Experience Leichhardt's Journey across the Savannah (2027)

Your fare excludes:

Day 1: Your Adventure Begins in Cairns

Today you will be greeted by friendly and professional Tour Directors. Then check in to the Shangri-La Hotel located on the Marina, just minutes from the Esplanade.

Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner and meet your fellow adventurers. Meals: (D)

Day 2: Atherton Tablelands – Undara Volcanic National Park

Departing Cairns early, trek west and drive through the scenic Atherton Tablelands. Visit the beautiful Millaa Millaa Falls before continuing to Undara Volcanic National Park, which protects the world's longest lava tube cave system.

A local Savannah Guide will take you on a tour through the lava tube cave system. Created when the Undara Volcano erupted over 190,000 years ago, the lava that flowed was enough to fill Sydney Harbour 3 times over. The flows lasted a long time, allowing the outer edge to cool while the interior continued to flow, creating the tubes seen today.

This afternoon, arrive at Undara Lava Lodge and check into the accommodation, consisting of homestead rooms. The lodge has recently been fully renovated and upgraded, with all rooms now featuring private ensuite bathrooms.

Tonight, enjoy dinner in the outdoor-style restaurant as the outback sunset fades into a clear starlit night. Meals: (B,L,D)

Day 3: Undara - Karumba

Depart Undara and head west to Croydon, passing by Blackbull and travel through to Normanton before heading into Karumba.

Located on the banks of the Norman River, Karumba came to importance in the 1930’s when it became a stop-over point for flying boats on the run from London to Australia.

Spend the next two nights at the End of the Road Motel. Meals: (B,L,D)

Day 4: Gulflander - Barramundi Centre

This morning join one of the last great characters of rail travel - The Gulflander. This historic little train takes us on a journey from Normanton to Critters Camp.

Later today, discover the amazing secrets of the mighty barramundi at The Les Wilson Barramundi Discovery Centre, the only hatchery in the world to breed the Southern Gulf strain of this iconic fish! The brand-new interactive and state-of-the-art Interpretive Centre provides the history, stories, lifecycle, and habits of these sought-after fish.

This afternoon, enjoy a special Sand Island sunset dinner cruise in the Gulf. Dine on local seafood while watching a sensational Gulf sunset. (Includes wine and beer. Alternative meals are available).

Tonight, enjoy your second night at the End of the Road Motel. Meals: (B,L,D)

Note: Gulflander journey may change subject to operating hours.

Day 5: Karumba - Camp 119 - Leichhardt Falls - Hell's Gate

Follow the Savannah Way across the Gulf. Stop at Camp 119, the most northerly camp of the Burke and Wills Expedition of 1860/61. The exhausted party of Robert O'Hara Burke and William John Wills set up camp close to the seasonal Little Blynoe River, in the hinterland of the Gulf of Carpentaria, in their attempt to cross Australia from south to north. It was the northernmost point of their ill-fated expedition. From here, head to Leichhardt Falls (no swimming).

After lunch, make way north and reconnect with the Savannah Way via Doomadgee. From here head towards the Northern Territory border, arriving at Hell's Gate Roadhouse late afternoon. Here, stay in new and modern accommodation with ensuite bathrooms for the next two nights. Meals: (B,L,D)

Day 6: Hell’s Gate

Today is all about enjoying a visit to the station at Hell’s Gate. Located on Cliffdale Station, Hell’s Gate takes its name from a gap in the escarpment one kilometre south.

The activities will include a tour of the station, a scenic helicopter flight to the coastline of the Gulf of Carpentaria via Eight Mile Creek, where you may see native birds, wild pigs, wild brumbies, wild bulls and cattle, crocodiles and native fish life all accessible from the air.

Enjoy some free time this afternoon on your second night with friends on this unique outback station. Meals: (B,L,D)

Day 7: Hell's Gate - Pungalina

This morning, continue along the Savannah Way and cross the border into the Northern Territory. Not far into the Territory, turn off and head north into Australian Wildlife Conservancy’s Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary and check in to our new safari camp.

