlife and thrill to a 4WD drive in rugged country at

Arkaroola. And in Victoria, travel along the scenic coastal Great Ocean Road and see

the world-famous Twelve Apostles.

Tasmania is all about discovering remote wilderness areas for yourself on a Gordon

River cruise, travelling aboard the West Coast Wilderness Railway and on a walk

around Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.

Experiences

O F A L I F E T I M E

15Mai

n Im

age:

Cat

hedr

al G

orge

; Sm

all I

mag

es: Y

ello

w W

ater

s Bill

abon

g C

ruis

e; F

an P

alm

s; G

reen

Tur

tle; E

dith

Fal

ls; C

roco

dile

s; M

acqu

arie

Har

bour

Hidden Wonders Many unbelievably beautiful places can be found in the outback.

It’s as though this great land has been protecting them by hiding them in remote

areas. Outback Discovery has made access to many of these sites easier than ever

before. You will discover the best of them when travelling in the Kimberley, along

the trans-continental Savannah Way and on Queensland’s Cape York. Wherever you

go with us, you will agree that there is nothing that can compare with being in the

midst of World Heritage areas, ancient landscapes, stunning national parks and

settlements where colonial history comes alive.

Once in a Lifetime Experiences Imagine yourself relaxing in your permanent tented

cabins surrounded by thousands of acres of untouched bushland at El Questro

Wilderness Park. Or seeing the infamous Gibb River Road stretch as far as the eye

can see. In the wetlands of Kakadu National Park you will observe more species of

birds than you can possibly count. Feel the power of the dreamtime in the shadows

of rock monoliths at the World Heritage listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. On

pristine Kangaroo Island you will view wildlife of all kinds. Discover Tasmania’s

complex past in historic Strahan and Port Arthur. Or cross the Nullarbor Plain with

us to experience the one road trip that every Australian wants to do in their lifetime.

Combination Holidays We invite you to join us on one or more of our holidays, and

you will find that our flexible programs allow you to link several of Australia’s

outback regions. Why not journey from Broome to Darwin, across the Savannah Way

to Cairns and then north to the tip of Queensland’s Cape York? It’s all possible with

Outback Discovery.

Extraordinary

P L A C E S , H I DDE N W O N DE RS

17Mai

n Im

age:

Boa

b Tr

ees a

t Sun

set;

Smal

l Im

ages

: Dol

phin

s; Te

rmite

Mou

nd; R

usse

ll Fa

lls; G

reat

Aus

tralia

n Bi

ght;

Win

djan

a G

orge

; Ulu

ru (A

yers

Roc

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Rewards

D E S I G N E D F O R Y O U

19Mai

n Im

age:

Dai

ntree

For

est;

Smal

l Im

ages

: Gan

thea

ume P

oint

; Boa

b Pr

ison

Tree

; Cha

mbe

rlain

Gor

ge C

ruise

; Anc

ient R

ainf

ores

t; Tr

avel

Pack

; Ro

ugh

Knob

tail

Gec

ko

Loyalty Rewards* If you have travelled with our sister company Scenic Tours

on tours of 7 days or more in the last 7 years, you are entitled to the following discounts:

Group Discounts* Generous discounts apply for groups over 9 guests.

Please contact our office for full details.

Multi Tour Discount* When 1 person books 2 Outback Discovery tours at the

same time, you will receive a discount of $150 per person on the cost of the 2nd tour.

Single Travellers* If you’re happy to share a room with another guest of the

same gender, you can avoid the single supplement cost and save up to $2,055.

Complimentary Airport Transfers* If you travel on the first and last

day of your tour or if you have purchased Outback Discovery pre or post tour

accommodation, you will be provided with complimentary return airport transfers.

Your Outback Discovery Kit Before you travel, we will send you a

comprehensive and practical touring pack including a backpack to carry essential

items, as well as a bush hat, water bottle, map, ticket wallet and torch.

1 previous tour SAVE $100 per person

2 previous tours SAVE $150 per person



*For full terms and conditions, please refer to pages 50-51.

DAY 1 • BROOMEThis afternoon meet your Outback Discovery crew(please book flights to arrive by 3.30pm) and gettogether with your fellow travellers over a welcomedrink as you watch the sun set over Cable Beach,followed by dinner. Overnight Stay: Cable BeachClub Resort or Rendezvous Sanctuary Resort.

DAY 2 • BROOME – FITZROY CROSSINGSettle in aboard your Outback Discovery vehicle thismorning as we head out to Fitzroy Crossing on theborder of the vast Kimberley and the Great SandyDesert. We’ll cross the Fitzroy River which is almostdry at this time of year, but can transform into amighty torrent over 10 kilometres wide during thewet season. This afternoon relax on a cruise throughthe sanctuary that is Geikie Gorge, where 30 metresteep limestone walls laid down over a period of 50million years were formed by fossilised coral reefs. Ifyou look carefully, you can see the markings of vastlydifferent water levels during the dry season and the‘Big Wet’. Tonight we stay in lush green surroundingsat the Fitzroy River lodge on the banks of the VictoriaRiver. Overnight Stay: Fitzroy River Lodge.

DAY 3 • FITZROY CROSSING –HALLS CREEKThe highlight of today’s touring is a foray into theGreat Sandy Desert along the infamous TanamiTrack where we will visit Wolfe Creek Crater, thesecond largest meteorite crater on earth. A shortwalk to the rim of the crater reveals an expansiveview of the perfectly round impact site, which is 60 metres deep and nearly a kilometre wide. Thenwe continue on to Halls Creek for the night. Locatedon the boundary of the Kimberley and TanamiDesert, this outback town is the site of WesternAustralia’s first commercial gold discovery and athriving service town for pastoralists, Aboriginalcommunities and mining camps in the area.Overnight Stay: Comfort Inn Kimberley Hotel.

DAY 4 • HALLS CREEK – BUNGLEBUNGLESThis morning explore the old stone buildings at theOld Halls Creek town site. On to the ‘Great Wall ofChina’, a 6 metre high quartz outcrop running along aline of hills to a river valley. Our vehicle turns off theGreat Northern Highway and into Purnululu NationalPark, the World Heritage listed area of the BungleBungles. After lunch we head to the southern end ofthe Bungle Bungles for a walk into majesticCathedral Gorge, an acoustically magnificent naturalamphitheatre. A pre dinner drink back at the camp isfollowed by dinner and star-gazing. Two Night Stay:Bellburn Safari Camp.

DAY 5 • BUNGLE BUNGLESThis morning there is the opportunity of taking anoptional helicopter flight over the magnificentBungle Bungles (at own expense). Seeing these

KIMBERLEY SPECTACULAR 15 days

20

Fitzroy River, Geikie Gorge National ParkLittle Corellas

INCLUDED FEATURES• Australian owned and operated – backed by over 20 years of experience and unmatched

local knowledge • Travelling on board brand new luxury All Terrain 4WD Mercedes Benz 30 seater vehicles • All meals including full hot breakfast, lunch and dinner each day whilst on tour • Morning and afternoon teas are included on most days • All ‘must-see’ attractions and sights are built into each itinerary • Innovative itineraries which highlight the best of what Australia offers • Many 2 night stays for a leisurely paced holiday and to allow you to get a feel for the destination • Fully escorted by experienced and professional Outback Discovery Tour Manager and Driver • All inclusive touring with no hidden extras• Exclusive airport transfers are included • An Outback Discovery Kit including a backpack, bush hat, water bottle, map, ticket wallet and torch

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS• Stay 3 nights at luxurious Cable Beach Club Resort or Rendezvous Sanctuary Resort in Broome • Cruise through the amazing Geikie Gorge • Stay 2 nights in the World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park at the Bellburn Safari Camp • Walk into Cathedral Gorge, a natural amphitheatre and Echidna Chasm in the Bungle Bungles • Panoramic views of the surrounding area at Five Rivers Lookout • Cruise down the spectacular Ord River and into Lake Kununurra as the sun sets • Overnight stay at El Questro Wilderness Park at Emma Gorge Resort or in the Station Township • Cruise through the picturesque Chamberlain Gorge • Swim in the thermal pools at Zebedee Springs at El Questro • Travel along the Gibb River Road • Enjoy the unique outback experience in the heart of the Kimberley with an overnight stay at

Mount Elizabeth Station • Explore King Leopold Ranges Conservation Park, home to many breathtakingly beautiful gorges • Walk into Tunnel Creek, Western Australia’s oldest cave system • Visit spectacular Windjana Gorge, home to Johnston fresh water crocodiles • See the unique Boab Prison Tree in Derby • Broome sightseeing tour including a guided tour at Willie Creek Pearl Farm and at the

Pearl Luggers’ Museum

ACCOMMODATIONWe have chosen a great mix of accommodation styles which make the most of what each region hasto offer - from 3.5 to 5 star hotels to wilderness lodges and tented cabins. Some of the remoteoutback areas we have chosen are more about being there and the experiences and memories youcan take with you rather than the accommodation itself. • Day 4 & 5 – your 2 night stay at Bellburn Safari Camp is in permanently tented safari cabins,comfortable beds and shared facilities • Day 8 – your overnight stay at El Questro Wilderness Parkwill either be at Emma Gorge in deluxe tented cabins with private ensuites or at the StationTownship in permanent station tents with shared facilities • Day 9 – your overnight stay at MountElizabeth Station has shared facilities • Day 10 & 11 – your 2 night stay at Mount Hart WildernessLodge has shared facilities

ON TOUR ACTIVITIESA number of great walks are included on various days throughout this tour. The following walks areconsidered moderate to difficult and a good level of fitness will especially be required for these walks:• Cathedral Gorge • Echidna Chasm • Mini Palms • Emma Gorge • Manning Gorge • Bell Gorge

1

FITZROYCROSSING

KUNUNURRA

Wyndham

EL QUESTRO

MOUNT ELIZABETH STATION

MOUNT HARTWILDERNESS LODGE

DERBY

Five Rivers Lookout

Ivanhoe

Geikie GorgeCruise

Wolfe CreekMeteorite Crater

BROOMEHALLS CREEK

BUNGLEBUNGLES

Purnululu National Park

King Leopold Ranges National Park

Geikie Gorge National Park

Bell Gorge

Manning Gorge

Gibb R

iver R

oad

Ord River

Tana

mi R

oad

Grea

t Nor

ther

n H

ighw

ay

Lake Argyle ChamberlainGorge Cruise

WindjanaGorge

Echidna Chasm

Cathedral Gorge

121 1

2

21

1

2

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Tunnel CreekNational Park

incredible rock formations from the air gives a truesense of the scale of this incredible National Park.Today we drive to the northern end of the BungleBungles for a memorable day of walks in two of thePark’s best attractions. The first walk is into EchidnaChasm through a narrow gorge that revealssomething new at every bend – it’s like walkingthrough a huge gap in the landscape with sunlightbouncing off the flaming red hues of the rock walls.After a delicious picnic lunch, we set off along acreek bed into Mini Palms. A climb through rockyoutcrops brings you to a platform atop a scenicamphitheatre for views of verdant palm trees andthe valley beyond.

DAY 6 • BUNGLE BUNGLES – KUNUNURRAShortly after rejoining the Great Northern Highwaywe journey through the rugged red Carr BoydRange. We then follow the Cockburn Range beforereaching the Cambridge Gulf and the port ofWyndham, where live cattle and sugar are the mainexports. A visit here is not complete without takingin the panoramic views of the region at the FiveRivers Lookout. You’ll see for miles out across theCambridge Gulf and the five rivers that flow into it -the Ord, Pentecost, Durack, King and Forrest.Continuing to Kununurra we will follow the CarrBoyd Range then cross the diversion dam that wasbuilt to stem the waters of the Ord River to createLake Kununurra. Kununurra is a vibrant town at thecentre of the fertile Ord River Irrigation Schemewhich ships huge volumes of fruit and fresh produceto Australian and overseas markets. Two Night Stay:Kununurra Country Club.

DAY 7 • KUNUNURRATo start this exciting day we depart for IvanhoeCrossing, the original crossing across the Ord River.Next we visit the Hoochery, the State’s only licenseddistillery where rum is produced from local sugar.We then drive to the rebuilt homestead of theDurack family - Argyle Downs. After a visit to thehomestead that is now a museum, we cross the damwall to join a cruise down the Ord River and intoLake Kununurra.

DAY 8 • KUNUNURRA – EL QUESTROWILDERNESS PARKToday our destination is El Questro Wilderness Park,a working cattle station set on a million acres. Afterwe arrive, we’ll take a cruise on Chamberlain Gorge,a fresh waterhole enclosed by a toweringescarpment and home to incredibly diverse flora andfauna. This afternoon there is the chance of takingan optional helicopter flight over some of ElQuestro’s many gorges and waterfalls (at ownexpense – subject to availability). Then it’s on to thethermal pools at Zebedee Springs for a relaxing dipin this natural day spa surrounded by sheer cliffsand Livistona Palms. Overnight Stay: Emma GorgeResort or Station Township.

DAY 9 • EL QUESTRO WILDERNESS PARK – MOUNT ELIZABETH STATIONThis morning, enjoy the peaceful surroundings onour optional early morning walk to Emma Gorge. Wethen leave El Questro and travel along the Gibb RiverRoad, originally a stock route across the Kimberleyand more recently one of Australia's mostchallenging 4 wheel drive adventures. We’ll crossthe Pentecost River and many creeks on this journeyto the family-owned Mount Elizabeth Station. This isa unique outback experience and your hosts willshare their deep appreciation for the surroundingcountry and the knowledge gained from a lifetimespent living and working on a cattle station in thisremote area of Australia. Overnight Stay: MountElizabeth Station.

DAY 10 • MOUNT ELIZABETH STATION –MOUNT HARTEnjoy a stop at the waterholes of Manning Gorge aswe continue our journey along the Gibb River Road.Then, we enter the King Leopold RangesConservation Park, home to many breathtakinglybeautiful gorges. Two Night Stay: Mount HartWilderness Lodge.

DAY 11 • MOUNT HARTToday you can choose to stay and relax at MountHart or join your crew for a day trip to Bell Gorge.Swim in the fresh water river, stroll through 8 acresof tropical heritage gardens, paddle a canoe pastpandanus lined waterways or simply chill out in ahammock under a shady mango tree. Our drive toBell Gorge takes us past Silent Grove and on to BellGorge, found about 300 metres above sea level andthe beginning of a series of waterfalls that descendto the ocean. You will have plenty of time to take inthe views and swim in one of the best waterholes inthe Kimberley before enjoying a picnic lunch andreturning to Mount Hart.

DAY 12 • MOUNT HART – DERBYThis morning it’s back to the Gibb River Roadtowards Tunnel Creek where you will enjoy a walkinto Western Australia’s oldest cave system, madefamous in 1897 as a hideout for the Aboriginalleader, Jandamarra. From here it’s on to WindjanaGorge where a large population of Johnston freshwater crocodiles inhabit the water hole. After apicnic lunch we drive to Derby, the main base for theRoyal Flying Doctor Service in the Kimberley. Beforearriving at our hotel we stop at the town’s jetty builtto handle huge 10 metre tidal flows. Overnight Stay:King Sound Resort.

DAY 13 • DERBY – BROOMEOn the road to Broome this morning, we will visit theBoab Prison Tree that for many years was used bypolice as a convenient lock-up for prisoners. Nearbyis Myall’s Bore where stockmen would take turns inwatering their stock before loading them on to ships

for export. During a guided tour and cruise at WillieCreek Pearl Farm, you will discover how the rareand beautiful Australian South Sea Pearl isproduced. In Broome, there will be a brieforientation tour before you check in to your hotel.Two Night Stay: Cable Beach Club Resort orRendezvous Sanctuary Resort.

DAY 14 • BROOMEMake the most of a leisurely start this morningbefore our tour of the sights of Broome. Stop atGantheaume Point for a great photo opportunitylooking back across Cable Beach. We then brieflyvisit the Broome Jetty, a prime spot for keenfishermen and where live cattle shipments are afrequent sight. Next stop will be the JapaneseCemetery, a testament to the dangerous early daysof the pearling industry as over 900 divers are buriedhere. View the Old Courthouse, built in 1888 afterreputedly being delivered to the wrong country.Enjoy a tour at the Pearl Luggers’ Museum whereyou will learn of the perils of the deep and whatmade the pearl divers life so hazardous. After lunch,wander through the old buildings in China Townwhere many indigenous art galleries and pearlshowrooms can be found. This afternoon there is theopportunity of taking an optional scenic flight overthe picturesque Buccaneer Archipelago (at ownexpense). This evening’s dinner is time to relivemany memorable holiday moments and say farewellto your crew and fellow travellers.

DAY 15 • BROOMEThis morning after breakfast you will be transferredto the airport for your homebound flight.

Pearls, Broome

21

2008

May 15, 29

Jun 12, 27

Jul 12, 26

Aug 09, 23

Sep 06, 20

2009

May 16, 30

Jun 13, 27

Jul 11, 25

Aug 08, 22

Sep 05,19

DEPARTURE DATES

2008 TOUR PRICES15 Day Tour Tour Code: OBBBroome to Broome $5,475Single Supplement $1,285

All prices are per person, twin share in AUD. Fully inclusiveof all sightseeing, entrance fees, accommodation and mealsas specified. Additional activities are at own expense andunless otherwise stated must be booked on tour. Touritinerary and pricing valid from 01 April 2008 to 31 March2009. Enquire for itinerary and pricing that fall outside thisperiod. Flights are not included. For full terms andconditions, please see pages 50-51.

Nights accommodationLand ContentUnsealed Road

1

DAY 1 • BROOMEThis afternoon meet your Outback Discovery crew(please book flights to arrive by 3.30pm) and gettogether with your fellow travellers over a welcomedrink as you watch the sun set over Cable Beach,followed by dinner. Two Night Stay: Cable BeachClub Resort or Rendezvous Sanctuary Resort.

DAY 2 • BROOMEMake the most of a leisurely start this morningbefore our tour of the sights of Broome. Stop atGantheaume Point for a great photo opportunitylooking back across Cable Beach. We then stop atthe Broome Jetty, a prime spot for keen fishermenand where live cattle shipments are a frequent sight.Next we visit the Japanese Cemetery, a testament tothe dangerous early days of the pearling industry asover 900 divers are buried here. View the OldCourthouse, built in 1888 after reputedly beingdelivered to the wrong country. Enjoy a tour at thePearl Luggers’ Museum where you will learn of theperils of the deep and what made the pearl diverslife so hazardous. After lunch, wander through theold buildings in China Town where many indigenousart galleries and pearl showrooms can be found.This afternoon there is the opportunity of taking anoptional scenic flight over the picturesqueBuccaneer Archipelago (at own expense, must bepre-booked).

DAY 3 • BROOME – DERBYAfter checking out of our hotel, we travel to WillieCreek Pearl Farm where you will discover, during aguided tour and cruise, how the rare and beautifulAustralian South Sea Pearl is produced. We thencontinue to Derby, stopping en-route at the BoabPrison Tree that for many years was used by policeas a convenient lock-up for prisoners. OvernightStay: King Sound Resort.

DAY 4 • DERBY – FITZROY CROSSINGThis morning we travel along the Gibb River Road toWindjana Gorge where a large population ofJohnston fresh water crocodiles inhabit the waterhole. From here it’s on to Tunnel Creek for a guidedwalk into Western Australia’s oldest cave system,made famous in 1897 as a hideout for the Aboriginalleader, Jandamarra. After a picnic lunch we willtake a cruise along magnificent Geikie Gorge. Thissanctuary was formed by layers of fossilised coralreefs that formed 30 metre steep limestone wallsover a period of 50 million years. Overnight Stay:Fitzroy River Lodge.

DAY 5 • FITZROY CROSSING – BUNGLE BUNGLESOutside Fitzroy Crossing we’ll pass abandoned leadand zinc mines which were closed in recent yearsdue to falling ore prices and stop for morning tea atMary Pool. This peaceful rest area is pure outbackWestern Australia, with huge red river gums

KIMBERLEY & TOP END EXPLORER15 days Broome to Darwin

22

The Ord River below Lake Argyle near KununurraAboriginal rock paintings at Ubirr, Kakadu National Park


local knowledge • Travelling on board brand new luxury All Terrain 4WD Mercedes Benz 30 seater vehicles • All meals including full hot breakfast, lunch and dinner each day whilst on tour • Morning and afternoon teas are included on most days • All ‘must-see’ attractions and sights are built into each itinerary • Innovative itineraries which highlight the best of what Australia offers • Many 2 night stays for a leisurely paced holiday and to allow you to get a feel for the destination • Fully escorted by experienced and professional Outback Discovery Tour Manager and Driver • All inclusive touring with no hidden extras • Exclusive airport transfers are included • An Outback Discovery Kit including a backpack, bush hat, water bottle, map, ticket wallet and torch

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS• Stay 2 nights at luxurious Cable Beach Club Resort or Rendezvous Sanctuary Resort in Broome • Broome sightseeing tour including a guided tour at Willie Creek Pearl Farm and at the

Pearl Luggers’ Museum • See the unique Boab Prison Tree in Derby • Visit spectacular Windjana Gorge, home to Johnston fresh water crocodiles • Walk into Tunnel Creek, Western Australia’s oldest cave system • Cruise through the amazing Geikie Gorge • Stay 2 nights in the World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park at the Bellburn Safari Camp • Walk into the majestic Cathedral Gorge and Echidna Chasm in the Bungle Bungles • 2 night stay at El Questro Wilderness Park at Emma Gorge Resort or in the Station Township • Cruise through picturesque Chamberlain Gorge• Swim in the thermal pools at Zebedee Springs at El Questro • Panoramic views of the surrounding area at Five Rivers Lookout • Cruise down the spectacular Ord River and into Lake Kununurra as the sun sets • Guided cruise through stunning Katherine Gorge • Enjoy a swim in the pandanus fringed waterhole at spectacular Edith Falls • Explore World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park • Visit beautiful Wangi and Florence Falls in Litchfield National Park • 2 night stay at the 5 star Crowne Plaza Hotel in Darwin

ACCOMMODATIONWe have chosen a great mix of accommodation styles which make the most of what each region hasto offer - from 3.5 to 5 star hotels to wilderness lodges and tented cabins. Some of the remoteoutback areas we have chosen are more about being there and the experiences and memories youcan take with you rather than the accommodation itself. • Day 5 & 6 – your 2 night stay at Bellburn Safari Camp is in permanently tented safari cabins,comfortable beds and shared facilities • Day 7 & 8 – your two night stay at El Questro WildernessPark will either be at Emma Gorge in deluxe tented cabins with private ensuites or at the StationTownship in permanent tents which have shared facilities

ON TOUR ACTIVITIESA number of great walks are included on various days throughout this tour. The following walks areconsidered moderate to difficult and a good level of fitness will especially be required for these walks:• Cathedral Gorge • Echidna Chasm • Mini Palms • Emma Gorge

Great Sandy Desert

DERBY

Geikie GorgeCruiseBROOME

BUNGLE BUNGLESPurnululu National Park

Ord River

Victoria River

Grea

t Nor

ther

n H

ighw

ay

Carr

Boy

d R

ange

s

Lake Argyle

WindjanaGorge Echidna Chasm

Cathedral Gorge

22

2

1

EL QUESTROKUNUNURRA

Chamberlain Gorge2

Tanami Desert

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

NORTHERN TERRITORY


Katherine GorgeCruise1

JABIRUDARWIN

KATHERINE

KakaduNational

Park 1

LitchfieldNational Park

Cambridge Gulf

Yellow WatersBillabong Cruise

2

Fitzr

oy R

iver

1FITZROYCROSSING


shading the riverbanks. We’ll have lunch in HallsCreek, site of Western Australia’s first commercialgold discovery and a thriving service centre forpastoralists, Aboriginal communities and miningcamps. Our vehicle turns off the highway and intoPurnululu National Park, the World Heritage listedarea of the Bungle Bungles. We’ll head to thesouthern end of the Park for a walk into CathedralGorge, an acoustically magnificent naturalamphitheatre. A pre-dinner drink back at the campis followed by dinner and star-gazing. Two NightStay: Bellburn Safari Camp.

DAY 6 • BUNGLE BUNGLESThis morning there is the opportunity of taking anoptional helicopter flight over the magnificent BungleBungles (at own expense). Seeing these incrediblerock formations from the air gives a true sense of thescale of this incredible national park. Today we driveto the northern end of the Bungle Bungles for amemorable day of walks in two of the Park’s bestattractions. The first walk is into Echidna Chasmthrough a narrow gorge that reveals something newat every bend – it’s like walking through a huge gap inthe landscape with sunlight bouncing off the flamingred hues of the rock walls. After a delicious picniclunch we set off along a creek bed into Mini Palms. Aclimb through rocky outcrops brings you to a platformatop a scenic amphitheatre for views of verdant palmtrees and the valley beyond.

DAY 7 • BUNGLE BUNGLES – EL QUESTRO WILDERNESS PARKLeaving Purnululu National Park, we make our waythrough the rugged landscape of the Carr BoydRange before arriving at El Questro WildernessPark, a working cattle station set on a million acres.After we arrive, enjoy the peaceful surroundings onour optional walk into Emma Gorge. Two Night Stay:Emma Gorge Resort or Station Township.

