(UPDATE: Places are extremely limited for 2021, but we are now taking a waitlist for 2022.) Explore Queensland's wide open spaces on an epic journey to Cameron Corner - where QLD, NSW and SA meet! The landscapes are stunning and the region's history is part of Australia's story. Best of all, you can experience it all with like-minded new friends from the Travel at 60 community!
What better way to explore Queensland's stunning outback and far west. This tour will take you to places that you've always wanted to visit and are probably on your 'bucket list'.
There's so much history in these regions, which form an important part of Queensland and Australia's pioneer story. The landscapes are majestic, the colours are remarkable and constantly change as the sun moves overhead and you'll be amazed at the clear outback skies. Visit remote towns and meet legendary outback characters as you travel to Queensland's south-west.
Here's your chance to get away from it all...
Want to avoid the single supplement? If you'd rather not pay the single supplement, we can happily pair you with another solo guest of the same gender. Subject to other wiling to share passengers.
Call our local Brisbane travel team today on 1300 414 198 to reserve your place on this community departure today!
Your package includes:
Tour Highlights:
The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes:
The 2021 departure has final seats available, but we are also taking expressions of interest for 2022. Prices for 2022 are subject to change but the prices below are an indication based on the 2021 tour.
Tue 08-Tue 22 June 2021 - ONE DEPARTURE ONLY!
TOUR ONLY OPTION (We can book your flights if you prefer to fly home):
TOUR & RAIL OPTION:
** Solo Travellers - please note that due to limited availability on the Spirit of the Outback, solo travellers will share a twin cabin on the overnight Spirit of the Outback journey and enjoy a single room whilst on tour
QLD PENSIONER:
SENIOR (QLD + INTERSTATE):
ADULT:
Want to avoid the single supplement? If you'd rather not pay the single supplement, we can happily pair you with another solo guest of the same gender. Subject to other wiling to share passengers.
Call our local travel team today on 1300 414 198 to book your place on this community tour today!
Please note that the below itinerary is based on the Tour & Rail option. If you prefer to fly out of Longreach, your holiday will end on 21 Jun 2021 after being transferred to Longreach Airport for your flight home.
08 Jun 2021 - Arrive Brisbane
Arrive in Brisbane and check into your accommodation early afternoon. At the Welcome Dinner tonight, you'll meet your fellow travellers and hear all about the adventures ahead with a comprehensive tour orientation by your Savannah Guides Operator driver and host.
09 Jun 2021 - Brisbane to Roma
We will travel north-west from Brisbane to the Garden City of Toowoomba for a nostalgic morning tea at the Historic Railway Station. Continue along the Adventure Way to Chinchilla, home of the Chinchilla Melon Festival and Miles, a vibrant rural township. Arrive in Roma, the heart of beef country and visit the Big Rig. Late afternoon, join a tour of Mount Hope, a working cattle station. This property is home to Droughtmaster cattle, coal seam gas and three generations of the Price Family. Enjoy sunset nibbles and drinks followed by a delicious two-course camp oven dinner under the stars.
10 Jun 2021 - Roma to Charleville
Visit the Roma Sale Yards, the largest cattle selling facility in Australia. On your guided tour you’ll learn about the day-to-day processes of the sale yards and have the opportunity to watch the cattle sales in action. Travel to Charleville for a tour and lunch at the historic Corones Hotel. This afternoon we meet the rare and endangered Bilby at the Bilby Experience. Learn more about this native marsupial and the long-running captive breeding and conservation program. Discover the wonders of the magical outback night sky at the mesmerising Cosmos Centre Twilight Telescope Observation Session.
11 Jun 2021 - Charleville to Quilpie
Today we travel to Quilpie, via one of the smallest towns in Australia to retain its own postcode. Cooladdi, taking its names from an Aboriginal term for 'black duck', was once home to 270 residents. Now only four remain. On arrival in Quilpie, we stop at the Visitor Information Centre, Museum and Gallery. Quilpie is home to the exquisite boulder opal. Visit the Quilpie Heritage Inn (aka The Brick) for a delicious morning tea and soak up the old-world atmosphere in this carefully restored Inn. We'll then meet the Rutledge family at Moble Homestead. Explore Kylie's beautiful country garden. It's South Lawn is bordered by stone walls and a much-loved Oleander hedge, a pergola covered in Ornamental Grape Vine and Virginia Creeper. the winding gravel path leads to the Front Lawn and a tranquil waterhole. Enjoy a relaxed garden lunch at the homestead before arriving in Quilpie late afternoon
12 Jun 2021 - Quilpie to Tibooburra
Travel southwest across the Dingo Barrier Fence to historic Noccundra Hotel, then cross the border at Warri Gate into Outback New South Wales. View the eastern sections of the Sturt National Park. Traverse gibber plains and spectacular ‘jump up’ country to Tibooburra. The striking granite boulders around Tibooburra are said to be remnants of a mass underground granite dome dating back around 410 million years. Explore the National Park Interpretive Centre and Court House Museum.
13 Jun 2021 - Tibooburra to Innamincka
Travel through Sturt National Park to Cameron Corner, where the boundary lines of the states of Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales meet. See the Strzelecki Desert, characterised by extensive red dune fields, which is home of the endangered Dusky Hopping Mouse. Pass by large cattle stations then travel through the heart of the oil and gas fields to Innamincka, on the banks of Cooper Creek. Learn the important role played by the Australian Inland Mission in providing essential medical services to remote towns.
14 Jun 2021 - Innamincka
Retrace the last days of Burke & Wills and hear about the town with two lives. Visit the historic Burke & Wills Dig Tree then take your seat aboard the Eco-certified sunset cruise on Cooper Creek. Take in the stunning bird life and spot the occasional inquisitive animal on the banks.
