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Day 1 - Sydney . Fraser Island
Our journey begins with an early morning flight along the New South
Wales coast, stopping at Coffs Harbour to refuel before finally
landing on Fraser Island. The ground tour begins with a journey
to the lush central rainforest and then on to Wanggoolba Creek.
There is time for a swim in the clear blue waters of Lake McKenzie
or take a stroll around the white, sandy shores of this beautiful
perched lake. Kingfisher Bay Resort (LD)
Day 2 - Fraser Island . Bowen
From Fraser Island we head northward along the coast, passing a myriad of sandy beaches and important regional centres
such as Bundaberg. We stop briefly for fuel at McKay and Townsville before landing at Undara in the late afternoon.
Undara Lava Lodge (BLD)
Day 3 - Bowen . Undara . Chillagoe
Undara is home to the famous lava tubes. This system of tunnels is the result of a series of fiery lava flows millions of
years ago. The resulting caverns are awe inspiring in magnitude. After a morning tour of the lava tubes and lunch at
Undara, you will have some time to take on one of the short walks to a lookout or simply sit back and enjoy the peaceful
savannah surrounds with a cup of tea before we fly the short distance to Chillagoe. Chillagoe Eco Lodge (BLD)
Day 4 - Chillagoe . Cairns
The district of Chillagoe is synonymous with fine marble, much
of it now adorns buildings in every capital city of Australia.
A particular highlight of the tour is a visit to the famous Chillagoe
limestone caverns. Rivalling the Jenolan Caves this network of
caverns is relatively untouched by tourism. The day concludes
with a short flight to Cairns. Holiday Inn BLD
Day 5 - Cairns . Kuranada Skyrail
After breakfast we join the Kuranda Scenic Railway for the 34km
journey from Cairns up to the Atherton Tablelands. Built in 1891,
the line is an accurate representation of the period and is classified
by the National Trust. The journey takes us from the coastal
plain through rainforest and Barron Gorge to Kuranda. After lunch
in one of the many restaurants we walk across to the Skyrail
terminus for the journey back down the mountains to Cairns. Below
us we see the panoramic view of the rainforest, with the Great
Barrier Reef stretching beyond the land fringe. Holiday Inn BLD
Day 6 - Cairns . Cooktown
The morning is free to explore Cairns or simply relax. Late afternoon
we board our aircraft for the flight northward to Cooktown. River
of Gold Motel BD
Day 7 - Cooktown . Thursday Island
The morning is spent in and around Cooktown including a visit to
the famous Cooktown Museum with its excellent display of relics
from James Cook's enforced stay here when he ran aground in 1770.
Around lunch time we re-board the aircraft for the flight along
the coast. From an altitude of around 1500 feet you can see the
ever changing colour of the water as coral reefs displace the
deeper water. Of particular note is Lizard Island and Cook's
Passage. Upon landing at Horn Island we take a short ferry ride
across to Thursday Island the administrative centre of the Torres
Strait. The afternoon is spent on tour including Fort Victoria
on Green Hill, the Japanese Memorial and the many churches and
buildings typical of the Torres Strait. We return to Horn Island for
our overnight accommodation at Torres Strait Resort (BLD)
Day 8 - Thursday Island . Bamaga . Normanton
Our first flight today is the short journey back across to the
mainland with a landing at Bamaga. Here we are met by our guide
who will take us to the very tip of Australia - Cape York. After
lunch we re-board the aircraft and fly south down the western
coast of Cape York Peninsula to Normantown. Normanton Motel BLD
Day 9 - Normanton . Lark Quarry . Winton
This morning we join the famous Gulflander for a rail journey from
Normanton to Critters Creek before heading back to the aircraft
and southwards to Lark Quarry. Here you will go back in time
millions of years when dinosaurs ruled the planet. Cast in sandstone
are the footprints of these monsters as if it was just yesterday.
Our final destination today is Winton. Dinner tonight is at the
North Gregory Hotel, where Waltzing Matilda was first performed.
North Gregory Hotel BLD
Day 10 - Winton . Carnarvon Gorge
This morning there is time to take a walk around the many attractions
of the main street of Winton including the Quantilda museum. After
lunch we join the aircraft for the flight to Carnarvon Gorge where we
are transferred to luxury safari tents at the Carnarvon Wilderness
Lodge for our overnight accommodation. (BLD)
Day 11 - Carnarvon Gorge . Sydney
This morning is spent with our guide for a tour of the Carnarvon Gorge
National Park with its spectacular scenery. After a late lunch, we are
transferred back to the aircraft for our flight back to Sydney. (BL)
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