DAY 8 • EL QUESTRO WILDERNESS PARKThis morning we’ll take a cruise on ChamberlainGorge, a fresh waterhole enclosed by a toweringescarpment and home to incredibly diverse flora andfauna. This afternoon there is the chance of takingan optional helicopter flight over some of ElQuestro’s many gorges and waterfalls (at ownexpense – subject to availability). Then it’s on to thethermal pools at Zebedee Springs for a relaxing dipin this natural day spa surrounded by sheer cliffsand Livistona Palms.

DAY 9 • EL QUESTRO WILDERNESS PARK –KUNUNURRAWe reboard our coach this morning to follow theCockburn Range before reaching the Cambridge Gulfand the port of Wyndham. A visit here is not completewithout taking in the panoramic views of the region atthe Five Rivers Lookout. You will see for miles outacross the Cambridge Gulf and the five rivers that

flow into it - the Ord, Pentecost, Durack, King andForrest. Continuing to Kununurra we will follow theCarr Boyd Range then cross the diversion dam thatwas built to stem the waters of the Ord River.Kununurra is a vibrant town at the centre of the fertileOrd River Irrigation Scheme. Before our orientationtour of Kununurra, we’ll stop at the Zebra RockGallery where you will see works carved by localresidents from the patterned stone unique to theregion. Two Night Stay: Kununurra Country Club.

DAY 10 • KUNUNURRATo start this exciting day we depart for IvanhoeCrossing, the original crossing across the Ord River.Next we visit the Hoochery, the State’s only licenseddistillery where rum is produced from local sugar.We then drive to the rebuilt homestead of theDurack family - Argyle Downs. After a visit to thehomestead that is now a museum, we cross the damwall to join a cruise down the Ord River and intoLake Kununurra.

DAY 11 • KUNUNURRA – KATHERINEToday we leave the Kimberley and Western Australiaand enter the Northern Territory. We will pass byBullo River Station, made famous by top-sellingauthor Sara Henderson whose books vividlydescribed station life. On to the mighty escarpmentcountry in the Victoria River region, one of the mostpicturesque areas in the Northern Territory. We’lltravel through Timber Creek and near the VictoriaRiver Crossing, we’ll pass by the Victoria RiverDowns Station which was once the largest landholding on earth. The Victoria River, known by localsas ‘The Vic’, was a key influence on Aboriginalheritage and today is a lifeline for pastoralproperties. When we arrive at Katherine there istime to stroll through the town before we head to thehotel to relax or have a swim before dinner.Overnight Stay: All Seasons Katherine.

DAY 12 • KATHERINE – JABIRUYou will agree that our early start today is well worthit because the still of the morning is the best time ofday to cruise through stunning Katherine Gorge. Atthe Nitmiluk Visitors’ Centre you will see informativedisplays outlining the geology, landscape andAboriginal history of the national park. SpectacularEdith Falls is our lunch stop today. Afterwards youcan swim in the large pandanus fringed waterhole atthe base of the falls. We drive on to Kakadu NationalPark, 20,000 square kilometres of savannahwoodland, ancient escarpments and tropicalwilderness inhabited by a multitude of flora andfauna. A visit to the excellent Bowali Visitors’ Centrewill provide you with plenty of information about thiscomplex region. Depending on time and availabilityyou might choose to take a scenic flight over thewetlands of Kakadu (at own expense). OvernightStay: Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn.

DAY 13 • JABIRU – DARWIN This morning enjoy a cruise on the Yellow WatersBillabong where it is possible to see estuarinecrocodiles in their natural habitat. One third ofAustralia's bird species is represented in KakaduNational Park with at least 60 species found in thesewetlands. Then it’s on to Ubirr to view Aboriginalrock art galleries that date back thousands of years.After a climb up on to the escarpment, you will berewarded with panoramic views you will neverforget. In the heart of crocodile, buffalo andbarramundi country, we will stop briefly at thequirky Bark Hut Inn. Before we check in to ourDarwin hotel, we’ll take you on a short orientationtour of this laid-back tropical capital. Two NightStay: Crowne Plaza Hotel.

DAY 14 • DARWIN – LITCHFIELD NATIONALPARK – DARWINWe’ll spend our last touring day in LitchfieldNational Park where numerous waterfalls cascadefrom a sandstone plateau called the ‘TabletopRange’. View intriguing magnetic termite moundsbefore we travel to Florence Falls and Wangi Falls.Both are extraordinarily beautiful and you’ll have achance to swim in the pool at the base of WangiFalls, one of the Top End’s most popular swimmingspots. After lunch we’ll spend the afternoon at theTerritory Wildlife Park where you can get close tothe bird life in the dome aviary or walk through theaquarium tunnel as barramundi and turtles swimoverhead. Our dinner this evening is time to sayfarewell to your crew and fellow travellers.

DAY 15 • DARWINThis morning after breakfast you will be transferredto the airport for your homebound flight.

23

Zebedee Springs

2008

May 09Jun 06, 28Jul 05Aug 02, 31

2009

May 10Jun 07, 27Jul 05Aug 02, 30

DEPARTURE DATES

2008 TOUR PRICES15 Day Tour Tour Code: OBDBroome to Darwin $5,495Single Supplement $1,520



1

DAY 1 • DARWINThis evening meet your Outback Discovery crew andget together with fellow travellers over a welcomedrink, followed by dinner. Two Night Stay: CrownePlaza Hotel.

DAY 2 • DARWIN – LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK – DARWINWe’ll spend our first touring day in LitchfieldNational Park where numerous waterfalls cascadefrom a sandstone plateau called the Tabletop Range.View intriguing magnetic termite mounds before wetravel to Florence Falls and Wangi Falls. Both areextraordinarily beautiful and you’ll have a chance toswim in the pool at the base of Wangi Falls, one ofthe Top End’s most popular swimming spots. Afterlunch we’ll spend the afternoon at the TerritoryWildlife Park where you can get close to the bird lifein the dome aviary or walk through the aquariumtunnel as barramundi and turtles swim overhead.

DAY 3 • DARWIN – JABIRUToday we make our way out along the ArnhemHighway for morning tea at the quirky Bark Hut Inn inthe heart of crocodile, buffalo and barramundicountry. We drive into Kakadu National Park, 20,000 square kilometres of savannah woodland,ancient escarpments and tropical wildernessinhabited by a multitude of flora and fauna. Keep youreyes open at the Mamukala Wetlands BirdObservatory as it’s not uncommon to see dingoshunting the thousands of magpie geese that migratehere. Then it’s on to Ubirr to view Aboriginal rock artgalleries that date back thousands of years. After aclimb up onto the escarpment, you will be rewardedby panoramic views of scenery you will never forget. Avisit to the excellent Bowali Visitors’ Centre willprovide you with plenty of information about thiscomplex region. Depending on time and availabilityyou might choose to take a scenic flight over thewetlands of Kakadu (at own expense). Overnight Stay:Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn.

DAY 4 • JABIRU – KATHERINEThis morning enjoy a cruise on the Yellow WatersBillabong where it’s possible to see estuarinecrocodiles in their natural habitat. One third ofAustralia's bird species is represented in KakaduNational Park with at least 60 species found in thesewetlands. Our route south takes us through the oldgold mining town of Pine Creek that was establishedafter a brief gold rush period during the 1870’s. AtEdith Falls we’ll stop for a swim in the largepandanus fringed waterhole at the base of the falls.Overnight Stay: All Seasons Katherine.

DAY 5 • KATHERINE – KUNUNURRA You will agree that our early start today is well worthit because the still of the morning is the best time ofday to cruise through Katherine Gorge. The cruisetakes in two of thirteen gorges carved through

KIMBERLEY & TOP END EXPLORER15 days Darwin to Broome

24

Lake Kununurra in the KimberleyPiccaninny Creek in the Bungle Bungles



TOUR HIGHLIGHTS• 2 night stay at the 5 star Crowne Plaza Hotel in Darwin • Visit beautiful Wangi and Florence Falls in Litchfield National Park • Explore World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park • Enjoy a swim in the pandanus fringed waterhole at spectacular Edith Falls • Guided cruise through stunning Katherine Gorge • Cruise down the spectacular Ord River and into Lake Kununurra as the sun sets • Panoramic views of the surrounding area at Five Rivers Lookout • 2 night stay at El Questro Wilderness Park at Emma Gorge Resort or in the Station Township • Cruise through the picturesque Chamberlain Gorge • Swim in the thermal pools at Zebedee Springs at El Questro • Stay 2 nights in the World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park at the Bellburn Safari Camp • Walk into the majestic Cathedral Gorge and Echidna Chasm in the Bungle Bungles • Cruise through the amazing Geikie Gorge • Walk into Tunnel Creek, Western Australia’s oldest cave system • Visit spectacular Windjana Gorge, home to Johnston fresh water crocodiles • See the unique Boab Prison Tree in Derby • Stay 2 nights at luxurious Cable Beach Club Resort or Rendezvous Sanctuary Resort in Broome • Broome sightseeing tour including a guided tour at Willie Creek Pearl Farm and at the


ACCOMMODATIONWe have chosen a great mix of accommodation styles which make the most of what each region hasto offer - from 3.5 to 5 star hotels to wilderness lodges and tented cabins. Some of the remoteoutback areas we have chosen are more about being there and the experiences and memories youcan take with you rather than the accommodation itself. • Day 7 & 8 – your two night stay at El Questro Wilderness Park will be either at Emma Gorge indeluxe tented cabins with private ensuites or at the Station Township in permanent tents which haveshared facilities • Day 9 & 10 – your two night stay at Bellburn Safari Camp is in permanently tentedsafari cabins, comfortable beds and shared facilities


Great Sandy Desert

DERBY

Geikie GorgeCruiseBROOME

BUNGLE BUNGLESPurnululu National Park

Ord River

Victoria River

Grea

t Nor

ther

n H

ighw

ay

Carr

Boy

d R

ange

s

Lake Argyle

WindjanaGorge Echidna Chasm

Cathedral Gorge

22

2

1

EL QUESTROKUNUNURRA

Chamberlain Gorge Cruise2

Tanami Desert

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

NORTHERN TERRITORY


Katherine GorgeCruise1

JABIRUDARWIN

KATHERINE

Kakadu National Park

1

Litchfield National Park

Cambridge Gulf

2

Fitzr

oy R

iver

1FITZROYCROSSING



ancient sandstone by the Katherine River. At theNitmiluk Visitors’ Centre you will see informativedisplays outlining the geology, landscape andAboriginal history of the national park. We’ll pass bythe Victoria River Downs Station which was once thelargest land holding on earth. Victoria River crossingis our lunch stop. The river is known by locals as‘The Vic’ and was a key influence on Aboriginalheritage and today is a lifeline for pastoralproperties. We will pass by Bullo River Station,made famous by top-selling author Sara Hendersonwhose books vividly described station life. We leavethe Northern Territory and enter Western Australiaand the Kimberley where our hotel at Kununurraawaits. Two Night Stay: Kununurra Country Club.

DAY 6 • KUNUNURRAKununurra is a vibrant town at the centre of thefertile Ord River Irrigation Scheme which ships hugevolumes of fruit and fresh produce to Australian andoverseas markets. To start this exciting day wedepart for Ivanhoe Crossing, the original crossingacross the Ord River. Next we visit the Hoochery, theState’s only licensed distillery where rum isproduced from local sugar. We then drive to therebuilt homestead of the Durack family - ArgyleDowns. After a visit to the homestead that is now amuseum, we cross the dam wall to join a cruisedown the Ord River and into Lake Kununurra,returning to Kununurra at sunset.

DAY 7 • KUNUNURRA –EL QUESTRO WILDERNESS PARK On our way out of Kununurra we will stop at ZebraRock Gallery to see works carved by local residentsfrom the patterned stone unique to the region. Wereboard our coach to follow the Cockburn Rangebefore reaching the Cambridge Gulf and the port ofWyndham. A visit here is not complete withouttaking in the panoramic views of the region at theFive Rivers Lookout. You will see for miles outacross the Cambridge Gulf and the five rivers thatflow into it - the Ord, Pentecost, Durack, King andForrest. We’ll have lunch before backtracking to jointhe famous Gibb River Road which takes us to El Questro Wilderness Park, a working cattle stationset on a million acres. Two Night Stay: Emma GorgeResort or Station Township.

DAY 8 • EL QUESTRO WILDERNESS PARKThis morning we’ll take a cruise on ChamberlainGorge, a fresh waterhole enclosed by a toweringescarpment and home to incredibly diverse flora andfauna. This afternoon there is the chance of takingan optional helicopter flight over some of ElQuestro’s many gorges and waterfalls (at ownexpense – subject to availability). Then it’s on to thethermal pools at Zebedee Springs for a relaxing dipin this natural day spa surrounded by sheer cliffsand Livistona Palms.

DAY 9 • EL QUESTRO WILDERNESS PARK –BUNGLE BUNGLESWe travel south along the Great Northern Highwaystopping for morning tea at a remote KimberleyAboriginal community roadhouse, Doon Doon. Ourjourney follows the rugged red Carr Boyd Rangebefore our vehicle turns off the highway and intoPurnululu National Park, the World Heritage listedarea of the Bungle Bungles. We will then head to thesouthern end of the Park for a walk into CathedralGorge, an acoustically magnificent naturalamphitheatre. A pre-dinner drink back at the campis followed by dinner and star-gazing. Two Night Stay: Bellburn Safari Camp.

DAY 10 • BUNGLE BUNGLESToday we drive to the northern end of the BungleBungles for a memorable day of walks in two of thePark’s best attractions. The first walk is into EchidnaChasm through a narrow gorge that revealssomething new at every bend – it’s like walkingthrough a huge gap in the landscape with sunlightbouncing off the flaming red hues of the rock walls.After a delicious picnic lunch we set off along acreek bed into Mini Palms. A climb through rockyoutcrops brings you to a platform atop a scenicamphitheatre for views of verdant palm trees andthe valley beyond.

DAY 11 • BUNGLE BUNGLES –FITZROY CROSSINGWe leave the Bungle Bungles this morning andrejoin the Great Northern Highway to Halls Creek onthe boundary of the Kimberley and Tanami Desert.Halls Creek is a thriving service centre forpastoralists, Aboriginal communities and miningcamps. This afternoon we’ll stop at Mary Pool forafternoon tea. This peaceful rest area is pureoutback Western Australia, with huge red rivergums shading the riverbanks. Our destination thisafternoon is the Fitzroy River Lodge located on thebanks of one of the highest volume rivers on earth.Overnight Stay: Fitzroy River Lodge.

DAY 12 • FITZROY CROSSING – DERBYThis morning we’ll take a cruise along magnificentGeikie Gorge. This sanctuary was formed by layersof fossilised coral reefs that formed 30 metre steeplimestone walls over a period of 50 million years.From here it’s on to Tunnel Creek for a guided walkinto Western Australia’s oldest cave system, madefamous in 1897 as a hideout for the Aboriginalleader Jandamarra. We’ll have lunch at WindjanaGorge where a large population of Johnston freshwater crocodiles inhabit the water hole. Beforearriving at our hotel in Derby, we stop at the town’sjetty, built to handle huge 10 metre tidal flows.Overnight Stay: King Sound Resort.

DAY 13 • DERBY – BROOMEWe leave Derby for Broome this morning. On ourway out of town we will visit the Boab Prison Treethat for many years was used by police as aconvenient lock-up for prisoners. We then travel toWillie Creek Pearl Farm where you will discover,during a guided tour and cruise, how the rare andbeautiful Australian South Sea Pearl is produced.Two Night Stay: Cable Beach Club Resort orRendezvous Sanctuary Resort.

DAY 14 • BROOMEMake the most of a leisurely start this morningbefore our tour of Broome. Stop at GantheaumePoint for a great photo opportunity looking backacross Cable Beach. We then stop at the BroomeJetty and visit the Japanese Cemetery. View the OldCourthouse, built in 1888 after reputedly beingdelivered to the wrong country. Enjoy a tour at thePearl Luggers’ Museum where you will learn of theperils of the deep and what made the pearl divers lifeso hazardous. After lunch wander through the oldbuildings in China Town where many indigenous artgalleries and pearl showrooms can be found. Thisafternoon there is the opportunity of taking anoptional scenic flight over the picturesque BuccaneerArchipelago (at own expense). This evening’s dinneris time to relive many memorable holiday momentsand say farewell to your crew and fellow travellers.


25

Katherine Gorge Waterfall

2008Apr 24May 23Jun 14, 22Jul 18Aug 17Sep 14

2009Apr 26May 24Jun 13, 21Jul 19Aug 16Sep 13

DEPARTURE DATES

2008 TOUR PRICES15 Day Tour Tour Code: ODBDarwin to Broome $5,495Single Supplement $1,520



1

DAY 1 • CAIRNSOn arrival at Cairns airport you will be met andtransferred to your hotel. Enjoy some free timeexploring Cairns, browsing in the shops along theesplanade or relaxing by the pool. This evening meetyour Outback Discovery crew and get together withfellow travellers over a welcome drink, followed bydinner. Overnight Stay: Cairns Hilton Hotel.

DAY 2 • CAIRNS – UNDARAIt’s the first day of our great adventure across theSavannah Way, a network of roads stretching over4,000 kilometres joining Cairns in Queensland withBroome in Western Australia. We farewell Cairnsand drive through the rainforests of the GreatDividing Range to the tablelands farming town ofAtherton. This is the start of the outback and wedrive to Undara on the eastern edge of the ruggedlybeautiful Gulf Savannah region, arriving in theafternoon. You’ll take a guided tour of the UndaraLava Tubes formed some 190,000 years ago when avolcano erupted, its molten lava flowing down a dryriverbed. As the top layer quickly cooled andcrusted, the fiery magma below continued to flowthrough the tubes taking it further and further fromthe volcano. After dinner tonight, have some funaround the campfire swapping tales. Overnight Stay:Undara Lava Lodge, in unique specially restoredrailway carriages.

DAY 3 • UNDARA – NORMANTONStart the day with a true Aussie breakfastsurrounded by birds and the bush before leavingUndara and driving west to Georgetown. At theTerrestrial Centre you will view the multiaward–winning Ted Elliott Mineral Collection. Thiscollection, which is all the work of one man,contains over 4,500 mineral specimens in a myriadof fascinating colours and shapes from the regionand throughout the world. We’ll have lunch in thehistoric village of Croydon, which was once abooming gold town. We’ll then travel to the gulftown of Karumba, where a huge prawn trawling fleetis based. It was near Karumba that the Bourke andWills expedition reached the top end of Australia.Continue onto Normanton, our destination for theevening. Overnight Stay: Gulfland Motel.

DAY 4 • NORMANTON – ADEL’S GROVEThis morning we board the Gulflander train for aride back in time. This historic little train takes youon a journey with a difference through the tough andinhospitable Gulf Country to Critters Camp. Yourdriver is waiting to take you to the Leichhardt River,which was named after the great explorer who wentmissing without a trace. We’ll pass through thehistoric settlements of Burketown and GregoryDowns and then on to Adel’s Grove for two nights atthe gateway to Lawn Hill National Park andRiversleigh Fossil Site. Two Night Stay: Adel’s Grove.

GULF SAVANNAH WAY13/25 days

26

Daly Waters Pub, Daly WatersBlue-winged kookaburras, Undara


local knowledge • Travelling on board brand new luxury All Terrain 4WD Mercedes Benz 30 seater vehicles • All meals including full hot breakfast, lunch and dinner each day whilst on tour* (please see

itinerary conditions on page 29) • Morning and afternoon teas are included on most days • All ‘must-see’ attractions and sights are built into each itinerary • Innovative itineraries which highlight the best of what Australia offers • Many 2 night stays for a leisurely paced holiday and to allow you to get a feel for the destination • Fully escorted by experienced and professional Outback Discovery Tour Manager and Driver • All inclusive touring with no hidden extras• Exclusive airport transfers are included • An Outback Discovery Kit including a backpack, bush hat, water bottle, map, ticket wallet and torch

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS• Overnight stay at the Cairns Hilton, ideally located in the heart of Cairns and on the waterfront • Guided tour of the 190,000 year old Undara Volcanic Lava Tubes • Ride aboard the historic Gulflander Train from Normanton to Critters Camp • Explore Lawn Hill National Park on a guided walk • Visit John Flynn Place Museum in Cloncurry for an insight to the beginnings of the Royal Flying

Doctor Service • Visit the World Heritage listed Riversleigh Fossil Site • Guided cruise through stunning Katherine Gorge • Enjoy a swim in the pandanus fringed waterhole at spectacular Edith Falls • Explore World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park • 3 night stay at the 5 star Crowne Plaza Hotel in Darwin • Visit beautiful Wangi and Florence Falls in Litchfield National Park • Cruise down the spectacular Ord River and into Lake Kununurra as the sun sets • 2 night stay at El Questro Wilderness Park in the Station Township • Cruise through the picturesque Chamberlain Gorge• Stay 2 nights in the World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park at the Bellburn Safari Camp • Walk into the majestic Cathedral Gorge and Echidna Chasm in the Bungle Bungles • Cruise through the amazing Geikie Gorge • Walk into Tunnel Creek, Western Australia’s oldest cave system and visit spectacular Windjana

Gorge, home to Johnston fresh water crocodiles • Stay 2 nights at luxurious Rendezvous Sanctuary Resort in Broome • Broome sightseeing tour including a guided tour at Willie Creek Pearl Farm and at the


Railway carriage accommodation at Undara

DAY 5 • ADEL’S GROVEToday is a day of adventure in Lawn Hill NationalPark. You will take guided walks with your crew,swim in the spring-fed waters of the gorge orexplore aboard a canoe. During the day, we’ll meetfor a picnic lunch and later in the afternoon we’lltravel the short distance to the Riversleigh FossilSite. This is one of the few fossil sites around theworld that has been listed as a World Heritage site.We’ll return to Adel’s Grove in plenty of time to relaxwith friends at happy hour before dinner.

DAY 6 • ADEL’S GROVE – MOUNT ISAToday we travel to the Burke and Wills Roadhousebefore turning south to Cloncurry where we will visitJohn Flynn Place Museum. The exhibits here tracethe inspirational story of the origins of the RoyalFlying Doctor Service. Our final destination today isMount Isa, known as the ‘Oasis of the Outback’,nestled among the ochre-red Selwyn Ranges on thebanks of the Leichhardt River. We’ll enjoy a cooldrink at the lookout as we view the town and minebelow. Overnight Stay: All Seasons Verona.

DAY 7 • MOUNT ISA – BARKLY HOMESTEADWe’ll spend some time this morning at the Outbackat Isa complex, incorporating the Hard Times Mine,Sir James Foots Building, Outback Park and VisitorInformation Centre. The award-winning RiversleighFossil Centre is located within the centre and is agreat place to visit to get a clear explanation of whatyou saw at the Riversleigh Fossil Site near LawnHill. Before departing Mt Isa, we will take a drivearound the town and pass the huge Mount Isa Mine,the world's largest single producer of copper, silver,lead and zinc. The Barkly Highway takes us west toCamooweal and the Northern Territory border. Theroad is now almost perfectly straight and leads us toour overnight destination. Overnight Stay: BarklyHomestead.

DAY 8 • BARKLY HOMESTEAD – DALYWATERSWe drive north along the Tablelands Highwaypassing through the Northern Territory’s largestpastoral lease, Brunette Downs Cattle Station. Aswe cross the vast plains of Mitchell and Flindersgrass you will get a true understanding of the longdistances between settlements in this remoteregion. We’ll have a picnic lunch at Cape Crawford,the only roadhouse for hundreds of kilometres. Thenext stop will be well received as it is at thecolourful Daly Waters Pub. Overnight Stay: DalyWaters Pub.

DAY 9 • DALY WATERS – KATHERINEToday our route takes us along the Stuart Highwaytowards Mataranka and Katherine. On the way wewill call into the Elsey Cemetery to see the grave ofAeneas Gunn and several other characters from ‘Weof the Never Never’ written by Jeannie Gunn. At

Mataranka’s Hot Springs take a dip in the warmthermal pools which are fed by water that originatesin Papua New Guinea. This afternoon we take aleisurely cruise through Katherine Gorge. The cruisetakes in two of thirteen gorges carved throughancient sandstone by the Katherine River. At theNitmiluk Visitors’ Centre you will see informativedisplays outlining the geology, landscape andAboriginal history of the national park. OvernightStay: All Seasons Katherine.

DAY 10 • KATHERINE – JABIRUSpectacular Edith Falls is our first stop today whereyou can swim in the large pandanus fringedwaterhole at the base of the falls. We’ll stop forlunch at Pine Creek, the Northern Territory’s firstgold mining town. We drive on to Kakadu NationalPark, 20,000 square kilometres of savannahwoodland, ancient escarpments and tropicalwilderness inhabited by a multitude of flora andfauna. This afternoon enjoy a cruise on the YellowWaters Billabong where it’s possible to seeestuarine crocodiles in their natural habitat. Onethird of Australia's bird species is represented inKakadu National Park, with at least 60 species foundin these wetlands. Whistling ducks, jabiru, brolgaand magpie geese are the most abundant. OvernightStay: Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn.

