Wilderness Challenge - 9 Day Gulf Savannah Wanderer
The Gulf Savannah "Wanderer" is a 9 day all overland accommodated safari through North Queensland's Gulf Country and lower Cape York - a land of real outback characters, bush pubs, wedge-tailed eagles and wallaroos, hot springs and cool rivers, and a rich history of Aboriginal culture, explorers and pioneers.
Highlights:- "Savannahlander" & "Gulflander" trains
- Tyrconnell Historic Gold Mine Tour
- Chillagoe Cave Tour
- Ootann Road to Mt Surprise
- Georgetown Terrestrial Centre's Ted Elliott Mineral Collection
- Gulf Sunset Cruise
- Karumba, Croydon, Normanton, Burketown
- Burke & Wills Camp #119
- Lawn Hill National Park
- World Heriatge listed Riversleigh Fossil Fields
- Cobbold Gorge & Undara Lava Tubes
2011 Departures
Departs from Cairns.
• May 18, 25
• Jun 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• Jul 6, 13, 20, 27
• Aug 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
• Sep 7, 14, 21, 28
• Oct 5, 12, 19, 26
Tour Code: GW09A
Rates are per person, inclusive of GST, and in AUD$. Rates are valid to 31 March 2012.
Twin Share: $3,095.00Single Share: $3,390.00
Child (7-14) - Sharing: $2,995.00
Inclusions:
- 8 nights accommodation
- All meals
- Air-conditioned 4WD Vehicle
- Maximum 13 passengers
- National Parks fees
- Tours & Cruises as listed above
- Cobbold Gorge Cruise
- Undara Lava Tubes Tour
- All soft and alcohol drinks
- Optional tours
Tour is not suitable for children under 7 years of age, a fuel levy of $20.00 per person is payable on board.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1 (LD): We start by winding our way up the Kuranda Range to climb on to the Atherton Tableland. We pass dense tropical rainforest and an agricultural landscape to Mareeba and beyond. Visit Tyrconnell Historic Gold Mine and see a fascinating demonstration of its ten head ore-crushing battery. Now we travel on to Chillagoe, an historic ore-smelting centre, better known today for its marble mining and limestone caves. We take a tour of the caves, the legacy of 350 million years old marine reef. We overnight in Chillagoe.
Day 2 (BLD): All aboard the "Savannahlander" train as it tracks the Ootann Road into Brahman cattle country. Geology continues to dominate and fascinate as we change from limestone to granite to basalt country and with each geological change, a change in vegetation. Lunch along the way in this vast landscape provides a "fair dinkum" Aussie day. Now we head west across the Newcastle Range to Georgetown to visit the Terrestrial Centre, home of the amazing Ted Elliott Mineral Collection. We stay in Georgetown tonight.
Day 3 (BLD): Morning "smoko" at Croydon's Lake Belmore before continuing on to Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria. A leisurely afternoon before taking a cruise to enjoy a spectacular Gulf sunset. Overnight in Karumba.
Day 4 (BLD): On through Normanton to Burke & Wills Camp #119, the "Plains of Promise", Leichhardt Falls and Burketown. Adel's Grove for two nights in permanent tent safari accommodation.
Day 5 (BLD): A relaxed day at fabulous Lawn Hill National Park and gorge. Return to Adel's Grove.
Day 6 (BLD): Riversleigh Fossil Fields (World Heritage listed). Lunch at Gregory before travelling on to Normanton. Normanton overnight.
Day 7 (BLD): The historic "Gulflander" train across the Norman River to Critters Camp. Black Bull Siding then Croydon's Historic Precinct. Georgetown then Cobbold Gorge to stay overnight.
Day 8 (BLD): Cobbold Gorge cruise. Forsayth and on to the famous Undara Lava Tubes. Overnight accommodation in antique railway carriages.
Day 9 (BL): Guided tour of the lava tubes, said to be the largest in the world. Mt Hypipamee (The Crater) and Curtain Fig Tree National Parks. Safari terminates in Cairns.
Meal Codes: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
