3 day Outback & Great Barrier Reef Small Group Air Safari (Round trip Gold Coast)

DAY 1: GOLD COAST - CHARLEVILLE - BIRDSVILLE - BIG RED

Checking into the Gold Coast Seair Hangar at 6:15am, your departure sees the sun rising as you start your adventure. You’ll fly west over stunning farm lands, rivers and channel country for Charleville. This central Queensland town is home to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Base and Museum, you’ll have a chance to visit it after landing at around 10:00am.

After refuelling, continue into the Outback, crossing over the famous Cooper Creek and its remarkable channel country arriving into the historic town of Birdsville around 1:00pm, where lunch will be waiting at the iconic Birdsville Hotel.

Regrouping at 4:30pm, climb into an air-conditioned vehicle and head west into the Simpson Desert to enjoy drinks on Big Red, the first major dune as you enter the desert. After sunset, return to the Birdsville Hotel for dinner and drinks at their heritage listed front bar.

Overnight accommodation: Motel units at the Birdsville Hotel

DAY 2: BIRDSVILLE - LONGREACH

Today starts with breakfast at the Birdsville Hotel, before departing for Longreach. Fly north following the Diamatina River arriving into Longreach at 10:00am.

Enjoy a quick tea and coffee break before heading to the Qantas Founders Museum, where you will learn the story of Australia’s national airline from its early days in Outback Queensland. At 11:00am, join a private guided tour of the air-park, home to a Boeing 707, Boeing 747, Super Constellation and DC-3 followed by lunch at the museum.

Settle into your charming accommodation at Saltbush Retreat before joining the Outback Pioneer Bush by Night Experience at 5:00pm. Jump aboard their double decker bus, head into the bush and enjoy poetry, tales of local legends and of course the magnificent dome of stars that you can only see far from city lights.

After a 2-course dinner by the campfire, you will return to to Salt Bush Retreat around 9:00pm, where you will spend the night.

Overnight Accomodation: Stables or Huts at the Saltbush Retreat

DAY 3: LONGREACH - LADY ELLIOT ISLAND - GOLD COAST

After an in-room continental breakfast, depart Longreach and fly south-east over the Central Highlands and Coalfields. Looking down at rich farming lands contrasted against open cut coal mines towards Gladstone for a quick fuel stop.

Your journey continues south for a spectacular scenic flight over the amazing Southern Great Barrier Reef taking in the spectacular Heron Island and Lady Musgrave Island.

Swap your boots for reef shoes as you land on the Southern Great Barrier Reef, arriving at Lady Elliot Island at 11:40am. Enjoy lunch with lagoon views before getting ready to join an afternoon private glass bottom boat / guided snorkelling tour. Spend the afternoon exploring the Island's surrounds or take a reef walk at low tide (tide dependent) before departing at 4:00pm.

The trip home concludes with a beautiful flight returning to the Gold Coast.

2020 Departure Dates: (Max 10 passengers)

• Friday 04 September - SOLD OUT
• Monday 05 October - NEW DATE RELEASED!
• Monday 12 October - SOLD OUT
• Monday 26 October- NEW DATE RELEASED!

Please note that prices are subject to availability at time of booking.

Twin share / Sole use - $3750 per person (no single supplement applies)

Why not extend your holiday and spend the night at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort? Prices start from $199 per person per night in an Eco Cabin (bunk-style accommodation and shared facilities). Other room types are available on request - please call our consultants for details.

Call our local travel team on 1300 414 198 to secure your seat on this amazing holiday!

Your accommodation on the air safari include:

• Birdsville Hotel
• Saltbush Retreat, Longreach

SMALL GROUP:

• Maximum 10 passengers

TOUR FITNESS RATING – MINIMAL:

A minimal level of fitness is required to gain maximum enjoyment for this tour. Travellers must be able to:

• Participate in guided small walking tours at a relaxed pace
• Get on/off transportation including aircraft and busses unaided

DEPARTS FROM / RETURNS TO:

• Seair Pacific Hangar, Terminal 14-16 Lores Bonney Circuit, Coolangatta Airport

BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE:

• Soft / duffle bags are preferred with a maximum weight of 10kg per person. This weight can be over 1 or 2 soft/duffle bags per person
• Please avoid large rigid suitcases as aircraft baggage areas can be irregular in shape. Gravel airstrips at some of the destinations may make use of wheeled baggage difficult
• Please note there are no overhead lockers in the plane, so cabin baggage is restricted to 2kg (camera, water bottle, wallet, sunglasses, medicines etc) and your bag must be able to fit at your feet when you sit in your seat

WHAT TO PACK (the following is recommended):

• Two pairs of jeans or pants (comfortable for walking)
• One pair of shorts or dress/skirt
• Three t-shirts or shirts
• Underwear/socks
• One thin jumper/sweater and a warm jumper/jacket for the evenings (it can get quite cool)
• One rainproof coat or jacket
• One pair of comfortable closed-toe shoes or boots
• Toiletries
• A broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses
• A water bottle (750-1000ml)
• Camera gear/phone and charging cable
• Swimwear for Lady Elliot Island (wetsuit, snorkel, mask, fins and towel provided)
• A torch
• Sunset and insect repellent