DAY 11 • JABIRU – DARWINDepending on time and availability, you mightchoose to take a scenic flight over the wetlands ofKakadu (at own expense). Alternatively a visit to theexcellent Bowali Visitors’ Centre will provide youwith plenty of information about this complex region.Then it’s on to Ubirr to view Aboriginal rock artgalleries that date back thousands of years. After aclimb up onto the escarpment where scenes fromthe movie Crocodile Dundee was filmed, we’ll have apicnic lunch surrounded by scenery you will neverforget. Keep your eyes open at the MamukalaWetlands Bird Observatory as it’s not uncommon tosee dingos hunting the thousands of magpie geesethat migrate here. In the heart of crocodile, buffaloand barramundi country, we will stop briefly at thequirky Bark Hut Inn. Before we check in to ourDarwin hotel, enjoy a short orientation tour of thislaid-back tropical capital. Three Night Stay: CrownePlaza Hotel.

DAY 12 • DARWIN – LITCHFIELD NATIONALPARK – DARWINWe will spend today touring in Litchfield NationalPark where numerous waterfalls cascade from asandstone plateau called the Tabletop Range. Viewintriguing magnetic termite mounds before we

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NORMANTON

CAIRNS

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Undara VolcanicNational Park

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NORTHERN TERRITORY

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

QUEENSLAND

Lawn Hill National ParkDALY

WATERS

BARKLYHOMESTEAD

FITZROYCROSSING

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Kakadu National

Park 1


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ADEL’SGROVE

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Echidna ChasmCathedral Gorge


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Tanami Desert

CONTINUED NEXT PAGEConstance Range, Lawn Hill National Park


1

ACCOMMODATIONWe have chosen a great mix of accommodation styles which make the most of what each region hasto offer - from 3.5 to 5 star hotels to wilderness lodges and tented cabins. Some of the remoteoutback areas we have chosen are more about being there and the experiences and memories youcan take with you rather than the accommodation itself. • Day 2 – your overnight stay at Undara Lava Lodge will be in unique specially restored railwaycarriages with some carriages having shared facilities • Day 4 & 5 – your 2 night stay at Adel’s Grovewill be in the comfortable permanent safari tents with shared facilities • Day 7 – your overnight stayat Barkly Homestead is basic but comfortable, all rooms have private ensuites • Day 8 – yourovernight stay at the colourful Daly Waters Pub is basic but comfortable with some rooms havingshared facilities • Day 17 & 18 – your 2 night stay at El Questro Wilderness Park will be at the StationTownship in permanent tents which have shared facilities • Day 19 & 20 – your two night stay atBellburn Safari Camp is in permanently tented safari cabins, comfortable beds and shared facilities


28

Mataranka sunset and flying JabiruLake Argyle

travel to Florence Falls and Wangi Falls. Both areextraordinarily beautiful, and you’ll have a chance toswim in the pool at the base of Wangi Falls, one ofthe Top End’s most popular swimming spots. Afterlunch we’ll spend the afternoon at the TerritoryWildlife Park where you can get close to the bird lifein the dome aviary or walk through the aquariumtunnel as barramundi and turtles swim overhead.The majority of fauna found in the Top End isrepresented in this Park which covers 400ha.

DAY 13 • DARWIN(Clients on the 13 Day tour depart the tour thismorning. Tour Code: OGCD.) You have a day ofleisure in Darwin today. The harbour foreshore areais a great place to discover the city’s maritime links,with museums, markets and an incredible diversityof restaurants to keep you entertained. You may liketo take to the harbour aboard a boat to make themost of this world-class fishing destination or for amore relaxed option take a sunset cruise.

DAY 14 • DARWIN – KATHERINEAfter a leisurely start today, transfer to Katherine viathe Adelaide River and visit the war cemetery. Enjoydinner at the hotel this evening. Overnight Stay: AllSeasons Katherine.

DAY 15 • KATHERINE – KUNUNURRAWe’ll pass by the Victoria River Downs Station whichwas once the largest land holding on earth. VictoriaRiver crossing is our lunch stop. The river is knownby locals as ‘The Vic’ and was a key influence onAboriginal heritage and today is a lifeline forpastoral properties. We’ll travel through TimberCreek, named in 1855 when the explorer AugustusGregory used timber from the banks of the creek torepair his expedition’s boat. We will pass by BulloRiver Station, made famous by top-selling authorSara Henderson whose books vividly describedstation life. We leave the Northern Territory andenter Western Australia and the Kimberley. Two Night Stay: Kununurra Lakeside Resort.

DAY 16 • KUNUNURRAKununurra is a vibrant town at the centre of thefertile Ord River Irrigation Scheme which ships hugevolumes of fruit and fresh produce to Australian andoverseas markets. To start this exciting day wedepart for Ivanhoe Crossing, the original crossingacross the Ord River. Next we visit the Hoochery, theState’s only licensed distillery where rum isproduced from local sugar. We then drive to therebuilt homestead of the Durack family - ArgyleDowns. After a visit to the homestead that is now amuseum, we cross the dam wall to join a cruisedown the Ord River and into Lake Kununurra,returning to Kununurra at sunset.

DAY 17 • KUNUNURRA – EL QUESTROWILDERNESS PARK On our way out of Kununurra we’ll stop at Zebra

Stockman mustering cattle in the Kimberley

Tour Willie Creek Pearl Farm

Rock Gallery to see works carved by local residentsfrom the patterned stone unique to the region. Wereboard our coach to follow the Cockburn Rangebefore reaching the Cambridge Gulf and the port ofWyndham where live cattle and sugar are the mainexports. A visit here is not complete without taking inthe panoramic views of the region at the Five RiversLookout. You’ll see for miles out across theCambridge Gulf and the five rivers that flow into it -the Ord, Pentecost, Durack, King and Forrest. We’llhave lunch before backtracking to join the famousGibb River Road which takes us to El QuestroWilderness Park, a working cattle station set on amillion acres. Before dinner, relax with a drink andwatch the sunset. Two Night Stay: Station Township.

DAY 18 • EL QUESTRO WILDERNESS PARKThis morning we’ll take a cruise on ChamberlainGorge, a fresh waterhole enclosed by a toweringescarpment and home to incredibly diverse flora andfauna. This afternoon there is the chance of takingan optional helicopter flight over some of ElQuestro’s many gorges and waterfalls (at ownexpense – subject to availability). Then it’s on to thethermal pools at Zebedee Springs for a relaxing dipin this natural day spa surrounded by sheer cliffsand Livistona Palms. The rest of the day is yours torelax or you may decide to enjoy the peacefulsurroundings on our optional walk in to EmmaGorge.

DAY 19 • EL QUESTRO WILDERNESS PARK– BUNGLE BUNGLESWe travel south along the Great Northern Highwaystopping for morning tea at a remote KimberleyAboriginal community roadhouse, Doon Doon. Ourjourney follows the rugged red Carr Boyd Rangebefore our vehicle turns off the highway and intoPurnululu National Park, the World Heritage listedarea of the Bungle Bungles. We will then head to thesouthern end of the Park for a walk into CathedralGorge, an acoustically magnificent naturalamphitheatre. A pre-dinner drink back at the campis followed by dinner and star-gazing. Two NightStay: Bellburn Safari Camp.

DAY 20 • BUNGLE BUNGLESToday we drive to the northern end of the BungleBungles for a memorable day of walks in two of thePark’s best attractions. The first walk is into EchidnaChasm through a narrow gorge that revealssomething new at every bend – it’s like walkingthrough a huge gap in the landscape with sunlightbouncing off the flaming red hues of the rock walls.After a delicious picnic lunch, we set off along acreek bed into Mini Palms. A climb through rockyoutcrops brings you to a platform atop a scenicamphitheatre for views of verdant palm trees andthe valley beyond.

DAY 21 • BUNGLE BUNGLES –FITZROY CROSSINGWe leave the Bungle Bungles this morning andrejoin the Great Northern Highway to Halls Creek onthe boundary of the Kimberley and Tanami Desert.Halls Creek is a thriving service centre forpastoralists, Aboriginal communities and miningcamps and we’ll stop at the visitors centre for lunch.This afternoon we’ll stop at Mary Pool for afternoontea. This peaceful rest area is pure outback WesternAustralia, with huge red river gums shading theriverbanks. Our destination this afternoon is theFitzroy River Lodge located on the banks of one ofthe highest volume rivers on earth. Overnight Stay:Fitzroy River Lodge.

DAY 22 • FITZROY CROSSING – DERBYThis morning we’ll take a cruise along magnificentGeikie Gorge. This sanctuary was formed by layersof fossilised coral reefs that formed 30 metre steeplimestone walls over a period of 50 million years. Ifyou look carefully, you can see the markings ofvastly different water levels during the dry seasonand the ‘Big Wet’. From here it’s on to Tunnel Creekfor a guided walk into Western Australia’s oldestcave system, made famous in 1897 as a hideout forthe Aboriginal leader Jandamarra. We’ll have lunchat Windjana Gorge where a large population ofJohnston fresh water crocodiles inhabit the waterhole. Before arriving at our hotel in Derby, we stopat the town’s jetty, built to handle huge 10 metretidal flows. Overnight Stay: King Sound Resort.

DAY 23 • DERBY – BROOMEWe leave Derby for Broome this morning. On ourway out of town we will visit the Boab Prison Treethat for many years was used by police as aconvenient lock-up for prisoners. Nearby is Myall’sBore, where stockmen would take turns in wateringtheir stock before loading them onto ships forexport. We then travel to Willie Creek Pearl Farmwhere you will discover, during a guided tour andcruise, how the rare and beautiful Australian SouthSea Pearl is produced. Two Night Stay: RendezvousSanctuary Resort.

DAY 24 • BROOMEMake the most of a leisurely start this morningbefore our tour of Broome. Stop at GantheaumePoint for a great photo opportunity looking backacross Cable Beach. We then stop at the BroomeJetty, a prime spot for keen fishermen. Next we visitthe Japanese Cemetery, a testament to thedangerous early days of the pearling industry asover 900 divers are buried here. View the OldCourthouse, built in 1888 after reputedly beingdelivered to the wrong country. Enjoy a veryinformative demonstration at the Pearl Luggers’Museum as you learn of the perils of the deep andwhat made the pearl divers life so hazardous. After

lunch wander through the old buildings in ChinaTown where many indigenous art galleries and pearlshowrooms can be found. This afternoon there is theopportunity of taking an optional scenic flight overthe picturesque Buccaneer Archipelago^ (at ownexpense). This evening’s dinner is time to relivemany memorable holiday moments and say farewellto your crew and fellow travellers.


29

Caption

2008Jun 04

2009Jun 03

DEPARTURE DATES

2008Jun 28

2009Jun 27

25 Day Tour Tour Code: OGBCBroome to Cairns $8,295Single Supplement $1,845

13 Day Tour Tour Code: OGDCDarwin to Cairns $4,495Single Supplement $770

All prices are per person, twin share in AUD. Fully inclusive ofall sightseeing, entrance fees, accommodation and meals asspecified. Additional activities are at own expense and unlessotherwise stated must be booked on tour. Tour itinerary andpricing valid from 01 April 2008 to 31 March 2009. Enquire foritinerary and pricing that fall outside this period. Flights arenot included. Day 13 and Day 14 are unescorted by OutbackDiscovery Tour Manager. *Day 13 lunch and dinner are notincluded on this day and are at your own expense. Day 14 thetransfer from Darwin to Katherine on this day will be providedby an alternate operator. ^For clients travelling on OGBC, theBuccaneer Archipelago optional must be pre-booked. For fullterms and conditions, please see pages 50-51.

2008 TOUR PRICES25 Day Tour Tour Code: OGCBCairns to Broome $8,295Single Supplement $1,845

13 Day Tour Tour Code: OGCDCairns to Darwin $4,495Single Supplement $770

Meandering river in the Kimberley Region

Clients have the option of taking this itinerary in reverse

Opportunity to add the Cape York Expedition Tourto this holiday - see pages 30-31 for itinerary.

DAY 1 • CAIRNSOn arrival at Cairns you will be met and transferredto your hotel. Enjoy some free time exploring thecity, browsing in the shops along the esplanade orrelaxing by the pool. This evening meet yourOutback Discovery crew and get together with fellowtravellers over a welcome drink, followed by dinner.Overnight Stay: Cairns Hilton Hotel.

DAY 2 • CAIRNS – CAPE TRIBULATIONIt’s our first touring day and we drive north along theCaptain Cook Highway to Hartley’s CrocodileAdventures, the best place to see crocodiles andnative wildlife in the tropical north. Take a boat rideon Hartley's Lagoon for a unique eco adventure andguaranteed sightings of crocodiles in their ownhabitat. Continuing north to Port Douglas you’ll seesome of Australia’s best scenery where isolatedbeaches and the Coral Sea are fringed by hillscovered in rainforest. We’ll take a drive to thesophisticated holiday town of Port Douglas beforecontinuing to Mossman, a quaint sugar cane townand the gateway to the Daintree River ferry crossing.Once across the river you will be in the oldestrainforest on earth, which was confirmed as a WorldHeritage listed area in 1988. At the DaintreeDiscovery Centre there is a wealth of information onthe area’s birds, butterflies and crocodiles. On thecleverly designed aerial walkway and canopy tower,you may be lucky enough to spot a cassowary on thebanks of the creek below. Overnight Stay: CoconutBeach Resort.

DAY 3 • CAPE TRIBULATION – COOKTOWNToday we’ll take the Bloomfield Track to Cooktown.Along the way you can see where the wet tropicalrainforest literally meets the reef at the edge of theocean. The drive is exhilarating with steep climbsand many creek crossings. We take a short diversioninto the rainforest to see Bloomfield Falls, a roaringwall of water dropping 40 metres over theescarpment. We will be joined by a local Aboriginalguide from the Wujal Wujal Community who willshare the spiritual links between this land and thepeople. Beyond the rainforest is the Lions Den Hotel,our lunch stop for today. This timber and iron hotelis a local landmark which has enjoyed a rich historysince 1875. We’ll stop to inspect the unusuallyformed black granite boulders of the BlackMountain Range before arriving at Cooktown.Cooktown has over two centuries of rich history,starting with Captain James Cook beaching theEndeavour for repairs after striking the reef in 1770.A century later, the town’s population increasedmassively during the gold rush. You will visit theJames Cook Museum, housed in a 120-year-oldconvent building and widely regarded as the bestregional museum in Australia. At the Botanic

CAPE YORK EXPEDITION11 days

30

The tip of Australia, Cape York PeninsulaAboriginal rock paintings at Split Rock.


local knowledge • Travelling on board brand new luxury All Terrain 4WD Mercedes Benz 30 seater vehicles • All meals including full hot breakfast, lunch and dinner each day whilst on tour * (please see

itinerary conditions on page 31) • Morning and afternoon teas are included on most days • All ‘must-see’ attractions and sights are built into each itinerary • Innovative itineraries which highlight the best of what Australia offers • Many 2 night stays for a leisurely paced holiday and to allow you to get a feel for the destination • Fully escorted by experienced and professional Outback Discovery Tour Manager and Driver • All inclusive touring with no hidden extras • Exclusive airport transfers are included • An Outback Discovery Kit including a backpack, bush hat, water bottle, map, ticket wallet and torch

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS• Travel in a small group of up to 20 passengers • 2 night stay at the Cairns Hilton Hotel, ideally located in the heart of Cairns and on the waterfront • Tour the award-winning Hartley’s Crocodile Adventure where you are guaranteed to see crocodiles

in their own habitat • Visit the Daintree Discovery Centre for an excellent insight into the oldest continuous rainforest on earth• Overnight stay in Cape Tribulation at Coconut Beach Resort, situated between the World Heritage

listed Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef • Travel along the Bloomfield Track to Cooktown including a guided visit to the Bloomfield Falls with

a local Aboriginal custodian • Explore historic Cooktown including a visit to the James Cook Museum and the Botanic Gardens • Discover the spectacular wetlands of Lakefield National Park • Guided tour of Weipa Township and the Comalco Bauxite Mine • Enjoy the real outback with an overnight stay at Bramwell Station • Visit the picturesque Fruit Bat Falls and enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal clear waters• Stand at the Tip of Cape York • Guided tour of Thursday Island including a visit to the Gab Titui Cultural Centre • Guided tour of Horn Island with a visit to the museum and some of the historic World War II sites• Flight from Horn Island to Cairns

ACCOMMODATIONWe have chosen a great mix of accommodation styles which make the most of what each region hasto offer - from 3.5 to 5 star hotels to wilderness lodges and tented cabins. Some of the remoteoutback areas we have chosen are more about being there and the experiences and memories youcan take with you rather than the accommodation itself. • Day 6 – your overnight stay at Bramwell Station, which is the most northerly cattle station inAustralia, is basic but comfortable with shared facilities

LOTUS BIRD LODGE

WEIPA

BRAMWELL STATION

BAMAGA

THURSDAY ISLAND

CAIRNS

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Lakefield National Park

Jardine River

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Gardens you will see the exotic plant section, a‘palmetum’ and native plants unique to this area.Our hotel is conveniently located on the main street,perfect for a late afternoon stroll. Overnight Stay:Sovereign Resort Hotel.

DAY 4 • COOKTOWN – LOTUS BIRD LODGEUNESCO rates Cape York's Quinkan region amongthe world's top ten prehistoric rock art areas. We’llvisit a fine example this morning at the Split RockAboriginal art site near Laura. We then drive to OldLaura and the abandoned homestead, a raresurviving example of an early Cape York Peninsulapastoral station. The house, outbuildings and yardsare still structurally sound and in original condition.Further north we enter Lakefield National Park. ThePark is renowned for its vast river systems andspectacular wetlands and the landscape is of majorAboriginal cultural significance. This afternoonyou’ll see the ruins at Breeza Plains before wearrive at Lotus Bird Lodge for some true Cape Yorkcountry hospitality. You will stay in individual polestyle cabins set amongst shady eucalypts along theinner bank of a large horseshoe shaped billabong.Tonight we’ll have dinner overlooking the billabong.Overnight Stay: Lotus Bird Lodge.

DAY 5 • LOTUS BIRD LODGE – WEIPA After leaving Lotus Bird we rejoin the PeninsulaDevelopmental Road at Musgrave and drive north,passing through the town of Coen that grew uparound a repeater station along the OverlandTelegraph Line. We’ll have lunch at the Archer RiverRoadhouse before crossing the river and continuingour journey to Weipa. Weipa is a mining town built tohouse employees and support staff who work at thelargest bauxite deposit in the world. Overnight Stay:Albatross Bay Resort.

DAY 6 • WEIPA – BRAMWELL STATIONToday you’ll join a guided tour of the Weipa Townshipand mine, which gives an informative overview of themining and shipping process. You’ll see the bauxiteoperations, the enormous mining equipment,trucks, trains and other plant employed at Weipa.We’ll have afternoon tea at the historic MoretonTelegraph Station, built in 1886 as part of theOverland Telegraph Line and converted to ahomestead during the 1920’s. Tonight you’ll get ataste of real outback life during your stay atBramwell Station, the most northerly cattle stationin Australia. Overnight Stay: Bramwell Station.

DAY 7 • BRAMWELL STATION – BAMAGAThe track we take today is the Bamaga Road, as theoriginal Old Telegraph Track is not always suitablefor travel. After a bush morning tea stop we willtravel to picturesque Fruit Bat Falls where you can

plunge into the crystal clear spring-fed water or justrelax on shore. We’ll cross the Jardine River by ferry.The river is named after the great pioneering cattlefamily that began at a government outpost in 1864when John Jardine was the police magistrate. As wetake the short ferry trip across the river, keep an eyeout for the huge crocodiles that inhabit the rivers inthe Cape York region. Passing through the Aboriginalcommunities of Injinoo and Umagico we reachResort Bamaga. Two Night Stay: Resort Bamaga.

DAY 8 • BAMAGA – TIP OF CAPE YORKA short drive followed by a moderate walk is wellrewarded today as you stand at the tip of Cape York,which is the northernmost point of the Australiancontinent and the surrounding peninsula, a wild andsparsely populated wilderness area. Its ruggedcoastline points towards New Guinea, while the easternside is fringed by the Great Barrier Reef. This afternoonwe will visit the Somerset Ruins, once the home of theJardine family (road conditions permitting). We will thentravel to the coastal village of Seisia.

DAY 9 • BAMAGA – THURSDAY ISLANDThis morning your ferry to Thursday Island sailsfrom Seisia. The island is 35 kilometres from themainland and is the administration centre for theTorres Strait Islands. The heart of Thursday Island(traditionally known as ‘Waiben’) is its harbour,which was once home to a fleet of 150 pearl luggers.Commercial fishing and prawning are the mainlivelihood today. You’ll enjoy a guided tour of theisland and a highlight is the Gab Titui CulturalCentre that houses historical artefacts and tools, aswell as both modern and traditional Torres Straitart. Overnight Stay: Jardine Motel.

DAY 10 • THURSDAY ISLAND – CAIRNSA short ferry trip to Horn Island is a relaxing way tostart the day. The island is just south of Papua NewGuinea and the local lifestyle is a fusion ofMelanesian and Australian Aboriginal cultures. Onarrival you will be taken on a guided tour of theisland and learn about its history. Horn Island cameinto prominence during World War II when it sufferedeight Japanese air raids. Today, the island’s smallpopulation relies on pearling and fishing. Your tourwill visit the museum and art gallery in the smalltown of Wasaga, as well as some World War II sites.This afternoon you board your flight from Horn Islandto Cairns (included in tour fare). This evening’sdinner is time to relive many memorable holidaymoments and say farewell to your crew and fellowtravellers. Overnight Stay: Cairns Hilton Hotel.

DAY 11 • CAIRNSThis morning after breakfast you will be transferredto the airport for your homebound flight.

31

Indigenous boys dancing, Bamaga

2008May 13Jul 22Aug 12

2009May 12Jul 21Aug 11

DEPARTURE DATES

2008 TOUR PRICES11 Day Tour Tour Code: OCYNCairns to Cairns Northbound $4,495Single Supplement $790

11 Day Tour Tour Code: OCYSCairns to Cairns Southbound $4,495Single Supplement $790

All prices are per person, twin share in AUD. Fully inclusiveof all sightseeing, entrance fees, accommodation and mealsas specified. Tour itinerary and pricing valid from 01 April2008 to 31 March 2009. Enquire for itinerary and pricing thatfall outside this period. *Day 5 breakfast at Lotus BirdLodge is a Continental style breakfast. Flight from HornIsland to Cairns is included in tour fare. All other flights arenot included in tour fare. For full terms and conditions,please see pages 50-51.

2008

May 24

Aug 02, 23

2009

May 23

Aug 01, 22

Daintree Rainforest Tower


1


Opportunity to add the Gulf Savannah Way Tour tothis holiday - see pages 26-29 for itinerary.

DAY 1 • BRISBANEOn arrival at Brisbane airport (please book flights toarrive by 12.00pm) you will be met and transferredto your hotel. This afternoon meet your OutbackDiscovery crew and fellow travellers and join themon a trip to the Gold Coast. We’ll drive along thecoast’s strip of seemingly endless beaches, stoppingfor photos on the way. This evening you’ll attend theAustralian Outback Spectacular presented byR.M.Williams – a stirring presentation of outbacklife with a great cast, 31 talented horses and brilliantspecial effects. During the show you’ll be served athree course Aussie dinner with beer, wine and softdrinks. Overnight Stay: Sebel Citigate Hotel.

DAY 2 • BRISBANE – ROMAThis morning visit Australia Zoo. You will seeexciting wildlife shows, chat with friendlyzookeepers and get close to many of the differentanimals. Your visit to the zoo will show you whySteve Irwin was so passionate about thepreservation of crocodiles and other animals in thewild. We drive west over the Great Dividing Range tothe Darling Downs and Dalby, the wheat capital ofQueensland. We’ll pass through Chinchilla and Milesbefore arriving in Roma on the western slopes of thedowns. Overnight Stay: Roma Explorers Inn.

DAY 3 • ROMA – CARNARVON GORGEIn 1863 Samuel Bassett brought vine cuttings toRoma and started Queensland’s first wine-makingenterprise. The town is also famous for its part inAustralia’s oil and gas industry and this morningwe’ll visit the Big Rig. Learn about the uniquehistory of the industry from the first discovery ofpetroleum, through the boom and bust years of oiland gas exploration and on to today's multi-billiondollar industry. At Carnarvon National Park we’llcheck in to our accommodation and then take aguided walk into Carnarvon Gorge. The surroundingpark boasts unique wildlife, spectacular scenery andincredible bush walks. Overnight Stay: CarnarvonGorge Wilderness Lodge.

DAY 4 • CARNARVON GORGE – EMERALDCarnarvon Gorge has over 25 kilometres of walkingtracks criss-crossing fresh water streams,meandering through lush tropical gorges withsandstone cliffs, passing by tranquil waterfalls anddelving into the deep rock crevices that concealmany significant Aboriginal art sites. After breakfastwe’ll take another walk in the National Park. We’llhave lunch in the charming town of Springsurebefore continuing on to Emerald. Despite its name,there are no emeralds to be found in Emerald but itis surrounded by rich gemfields. The town is themajor regional centre of the Queensland CentralHighlands with a long established cattle industryand secondary industries including grain, oilseeds,soybeans and cotton. Overnight Stay: EmeraldMaraboon Motor Inn.