15 Jun 2021 - Innamincka to Birdsville
Follow the Strzelecki Desert through flood plains, sand dunes and gibber country. See the historic woolshed on Cordillo Downs Station; once one of the largest pastoral properties in the country. Further north we’ll pass the crumbling ruins of Cadelga Outstation as we travel to Birdsville through some of Australia’s richest cattle country. Tonight have a yarn with the locals and enjoy a dinner at the famous Birdsville Hotel.
16 Jun 2021 - Birdsville
This morning visit the Wirrarri Centre to view work by local Indigenous artists. Next, take a stroll to the Birdsville Billabong where birdlife, fish and yabbies abound. Stand on the well known Birdsville Racetrack and explore the Inland Hospital and Royal Hotel ruins; poignant reminders of a pre-federation metropolis. Tonight we’ll toast the glorious outback sunset from Big Red, a 40-metre high sand dune on the edge of the Simpson Desert.
17 Jun 2021 - Birdsville to Windorah
Travel on to the ghost town of Betoota, once a Cobb & Co change station. Stand atop Deon’s Lookout with its amazing view of the Diamantina Shire. We arrive in Windorah, situated on Cooper Creek where the Thomson and Barcoo Rivers merge. Enjoy time to explore Windorah, in the heart of Channel Country with its majestic red sand dune landscapes. Late afternoon, we’ll drive out to Windorah’s red sandhills for a spectacular sunset.
18 Jun 2021 - Windorah to Longreach
Follow the Cooper Creek floodplain to Jundah, on the banks of the Thomson River. At the picturesque Swanvale Lookout, we'll be joined by a local property owner for a personal tour of his property followed by lunch at the Stonehenge Hotel. See the unusual Address Book at Stonehenge, where visitors sign their town names in stone! We arrive in Longreach late afternoon.
19 Jun 2021 - Longreach
Enjoy a town tour of Longreach and some free time downtown. Wander the interactive displays of the Qantas Founders Museum to discover the real Qantas story. Hear the inspiring human stories of our national airline’s early years. Step inside the 747 and 707 Jets on an interpretive tour in the newly opened Airpark. Late this afternoon, join the Drover’s Sunset Cruise on the beautiful Thomson River. Unwind with on-board nibbles and drinks, whilst watching a magnificent outback sunset. Enjoy live entertainment and a two-course camp oven themed dinner under the stars at Smithy’s Outback Dinner & Show.
20 Jun 2021 - Longreach
This morning, explore the five themed galleries at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame followed by their signature Pie-Floater Lunch. There's time to relax back at your accommodation before taking your seat at the Outback Stockman’s Dinner and Show. This exciting show of horsemanship showcases the traditional Australian Stockman skills that are still used today. Enjoy a gourmet outback barbecue buffet dinner while you watch the action.
21 Jun 2021 - Depart Longreach on the Spirit of the Outback OR fly home
RAIL - After breakfast, you will be transferred to Longreach Railway Station to board the Spirit of the Outback for your overnight rail journey back to Brisbane.
FLY - If you prefer to fly home, after breakfast you will be transferred to Longreach Airport for your flight home.
22 Jun 2021 - Arrive Brisbane
Your Outback Queensland adventure comes to an end on arrival in Brisbane. The journey may have ended, but the memories will last a lifetime...
Please note this itinerary is subject to change
Fitness Level:
Please note a medium level of fitness is required for this tour - guests have no mobility concerns and they have declared any pre-existing injuries which may affect their participation. Please note tours include leisurely walks that can be in excess of 1.5km. Not suitable for guests needing wheelie walkers or wheelchairs.
Baggage Allowance:
One small to medium sized suitcase per person (approx H 60cm x W 40cm x D 30cm) with a maximum weight 20kg. One piece of hand luggage/day pack may be carried onboard the coach. Due to limited space, the carriage of wheelie-walkers must be requested prior to travel.
Special Requirements:
Passengers with disabilities or special needs are welcomed, under the condition that a companion capable of providing all necessary assistance accompanies them. Any special requirements must be advised at time of booking and the tour company reserves the right to refuse to carry any person who it deems cannot fully care for himself or herself on tour without assistance.
Wheelchairs cannot be carried on motor coaches due to space limitation. Wheelchair passengers should be aware of these limitations. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a passenger for walking, dining, getting on and off motor coaches or other transportation vehicles, or other personal needs. A qualified companion must accompany passengers needing such assistance.
Willing to share?:
One of the advantages of travelling on a Travel at 60 dedicated group departure is that we have the ability to match solo travellers, so that you they can avoid paying the single supplement. Subject to availability of another traveller of the same gender willing to share. If we are unable to match you with another traveller the sole use price will be charged.
Travel at 60 and supplier booking conditions apply. Minimum numbers are required for the group to operate. Same gender solo pair up is subject to availability. If we are unable to match you with another traveller the sole use price will be charged.
Concession Cards: All concession card numbers must be advised at the time of booking and a copy of both sides of your card is to be sent to Travel at 60 once your booking is confirmed. Any customers who do not provide a concession number will be charged the adult fare.
QLD Pension Entitlements: Queensland resident pension card holders are entitled to four (4) rail travel entitlements each calendar year. Additional fare applies for any Queensland Pensioners who have used their rail travel entitlements. A copy of both sides of your card is to be sent to Travel at 60 once your booking is confirmed. Any customers who do not provide a concession number will be charged the adult fare.
Deposit / Final Payment:
A non-refundable deposit of $250 per person is required within 7 days of booking. The balance is due no later than Friday 12 March 2021.
Booking Form:
A booking form must be completed and returned to Travel at 60.