OUTBACK QUEENSLAND ADVENTURE16 days

32

Australian Outback Spectacular presented by R.M.WilliamsCobbold Gorge



TOUR HIGHLIGHTS• Welcome dinner and show at the Australian Outback Spectacular presented by R.M.Williams on

the Gold Coast • Visit the famous Australia Zoo, home of the Crocodile Hunter • Guided tour of the Big Rig Oil Patch and learn about the unique history of this multi-billion dollar

industry • Stay overnight at Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge and enjoy guided walks into spectacular

Carnarvon Gorge • Fossick for gems at the Big Sapphire near Emerald • Visit the Qantas Founders Outback Museum and learn about the history and achievements of

Australian aviation • Discover the history of this country’s brave explorers at the Longreach Australian Stockman’s

Hall of Fame • Visit the Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton, the place where Banjo Patterson wrote Waltzing

Matilda • Guided tour of the world’s only recorded evidence of a dinosaur stampede at Lark Quarry • Enjoy a drink at the famous Blue Heeler Pub • Visit John Flynn Place Museum in Cloncurry for an insight to the beginnings of the Royal Flying

Doctor Service • Stay 2 nights in Mount Isa at the All Seasons Verona and explore this well known mining town• Guided surface mine tour of Mount Isa Mines • Explore Lawn Hill National Park on a guided walk• Visit the World Heritage listed Riversleigh Fossil Site • Travel through the wetlands to Karumba • Guided cruise through spectacular Cobbold Gorge • Ride aboard the historic Gulflander Train from Normanton to Critters Camp • Guided tour of the 190,000 year old Undara Volcanic Lava Tubes• Overnight stay at the Cairns Hilton Hotel, ideally located in the heart of Cairns and on the

waterfront

ACCOMMODATIONWe have chosen a great mix of accommodation styles on this tour ranging from 3.5 to 5 star hotels.Each location has been chosen to make the most of what each region has to offer.• Day 14 – your overnight stay at Undara Lava Lodge will be in unique specially restored railwaycarriages with some carriages having shared facilities

2008Apr 27

2009Apr 26

All prices are per person, twin share in AUD. Fully inclusiveof all sightseeing, entrance fees, accommodation and mealsas specified. Tour itinerary and pricing valid from 01 April2008 to 31 March 2009. Enquire for itinerary and pricing thatfall outside this period. Flights are not included. For fullterms and conditions, please see pages 50-51.


BRISBANE

EMERALD

ROMA 1

Carnarvon National Park

1CARNARVON GORGE

1LONGREACH

WINTON 1

2

COBBOLD GORGE

CAIRNS

UNDARA1

Undara VolcanicNational Park

1

1

Lawn Hill National Park

ADEL’SGROVE

2

MOUNT ISA

Leich

hard

t Ri

ver

Thompson

River

2

1

1

QUEENSLAND

NORMANTON

DAY 5 • EMERALD – LONGREACHFrom Emerald we drive to Anakie where you canfossick for sapphires and other prized gems at theBig Sapphire. On to Alpha, where many townbuildings are adorned with murals painted by localartists. Barcaldine was the scene of the GreatShearers' Strike in 1891 which led to the formationof the Australian Labor Party. The AustralianWorkers Heritage Centre records these historicevents and your visit uncovers the rich heritage,history and traditions of all working Australians.Two Night Stay: Albert Park Motel.

DAY 6 • LONGREACHOur day starts at the Qantas Founders OutbackMuseum to inspect the original 1922 hangar used bydeparting flights, the 747-200 aircraft and the firstever Qantas jet passenger aircraft registered inAustralia, the Boeing 707. At the AustralianStockman's Hall of Fame you’ll discover the historyof this country’s brave and intrepid explorers, thestockmen and aborigines of pioneering Australia.This afternoon you’ll visit 'Longway Station', a34,000 acre working sheep and livestock grazingstation, and learn about land care in the outback.This evening enjoy a spectacular sunset dinnercruise along the Thomson River.

DAY 7 • LONGREACH – WINTONToday our journey takes us to Winton were we willvisit the Waltzing Matilda Centre, the world’s onlyattraction dedicated to a song and the place whereBanjo Paterson wrote Waltzing Matilda. Thisafternoon at Lark Quarry you’ll take a guided tour ofthe world's only recorded evidence of a dinosaurstampede. You’ll see some 3,300 footprints made bynearly 200 dinosaurs 95 million years ago. OvernightStay: Boulder Opal Motor Inn.

DAY 8 • WINTON – MOUNT ISAOur first stop today is the Combo Waterhole on theupper reaches of the Diamantina River. It is said tobe the billabong where the ‘Waltzing Matilda’swagman camped more than 100 years ago and wascaught with some ‘borrowed’ mutton, thus inspiringthe well-known song. The isolated village of Kynunaseems as though it’s in the middle of nowhere andwe’ll stop for a drink at the only hotel, the famousBlue Heeler Pub. From one legendary outback pubto another, we’ll call in at the Walkabout CreekHotel, known around the world for its role in themovie Crocodile Dundee. In Cloncurry we’ll visitJohn Flynn Place Museum. The exhibits here tracethe inspirational story of the origins of the RoyalFlying Doctor Service. Our final destination today isMount Isa, known as the ‘Oasis of the Outback’nestled among the ochre-red Selwyn Ranges, on thebanks of the Leichhardt River. We’ll enjoy a cooldrink at the lookout as we view the town and minebelow. Two Night Stay: All Seasons Verona.

DAY 9 • MOUNT ISAAfter breakfast we’ll take a tour around the town,which concludes with a visit to Outback at Isa. Thecomplex includes the Hard Times Mine, RiversleighFossil Centre, Outback Park and Visitor InformationCentre. We’ll then join a guided tour of the hugeMount Isa Mine, the world's largest single producerof copper, silver, lead and zinc. After some free timein town we will travel out to Lake Moondarra for apicnic lunch.

DAY 10 • MOUNT ISA – ADEL’S GROVEToday we travel to the Burke and Wills Roadhouseand on to the historic town of Gregory Downs wherethe old hotel is the centre of society. We’ll visit theGregory Downs Pub before our drive to Adel’s Grove,the gateway to Lawn Hill National Park andRiversleigh Fossil Site. Two Night Stay: Adel’s Grove.

DAY 11 • ADEL’S GROVEToday is a day of adventure in Lawn Hill NationalPark. You will take guided walks with your crew,swim in the spring-fed waters of the gorge orexplore aboard a canoe. During the day, we’ll meetfor a picnic lunch and later in the afternoon we’lltravel the short distance to the Riversleigh FossilSite. This is one of the few fossil sites around theworld that has been listed as a World Heritage site.We’ll return to Adel’s Grove in plenty of time to relaxwith friends at happy hour before dinner.

DAY 12 • ADEL’S GROVE – NORMANTONOur drive today takes us north across the Savannahgrasslands to the gulf town of Burketown. We’ll thencontinue to Leichhardt River which were namedafter the great explorer who went missing without atrace. We will then continue to the gulf town ofKarumba, where a huge prawn trawling fleet isbased. It was near Karumba that the Bourke andWills expedition reached the top end of Australia.Overnight Stay: Gulfland Motel.

DAY 13 • NORMANTON – COBBOLD GORGEThis morning we board the Gulflander train for aride back in time. This historic little train takes youon a journey with a difference through the tough andinhospitable Gulf Country to Critters Camp. Yourdriver is waiting to take you to the historic village ofCroydon, which was once a booming gold town. We’llthen travel to Georgetown and visit the TerrestrialCentre. Here you will view the multi award-winningTed Elliott Mineral Collection that contains over4,500 mineral specimens in a myriad of fascinatingcolours and shapes from the region and throughoutthe world. Today’s destination is Cobbold Gorge.Overnight Stay: Cobbold Gorge.

DAY 14 • COBBOLD GORGE – UNDARACobbold Gorge is hidden away within ruggedsandstone formations and is extremely narrow,closing to a mere 2 metres wide in places, withspectacular 30 metre cliffs on either side. Theoverall length of the gorge is about 6 kilometres andconsists of a series of water holes and rock falls.We’ll board a flat bottom boat this morning for aguided cruise along the gorge. After lunch at theresort we’ll drive to Undara on the eastern edge ofthe ruggedly beautiful Gulf Savannah region. Afterdinner tonight, have some fun around the campfireswapping tales. Overnight Stay: Undara Lava Lodge,in unique specially restored railway carriages.

DAY 15 • UNDARA – CAIRNSThis morning enjoy a guided tour of the Undara LavaTubes, formed some 190,000 years ago. We thenfarewell Undara and drive to the tablelands farmingtown of Atherton. This afternoon we’ll enjoyspectacular views as we drive through therainforests of the Great Dividing Range down to thecoast and Cairns. This evening’s dinner is time torelive many memorable holiday moments and sayfarewell to your crew and fellow travellers.Overnight Stay: Cairns Hilton Hotel.

DAY 16 • CAIRNSThis morning after breakfast you’ll be transferred tothe airport for your homebound flight.

33

Carnarvon Gorge

2008 TOUR PRICES16 Day Tour Tour Code: OBCBrisbane to Cairns $5,275Single Supplement $870

2008Sep 04

2009Aug 30

16 Day Tour Tour Code: OCBCairns to Brisbane $5,275Single Supplement $870

DEPARTURE DATES


1

DAY 1 • PERTHOn arrival at Perth airport you will be met andtransferred to your hotel. Enjoy time at leisurebefore meeting your Outback Discovery crew andfellow travelling companions for a welcome dinner.Overnight Stay: Holiday Inn Burswood.

DAY 2 • PERTH – BUSSELTONThis morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of historicPerth Mint. The grand heritage building and theheavily secured vault are the scene of manyextraordinary stories about the Mint's production ofpriceless gold bars and coins. Your tour includes theamazing spectacle of a traditional gold pour, duringwhich pure gold is heated to molten temperaturesand transformed into a solid gold bar. After yourtour you’ll enjoy Devonshire tea with freshly bakedscones in the elegant Perth Mint Tea Garden. FromPerth we drive to the Forest Heritage Centre. Hereyou can explore wildflowers and timber getterstrails and climb the 11 metre forest canopy viewingplatform and series of walkways. We reboard ourvehicle to journey along the spectacular coastline toBusselton. Two Night Stay: Abbey Beach Resort.

DAY 3 • BUSSELTONTravel to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse on the mostsouth western tip of Australia, where the Indian andSouthern Oceans meet. Your local guide will explainhow the old lighthouse was manually operated until1982 by a clockwork mechanism and kero burner,one of the last in the world. Visit Caveworks, afascinating eco-centre with impressive educationaldisplays. Then enter Mammoth Cave to learn aboutthese spectacular limestone formations. Enjoy somefree time exploring the Margaret River Township.Visit Eagles Heritage which houses the largestcollection of eagles, hawks, falcons and owls inAustralia. Finish your day tasting the local wineswhich the Margaret River area is renowned for.

DAY 4 • BUSSELTON – ALBANYTravel south to the famous Gloucester Tree.Standing at 61 metres tall, the tree is from the Karrifamily, the world’s third tallest tree species. It waspegged in 1946 so that people could climb it and useit as a watchtower for bushfires. Take a breathtakingride on the Pemberton Tramway through thetowering Karri and Jarrah Forests. Continue on tothe Valley of the Giants and the Tree Top Walk toview the canopy of the magnificent tingle forest andget a different perspective on the shapes, soundsand movement of the forest. Two Night Stay:Comfort Inn.

DAY 5 • ALBANYThis morning tour Torndirrup National Park wherethe Southern Ocean has moulded the ruggedcoastline into some spectacular rock formations.One of the most notable is the granite NaturalBridge and the Gap, where the waves rush in and

SPRING WILDFLOWERS & MONKEY MIA 15 days

34

Sample of Western Australia’s WildflowersThe Pinnacles, Nambung National Park



TOUR HIGHLIGHTS• Stay 4 nights at the Holiday Inn Burswood Hotel in Perth • Watch a traditional gold pour during a tour of the Perth Mint and enjoy Devonshire Tea in the

elegant Perth Mint Tea Garden • Guided tour of the Forest Heritage Centre • 2 night stay at Abbey Beach Resort situated on the beachfront of Geographe Bay • Guided tour of the fascinating Caveworks and Mammoth Caves • Visit the Eagles Heritage Wildlife Centre which houses the largest collection in Australia of eagles,

hawks and falcons • Wine tasting at a winery in the Margaret River area • Visit the famous Gloucester Tree • Take a breathtaking ride on the Pemberton Tramway through the Karri and Jarrah Forests • Walk along the canopy of the Valley of the Giants in Albany • See the spectacular rock formations of Natural Bridge and the Gap • Guided tour of the Whaleworld Museum in Albany • Visit beautiful Stirling Ranges National Park • Overnight stay at the 5 star Broadwater Resort in Kalgoorlie• Guided tour and gold panning at the Miners Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie • See the unusual rock formations of Hippo’s Yawn and Wave Rock • Visit the York Motor Museum, recognised as one of the finest private collections of veteran and

vintage cars in Australia • Explore the sights of Perth and Fremantle followed by a cruise on the Swan River • See the unique Pinnacles landscape at Nambung National Park • Guided tour with Allan Tinker, an internationally recognised wildflower expert • Visit World Heritage listed Shark Bay and see the dolphins at Monkey Mia • Visit New Norcia, Australia’s only monastic town and see the imposing monastery

ACCOMMODATIONWe have chosen a great mix of accommodation styles on this tour ranging from 3.5 to 5 star hotels.Each location has been chosen to make the most of what each region has to offer.

GERALDTON

MONKEY MIA

BUSSELTON

ALBANY

ESPERANCE

HYDEN

KALGOORLIE

Fremantle

Cape LeeuwinTorndirrup

National Park

Margaret River

Lake Lefroy

2

2

1

1

14

Pinnacles

2

1

Stirling Range National Park

NambungNational Park

Kalbarri National Park

Shark Bay

PERTH

Murch

ison R

iver

Swan River

out with tremendous ferocity. Experience Albany’sseafaring history at Whaleworld, a fascinatingwhaling museum located in Australia’s lastoperational whaling station. This afternoon enjoy aWilderness and Geology Cruise, you may even spotsome migratory whales breaching.

DAY 6 • ALBANY – ESPERANCEThe imposing jagged peaks of the Stirling Range,combined with serene 360 degree views and thebreathtaking beauty of the Stirling Range NationalPark, ensures a truly memorable visit, enhanced bythe beautiful spring wildflowers. Continue to thecoastal town of Esperance and be amazed by thestunning coastline with sparkly turquoise water andsqueaky white sand. Overnight Stay: Comfort InnBay of Isles.

DAY 7 • ESPERANCE – KALGOORLIEJourney to the gold rush town of Kalgoorlie andfollow the Golden Mile, said to have been the richestsquare mile of gold bearing earth in the world. Thediscovery of gold in the Kalgoorlie Goldfields overone hundred years ago resulted in the influx ofthousands, who scoured the red earth in a frenziedsearch for alluvial gold. Tour Hannan Street andadmire several fine old Victorian-style hotels. At theMiners Hall of Fame you will have the opportunity topan for gold, watch gold being poured or even put onyour hard hat and go down a mineshaft. OvernightStay: Broadwater Hotel.

DAY 8 • KALGOORLIE – HYDENOnce the centre of Australia's greatest gold rush,Coolgardie is known as the ‘Mother of the WesternAustralian Goldfields’ and is now the Nation's bestpreserved gold mining town. We’ll drive along thetown’s wide streets lined with grand stone and brickbuildings, and corrugated iron and timber homesthat reflect both the wealth and importance of thegold rush. Journey to Hyden to see the unusual rockformations of Hippo’s Yawn and Wave Rock, a giantwave of multicoloured granite which appears asthough it will crash into the bush below. OvernightStay: Wave Rock Hotel Motel.

DAY 9 • HYDEN – PERTHTravel to York, one of Western Australia’s mosthistoric towns and visit the York Motor Museum,recognised as one of the finest private collections ofveteran, vintage, classic and racing cars in Australia.Housing a collection of approximately 150 vehicles,the museum presents the evolution of motortransport with fine examples of quality andworkmanship from each era. These range from an1894 Peugeot to the Williams FW07 whichAustralian Alan Jones drove on his way to becomingthe 1980 World Grand Prix Champion. Continue onto Perth. Two Night Stay: Holiday Inn Burswood.

DAY 10 • PERTHThis morning you’ll enjoy the city sights of Perthincluding Government House, Bell Tower and theWACA Ground. At Kings Park take in the great viewsof the river and city. We then continue on to the portcity of Fremantle for a brief orientation tour. You’ll geta good overview of the charm of the historic harbourprecinct, the well-preserved architecture, thebustling ‘cappuccino strip’ and markets. After somefree time exploring Fremantle, board your cruisevessel for our return to Perth on the Swan River. Onthe way you’ll taste some premium wines and savoura delicious buffet lunch. The remainder of theafternoon is yours to continue exploring the city.

DAY 11 • PERTH – GERALDTON Travel to Nambung National Park, home of thePinnacles. These limestone pillars rise up to 4 metres high out of the sand like ancient ruins. Theraw material for the limestone came from seashellswhich were brought ashore by waves thousands ofyears ago and then carried in land by the wind toform high mobile dunes. Over time the elements have removed the surrounding sand, leaving thepillars exposed. Then we’ll visit Western Flora Parkand take a tour with internationally recognisedwildflower expert Allan Tinker. Described as the‘wildflower wizard’ and having three wildflowerspecies named after him, your tour will provide aunique insight into the wonders of WesternAustralian wildflowers. Overnight Stay: All SeasonsGeraldton or Best Western Hospitality Inn.

DAY 12 • GERALDTON – SHARK BAYThe sprawling Kalbarri National Park is located onthe lower reaches of the Murchison River. As youtravel through the park today you’ll see magnificentred and white banded gorges and wildflowers on therolling sand plains. We’ll visit Nature’s Windowwhich is a natural rock arch that frames theupstream view. We’ll then stop at Hawks HeadLookout which offers spectacular views ofMurchison Gorge. Overnight Stay: Monkey MiaDolphin Resort.

DAY 13 • SHARK BAY – GERALDTONLocated at Dolphin Beach, famous for its kilometresof secluded crystal blue waters and pristine white-shell beaches, World Heritage listed Monkey Miahas attracted pods of dolphins to its tranquil shoresdaily for more than forty years. This dolphininteraction is known to be one of the most reliablemeeting places for dolphins in the world. Shark Bayis also home to other marine life such as sharks,whales, turtles, manta rays and dugongs. VisitHamelin Pool to see some of the world’s oldestorganisms - stromatolites. The dome shapedstructures are the result of primitive life forms thatfirst existed on earth billions of years ago. Overnight Stay: All Seasons Geraldton or BestWestern Hospitality Inn.

DAY 14 • GERALDTON – PERTH Watch out for beautiful springtime wildflowers asyou travel to the Western Wildflower Farm to see,smell and touch the flowers. You’ll tour thewildflower packing, drying and dyeing sheds andoutside you can stroll amongst kangaroo paws,flowering gums and shrubs. Visit New Norcia, apiece of old Spain in the middle of the Australianbush. See the imposing monastery, a sample of fineEuropean architecture and the fascinating museumcontaining everything from the history of the missionto paintings by Spanish and Italian masters.Continue to Perth where you’ll say farewell to yourcrew and fellow travellers at a special farewelldinner. Overnight Stay: Holiday Inn Burswood.

DAY 15 • PERTHYour tour concludes after breakfast when you will betransferred to the airport.

35

Nature’s Window, Kalbarri National Park

2008Sep 23, 29Oct 08

2009Sep 23, 29Oct 08

DEPARTURE DATES

2008 TOUR PRICES15 Day Tour Tour Code: OWWAPerth to Perth $4,495Single Supplement $1,140


Monkey Mia dolphin, Shark Bay

Nights accommodationLand Content

1

Opportunity to add the Across the Nullarbor Tourto this holiday - see pages 46-47 for itinerary.

DAY 1 • LAUNCESTONOn arrival at Launceston airport you will be met andtransferred to your hotel (please book flights toarrive by 1.30pm). This afternoon meet your OutbackDiscovery crew and fellow travellers and join themfor a tour of Launceston. This is a city of elegant19th century architecture and the surroundingcountryside is Tasmania’s premier wine-growingregion. Launceston was founded on the junction ofthe Tamar, North Esk and South Esk Rivers and it isknown as Tasmania's ‘Garden City’. We will visitCataract Gorge where you can enjoy a ride on theworld's longest single span chairlift or a walk overthe historic King George Bridge. This evening enjoya welcome drink and dinner. Overnight Stay:Peppers Seaport Resort.

DAY 2 • LAUNCESTON – SMITHTONOur first stop on our journey around this beautifulisland state will be at the Trowunna WildlifeSanctuary where you will have the opportunity tointeract with native Tasmanian wildlife includingTasmanian devils and wombats. We then continueon to Sheffield, famous for its spectacular streetmurals. We travel through orchard country to theport town of Devonport and along a stretch ofstunning coastline for lunch at the pretty town ofPenguin. Our route then takes us to Boat HarbourBeach, a charming hillside village known for its finewhite-sand beach. As we drive west along the coastand approach the historic town of Stanley you’ll see‘The Nut’, a huge flat-topped circular headland thatdominates the town. You can take a chairlift ride(own expense) to the top for wonderful views up anddown the coast. Tonight we stay in the heart of avegetable growing and dairy area at Smithton.Overnight Stay: Tall Timbers.

DAY 3 • SMITHTON – CRADLE MOUNTAINThe historic grazing property of Woolnorth is the siteof Tasmania’s largest wind farm. Feel the strengthof the winds that power the turbines on thismorning’s tour. We then visit Cape Grim and theRocky Cape Lighthouse for great views of thisrugged coast before having lunch in Wynyard. AtHellyer Gorge you can take an easy stroll along theriverbank where moss covered rocks and large treeferns are shaded by huge forest trees. Two NightStay: Cradle Mountain Lodge.

DAY 4 • CRADLE MOUNTAINA special day begins with a guided tour of the WorldHeritage listed Cradle Mountain - Lake St ClairNational Park. In 1911 Austrian born naturalistGustaf Weindorfer bought land and built a chalet toattract people who wanted to trek at CradleMountain. Nestled among the myrtles and King Billypines at Cradle Valley, the rebuilt Waldheim Chalettakes you back to the time when the Weindorfersfirst offered their renowned hospitality to guests.You will also spend time exploring Dove Lake. Later

TASMANIAN DISCOVERY12 days

36

Constitution Dock, HobartRussell Falls



TOUR HIGHLIGHTS• Two night stay at stylish Peppers Seaport Resort located in the vibrant Launceston Seaport Dock • Visit Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary and meet a Tasmanian devil • Explore the township of Sheffield, famous for its spectacular street murals • Visit the historic English village of Stanley nestled at the foot of the towering volcanic core, ‘The Nut’ • Guided tour through Woolnorth Wind Farm and Cape Grim• 2 night stay in the cosy pine cabins at Cradle Mountain Lodge• Guided tour of the World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park• Ride on the famous West Coast Wilderness Railway from Queenstown to Strahan• 2 night stay in Strahan, a pretty little town located on Macquarie Harbour • Cruise on the mighty Gordon River in guaranteed window seating • Visit the deepest freshwater lake in Australia, Lake St Clair and take in the stunning scenery as

you enjoy a short walk • Discover farming life at Curringa Farm, a working sheep farm and enjoy a BBQ lunch • Explore picturesque Russell Falls as you stroll through the lush rainforest • 2 night stay at the Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart, located on the bustling waterfront • Tour the Huon Valley and take a walk on the Tahune Airwalk • Visit the quaint historic villages of Richmond and Ross • Explore the Tasman Peninsula and visit the natural rock formations of the Blowhole, Tasman Arch

and Devil’s Kitchen • Guided tour of the penal settlement of Port Arthur and cruise around the Isle of the Dead • Walk to stunning Wineglass Bay in the centre of Freycinet National Park • Overnight stay at Tidal Waters Resort in St Helens• Guided tour of the Grubb Shaft Mining Museum in Beaconsfield• Tour of Woolmers Estate, home to the National Rose Garden


ON TOUR ACTIVITIESA number of great walks are included on various days throughout this tour. The following walks areconsidered moderate to difficult and a good level of fitness will especially be required for these walks:• Wineglass Bay Lookout

Penal Colony Port Arthur

LAUNCESTON

SMITHTON

CRADLEMOUNTAIN

STRAHAN

HOBART

PORT ARTHUR

ST HELENS

Ross

2

Richmond

Macquarie Harbour

Bay of Fires

RussellFalls

Lake St Clair

Sheffield

Wynyard

Stanley‘The Nut’

Cape Grim

1

1

11

Cradle MountainLake St. Clair National Park

Gordon River

Lake Pieman

Tamar River

Franklin-GordonWild Rivers

National Park

Freycinet National Park

Lake Gordon

Mt. WIlliam National Park

2

Wineglass Bay

Bicheno

11

2

Curringa Farm

there’s free time to take another walk from yourlodge. You may be lucky enough to see a platypus inthe pools of Pencil Pine Creek or a wombat feedingin the bush. We’ll host a wine and cheese tastingbefore dinner, so you can sample some of theexcellent local produce. After dinner there will be aninformative slide presentation about CradleMountain, its flora and fauna.

DAY 5 • CRADLE MOUNTAIN – STRAHANToday we travel through wilderness areas dottedwith lakes that have been dammed to power hydroelectricity stations. We will cross Lake Pieman atReece Dam, a favourite spot for trout fishermen. Atthe historic town of Zeehan we will visit the museumwhere you’ll learn about the history of the region’smining industry which began to boom around 1882when silver-lead deposits were found. TheMuseum’s displays of pioneering memorabiliainclude some of the best mineral samples in theworld. On to Queenstown to board the reconstructedWilderness Railway which was built despitetreacherous weather and difficult terrain to forge alink between the mining town of Queenstown andthe port of Strahan. At the end of the line the trainarrives at the pretty little town of Strahan onMacquarie Harbour. Two Night Stay: Strahan Village.

DAY 6 • STRAHANMacquarie Harbour is the gateway to the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. This morningboard your luxury cruise vessel to cross the harbourto Hells Gate where the harbour flows into the sea.The cruise will continue along the wide lowerreaches of the Gordon River to Heritage Landingwhere you’ll walk through the ancient rainforestbeneath trees thousands of years old. From here it'sa visit to Sarah Island where a guide will escort youaround the remains of this harsh penal island whilstreciting stories of survival. This evening you willenjoy the comic re-enactment of a true story ofescape from Sarah Island aboard ‘The Ship ThatNever Was’.

DAY 7 • STRAHAN – HOBARTToday we make our way back to Queenstown beforedriving across barren slopes damaged by the manyyears of mining. We’ll visit the deepest lake inAustralia, Lake St Clair and then continue pastseveral hydro electricity stations. At Curringa Farmyou will see a sheep being shorn, farm dogs workinga mob of sheep and learn about best practicelandcare and farming techniques. Then you’ll enjoya delicious BBQ lunch. There’s a chance to walk offlunch at Russell Falls where the track to thepicturesque falls is framed by stunning tall treeferns. Set on the River Derwent, Hobart is very mucha city of the sea with views of the Derwent estuaryappearing around every corner. There’ll be anorientation tour after we arrive in the city. Two NightStay: Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart.

DAY 8 • HOBARTThe Huon Valley is set amongst pristine waterwaysand wilderness. Arts, craft and heritage; appleblossom and vineyards; farmers, foresters andfishermen capture the essence of the Tasmaniancountryside. Close by is the Tahune Airwalk whereyou’ll have a unique view of the lush forest canopy.Lunch will be at Huonville before making our wayback to Hobart via the towns of Cygnet and Snug.Late this afternoon we’ll take the long winding roadto the top of Mt Wellington for a spectacular viewover Hobart (weather conditions permitting).

DAY 9 • HOBART – PORT ARTHURThis morning we visit one of Australia's oldesttowns. The quaint village of Richmond has thecountry’s oldest Catholic Church and sandstonebridge in Australia as well as craft shops, galleriesand antique shops. On the road to Port Arthur wewill visit three natural formations carved by the sea– the Blowhole, Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen.The penal settlement of Port Arthur began as atimber station and in 1857 became a convictpenitentiary. Just 20 years later, the last convict leftPort Arthur. Today, your guide will show you thewell-preserved ruins built with convict labour,impressive architecture and chilling prison facilities.You’ll cruise around the Isle of the Dead. OvernightStay: Fox and Hounds.

DAY 10 • PORT ARTHUR – ST HELENSOur route today takes us north along Tasmania’seast coast. Travelling through Orford, Triabunna andLittle Swanport we’ll start to see the high peaks ofthe Freycinet Peninsula across Great Oyster Bay.We’ll stop at the convict built Spiky Bridge beforeentering the Freycinet Peninsula. We’ll walk toWineglass Bay lookout in Freycinet National Park toadmire the clear blue sea and the circle of whitesand fringing the bay. On to the fishing village ofBicheno and St Helens, the largest town on the eastcoast. Overnight Stay: Tidal Waters Resort.

DAY 11 • ST HELENS – LAUNCESTONLeaving St Helens, we take the back tracks alongthe Bay of Fires and through Mount William NationalPark. In the Tamar Valley we’ll have lunch in theearly European settlement of George Town beforevisiting the lighthouse and old colonial buildings atLow Head. We cross the Tamar River via themodernistic Batman Bridge and drive toBeaconsfield for a tour of the Grubb Shaft MiningMuseum. Continuing through the Tamar’s winegrowing areas, we return to Launceston. OvernightStay: Peppers Seaport Resort.

DAY 12 • LAUNCESTONThis morning we’ll drive to Woolmers Estate, a 19thcentury rural settlement. The Estate has outstandingcultural significance because it represents continuousownership by a single family over six generations,

from the time the land was first settled in 1817 to thedeath of the last heir in 1994. The National RoseGarden of Australia is also at Woolmers, and a strollthrough the gardens is highly recommended. We’llthen stop in the historic town of Ross, after whichyou’ll be transferred to the airport for yourhomebound flight (please book your flights to departfrom 3.00pm onwards).

37

2008Oct 30Nov 13, 27Dec 11Jan 08, 29Feb 12, 26

2009Oct 29Nov 12, 26Dec 10Jan 07, 28Feb 11, 25

DEPARTURE DATES

2008 TOUR PRICES12 Day Tour Tour Code: OTALaunceston to Launceston $4,195Single Supplement $860All prices are per person, twin share in AUD. Fully inclusiveof all sightseeing, entrance fees, accommodation and mealsas specified. Tour itinerary and pricing valid from 01 April2008 to 31 March 2009. Enquire for itinerary and pricing thatfall outside this period. Flights are not included. For fullterms and conditions, please see pages 50-51.

Cradle Mountain


1



TOUR HIGHLIGHTS• Visit Australia’s national capital, Canberra • Two night stay in the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne at the Grand Mercure Hotel on Swanston • Dinner aboard the historical trams of the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant• Travel along the spectacular rugged coastline of the Great Ocean Road and see the Twelve Apostles • Visit the quaint fishing town of Port Fairy, one of Victoria’s earliest ports• See the beautiful sunken garden at the Umpherston Sinkhole • Visit the famous Blue Lake of Mount Gambier • Guided tour of the Naracoorte Caves located in South Australia’s only World Heritage listed site,

the Naracoorte Caves National Park • 2 night stay at the Kangaroo Island Seafront Resort including a guided tour of Kangaroo Island • Experience the elegant city of Adelaide during your 2 night stay at the Adelaide Hilton Hotel • Explore the famous wine growing region of the Barossa Valley • Stay overnight at the Wilpena Pound Resort located in the heart of the beautifully coloured

Flinders Ranges National Park • Explore the spectacular rugged slopes of the famous Ridgetop Track on your guided open-top

4WD adventure during your 2 night stay at the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary Resort • Take in the millions of stars at the Arkaroola Astronomical Observatory which provides some of

the best viewing conditions in Australia • Stay 2 nights in the mining town of Broken Hill and get a feel for life back in the early mining days

on a guided tour of the Day Dream Mine • Visit the outback ghost town of Silverton and spend time strolling around the restored gaol and

art galleries


DAY 1 • SYDNEY – CANBERRADepart Sydney this morning and journey through theSouthern Highlands. We pass Australia's secondoldest inland city, Goulburn, before turning onto theFederal Highway which leads us to Canberra.Australia’s capital city is home to museums, galleriesand institutions that reflect the essence of theNation’s culture, history and way of life. After drivingthrough Canberra’s Parliamentary Triangle andenclave of diplomatic missions, we’ll briefly visitParliament House. Later you can visit the NationalMuseum or the Australian War Memorial. Late in theafternoon we’ll see the city panorama from the MountAinslie lookout. Overnight Stay: Novotel Canberra.

DAY 2 • CANBERRA – MELBOURNEThis morning we rejoin the Hume Highway at Yass,in the heart of Australia’s superfine merino wool-growing country. We’ll cross the Murray River andpass the Victorian country towns of Wangaratta andBenalla. Following afternoon tea in Euroa, we headfor Melbourne, the second largest city in Australia.Melbourne is a thriving scene for the arts, sport ofevery kind, gourmet dining and fantastic shopping.Two Night Stay: Grand Mercure Hotel on Swanston.

DAY 3 • MELBOURNEThis morning you’ll enjoy a tour of Melbourne cityand her bayside suburbs. We will see the enormousExhibition Building, the Queen Victoria Markets, thenewly developed Docklands area and Australia'sbusiest shipping container port. A drive along theshores of Port Phillip Bay takes us to the trendysuburb of St Kilda where we will take time out for astroll. Heading back to the city we’ll visit the BotanicGardens. You’ll return to your city hotel with somefree time to relax or explore more of the city on yourown. This evening it’s a gourmet meal with adifference as we cruise the streets of Melbourne anddine aboard the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant.

DAY 4 • MELBOURNE – WARRNAMBOOLWe cross the West Gate Bridge and drive along thewestern shores of Port Phillip Bay to Victoria’slargest regional city, Geelong. The holiday town ofTorquay is Australia’s surfing capital and the officialstart of the Great Ocean Road. The views are themost spectacular on the winding stretch betweenLorne and Apollo Bay. We travel through thehardwood forests of the Otway Ranges rejoining thecoast at the Twelve Apostles, giant rock stacksstanding like sentinels in the ocean. We’re now onthe Shipwreck Coast, named for the large number ofships that were lost here. Overnight Stay:Sundowner Motor Inn.

DAY 5 • WARRNAMBOOL – COONAWARRA As we leave Warrnambool, we’ll go koala spotting atTower Hill, a dormant volcano that last erupted30,000 years ago. Our next stop is a visit to thefishing town Port Fairy, one of Victoria’s earliest

KANGAROO ISLAND & FLINDERS RANGES16 days

38

Wilpena Pound, Flinders RangesWheat crop, Victoria

Sydney

CANBERRA

MELBOURNEWARRNAMBOOLCOONAWARRA

KANGAROOISLAND

ADELAIDE

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Lake Albert Coorong

NationalPark

Barossa Valley

Flinders RangesNational Park

Blue Lake

Cape Jervis

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iver

Mur

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Murray River

WILPENA POUND

WEST WYALONG

Gammon RangesNational Park

Lake Frome

Lake Menindee

ARKAROOLA

Barrier Highway

Hume

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Federal

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Hume H

ighway

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Blue MountainsNational Park

21

NEW SOUTH WALES

VICTORIA

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

BROKEN HILL

2

ports which still boasts original colonial architecture.This afternoon we cross the South Australian borderinto a region renowned for geological featurescreated after extensive volcanic activity. At theUmpherston Sinkhole you’ll see the beautiful sunkengarden. The streets and houses of Mount Gambierare built around the slopes of an extinct volcano, withthe city climbing almost to the lip of the famous BlueLake. We continue to the historic township of Penolaand the Mary MacKillop Interpretive Centre and TheWoods MacKillop Schoolhouse. Overnight Stay:Chardonnay Lodge.

DAY 6 • COONAWARRA – KANGAROOISLANDToday we travel past vineyards and grazingproperties to Naracoorte where we visit theNaracoorte Caves and the coastal fishing town ofKingston. We’ll then follow the waters of theCoorong to Meningie and past Lake Albert and LakeAlexandrina. We’ll stop for afternoon tea on thebanks of the Murray River at Tailem Bend. At CapeJervis we’ll board the ferry to Penneshaw onKangaroo Island. Two Night Stay: Kangaroo IslandSeafront Resort.

DAY 7 • KANGAROO ISLANDKangaroo Island offers a breathtaking diversity ofnatural environments - secluded beaches, farmland,charming hamlets and dense forests. We’ll spend theday with a local guide who will give us a veryinformative insight into life on this southern island.Our encounters with the island’s wildlife will includea walk amongst sea lions lolling on the beach and avisit to Cape De Couedic lighthouse to see NewZealand fur seals frolicking in the southern oceanswell. Tonight we’ll watch penguins returning to theirburrows after their daily fishing expeditions (colonynumbers may vary depending on the season).

DAY 8 • KANGAROO ISLAND – ADELAIDEWe return to the mainland by ferry this morning.We’ll enjoy some free time at coastal township ofVictor Harbour which stands on Encounter Bay. Wethen continue through Goolwa and on to Adelaide.The generous boulevards, historic churches andelegant architecture of Adelaide reflect SouthAustralia's strong European heritage. Two NightStay: Hilton Adelaide.

DAY 9 • ADELAIDEThis morning we’ll visit the lookout on MontefioreHill, site of the life size bronze statue of Adelaide'sfounding father, Colonel William Light. Then we’lldrive to the trendy coastal suburb of Glenelg,Adelaide’s most popular beach. Across town we willtravel to the Mount Lofty Ranges and the village ofHahndorf, one of the Adelaide Hills’ most famoustowns and Australia's oldest German settlement.Afterwards we’ll enjoy wine tasting at some of theBarossa Valley’s prestigious wineries.

DAY 10 • ADELAIDE – WILPENA POUNDToday we leave the city behind for the FlindersRanges and the outback. On the way we’ll call in atthe historic copper mining town of Burra where alocal guide will escort you on a tour of the town.Continuing due north we pass through Peterboroughand Orroroo, after which you’ll see the beginnings ofthe beautifully coloured ridges of the FlindersRanges. From here we follow the line of the rangesto Wilpena Pound. This majestic naturalamphitheatre is a lost world inside a giant stonecrater. Overnight Stay: Wilpena Pound Resort.

DAY 11 • WILPENA POUND – ARKAROOLAWilpena Pound is the centrepiece of the FlindersRanges National Park, recognised as one of the finestlandscapes in Australia. It is rich in wildlife that hasadapted well to the rugged mountains and gorges. Afterbreakfast we’ll take a short transfer before our walk upthe ridge for spectacular views across the pound. Wevisit the old mining town of Blinman. The crumblingruins of old cottages and the Blinman mine now forman historic town set in a sparse hilly landscape. It isgravel road all the way to Arkaroola WildernessSanctuary. Few other places in Australia offer suchease of access to so many sheltered waterholes, deepplunging gorges and breathtaking mountain top viewsof vast desert plains and distant salt lakes. Two NightStay: Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and Resort.

DAY 12 • ARKAROOLAToday is a day of adventure and exploration.Travelling in a specially constructed open-top 4WDvehicle, you’ll take a guided Ridgetop Tour of some ofthe most spectacularly rugged country on earth. Ourlocal tour guides will share their knowledge ofArkaroola's 1,600 million year geological history asyou navigate the steep slopes of the famous RidgetopTrack. Back at the resort you will have time to relaxor take a stroll in the Wilderness Sanctuary. Afterdinner take in the millions of stars at the ArkaroolaAstronomical Observatory, a rare opportunity to tourthe universe from a location that provides some ofthe best viewing conditions in Australia. Under theexpert tuition of Arkaroola's guides you’ll have anintergalactic experience that normally isn't availableto anyone but astronomers and scientists.

DAY 13 • ARKAROOLA – BROKEN HILLWe drive south across the flood plains of one ofAustralia's many large salt lakes, Lake Frome. Aswe make our way across Frome Downs Station, we’llgo through the longest man made structure on earth‘The Dog Fence’. We’ll then join the Barrier Highwayin to New South Wales and on to Broken Hill, site ofthe world’s richest deposits of silver, lead and zincwhich led to the establishment of BHP. Two NightStay: Silver Haven Motor Inn.

DAY 14 • BROKEN HILLToday we start at the outback ghost town ofSilverton, scene of more than 140 films andcommercials from Mad Max II to the Royal FlyingDoctor Service series. Spend time strolling aroundthe restored gaol, art galleries and the celebratedSilverton Hotel. At the Day Dream Mine you’ll get afeel for life back in the early mining days. There’sfree time to explore the streets of Broken Hill beforewe visit the Silver City Mint and Gallery to view theBig Picture, the world's largest acrylic painting oncanvas. Later we’ll take a drive out to thespectacular Living Desert Sculptures.

DAY 15 • BROKEN HILL – WEST WYALONGWe gradually begin to leave the outback for morepopulated country along interesting back roadsthrough Menindee, Ivanhoe and Hillston. We passLake Menindee, the main water supply for the localirrigation area and Broken Hill. Menindee's history isstrongly linked to Bourke and Wills, the explorers whocrossed Australia but perished on their return journey.Our destination today is the historic gold mining townof West Wyalong. Overnight Stay: Club Inn Resort.

DAY 16 • WEST WYALONG – SYDNEYAfter we leave West Wyalong, the country is dominatedby sheep properties. We pass through the gold miningtown of Grenfell, birthplace of the great poet HenryLawson and home to the bushranger Ben Hall. On tothe Cowra Japanese Gardens and then we continue toBathurst, one of Australia's oldest inland cities. Fromthe coal-mining town of Lithgow, we take the GreatWestern Highway over the Blue Mountains, stoppingfor photos at Katoomba’s iconic Three Sisters. We’llreturn to Sydney late this afternoon, where it will betime to say farewell to your crew and fellow travellers(please book your flights from 7pm onwards).

39

Kangaroo Island

2008Nov 08, 29Jan 10, 31Feb 21

2009Nov 07, 28Jan 09, 31Feb 20

DEPARTURE DATES

2008 TOUR PRICES16 Day Tour Tour Code: OSSSydney to Sydney $4,995Single Supplement $1,090



1

DAY 1 • SYDNEY – WEST WYALONGDepart Sydney this morning and travel along theGreat Western Highway over the Blue Mountains,stopping for photos at Katoomba’s iconic ThreeSisters. We continue through the coal-mining townof Lithgow to Bathurst, one of Australia's oldestinland cities. On to the Cowra Japanese Gardensbefore we pass through the gold mining town ofGrenfell, birthplace of the great poet Henry Lawsonand home to the bushranger Ben Hall. Ourdestination today is the historic gold mining town ofWest Wyalong. Overnight Stay: Club Inn Resort.

DAY 2 • WEST WYALONG – BROKEN HILLOur second day takes us to the edge of the outbackon interesting back roads through Hillston, Ivanhoeand Menindee. Menindee's history is strongly linkedto Bourke and Wills, the explorers who crossedAustralia but perished on their return journey. Wepass Lake Menindee, the main water supply for thelocal irrigation area and Broken Hill. On to BrokenHill, site of the world’s richest deposits of silver,lead and zinc which led to the establishment of BHP.Two Night Stay: Silver Haven Motor Inn.

DAY 3 • BROKEN HILL Today we start at the outback ghost town ofSilverton, scene of more than 140 films andcommercials from Mad Max II to the Royal FlyingDoctor Service series. Spend time strolling aroundthe restored gaol, art galleries and the celebratedSilverton Hotel, with its desert backdrop and areplica of Mad Max's car outside. At the Day DreamMine you’ll get a feel for life back in the early miningdays. There’s free time to explore the streets ofBroken Hill before we take a drive out to thespectacular Living Desert Sculptures.

DAY 4 • BROKEN HILL – TIBOOBURRAThis morning we visit the Silver City Mint and ArtGallery to view the Big Picture, the world's largestacrylic painting on canvas. We then drive north intothe outback along the Silver City Highway, passingthrough the small settlements of Packsaddle andMilparinka. Our destination tonight is Tibooburra,the most isolated town in New South Wales,established at the height of the gold rush. OvernightStay: Granites Motel.

DAY 5 • TIBOOBURRA – INNAMINCKAToday we enter South Australia, crossing the borderat Cameron Corner that marks the junction of NewSouth Wales, South Australia and Queensland. Herewe pass through the longest man made structure onearth ‘The Dog Fence’. We drive through theStrzelecki Desert to the Strzelecki track and pastthe Moomba Gas Fields to Innamincka. OvernightStay: Innamincka Hotel.

DAY 6 • INNAMINCKA – BIRDSVILLEOur route today takes us through very remotecountry. We will cross into Queensland and over the

GRAND AUSTRALIA11/17/33 days

40

Uluru, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National ParkWangi Falls, Litchfield National Park



TOUR HIGHLIGHTS• Stay 2 nights in the mining town of Broken Hill and get a feel for life back in the early mining days

on a guided tour of the Day Dream Mine • Explore the outback ghost town of Silverton as you stroll around the restored gaol and art galleries• Overnight in the outback township of Tibooburra, the most isolated town in New South Wales • Pass through Cameron Corner where New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland meet • Travel through the Strzelecki Desert along the Strzelecki Track to Innamincka • Stay 2 nights in the famous town of Birdsville at the Birdsville Hotel • Travel through the Simpson Desert, home to the awesome sand dune ‘Big Red’ • Visit the Min Min Encounter in Boulia and learn about the Min Min Light phenomenon • Fossicking for red garnets and sparkling zircons at Gemtree • Stay 4 nights in Alice Springs at the Lasseters Hotel • Explore Alice Springs including a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the award-winning

Desert Park and the Old Telegraph Station • Stay 2 nights at Desert Gardens in Uluru • Explore the magnificent monolith of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and spectacular giant domes of

Kata Tjuta (Olgas) • Experience unique dining under the stars with views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta at the

Sounds of Silence dinner • Take in the atmosphere of Kings Canyon with a walk along the rim of the canyon or along the

canyon floor • Travel along the legendary Tanami Track, one of Australia’s longest stock routes • Stay 2 nights in the World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park at the Bellburn Safari Camp • Walk into the majestic Cathedral Gorge and Echidna Chasm in the Bungle Bungles • Cruise through the amazing Geikie Gorge • See the unique Boab Prison Tree in Derby• Stay 2 nights at luxurious Rendezvous Sanctuary Resort in Broome • Broome sightseeing tour including a tour at the Pearl Luggers’ Museum• Travel the length of the remote Gibb River Road through the centre of the Kimberley Region • Visit spectacular Windjana Gorge, home to Johnston fresh water crocodiles • Walk into Tunnel Creek, Western Australia’s oldest cave system • Overnight stay at El Questro Wilderness Park at the award-winning Emma Gorge Resort• Cruise through the picturesque Chamberlain Gorge • Swim in the thermal pools at Zebedee Springs at El Questro

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS continued OVERLEAF

BROOME Geikie GorgeCruise Wolfe Creek Crater

HALLS CREEKBUNGLE BUNGLES

1 12

Chamberlain Gorge Cruise

DARWIN 1

1

TIBOOBURRA

INNAMINCKA

BIRDSVILLE

BOULIAJERVOIS

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SPRINGS

ULURU

KINGS CANYON

RABBIT FLAT

ChambersPillar

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StrzeleckiDesert

Standley Chasm4

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Sydney

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MANNING GORGEEL QUESTRO 2

KATHERINEKUNUNURRA

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Kakadu National

Park


JABIRU

FITZROY CROSSING

WINDJANA GORGE

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BROKEN HILLLake Menindee

Kata Tjuta

Katherine Gorge Cruise Yellow Waters Billabong CruiseLitchfield

NationalPark

WEST WYALONG

NORTHERN TERRITORY

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

QUEENSLAND

NEW SOUTH WALES

1

Bourke and Wills Bridge before stopping at the DigTree, where Bourke and Wills missed their supportparty by just nine hours. Further north we passAustralia's largest shearing shed at Cordillo Downs.Birdsville began life as 'Diamantina Crossing' in1881 and stories of stockmen who passed throughthe town on the famous Birdsville Track are part oftown legend. Two Night Stay: Birdsville Hotel.

DAY 7 • BIRDSVILLEThis morning we’re off to the track whereBirdsville’s annual race meeting sees the populationgrow from 120 to 6,000 in two days. At the BirdsvilleWorking Museum you can look into the past and seehow harness makers, wheelwrights andblacksmiths worked. After lunch we drive to theedge of the Simpson Desert for a look at ‘Big Red’.This is the first of over 1,000 parallel sand dunesthat vehicles must cross to reach the western side ofthe desert. You can climb to the top for a great viewover the endless dunes.

DAY 8 • BIRDSVILLE – BOULIAWe travel to Bedourie, administrative centre of theDiamantina Shire and once a Cobb & Co coach stop.We’ll have lunch here before we cross the Tropic ofCapricorn. Our destination today is Boulia, famousfor the Min Min Light, a strange light that canappear and disappear with an eerie will of its own.The light has teased travellers for years andscientists are baffled to explain this phenomenon.Decide which theory about the light you believewhen you visit the Min Min Encounter this afternoon.Overnight Stay: Desert Sands Motel.

DAY 9 • BOULIA – JERVOISWe approach the Northern Territory along a dirttrack grandly named the Donohue Highway. As wecross into the Northern Territory we stop at thesmall remote settlement of Tobermorey. We are nowon the Plenty Highway which started as a stockroute used for cattle droving between states. Wecontinue on to the remote settlement of Jervoiswhere we pull out the tents for a night of camping.Overnight Stay: Jervois Station Camping.

DAY 10 • JERVOIS – ALICE SPRINGSThis morning we’ll travel to Gemtree where you willfossick for rich red garnets and sparkling zircons.We’ll then join the Stuart Highway, one of theworld’s longest transcontinental roads, and head forAlice Springs, Australia’s most famous outbacktown. Affectionately known as ’The Alice’, your stayhere will leave a lasting impression of the localcharacters and surrounding natural beauty. ANZACHill offers a panoramic view of the town and is thestarting point for our orientation tour. Three NightStay: Lasseters Hotel.

DAY 11 • ALICE SPRINGS(Clients on the 11 Day tour depart the tour thismorning after breakfast. Tour Code: OSA.) Our first

stop this morning is the Old Telegraph Station whereSir Charles Todd established the original settlementon the telegraph line that ran between Australia’ssouth to what is now Darwin. We will call in to theRoyal Flying Doctor Service to learn how thisremarkable lifeline for remote areas operates. Atthe School of Distance Education (previously knownas ‘the School of the Air ‘) you will see how theworld’s biggest classroom is run. If it is a schoolday, you might hear lessons being broadcast tooutback children. We then drive to the award-winning Desert Park. Walk through different nativehabitats, see birds of prey in action and observe rareanimals in the nocturnal house. To end the day wevisit the Alice Springs Cultural Precinct. Here youcan stroll through the original cemetery where youwill find the graves of the great Aboriginal artistAlbert Namatjira and Harold Bell Lasseter of‘Lasseters Lost Gold’ fame. For aviation enthusiasts,the Connellan Hangar houses memorabilia of thispioneering airline.

DAY 12 • ALICE SPRINGSThe magnificent West MacDonnell Ranges is ourdestination today. Our first stop is the grave ofReverend John Flynn, founder of the Royal FlyingDoctor Service. Next we take a short walk intoSimpsons Gap for a chance to sight rare black-footed rock wallabies. Further along the range wewalk into Standley Chasm and on to Ormiston Gorgefor lunch and a refreshing swim in the waterhole. Toend the day we go to the Gosse Bluff to see thecrater 5 kilometres wide and 150 metres high, whichwas created by a comet crashing into earth millionsof years ago.

DAY 13 • ALICE SPRINGS – ULURU (AYERS ROCK)Before we reach Uluru today, we divert from thehighway to Chambers Pillar. Early explorers usedthis spectacular rock formation as a navigation aidthrough remote country. Heading back throughMaryvale Cattle Station, we rejoin the Stuart Highwayuntil we turn west along the Lasseter Highway toUluru. Tonight is the first of our two night stay atYulara, a small township purpose-built to cater forvisitors to Uluru. Two Night Stay: Desert GardensHotel.

DAY 14 • ULURUIt’s an early rise today to see the sun come up overUluru and then you will have the opportunity toexplore this magnificent monolith. You may chooseto do the 9.5 kilometre base walk or stay with yourcrew who will take you into special areas to explaintheir significance to the local Aboriginal people.Spend some time at the Cultural Centre before wego to the equally spectacular Kata Tjuta (Olgas).Once at Kata Tjuta, you can take a walk between thehuge rock domes. No visit to Uluru is complete untilyou see a sunset. Watch the changing colours of the

mighty monolith during pre-dinner drinks beforeembarking on a unique dining experience at theaward-winning Sounds of Silence dinner.

DAY 15 • ULURU – KINGS CANYONThis morning you may wish to take an optionalscenic flight over Uluru (own expense). After aleisurely start we drive to the million acre cattlestation, Curtin Springs. On to lunch at Kings CreekStation, a working cattle and camel station which isthe largest exporter of wild camels in Australia. Thisafternoon we will travel to Kings Canyon where youhave a choice of guided walks. Take in theatmosphere of Kings Canyon on a moderate walkalong the canyon floor. Or, if you’re feeling moreenergetic, a walk along the rim is also available.Overnight Stay: Kings Canyon Resort.

DAY 16 • KINGS CANYON – ALICE SPRINGSWe return to Alice Springs along the Mereenie LoopRoad. Depending on local conditions, we will call inat Palm Valley. We’ll walk into this desert oasis andalong the riverbed amongst groves of red cabbagepalms that are a reminder of Central Australia’stropical past. Overnight Stay: Lasseters Hotel.

DAY 17 • ALICE SPRINGS – RABBIT FLAT(Clients on the 17 Day tour depart the tour thismorning after breakfast. Tour Code: OSAC.) Wefarewell the Red Centre to drive the legendaryTanami Track, one of Australia’s longest stockroutes. The area is so remote that there are only tworoadhouses on the track - Tilmouth Well and RabbitFlat which will be our campsite for tonight. Alongthe way we pass Yuendumu Aboriginal Community,site of a huge annual festival where regionalcommunities assemble to compete in sportingevents and demonstrate their traditional culturalpractices. Overnight Stay: Rabbit Flat RoadhouseCamping.

DAY 18 • RABBIT FLAT – HALLS CREEKFlanked by the Tanami Desert and the Great SandyDesert, we’ll come to the junction of the CanningStock Route. The Canning was once a favourite routefor drovers and is now used by adventurous four-wheel drivers. We’ll then continue to Wolfe CreekCrater, the second largest meteorite crater onearth. A short walk to the rim of the crater willreveal an expansive view of the perfectly roundimpact site, which is 60 metres deep and nearly akilometre wide. We’ll spend the night in Halls Creek,site of Western Australia’s first commercial golddiscovery and a thriving service centre forpastoralists, Aboriginal communities and miningcamps. Overnight Stay: Kimberley Hotel.

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Waterlily, Kakadu National Park

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE


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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS continued• Cruise down the spectacular Ord River and into Lake Kununurra as the sun sets • Guided cruise through stunning Katherine Gorge • Enjoy a swim in the pandanus fringed waterhole at spectacular Edith Falls • Explore World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park • Visit beautiful Wangi and Florence Falls in Litchfield National Park • 2 night stay at the 5 star Crowne Plaza Hotel in Darwin

ACCOMMODATIONWe have chosen a great mix of accommodation styles which make the most of what each region hasto offer - from 3.5 to 5 star hotels to wilderness lodges and tented cabins. During this tour enjoy theexperience of camping 7 of the 33 nights in your own tent. All equipment, including comfortable offthe ground beds, will be provided and our friendly crew will show you the ropes of how to pitch yourown tent.• The following overnight stays are in camp areas which all have toilet and shower facilities - Day 9, 17, 21, 24, 25, 29 and 30 • Day 19 & 20 – your 2 night stay at Bellburn Safari Camp is inpermanently tented safari cabins, comfortable beds and shared facilities • Day 26 – your overnight stayat El Questro Wilderness Park will be at Emma Gorge in deluxe tented cabins with private ensuites

ON TOUR ACTIVITIESA number of great walks are included on various days throughout this tour. The following walks areconsidered moderate to difficult and a good level of fitness will especially be required for these walks:• Cathedral Gorge • Echidna Chasm • Mini Palms • Emma Gorge • Manning Gorge • Bell Gorge• Around Uluru • Kings Canyon • Palm Valley

DAY 19 • HALLS CREEK – BUNGLEBUNGLESThis morning explore the old stone buildings at theOld Halls Creek town site, abandoned by goldminers in search of more productive mining areas.On to the ‘Great Wall of China’, a spectacularformation of eroded quartz rock. Our vehicle turnsoff the Great Northern Highway and into PurnululuNational Park, the World Heritage area of theBungle Bungles. We head to the southern end of thePark for a walk into Cathedral Gorge, an acousticallymagnificent natural amphitheatre. A pre-dinnerdrink back at the camp is followed by dinner andstar-gazing. Two Night Stay: Bellburn Safari Camp.

DAY 20 • BUNGLE BUNGLESThis morning there is the opportunity of taking anoptional helicopter flight over the magnificentBungle Bungles (at own expense). Seeing theseincredible rock formations from the air gives a truesense of the scale of this incredible national park.Today we drive to the northern end of the BungleBungles for a memorable day of walks in to two ofthe Park’s best attractions. The first walk is in toEchidna Chasm through a narrow gorge that revealssomething new at every bend, it’s like walkingthrough a huge gap in the landscape with sunlightbouncing off the flaming red hues of the rock walls.

After a delicious picnic lunch we set off along acreek bed into Mini Palms. A climb through rockyoutcrops brings you to a platform atop a scenicamphitheatre for views of verdant palm trees andthe valley beyond.

DAY 21 • BUNGLE BUNGLES – FITZROYCROSSINGWe leave the Bungle Bungles this morning andrejoin the Great Northern Highway to Halls Creek,where we will stop for lunch. Continuing on to MaryPool we’ll stop at this peaceful rest area which ispure outback Western Australia, with huge red rivergums shading the riverbanks. Our destination thisafternoon is the Fitzroy River Lodge located on thebanks of one of the highest volume rivers on earthand where we will set up camp for the night.Overnight Stay: Fitzroy River Lodge Camping.

DAY 22 • FITZROY CROSSING – BROOMEThis morning relax on a cruise through thesanctuary that is Geikie Gorge, where 30 metresteep limestone walls laid down over a period of 50 million years were formed by fossilised coralreefs. If you look carefully, you can see the markingsof vastly different water levels during the dry seasonand the ‘Big Wet’. After the cruise we head westalong the Great Northern Highway. Our route along

the northern edge of The Great Sandy Desert isdotted with the unusually shaped Boab trees andtheir bulbous trunks and sparse foliage explain whylocal aborigines know them as ‘Upside Down Trees’.We’ll cross the Fitzroy River that is almost dry atthis time of year, but transforms into a mightytorrent over 10 kilometres wide during the wetseason. In Broome there will be a brief orientationtour before you check in to your hotel. Two NightStay: Rendezvous Sanctuary Resort.

DAY 23 • BROOMEMake the most of a leisurely start this morningbefore our tour of the sights of Broome. Stop atGantheaume Point for a great photo opportunitylooking back across Cable Beach. We then stop atthe Broome Jetty, a prime spot for keen fishermenand where live cattle shipments are a frequent sight.Next we visit the Japanese Cemetery, a testament tothe dangerous early days of the pearling industry asover 900 divers are buried here. View the OldCourthouse, built in 1888 after reputedly beingdelivered to the wrong country. Enjoy a tour at thePearl Luggers’ Museum where you will learn of theperils of the deep and what made the pearl diverslife so hazardous. After lunch wander through theold buildings in China Town where many indigenousart galleries and pearl showrooms can be found.This afternoon there is the opportunity of taking anoptional scenic flight over the picturesqueBuccaneer Archipelago (at own expense).

DAY 24 • BROOME – WINDJANA GORGEWe leave Broome for Derby late this morning,stopping at Willare Roadhouse for morning tea. Onour way into town we will visit the Boab Prison Treethat for many years was used by police as aconvenient lock-up for prisoners. Before arriving atthe King Sound Resort for lunch, we stop at thetown’s jetty, built to handle huge 10 metre tidalflows. This afternoon we join the famous Gibb RiverRoad originally a stock route that was upgraded tocarry giant road trains loaded with cattle. AtWindjana Gorge a large population of Johnston freshwater crocodiles inhabit the water hole. We will setup camp before taking a leisurely walk into thegorge to spot some crocodiles basking in the sun. Asthe sun’s last rays light up the mountain range,enjoy a drink with your fellow travellers. OvernightStay: Windjana Gorge Camping.

DAY 25 • WINDJANA GORGE – MANNING GORGEAfter packing up the tents and a bush breakfast, wewill take you to Tunnel Creek. Here you will enjoy awalk into Western Australia’s oldest cave system,made famous in 1897 as a hideout for the Aboriginalleader Jandamarra. Bell Gorge is one of the mostpicturesque gorges of the West Kimberley whereswimming, photography, bushwalking and birdwatching can be enjoyed. There’s time to do some or

42

Plants rejuvenating after a bushfire, Litchfield National ParkThe Living Desert Sculptures, Broken Hill

all of these before our picnic lunch. We will thencontinue along the Gibb River Road. The day will endat Manning Gorge where after setting up camp youcan take a walk into the gorge. We’ll dine under thestars again tonight. Overnight Stay: Manning GorgeCamping.

DAY 26 • MANNING GORGE – EL QUESTROWILDERNESS PARKThere are very few populated areas betweenManning Gorge and El Questro, so today we will takein the sights and enjoy a picnic along the way. As wetravel on, the red escarpment of the CockburnRange will dominate the landscape and willeventually lead us to El Questro Station, a millionacre cattle station that has been declared aconservation reserve. We will reach our overnightaccommodation in time to unwind with a drinkbefore dinner in the open-air restaurant. OvernightStay: Emma Gorge Resort in Deluxe Tented Cabins.

DAY 27 • EL QUESTRO WILDERNESS PARK– KUNUNURRAThis morning enjoy a cruise on Chamberlain Gorge,a fresh waterhole enclosed by a toweringescarpment and home to incredibly diverse flora andfauna. We then reboard our coach to follow theCockburn Range before reaching the CambridgeGulf and the port of Wyndham where live cattle andsugar are the main exports. A visit here is notcomplete without taking in the panoramic views ofthe region at the Five Rivers Lookout. You will seefor miles out across the Cambridge Gulf and the fiverivers that flow into it - the Ord, Pentecost, Durack,King and Forrest. Continuing to Kununurra we willfollow the Carr Boyd Range across the diversiondam that was built to stem the waters of the OrdRiver. Kununurra is a vibrant town at the centre ofthe fertile Ord River Irrigation Scheme which shipshuge volumes of fruit and fresh produce toAustralian and overseas markets. We’ll have anorientation tour of the town which includes a visit tothe Zebra Rock Gallery where you will see workscarved by local residents from the patterned stoneunique to the region. Two Night Stay: KununurraLakeside Resort.

DAY 28 • KUNUNURRATo start this exciting day we depart for IvanhoeCrossing, the original crossing across the Ord River.Next we visit the Hoochery, the State’s only licenseddistillery where rum is produced from local sugar.We’ll then drive to the rebuilt homestead of theDurack family, Argyle Downs. After a visit to thehomestead that is now a museum, we cross the damwall to join a cruise down the Ord River and intoLake Kununurra.

DAY 29 • KUNUNURRA – KATHERINEToday we leave the Kimberley and Western Australiaand enter the Northern Territory. We will pass by

Bullo River Station, made famous by top-sellingauthor Sara Henderson whose books vividlydescribed station life. On to the mighty escarpmentcountry in the Victoria River region, one of the mostpicturesque areas in the Northern Territory. We’lltravel through Timber Creek, named in 1855 whenthe explorer Augustus Gregory used timber from thebanks of the creek to repair his expedition’s boat.Near the Victoria River Crossing, we’ll pass by theVictoria River Downs Station which was once thelargest land holding on earth. The Victoria River,known by locals as ‘The Vic’, was a key influence onAboriginal heritage and today is a lifeline forpastoral properties. When we arrive at Katherinethere’s time to stroll through the town before we setup camp for the night. Overnight Stay: KnottsCrossing Resort Camping.

DAY 30 • KATHERINE – JABIRUYou’ll agree that our early start is well worth itbecause the still of the morning is the best time of dayto cruise through Katherine Gorge. The cruise takes intwo of thirteen gorges carved through ancientsandstone by the Katherine River. At the NitmilukVisitors’ Centre you’ll see informative displaysoutlining the geology, landscape and Aboriginalhistory of the national park. Spectacular Edith Falls isour lunch stop today. Afterwards you can swim in thelarge pandanus fringed waterhole at the base of thefalls. We drive on to Kakadu National Park, 20,000square kilometres of tropical wilderness, savannahwoodland, ancient escarpments and inhabited by amultitude of flora and fauna. A visit to the excellentBowali Visitors’ Centre will provide you with plenty ofinformation about this complex region. Depending ontime and availability you might choose to take a scenicflight over the wetlands of Kakadu (at own expense).Overnight Stay: Kakadu Lodge Caravan ParkCamping.

DAY 31 • JABIRU – DARWIN This morning enjoy a cruise on the Yellow WatersBillabong where it is possible to see estuarinecrocodiles in their natural habitat. One third ofAustralia's bird species is represented in KakaduNational Park, with at least 60 species found inthese wetlands. Whistling ducks, jabiru, brolga andmagpie geese are the most abundant. Then it’s on toUbirr to view Aboriginal rock art galleries that dateback thousands of years. After a climb up on to theescarpment you will be rewarded with panoramicviews you’ll never forget. Keep your eyes open at theMamukala Wetlands Bird Observatory as it is notuncommon to see dingos hunting the thousands ofmagpie geese that migrate here. In the heart ofcrocodile, buffalo and barramundi country, we’llstop briefly at the quirky Bark Hut Inn. Before wecheck in to our Darwin hotel, we’ll take you on ashort orientation tour of this laid-back tropicalcapital. Two Night Stay: Crowne Plaza Hotel.

DAY 32 • DARWIN – LITCHFIELD NATIONALPARK – DARWINWe’ll spend our last touring day in LitchfieldNational Park where numerous waterfalls cascadefrom a sandstone plateau called the ‘TabletopRange’. You’ll spend time wandering throughintriguing magnetic termite mounds. Then we willtravel to Florence Falls and Wangi Falls. Both areextraordinarily beautiful and you’ll have a chance toswim in the pool at the base of Wangi Falls, one ofthe Top End’s most popular swimming spots. Afterlunch we’ll spend the afternoon at the TerritoryWildlife Park where you can get close to the bird lifein the dome aviary or walk through the aquariumtunnel as barramundi and turtles swim overhead.The majority of fauna found in the Top End isrepresented in this Park which covers 400 hectares.Our dinner this evening is time to say farewell toyour crew and fellow travellers.


43

Outback Railway Crossing Windjana Gorge National Park Kimberley

2008April 09

2009April 11

DEPARTURE DATES

All prices are per person, twin share in AUD. Fully inclusive ofall sightseeing, entrance fees, accommodation and meals asspecified. Additional activities are at own expense and unlessotherwise stated must be booked on tour. Tour itinerary andpricing valid from 01 April 2008 to 31 March 2009. Enquire foritinerary and pricing that fall outside this period. Flights are notincluded. For full terms and conditions, please see pages 50-51.

2008 TOUR PRICES33 Day Tour Tour Code: OSCDSydney to Darwin $9,995Single Supplement $2,055

17 Day Tour Tour Code: OSACSydney to Alice Springs $5,795 Single Supplement $1,020OSAC includes 2 nights in Uluru, 1 night inKings Canyon and 4 nights in Alice Springs

11 Day Tour Tour Code: OSASydney to Alice Springs $3,595Single Supplement $440OSA includes 3 nights in Alice Springs but doesnot include Uluru or Kings Canyon

DAY 1 • ALICE SPRINGSWelcome to Alice Springs, Australia’s most famousoutback town. This evening, meet your OutbackDiscovery crew and get together with your fellowtravellers during dinner. Three Night Stay:Lasseters Hotel.

DAY 2 • ALICE SPRINGSOur first stop this morning is the Old TelegraphStation. We will call in to the Royal Flying DoctorService to learn how this remarkable lifeline forremote areas operates. At the School of DistanceEducation (previously known as ‘the School of theAir‘) you will see how the world’s biggest classroomis run. We then drive to the award-winning DesertPark. To end the day we visit the Alice SpringsCultural Precinct.

DAY 3 • ALICE SPRINGSThe magnificent West MacDonnell Ranges is ourdestination today. We take a short walk intoSimpsons Gap for a chance to sight rare black-footed rock wallabies. Further along the range wewalk into Standley Chasm and on to Ormiston Gorgefor lunch and a refreshing swim in the waterhole.

DAY 4 • ALICE SPRINGS – ULURU (AYERS ROCK)Before we reach Uluru today, we divert from thehighway to Chambers Pillar. Early explorers usedthis spectacular rock formation as a navigation aidthrough remote country. Tonight is the first of ourtwo-night stay at Yulara, a small township purpose-built to cater for visitors to Uluru. Two Night Stay:Desert Gardens Hotel.

DAY 5 • ULURUIt’s an early rise today to see the sun come up overUluru and then you will have the opportunity toexplore this magnificent monolith. Spend some timeat the Cultural Centre before we go to the spectacularKata Tjuta (Olgas). Watch the changing colours of themighty monolith during pre-dinner drinks beforeembarking on a unique dining experience at theaward-winning Sounds of Silence dinner.

DAY 6 • ULURU – KINGS CANYONThis morning you may wish to take an optional scenicflight over Uluru (own expense). We then drive to themillion acre cattle station, Curtin Springs. On tolunch at Kings Creek Station, a working cattle andcamel station. This afternoon we will travel to KingsCanyon where you have a choice of guided walks.Overnight Stay: Kings Canyon Resort.

DAY 7 • KINGS CANYON – ALICE SPRINGSWe return to Alice Springs along the Mereenie LoopRoad. Depending on local conditions, we will call inat Palm Valley. Overnight Stay: Lasseters Hotel.(Clients on the 18 Day tour join the tour thisevening. Tour Code: OACD.)

RED CENTRE, KIMBERLEY & TOP END 18/24 days

44

Kata Tjuta, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National ParkWindpump at Fitzroy Crossing, Kimberley


local knowledge • Travelling on board brand new luxury All Terrain 4WD Mercedes Benz 30 seater vehicles • All meals including full hot breakfast, lunch and dinner each day whilst on tour • Morning and afternoon teas are included on most days • All ‘must-see’ attractions and sights built into each itinerary • Innovative itineraries which highlight the best of what Australia offers • Many 2 night stays for a leisurely paced holiday and to allow you to get a feel for the destination • Fully escorted by experienced and professional Outback Discovery Tour Manager and Driver • All inclusive touring with no hidden extras • Exclusive airport transfers are included • An Outback Discovery Kit including a backpack, bush hat, water bottle, map, ticket wallet and torch

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS• Stay 4 nights in Alice Springs at the Lasseters Hotel • Explore Alice Springs including a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Desert Park• Stay 2 nights at Desert Gardens Hotel in Uluru • Explore Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the spectacular giant domes of Kata Tjuta (Olgas) • Experience unique dining under the stars at the Sounds of Silence dinner at Uluru• Take in the atmosphere of Kings Canyon on a guided walk• Travel along the legendary Tanami Track, one of Australia’s longest stock routes • Stay 2 nights in the World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park at the Bellburn Safari Camp • Walk into the majestic Cathedral Gorge and Echidna Chasm in the Bungle Bungles• Cruise through the amazing Geikie Gorge • Stay 2 nights at luxurious Rendezvous Sanctuary Resort in Broome • Broome sightseeing tour including a tour at the Pearl Luggers’ Museum• Travel the length of the well-known Gibb River Road through the centre of the Kimberley Region • Visit spectacular Windjana Gorge, home to Johnston fresh water crocodiles • Overnight stay at El Questro Wilderness Park at Emma Gorge Resort • Cruise through the picturesque Chamberlain Gorge and Katherine Gorge• Explore World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park • Visit beautiful Wangi and Florence Falls in Litchfield National Park • 2 night stay at the 5 star Crowne Plaza Hotel in Darwin

ACCOMMODATIONWe have chosen a great mix of accommodation styles which make the most of what each region has tooffer - from 3.5 to 5 star hotels to wilderness lodges and tented cabins. During this tour enjoy theexperience of camping 6 of the 33 nights in your own tent. All equipment, including comfortable off theground beds, will be provided and our friendly crew will show you the ropes of how to pitch your own tent.• The following overnight stays are in camp areas which all have toilet and shower facilities – Day 8,12,15, 16, 20 and 21 • Day 10 & 11 – your 2 night stay at Bellburn Safari Camp is in permanentlytented safari cabins, comfortable beds and shared facilities • Day 17 – your overnight stay at El Questro Wilderness Park will be at Emma Gorge in deluxe tented cabins with private ensuites

ON TOUR ACTIVITIESA number of great walks are included on various days throughout this tour. The following walks areconsidered moderate to difficult and a good level of fitness will especially be required for these walks:• Cathedral Gorge • Echidna Chasm • Mini Palms • Emma Gorge • Bell Gorge • Manning Gorge • Around Uluru • Kings Canyon • Palm Valley

FITZROYCROSSING

Geikie GorgeCruise

Wolfe Creek Crater

BROOMEHALLS CREEK

BUNGLE BUNGLES

Victoria River

Tana

mi T

rack

1 12

ChamberlainGorgeCruise

Katherine Gorge Cruise

Yellow Waters Billabong Cruise

DARWIN 1

ALICE SPRINGSKINGS CANYON

RABBIT FLAT

Kata Tjuta2

1

Stua

rt H

wy

Lasseter Highway

Tanami Track Standley Chasm

Gosse Bluff

Palm Valley

2

1

1


Echidna ChasmCathedral Gorge

Tanami Desert

Lake Argyle

2

1

1

MANNING GORGE

EL QUESTRO 2

KATHERINEKUNUNURRA

Kakadu National

Park

4

JABIRU

WINDJANA GORGE

ULURUChambers Pillar

1


WESTERN AUSTRALIA

NORTHERN TERRITORY

DAY 8 • ALICE SPRINGS – RABBIT FLATWe farewell the Red Centre to drive the legendaryTanami Track, one of Australia’s longest stockroutes. The area is so remote that there are only tworoadhouses on the track - Tilmouth Well and RabbitFlat which will be our campsite for tonight.Overnight Stay: Rabbit Flat Roadhouse Camping.

DAY 9 • RABBIT FLAT – HALLS CREEKFlanked by the Tanami Desert and the Great SandyDesert, we’ll come to the junction of the CanningStock Route. We’ll then continue to Wolfe CreekCrater, the second largest meteorite crater onearth. Overnight Stay: Kimberley Hotel.

DAY 10 • HALLS CREEK – BUNGLE BUNGLESThis morning explore the old stone buildings at theOld Halls Creek town site. Our vehicle turns off theGreat Northern Highway and into PurnululuNational Park, the World Heritage area of theBungle Bungles. We head to the southern end of thePark for a walk into Cathedral Gorge. Two NightStay: Bellburn Safari Camp.

DAY 11 • BUNGLE BUNGLESThis morning there is the opportunity of taking anoptional helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungles(at own expense). Today we drive to the northern endof the Bungle Bungles for a memorable day ofwalks. The first walk is into Echidna Chasm andthen we set off along a creek bed into Mini Palms.

DAY 12 • BUNGLE BUNGLES – FITZROYCROSSINGWe leave the Bungle Bungles this morning andrejoin the Great Northern Highway to Halls Creek.Continuing on to Mary Pool which is pure outbackWestern Australia. Arrive Fitzroy River and set upcamp for the night. Overnight Stay: Fitzroy RiverLodge Camping.

DAY 13 • FITZROY CROSSING – BROOMEThis morning relax on a cruise through thesanctuary that is Geikie Gorge. After the cruise wehead west along the Great Northern Highway. InBroome there will be a brief orientation tour beforeyou check in to your hotel. Two Night Stay:Rendezvous Sanctuary Resort.

DAY 14 • BROOMEThis morning enjoy a tour of the sights of Broome.Stop at Gantheaume Point and then we visit theJapanese Cemetery and the Old Courthouse. Enjoy avery informative demonstration at the PearlLuggers’ Museum. This afternoon there is theopportunity of taking an optional scenic flight overthe Buccaneer Archipelago (at own expense).

DAY 15 • BROOME – WINDJANA GORGEWe leave Broome for Derby. On our way into town wewill visit the Boab Prison Tree. This afternoon wejoin the famous Gibb River Road. At Windjana Gorge

we will set up camp before taking a leisurely walkinto the gorge to spot some crocodiles basking inthe sun. Overnight Stay: Windjana Gorge Camping.

DAY 16 • WINDJANA GORGE – MANNINGGORGEAfter packing up the tents and a bush breakfast, wewill take you to Tunnel Creek. Here you will enjoy awalk into Western Australia’s oldest cave system.Bell Gorge is one of the most picturesque gorges ofthe West Kimberley. We will then continue along theGibb River Road. The day will end at Manning Gorgewhere after setting up camp you can take a walk intothe gorge. Overnight Stay: Manning Gorge Camping.

DAY 17 • MANNING GORGE – EL QUESTROWILDERNESS PARKThere are very few populated areas between Manning Gorge and El Questro. As we travel on, thered escarpment of the Cockburn Range willdominate the landscape and will eventually lead usto El Questro Station. Overnight Stay: Emma GorgeResort in Deluxe Tented Cabins.

DAY 18 • EL QUESTRO WILDERNESS PARK– KUNUNURRAThis morning enjoy a cruise on Chamberlain Gorge.We then reboard our coach to follow the CockburnRange before reaching the Cambridge Gulf and theport of Wyndham. A visit here is not completewithout taking in the panoramic views of the regionat the Five Rivers Lookout. Continuing to Kununurrawe will follow the Carr Boyd Range. We’ll have anorientation tour of the town which includes a visit tothe Zebra Rock Gallery. Two Night Stay: KununurraLakeside Resort.

DAY 19 • KUNUNURRAThis morning visit the Hoochery, the State’s onlylicensed distillery where rum is produced from localsugar. After some free time in Kununurra we driveto the rebuilt homestead of the Durack family,Argyle Downs. After a visit to the homestead that isnow a museum, we cross the dam wall to join acruise down the Ord River and into Lake Kununurra.

DAY 20 • KUNUNURRA – KATHERINEToday we leave the Kimberley and Western Australiaand enter the Northern Territory. We will travel on tothe mighty escarpment country in the Victoria Riverregion, one of the most picturesque areas in theNorthern Territory. When we arrive at Katherine weset up camp for the night. Overnight Stay: KnottsCrossing Resort Camping.

DAY 21 • KATHERINE – JABIRUThis morning we cruise through the magnificentKatherine Gorge. At the Nitmiluk Visitors’ Centre you’llsee informative displays outlining the geology,landscape and Aboriginal history of the national park.We drive on to Kakadu National Park, 20,000 squarekilometres of tropical wilderness, savannah woodland,

ancient escarpments and inhabited by a multitude offlora and fauna. A visit to the excellent Bowali Visitors’Centre will provide you with plenty of information aboutthis complex region. Depending on time and availabilityyou might choose to take a scenic flight over thewetlands of Kakadu (at own expense). Overnight Stay:Kakadu Lodge Caravan Park Camping.

DAY 22 • JABIRU – DARWIN This morning enjoy a cruise on the Yellow WatersBillabong where it is possible to see estuarinecrocodiles in their natural habitat and other wildlife.Then it’s on to Ubirr to view Aboriginal rock artgalleries that date back thousands of years. After aclimb up onto the escarpment we’ll have a picniclunch surrounded by scenery you’ll never forget. Two Night Stay: Crowne Plaza Hotel.

DAY 23 • DARWIN – LITCHFIELD NATIONALPARK – DARWINWe’ll spend our last touring day in Litchfield NationalPark where numerous waterfalls cascade from asandstone plateau called the ‘Tabletop Range’. We’lltravel to extraordinarily beautiful Florence and WangiFalls where you’ll have a chance to swim in the poolat the base of Wangi Falls, one of the Top End’s mostpopular swimming spots. We’ll spend the afternoonat the Territory Wildlife Park where you can get closeto the bird life in the dome aviary or walk through theaquarium tunnel as barramundi and turtles swimoverhead. Our dinner this evening is time to sayfarewell to your crew and fellow travellers.


45

Cruise through Katherine Gorge, Nitmiluk National Park

2008April 18

2009April 20

DEPARTURE DATES

All prices are per person, twin share in AUD. Fully inclusive ofall sightseeing, entrance fees, accommodation and meals asspecified. Additional activities are at own expense and unlessotherwise stated must be booked on tour. Tour itinerary andpricing valid from 01 April 2008 to 31 March 2009. Enquire foritinerary and pricing that fall outside this period. Flights are notincluded. For full terms and conditions, please see pages 50-51.

2008 TOUR PRICES24 Day Tour Tour Code: OACD Alice Springs to Darwin $7,995Single Supplement $1,715

18 Day Tour Tour Code: OABDAlice Springs to Darwin $5,895Single Supplement $1,110


1

DAY 1 • PERTHThis evening meet your Outback Discovery crew andget together with fellow travellers over a welcomedrink, followed by dinner. Overnight Stay: HolidayInn Burswood.

DAY 2 • PERTH – KALGOORLIESettle in aboard your Outback Discovery vehicle thismorning on the first day of our crossing of theworld’s largest island continent. We’ll drive westinto the wheat belt and through the small town ofMeckering that made world news in October 1968when an earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richterscale caused widespread destruction but no loss oflife. At the Cunderdin Museum you’ll see displaysdepicting the earthquake and many artefactsdepicting the pioneering spirit of the district.Continuing on we’ll travel through Coolgardie toKalgoorlie for a short tour of the town and infamousHay Street. Overnight Stay: Broadwater Hotel.

DAY 3 • KALGOORLIE – NORSEMANThe gold rush town of Kalgoorlie includes the‘Golden Mile’, said to have been the richest squaremile of gold bearing earth in the world. At theMiners Hall of Fame you will have the opportunity topan for gold, watch how gold is poured or even puton your hard hat and go down a mineshaft. At thenickel mining town of Kambalda we will visit RedHill Lookout for a panoramic view of the nickeloperations and Lake Lefroy, one of many huge saltlakes in the west of the Nullarbor Plain. Ourdestination is Norseman on the edge of theNullarbor. Overnight Stay: Great Western Motel.

DAY 4 • NORSEMAN – EUCLAToday is the start of our two day journey across theEyre Highway. Our first stop is Balladonia. In July1979 pieces of Skylab crashed to earth and at theBalladonia Hotel’s Museum we’ll see memorabiliaand actual debris from Skylab. From Balladonia weround a bend that marks the start of the longeststraight stretch of road on earth, just under 150kilometres in length. We’ll take a break atCocklebiddy and continue on to Madura where theroad descends steeply and is bounded by anescarpment to the north and the seas of the GreatAustralian Bight to the south. Overnight Stay:Amber Hotel/Motel.

DAY 5 • EUCLA – STREAKY BAYThe adventure continues today as we cross the SouthAustralian border to the most picturesque section ofthe Nullarbor trip. For many kilometres the countryto our left is endless flat saltbush and to our rightsheer cliffs drop into the sea. We’ll stop at the Headof the Bight to see ancient cliffs ranging in heightfrom 40-70 metres above the pounding SouthernOcean. The landscape begins to change and sheepproperties start to appear until we reach Ceduna atthe end of the Nullarbor Plain. After Ceduna we’ll

ACROSS THE NULLARBOR8/11/17 days

46

Road signs on the Eyre Highway near EuclaGreat Australian Bight in the Nullarbor National Park



TOUR HIGHLIGHTS• Overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Burswood Hotel in Perth • Visit the Cunderdin Museum and take a step back in time as you view displays from the 1968

earthquake that made world news • Guided tour and gold panning at the Miners Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie• Overnight stay in Norseman which is located on the edge of the Nullarbor Plain and marks the

start of our 2 day adventure across this fascinating land along the Eyre Highway to Streaky Bay • Explore the historic ruins in Eucla which was home to the busiest country telegraph station in the

early 1900’s • See the fascinating Australian sea lions and great birdlife in their natural habitat at Point Labatt

Conservation Park • Overnight stay in the brand new Port Lincoln Hotel • Travel along the scenic coastline of the Eyre Peninsula and Spencer Gulf, passing through many

quaint coastal towns • Experience the elegant city of Adelaide during your overnight stay at the Adelaide Hilton Hotel • Wine tasting in one of Australia’s better known wine growing regions, McLaren Vale • 2 night stay at the Kangaroo Island Seafront Resort including a guided tour of Kangaroo Island• Explore the famous wine growing region of the Barossa Valley • Stay overnight at the Wilpena Pound Resort located in the heart of the beautifully coloured

Flinders Ranges National Park • Explore the spectacular rugged slopes of the famous Ridgetop Track on your guided open-top

4WD adventure during your 2 night stay at the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary Resort • Take in the millions of stars at the Arkaroola Astronomical Observatory which provides some of

the best viewing conditions in Australia • Stay 2 nights in the mining town of Broken Hill and get a feel for life back in the early mining days

on a guided tour of the Day Dream Mine • Visit the outback ghost town of Silverton and spend time strolling around the restored gaol and

art galleries


Sydney

1

Flinders RangesNational Park

WILPENA POUND

WEST WYALONG

Gammon RangesNational Park

Lake Menindee

1


PERTH

KALGOORLIE

NORSEMANGreat Australian Bight

Eyre Highway

Nullarbor Plain

KANGAROOISLAND

2

Tumby Bay

11

EUCLA 1

1

STREAKY BAY

PORT LINCOLN

1Lake Lefroy

1

BROKEN HILL

2

ARKAROOLA

Nullarbor National Park

2Lake Frome

Head of Bight

1 ADELAIDE

NEW SOUTH WALES

WESTERN AUSTRALIASOUTH AUSTRALIA

1 TANUNDA

leave the Eyre Highway and follow the coast toStreaky Bay. Overnight Stay: Streaky Bay Hotel Motel.

DAY 6 • STREAKY BAY – PORT LINCOLNThis morning we drive to Point Labatt ConservationPark to a cliff top platform where you’ll view amainland breeding colony of Australian sea lions.We’ll continue along the Eyre Peninsula passingthrough Elliston, a pretty coastal town situated on theshores of Waterloo Bay. With a harbour three timesthe size of Sydney, Port Lincoln is today’s destination.Overnight Stay: Port Lincoln Hotel.

DAY 7 • PORT LINCOLN – ADELAIDEToday we travel along the coastline of the EyrePeninsula and Spencer Gulf. We pass through quietcoastal towns of Tumby Bay, Arno Bay and Cowell.We will continue through towns of Port Augusta andPort Wakefield before arriving in South Australia'scapital, Adelaide. Our drive into the city passesgenerous boulevards, historic churches and elegantarchitecture which reflect South Australia's strongEuropean heritage. Overnight Stay: Adelaide Hilton.(Clients on the 11 Day tour join the tour thisevening. Tour Code: OAS.)

DAY 8 • ADELAIDE – KANGAROO ISLAND(Clients on the 8 Day tour depart the tour thismorning after breakfast. Tour Code: OPA.)This morning we’ll visit the lookout on MontefioreHill, site of the life size bronze statue of Adelaide'sfounding father, Colonel William Light. Then we’lldrive to the trendy coastal suburb of Glenelg. Wecontinue to the wine-growing area of McLaren Valewhere we’ll stop for wine-tasting and lunch. At CapeJervis we’ll board the ferry to Penneshaw onKangaroo Island. Two Night Stay: Kangaroo IslandSeafront Resort.

DAY 9 • KANGAROO ISLANDKangaroo Island is seven times larger thanSingapore, with a breathtaking diversity of naturalenvironments, secluded beaches, farmland,charming hamlets and dense forests. We’ll spend theday with a local guide who will give us a veryinformative insight into life on this southern island.Our encounters with the island’s wildlife will includea walk amongst sea lions lolling on the beach and avisit to Cape De Couedic lighthouse to see NewZealand fur seals frolicking in the southern oceanswell. Tonight we’ll watch penguins returning to theirburrows after their daily fishing expeditions (colonynumbers may vary depending on the season).

DAY 10 • KANGAROO ISLAND – TANUNDAWe return to the mainland by ferry this morning anddrive to Victor Harbour, on Encounter Bay. Enjoysome free time at this coastal township. We’ll thencontinue to the Mount Lofty Ranges and the villageof Hahndorf, one of the Adelaide Hills’ most famoustowns and Australia's oldest German settlement.Afterwards we’ll enjoy wine tasting at some of the

Barossa Valley’s well known wineries. OvernightStay: Barossa Motor Lodge.

DAY 11 • TANUNDA – ARKAROOLAThis morning we farewell the wine country anddepart for the North Flinders Ranges and theoutback. On the way we’ll travel via the historiccopper mining town of Burra before we go throughthe longest man made structure on earth ‘The DogFence’. We continue our journey across the floodplains of one of Australia's many large salt lakes,Lake Frome and then on to Arkaroola WildernessSanctuary. Few other places in Australia offer suchease of access to so many sheltered waterholes, deepplunging gorges and breathtaking mountain top viewsof vast desert plains and distant salt lakes. Two NightStay: Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and Resort.

DAY 12 • ARKAROOLAToday is a day of adventure and exploration. Travellingin a specially constructed open-top 4WD vehicle, you’lltake a guided Ridgetop Tour of some of the mostspectacularly rugged country on earth. Our local tourguides will share their knowledge of Arkaroola's 1,600million year geological history as you navigate thesteep slopes of the famous Ridgetop Track. Afterdinner take in the millions of stars at the ArkaroolaAstronomical Observatory, a rare opportunity to tourthe universe from a location that provides some of thebest viewing conditions in Australia.

DAY 13 • ARKAROOLA – WILPENA POUNDWe drive south through the beautiful coloured ridgesof the Flinders Ranges, stopping along the way toview the beautiful Parachilna Gorge. We then visitthe old mining town of Blinman. The crumblingruins of old cottages and the Blinman mine nowform an historic town set in a sparse hilly landscape.From here we follow the line of the ranges toWilpena Pound. This majestic natural amphitheatreis a lost world inside a giant stone crater. OvernightStay: Wilpena Pound Resort.

DAY 14 • WILPENA POUND – BROKEN HILLWilpena Pound is the centrepiece of the FlindersRanges National Park, recognised as one of thefinest landscapes in Australia. After breakfast we’lltake a short transfer and walk up the ridge forspectacular views across the pound. We continueour journey through the townships of Orroroo andPeterborough. We then travel along the BarrierHighway into New South Wales and on to BrokenHill, site of the world’s richest deposits of silver,lead and zinc which led to the establishment of BHP.Two Night Stay: Silver Haven Motor Inn.

DAY 15 • BROKEN HILLToday we start at the outback ghost town of Silverton.Spend time strolling around the restored gaol, artgalleries and the celebrated Silverton Hotel. At theDay Dream Mine you’ll get a feel for life back in theearly mining days. We then visit the Silver City Mint

and Gallery to view the Big Picture, the world'slargest acrylic painting on canvas. Later we’ll take adrive out to the spectacular Living Desert Sculptures.

DAY 16 • BROKEN HILL – WEST WYALONGWe gradually begin to leave the outback for morepopulated country along interesting back roadsthrough Menindee, Ivanhoe and Hillston. Ourdestination today is the historic gold mining town ofWest Wyalong. Overnight Stay: Club Inn Resort.

DAY 17 • WEST WYALONG – SYDNEYAfter we leave West Wyalong, the country isdominated by sheep properties. We pass through thegold mining town of Grenfell, birthplace of the greatpoet Henry Lawson and home to the bushrangerBen Hall. We visit the Cowra Japanese Gardensbefore continuing on to Bathurst, one of Australia'soldest inland cities. From the coal-mining town ofLithgow we take the Great Western Highway overthe Blue Mountains, stopping for photos atKatoomba’s iconic Three Sisters. We’ll arrive inSydney late this afternoon, where it will be time tosay farewell to your crew and fellow travellers(please book your flights from 7pm onwards).

47

2008Oct 17, 22

2009Oct 18, 25

DEPARTURE DATES

All prices are per person, twin share in AUD. Fully inclusive ofall sightseeing, entrance fees, accommodation and meals asspecified. Tour itinerary and pricing valid from 01 April 2008 to31 March 2009. Enquire for itinerary and pricing that fall outsidethis period. Flights are not included. For full terms andconditions, please see pages 50-51.

2008 TOUR PRICES17 Day Tour Tour Code: OPASPerth to Sydney $5,375Single Supplement $1,050

8 Day Tour Tour Code: OPAPerth to Adelaide $2,695Single Supplement $500

2008Oct 23, 28

2009Oct 24, 31

2008 TOUR PRICES11 Day Tour Tour Code: OASAdelaide to Sydney $3,865Single Supplement $640

Nights accommodationLand ContentUnsealed RoadFerry

1

Opportunity to add the Spring Wildflowers &Monkey Mia Tour to this holiday - see pages 34-35for itinerary.

Fixed wing flight Uluru & Kata TjutaDuration: 40 minutes Tour cost: $165 per personUluruDuration: 20 minutes Tour cost: $85 per person

Helicopter flightUluru & Kata TjutaDuration: 30 minutes Tour cost: $220 per personUluruDuration: 15 minutes Tour cost: $115 per person

Scenic flights over uluru & Kata TjutaBoard your aircraft for a spectacular and informative flight over Uluru and view the amazing desert thatsurrounds from above. Choose from one of the following exciting flights over the ancient monolith and see theunusual orange-tinted domes of Kata Tjuta. You are guaranteed a window seat on the aircraft.

el questro scenic helicopter flightsViews of El Questro, denied to the earthbound! Seeing El Questro Wilderness Park from above is breathtakingand from an open-door helicopter, it's exhilarating. It is the only way to access distant waterholes and scenicareas where travel by land is virtually impossible. Enjoy a scenic journey over some of El Questro's many gorgesand waterfalls and views of the majestic Cockburn ranges. Duration: 20 minutes Per person: $175

ADDITIONAL

Helicopter flight over the bungle bunglesThis helicopter flight is a must when you are in the Purnululu National Park and it provides a perfect opportunityto take photos of this amazing landscape. Take a close up look at the gorges you have walked through and seespectacular areas inaccessible from the ground. Views include Piccaninny Gorge and Creek, Deep Gorge, Y Gorge, The Western Wall and much, much more! Duration: 30 minutes Tour cost: $265 per person

Bungle bungle domes specialBoard your helicopter and depart Bellburn airstrip for the south west tip of the Bungle Bungles where you willview Y Gorge before flying across the top of the massif for the mouth of spectacular Piccaninny Gorge. Return toBellburn along the southern face of the range with plenty of time to view and photograph the famous beehivedomes of the Bungle Bungles. Duration: 18 minutes Tour cost: $185 per person

half day buccaneer archipelago flightDescending over King’s Sound in your fixed wing aircraft, hundreds of the thousand islands in the BuccaneerArchipelago appear. Not the least of these photo opportunities is the Horizontal Waterfall. Flying on to Talbot Bay,hundreds of lines of pearl shells belonging to the famous Paspaley Pearling Empire can be seen. Then onto CapeLeveque where, after landing, you are free to bathe in temperate, turquoise waters. Tour departs from Broome. Tour cost: $445 per person Price subject to change and/or surcharge without notice even after full payment has been received.

Scenic flight over kakadu national parkEnjoy the views from the comfort and safety of your fixed wing aircraft as you embark on a spectacular scenicflight over World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park. As you fly over the remarkable landmarks andattractions within the Park, you will see just how complex and vast this ancient landscape really is. Duration: 30 minutes Tour cost: $120 per person

All prices are per person – subject to availability, operational and seasonal factors. Minimum numbers and surcharges may apply.

You will have the opportunity to enhance your touring experience with the following fabulous additional activities. All of

the options focus on the highlights of the region which will truly add to your holiday experience.

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Outback Discovery’s CommitmentOutback Discovery, sister company of Scenic Tours, iscommitted to preserving the wonders of the remarkabledestinations that you will enjoy on your holiday. We areworking to minimise the impact that our administrativeoperations have on the environment and climate change.These are some of the steps we have taken;

Climate Neutral OfficesSince the start of 2007, Scenic Tours, and now OutbackDiscovery, have partnered with Climate Friendly to make ouroffices and sales team climate neutral. We have formed acommittee dedicated to further reducing our environmentalimpact and increasing the efficiency of ouroperations. Our initiatives include educatingthe Outback Discovery staff to think ‘green’,switching to recycled office supplies andencouraging recycling and energy efficiency.

Carbon CreditsOutback Discovery and Scenic Tours purchase carboncredits from Climate Friendly which fund renewableenergy projects such as wind and solar energy plants inAustralia and New Zealand. We purchase the equalamount of carbon credits as our offices, sales team andstaff flights produce in emissions per year.

Partnerships – Climate FriendlyOutback Discovery has joined Climate Friendly, anAustralian based organisation committed to reducinglarge scale greenhouse gas emissions by fundingrenewable energy projects. Climate Friendly has beenhelping people to neutralise their carbon emissions in

any activity that uses energy since 2003. Theyhelp our guests neutralise the carbonemissions from their travel at the sametime as contributing to growing the clean

energy industry.

GreenChoice

*Your payment goes directly to Climate Friendly in exchange for Gold Standard Carbon Credits for renewable energy projects. Scenic Tours and Outback Discovery donot profit in any way from these payments. Please visit our website www.outbackdiscovery.com.au/climateneutral for more information about how the carbon offsetprogram works.

OUR ONGOING COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT

Carbon Neutral TouringClimate Friendly have calculated the

average daily greenhouse emissions forthe transport and accommodationfeatured in this brochure and for just

$4 per person per day you can neutraliseyour holiday. Simply let your travel agent

know that you wish to take the GreenChoiceoption and we will add GreenChoice to your booking. Themoney you spend will support new renewable energyprojects that prevent as much greenhouse gas fromentering our atmosphere as your tour will have released.

Carbon Neutral FlightsBy purchasing carbon credits for your flights to and from your holiday destination, as well as yourtour, your holiday will be entirely carbon neutral. It is easy to neutralise your flights with ClimateFriendly’s online calculator, where you can calculateand neutralise the impact of your flights.

Please visit www.climatefriendly.com/flight

to neutralise your flights direct with climatefriendly.

CARBON

NEUTRALISE

YOUR TOUR

FOR ONLY

$4 PER DAY

GREENCHOICEYou can make a difference by adding one of the below options to

your holiday booking to help fund green technology

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IMPORTANT: The terms, conditions and limitation of liabilityunder which the Tours operate are set out in these terms andconditions and the payment of the Security Deposit or Tour Pricerepresents acceptance by You of the following: In the event of any inconsistency between these terms andconditions and the Tour Brochure, the terms and conditions willprevail to the extent of that inconsistency. Definitions and interpretation1. In these terms and conditions, unless the context otherwiserequires: capitalised words have the meanings given in thedictionary in clause 62; and these terms and conditions must beinterpreted in accordance with clause 63.2. The tours in the Tour Brochure are co-ordinated by OutbackDiscovery a division of Scenic Tours Pty Limited (Company).Bookings3. Any booking is made pursuant to these terms and conditions.4. It is a condition of booking that You are fit and able to take careof Yourself for the duration of the Tour.5. The Company may, if in the opinion of any representative of theCompany or Carrier, either refuse to allow You on the Tour or expelYou from the Tour if Your mental or physical condition is such as torender You: incapable of caring for Yourself; likely to becomeobjectionable to other passengers; or a hazard to Yourself or otherpassengers. The Company will not be liable for any expensesarising from such persons being precluded from completing theTour for any such reason.6. Each booking is conditional on the Company securing theminimum number of bookings required to operate the Tour and toensure an enjoyable group atmosphere. Where sufficient numberscannot be achieved, the Company reserves the right to cancel orsuspend a scheduled departure. The Company will endeavour tomake any decision to cancel or suspend the Tour within 60 daysprior to the scheduled Tour departure date.7. Any booking made within 21 days prior to the scheduled Tourdeparture date will incur the Late Booking Fee.8. If Your booking is not a twin-share booking You must pay theSingle Supplement Rate for the Tour at time of booking. At Yourrequest, the Company will endeavour to match You with anothersingle traveller. If the Company is successful, You will be refundedthe Single Supplement Rate within 2 weeks of completion of theTour. The Company otherwise accepts no responsibility for thesuitability of the rooming partner and it is a condition of travel thatsingle passengers willing to share accommodation and accept therooming partners allocated by the Company. If a passenger at anytime during the tour considers the rooming partner to beunsuitable, the Company will, using the pre-paid singlesupplement and subject to availability, attempt to arrange singleaccommodation for the remainder of the tour. 9. If You have any special requirements (including dietaryrequirements) You must notify those requirements to the Companyat the time of booking and reconfirm your request with the OutbackDiscovery Tour Manager upon arrival. Special requests are arequest only.Tour Features10. The features of the Tour are set out in the Tour Brochure. 11. The Company makes no representation about the features ofany Tour other than those expressly set out in the Tour Brochureand these terms and conditions.Brochure Validity12. The Tour Brochure and these terms and conditions are valid forthe departure date as stated in the Tour Brochure unless otherwiseindicated.Variation and Cancellation by the Company13. The Company reserves the right to: alter or change theaccommodation, Carriers or vessels at any time for any reason;and cancel or alter the itinerary and/or Tour at any time withoutnotice as the Company considers necessary for any reasonwhatsoever including road, weather or traffic conditions, nonperformance of suppliers, industrial action, operational conditionsand requirements, water level problems, excessive winds or ForceMajeure event.14. Where a Tour is cancelled prior to the departure date, theCompany will use its reasonable endeavours to offer the nearestpossible alternative tour (subject to a refund or payment to coverany tour price difference) or, if this is not acceptable to You, refundthe Tour Price or such portion of it as the Company considersappropriate.15. In the event of industrial action affecting air, rail, cruise or tourrelated transportation the Company will make every effort to contactthe client and advise alternative arrangements. The OutbackDiscovery after hours emergency number is +61 418 686 507.16. You acknowledge the Company is often not the provider ofattractions, excursions and/or optional tours (Tour Inclusion).Accordingly, You agree the Company may, where it is required to doso, suspend or cancel any Tour Inclusion where that Tour Inclusionis not available or, in the opinion of the Company, unadvisable orunsuitable.17. You agree the Company is not liable for, and You discharge andrelease the Company and its directors, officers, employees, agentsor subcontractors absolutely and unconditionally from all Claimsarising from or in connection with the Company exercising itsrights under clauses 13-18.18. Any expense incurred by You as a result of the Companyexercising its rights under clauses 13-18 will be Your soleresponsibility. Variation or Cancellation by You19. If You request a variation to Your booking, the Company maychoose to accept or reject that request at its sole discretion. If theCompany accepts Your request, You must pay the Variation Fee.20. You may cancel Your booking by notice to the Company inwriting and payment of the Cancellation Fee.Security Deposit21. To secure any booking, You must pay the Security Deposit.22. Any Security Deposit paid will automatically be creditedtowards the Tour Price at the time of final payment, unlessotherwise requested. 23. Security Deposits are non-transferable and non-refundable. Tour Price and Payment24. The Company reserves the right to vary the Tour Priceadvertised or printed to cover any increase in air fare, fuel price,Government taxes and charges, exchange rate fluctuations, orother Tour related tariffs and costs.25. While travel agents can forward deposits and other paymentson Your behalf, they are not the Company's agent for the purposeof receipt of monies. Delivery to a travel agent of the Security

Deposit or any part of the Tour Price does not constitute receipt bythe Company and the Company is not liable in respect of anymoney paid to Your travel agent until such monies are received bythe Company. You acknowledge portions of the Tour may beprovided by Carriers and accordingly accept that the Company maypass on any surcharge or other increase imposed by a Carrierwithout notice and You must pay that surcharge or increase as partof the Tour Price.26. Late Booking Fee: A fee of $50 per file is payable forbookings made within 21 days of departure.27. Variation Fee: A fee of $50 per file is payable for each changeto the client’s original booking to cover communication andadministration cost.GST28. If GST becomes payable by a party (the Supplier) in relation toany supply that it makes to the other party (the Recipient) under orin connection with these terms and conditions, the parties agreethat: any consideration provided for that supply under these termsand conditions other than under this clause or any value deemedfor GST purposes in relation to that supply (Agreed Amount) isexclusive of GST; an additional amount will be payable by theRecipient equal to the amount of GST payable by the Supplier inrelation to that supply and the additional amount is, subject tohaving received a correctly rendered tax invoice from the Supplier,payable at the same time as any part of the Agreed Amount is to beprovided for that supply; and the Supplier must provide theRecipient with a tax invoice in accordance with the GST Act.29. Where, under the terms of these terms and conditions, oneParty is required to indemnify another, the amount by which theindemnifying party indemnifies the other does not include anyamount for which the indemnified party (or an entity grouped withthe indemnified party for GST purposes) has claimed, or is entitledto claim an input tax credit under the GST Act.Warranties30. Where the Company is the sole provider of the Tour, theCompany warrants the Tour will be carried out with due care andskill in a competent manner and according to generally applicableindustry standards.31. To the extent permitted by law, all other express or impliedwarranties, representations or terms other than those expresslycontained in these terms and conditions are expressly excluded.32. Where law implies any condition or warranty which cannot beexcluded, then the Company’s liability for any breach of suchimplied condition or warranty is limited, at the Company’s absolutediscretion, to one or more of the following: in the case of goods,any one or more of the following: the replacement of the goods orthe supply of the equivalent goods; the repair of the goods; thepayment of the cost of replacing the goods or of acquiringequivalent goods; the payment of the cost of having the goodsrepaired; or in the case of services: the supplying of the servicesagain; or the payment of the cost of having the services suppliedagain.Liability33. Despite any other provision in these terms and conditions, andto the extent permitted by law, the Company’s total liability to Youor any third party for any Claims made by You or any third party(including Claims in negligence) relating to the Tour, will notexceed the Tour Price actually paid by You.34. The Company will not be liable for any loss of profit, savings orrevenue or interest or any other consequential, indirect, incidental,special or punitive loss, damage or expenses even if the Companyhas been advised of their possible existence and even if such loss,damage or expense is caused by the Company’s negligence or thenegligence of Carriers.35. Nothing in these terms and conditions will operate to exclude,restrict or modify the application of any provision of the TradePractices Act 1974 or any equivalent Australian State or Territorylegislation, the exercise of a right conferred by such a provision, orany liability of the Company for a breach of a condition or warrantyimplied by such a provision, where it is unlawful to do so.36. You agree the Company is not liable for, and You discharge andrelease the Company and its directors, officers, employees, agentsor subcontractors absolutely and unconditionally from: any losssuffered by You directly or indirectly arising from any Tour failing toarrive or depart at the times stated in the Tour Brochure (includingaccommodation expenses and missed travel connection expenses);any non-performance, change of itinerary or delays in departure orarrival times of other suppliers or Carriers; reliance by You on anyrepresentation made by the Company directly or indirectly(including any photographs or images in a Tour Brochure) which isnot expressly stated in the Tour Brochure or these terms andconditions; or loss of enjoyment experienced by You in connectionwith the Tour.Carriers37. The Carriers (including airlines, rail carriers and sea carriersused in association with the Tours) are not responsible forstatements in the Tour Brochure or any of its features.38. The applicable conditions of sale in use by the Carriers willconstitute the sole contract between the Carriers and You and Youacknowledge You have received and agreed those conditions.Force Majeure39. The Company will not be liable for any delay or for failure toperform its obligations under these terms and conditions,resulting from or as a consequence of Force Majeure.40. If a delay or failure of the Company to perform its obligations iscaused or anticipated due to Force Majeure, then performance bythe Company of its obligations are suspended. 41. If a delay or failure by the Company to perform its obligationsdue to Force Majeure exceeds 60 days, the Company mayimmediately terminate these terms and conditions by givingwritten notice of termination to You.42. The Company will endeavour to book the most appropriateairfare for the Tour but accepts no liability in regards to the airfareor any loss suffered by You in connection with it.43. You should consult Your travel agent regarding the terms andconditions of any airfares.Risk and Insurance44. The Company discloses: there are risks associated with theTour and its activities (including Tour Inclusions); certain risks anddangers may arise beyond control of the Company including eventsof Force Majeure, hazards of travelling in undeveloped areas, travelby boat, train, automobile, aircraft or other means oftransportation, forces of nature, political unrest and accident,illness, epidemics or pandemics in regions without means of rapidevacuation or medical facilities; and baggage is entirely at Yourrisk during the Tour.

45. Despite any other provision in these terms and conditions, Youagree the Company is not liable for, and You discharge and releasethe Company from all Claims arising from or in connection withany loss or harm suffered by You arising from any risk identified toYou referred to in clause 44 or any other risk which You shouldhave reasonably recognised.Itinerary Changes46. During local or national holidays, certain facilities such asmuseums and restaurants, sightseeing tours and shopping may belimited or not available. Alternatives will be offered if possible.47. It is Your sole responsibility to obtain suitable insurances forthe Tour. Outback Discovery recommends passengers investigateall Department of Foreign Affairs warnings regarding the safety oftravelling to certain destinations listed in this brochure.Smoking48. Smoking is not permitted inside tourist coaches and suchother places prohibited by the Company from time to time. 49. The Company will use its reasonable endeavours to ensurethere are frequent stops during the coach trips for smoking but theCompany cannot guarantee these facilities will be available.Baggage Allowance50. Due to limited space available on the vehicle and in accordancewith the airlines, clients are entitled to carry one suitcase perperson with the total sum of its length, width and height notexceeding 160cm (62 inches) and weight 20kg (42 lbs.). Personalitems such as make-up, cameras etc. should be carried in a travelbag which is not to exceed 4kg per person (8lbs). Clients are toensure that luggage meets the weight requirements as overweightitems will be left behind.51. You must ensure luggage meets the weight requirements andacknowledges the Company (or Carrier as the case may be) mayelect not to carry overweight items.52. Excess baggage is at Your cost.Young Travellers53. We do not accept children under 15 years of age on these toursas we have found they are too young to enjoy these types of holidays.Dispute Resolution54. A party may not commence any court or arbitrationproceedings relating to a Dispute unless it complies with clauses54-58 except where the party seeks urgent interlocutory relief.55. A party claiming that a Dispute has arisen under or in relationto these terms and conditions must give written notice to the otherparty specifying the nature of the Dispute (Dispute Notice).56. On receipt of a Dispute Notice from the other party, the partiesmust endeavour in good faith to resolve the Dispute expeditiouslyusing informal dispute resolution techniques such as mediation,expert evaluation or determination or other techniques agreed bythem.57. If the parties do not agree within 7 days of receipt of theDispute Notice (or any further period agreed in writing by them) asto: the dispute resolution technique and procedures to be adopted;the timetable for all steps in those procedures; and the selectionand compensation of the independent person required for suchtechnique, then the parties must mediate the Dispute inaccordance with the Mediation Rules of the Law Society of NewSouth Wales. The parties must request the President of the LawSociety of New South Wales or the President's nominee to selectthe mediator and determine the mediator's remuneration.58. If the Dispute is not resolved within 30 days of the date of aDispute Notice, then any party which has complied with theprovisions of clauses 54-58 may in writing terminate any disputeresolution process undertaken pursuant to clauses 54-58 and may then commence Court proceedings in relation tothe Dispute.Governing Law and Jurisdiction59. The laws applicable in New South Wales govern these termsand conditions.60. The parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of thecourts of New South Wales and any courts competent to hearappeals from those courts. Survival61. Any indemnity in these terms and conditions is independentand survives termination of the Tour. Any other term which by itsnature is intended to survive termination of these terms andconditions survives termination.Dictionary62. Cancellation Fee means: the fee calculated in accordance with:Carrier means a provider of Tour related services retained orotherwise contracted by the Company to provide all or part of aTour. Claim means any allegation, debt, cause of action, liability, claim,proceeding, suit or demand of any nature howsoever arising andwhether direct or indirect, consequential, present or future, fixedor ascertained, actual or contingent and whether at law, in equity,under statute or otherwise.Company means Outback Discovery a division of Scenic Tours PtyLimited.Dispute means a dispute arising out of, or relating to the Tourincluding without limitation a dispute as to interpretation, breachor termination of these terms and conditions or as to any claim intort, in equity or pursuant to any law.Force Majeure means any act of God, war, terrorism, fire, flood orany other extreme weather conditions, loss of power, epidemics orpandemics, industrial disputes, slow-downs or other strikeactivities, riots or civil disturbances, acts of government, semi-government or other authorities, inability to obtain any necessarylicence or consent and delays caused by subcontractors andsuppliers (including telecommunication carriers), materialshortages or any other disruption to the provision of the Tour.GST has the meaning given to it in the GST Act.GST Act means A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act1999 (Cth).Late Booking Fee means a fee of $50.Security Deposit means in the case of any Tour as showing in thebrochure a minimum security deposit per person is payable within7 days of booking (refer to individual tour prices for securitydeposit).Single Supplement Rate means the rate determined by theCompany from time to time.Tours means a tour coordinated under these terms and conditionsby the Company.Tour Brochure means the brochure as released by the Companyfrom time to time setting out the specific details of the Tour.Tour Manager means a tour manager employed OR contracted bythe Company.

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T E R M S A N D C O N D I T I O N S

Tour Inclusion includes activities such as trekking, climbing,exploring, swimming, and snorkelling which are set out in the TourBrochure and undertaken by You.Tour Price means the price for the Tour as set out in the TourBrochure from time to time.Variation Fee means a fee of $50.You means each person who makes a booking with the Companyfor a Tour.Interpretation63. In these terms and conditions:(documents) a reference to these terms and conditions or anotherdocument includes any document which varies, supplements,replaces, assigns or novates these terms and conditions or thatother document;(references) a reference to the background, a party, clause,paragraph, schedule or annexure is a reference to the background,a party, clause, paragraph, schedule or annexure to or of theseterms and conditions;(headings) clause headings and the table of contents are insertedfor convenience only and must not be used when interpreting theseterms and conditions;(person) a reference to a person includes a natural person,corporation, statutory corporation, partnership, the Crown and anyother organisation or legal entity;(natural person) a reference to a natural person includes theirpersonal representatives, successors and permitted assigns;(rights and obligations) a reference to a right or obligation of aparty is a reference to a right or obligation of that party underthese terms and conditions;(including) ‘including’ and ‘includes’ are not words of limitation;(rules of construction) neither these terms and conditions nor anypart of it is to be construed against a party on the basis that theparty or its lawyers were responsible for its drafting;(legislation) a reference to any legislation or provision of legislationincludes all amendments, consolidations or replacements and allregulations or instruments issued under it;(writing) a reference to a notice, consent, request, approval orother communication under these terms and conditions means awritten notice, request, consent, approval or agreement;(replacement bodies) a reference to a body (including an institute,association or authority) which ceases to exist or whose powers orfunctions are transferred to another body is a reference to the bodywhich replaces it or which substantially succeeds to its power orfunctions; and (corresponding meanings) where a word or phraseis defined, its other grammatical forms have a correspondingmeaning.

65. Group Discounts: Group discounts cannot be combined withany other offer.66. Multi Tour Discounts: Discount will only apply when fullpayment has been received.67. Safety: Please be aware that during your participation invacations operated by the carrier companies and OutbackDiscovery certain risks and dangers may arise beyond their controlincluding, but not limited to the hazards of travelling inundeveloped areas; travel by boat, train, automobile, aircraft orother means of transportation; the forces of nature, political unrestand accident or illness in remote regions without means of rapidevacuation or medical facilities. The carrier companies andOutback Discovery will not have liability regarding provision ofmedical care or the adequacy of any care that may be rendered. Itis understood that Outback Discovery will use their best efforts toensure that adequate measures are taken. Clients must make theirown enquiries regarding safety warnings and governmentwarnings in relation to the destinations they are travelling to.These change quite regularly and can be found through theDepartment of Foreign Affairs. Outback Discovery can accept noresponsibility for the actions of terrorism in certain locations. 68. Special Diets: Clients requiring special diets such asvegetarian or diabetic must inform Outback Discovery at time ofreservation. Special requests are a request only. Outback Discoverywill do all possible to accommodate requests but cannot guaranteespecial requests can be met in all instances.69. Travel Insurance: We strongly advise clients to take outtravel insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances which mayarise (including, but not limited to; cancellation fees, loss ofluggage, early return following death of a relative as defined in therespective proposal forms).70. Cancellations are not effective until received by the Company.Days of notice are based on the first date on which clientscommence arrangements booked through the Company, includingpre-tour accommodation and flights. Days of notice commencefrom the day notice is received (during office hours not beingweekend or public holiday) by the Company. The following feesapply to each individual person on cancellation:

74. Tour Price and Duration: All prices in this brochure arequoted in Australian currency and include tour preparation,operation and marketing costs. All prices in this brochure arecurrent at time of printing but are subject to change without notice.The number of days duration stated in each itinerary includes dayof departure and day of return.75. Included in Your Fare: All coach travel, service of a TourManager, airport transfers, meals, accommodation, sightseeingand admissions as indicated in the itinerary. 76. NOT Included in Your Fare: Airfares (unless specified onitinerary pages), meals not specified in the itinerary, drinks,laundry, optional activities and items of a personal nature.Changes to flight schedules may require additional overnightaccommodation at either commencement or completion of tour,which is at client’s own expense.77. Airfare Conditions: Discounted airfares are subject toavailability and conditions apply. Your Outback Discoveryreservations consultant will book the most appropriate fare foryour tour. Please note that some discounted airfares haveconditions which make them unsuitable to be used in conjunctionwith these tours. Full details and conditions may be obtained fromyour travel consultant. Changes to original tickets will incuramendment fees, are subject to availability and surcharges mayapply. Please note: All airfares are subject to routing restrictions.Airfares and applicable taxes are subject to increase without noticedue to fare and tax changes, surcharges dependent on classavailable at time of booking and other factors outside our control.Please contact your travel consultant for the applicable rules andregulations. 78. Airport Transfers: Domestic airport transfers are included.They are only available on the day of the tour’s departure and theday the tour terminates at designated times. Transfers outsidethese times will be at the client’s expense and arrangements.Clients who have purchased Outback Discovery pre and post tourhotel accommodation will be provided Airport transfers to/fromtheir hotel to the airport. If your airline booking is not made byOutback Discovery, you must ensure your flight details areprovided to Outback Discovery (this can be entered by TourPersonaliser at www.outbackdiscovery.com.au(http://www.outbackdiscovery.com.au/)). Please note: No refundwill be given for unused transfers. Transfers cannot be routed toother pick-up points or destinations. Clients who miss the pre-booked transfer will be responsible for making their own wayto/from the hotel at own expense. Transfers must be booked andflights advised to Outback Discovery a minimum of 60 days prior totravel otherwise transfers cannot be guaranteed.79. Hotel Accommodation: It may be necessary to substitute ahotel of a similar standard than the advertised hotel. IMPORTANT:Overnight accommodation required to meet tour and/or flightconnections is not included in the tour price and is at clients’ ownexpense.80. Tour Participation: Outback Discovery welcomes passengerswith disabilities or special needs provided they are accompanied bya companion capable of providing all assistance required. Anyspecial requirements must be advised at time of booking. TheCompany reserves the right to refuse to carry any person who itdeems cannot fully care for themselves on Tour without assistance.Wheelchairs and walkers cannot be carried on motorcoaches, dueto space limitations. Wheelchair passengers should be aware ofthese limitations. We regret that we cannot provide individualassistance to a passenger for walking, dining, getting on and offmotorcoaches or other transportation vehicles, or other personalneeds. Travellers who need such assistance must be accompaniedby a qualified companion.81. Health & Fitness: Tours include up to 1 – 5 kilometre walksover steps and uneven ground and in some cases can be duringhigh temperatures. For client safety and enjoyment you should bein good physical condition to participate in all tours.82. Medical Equipment: Please note that in some remoteoutback locations electric power may not be available 24 hours perday.83. Itinerary Changes: During local or national holidays, certainfacilities such as museums and restaurants, sightseeing tours andshopping may be limited or not available. Alternatives will beoffered if possible. In the case of breakdown or other unforeseencircumstances, Outback Discovery reserves the right to charter theservices of other transport companies and to make any otherchanges as required to ensure the smooth and safe operation ofthe tour.84. Images, Photographs and Information: The photographsin the brochure and information provided represent typical scenesand descriptive detail for each tour, but it is possible that thesubject matter may not be seen or experienced whilst on tour.Some pictures may have been digitally enhanced.85. Single Accommodation: A limited number of single roomsare available at a Single Supplement Rate for each tour. In somelocations, single rooms are smaller than twin rooms.86. Additional Optional Activities: are not included in the tourcost and incur an additional charge. Tours are subject toavailability, operational and seasonal factors. A minimum numberof people are required for some activities to operate and must bebooked on tour unless stated otherwise on individual itinerarypages.87. These Terms and Conditions may be subject to further changesby the Company from time to time and are shown on the Companywebsite.

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CANCELLATION FEESDAYS OF NOTICE: FEE PER PERSON65 days and over Loss of Deposit64 days to 14 days 50% of tour fare13 days to 8 days 75% of tour fare7 days or less 100% of tour farePlease note: Transferring to another date is treated as acancellation and cancellation fees will apply.

71. AUTO CANCELLATIONPlease note: Bookings will be AUTOMATICALLYCANCELLED if deposit is not received by OutbackDiscovery within 7 days of booking.

72. SECURITY DEPOSITA minimum security deposit of $250 per person ispayable within 7 days of booking to ensure a place on thetour is held for the client. Any security deposits paid willautomatically be credited towards the tour price at the timeof final payment, unless otherwise requested. Deposits arenon-refundable and non-transferable. Deposits stated aboveare correct unless otherwise stated in promotional offers.

73. PAYMENT OF TOUR PRICEThe total tour price must be paid no later than 65 daysprior to departure TO CONFIRM BOOKINGS unlessotherwise stated in promotional offers. It is the soleresponsibility of clients to pay the tour price by the due date.

64. LOYALTY REWARDSIf You have travelled with Scenic Tours on tours of 7 days or morein the last 7 years, You are entitled to the following discounts: 1 previous tour, save $100 per person; 2 previous tours, save $150 per person; 3 previous tours, save $200 per person; 4 previous tours, save $250 per person; Loyalty Rewards are only available for Tours of 7 days or more.Loyalty Rewards cannot be combined with any other discount.Loyalty Rewards cannot be combined with group discounts.

SYDNEYSofitel Wentworth HotelTwin Share $160*Single $295*

ALICE SPRINGSLasseters HotelTwin Share $80Single $155

BROOMERendezvous Sanctuary ResortTwin Share $220Single $410

Cable Beach Club ResortTwin Share $225Single $410

DARWINCrowne Plaza HotelTwin Share $150*Single $270*

BRISBANESebel Citigate HotelTwin Share Mon-Thur $130Single Mon-Thur $225

Twin Share Fri-Sun $115Single Fri-Sun $200

CAIRNSHilton HotelTwin Share $125Single $215

PERTHHoliday Inn BurswoodTwin Share $150Single $300

ADELAIDEHilton HotelTwin Share $120Single $235

LAUNCESTONPeppers Seaport ResortTwin Share $145Single $250

PRE & POST TOURACCOMMODATION

All prices are per person, twin share and include full buffetbreakfast – subject to availability. *Supplements may applyduring special events, you will be advised at the time of booking.

Why not make the most of yourholiday and extend your stay atthese great hotel options.

YOUR PROFESSIONAL TRAVEL AGENT

Direct Dial Australia WideReservations

1300 799 443www.outbackdiscovery.com.au

[email protected]

Travel Agents: Log into Outback Discovery Express Book for live availabilityhttp://bookings.outbackdiscovery.com.au

Group Enquiries: 1300 655 112

License Number 2TA 002 633 ABN 85 002 715 602Tours operated by Outback Discovery® (A division of Scenic Tours Pty Ltd).

Head OfficeLevel 1, 11 Brown StreetPO Box 807Newcastle NSW 2300AustraliaTel: (02) 4929 4333Fax: (02) 4929 4943

Brochure Code: DS/OD/AUD 0809

Sydney OfficeLevel 14, 56 Pitt StreetPO Box R1803, Royal ExchangeSydney NSW 2000AustraliaTel: (02) 82741300Fax: (02) 82741333

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