Built by Outback Spirit in 2019, the camp features unique safari tents with ensuite bathrooms and covered decks, the perfect spot for a two-night stay to discover the area. Meals: (B,L,D)

Note: Seven Emu is owned by Mr Frank Shadforth, with 110,000 hectares of the property leased to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy for conservation. Pungalina is wholly owned by AWC.

Day 8: Exploring Pungalina - Seven Emu Sanctuary

Today, explore Pungalina-Seven Emu Sanctuary and learn about what makes these two properties such important ecological habitats in northern Australia.

Together, the two properties cover a combined area of around 305,000 hectares and include coastal monsoon rainforest, tall paper bark forests, palm-fringed wetlands, deep gorges, and coastal floodplains. The sanctuary is home to over 40 species of mammals, 190 species of birds, and 95 species of frogs and reptiles.

Take a cruise on the Calvert River and experience some rarely seen but truly spectacular scenery. Also enjoy an informative ecology tour with trained AWC staff. Meals: (B,L,D)

Day 9: Savannah Way – Borroloola – Lorella Springs Wilderness

This morning, return to the Savannah Way and make way west to Borroloola on the McArthur River. After a visit to the Borroloola Museum, pass through Limmen National Park before arriving at the turnoff to Lorella Springs. From here it's a 30km drive to Lorella Springs Wilderness Park, a spectacular one million-acre pastoral lease that stretches right to the shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Arrive late afternoon and settle in for our three-night stay in this extraordinary location. Meals: (B,L,D)

Day 10 & Day 11: Exploring Lorella Springs Station

Over the next two days, explore all the wonders of Lorella Springs Wilderness Park, including pristine thermal springs.

Take part in an exhilarating helicopter flight over the southern ‘Lost City’ and also take a drive out to the area to explore ancient sandstone structures, where will enjoy a ground tour with your guides who'll tell you about the local geology, vegetation and birdlife.

At the end of each day's adventures, join your station hosts at the bar for happy hour and mingle with other like-minded explorers journeying across the Gulf. Meals: (B,L,D)

Note: Weight restrictions apply for legal and safety reasons on all helicopter flights. All passengers must be weighed prior to boarding the aircraft.

Day 12: Lorella Springs to Katherine

Travel takes along one of the most remote sections of Savannah Way. Used extensively by drovers in the 1870’s, thousands of cattle have walked this route on their way from Queensland to the Northern Territory and the Kimberley.

Pass through the dramatic scenery of the Limmen National Park before continuing along the Savannah Way towards Roper Bar.

This afternoon, follow the Roper Highway east and press on to Katherine via Mataranka, arriving late afternoon for a two-night stay at the Knotts Crossing Resort. Meals: (B,L,D)

Day 13: Katherine

This morning, enjoy Tom Curtain’s national award-winning Katherine Outback Experience, a new addition to the tour.

Later on today, take a 2-hour boat cruise on the Katherine River Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park. The NitNit Dreaming cruise is one of the most popular tours in the region and will take you to the end of the first gorge, where you will experience the beauty of the large boulders, rock pools and sands that make up the crossover to the second gorge.

Return to Knotts Crossing Resort for our second night. Meals: (B,L,D)

Day 14: Katherine - Edith Falls - Darwin

This morning enjoy a leisurely start before the final stretch of the journey to Darwin. Departing Katherine, pass through Pine Creek and Adelaide River before arriving in the Territory's capital early afternoon. Along the way, visit Edith Falls, where you can swim in the paperbark-fringed pool at the base of the waterfall.

After checking into the Hilton Garden Inn Darwin (Formerly The Doubletree by Hilton), enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure before boarding the Charles Darwin for a delicious Territory-style sunset dinner cruise and celebrate a truly amazing trip! Meals: (B,L,D)

Day 15: Farewell

After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely morning before being transferred. Meals: (B)

Please Note

▸Weight limits apply to all scenic flights (you may be weighed upon boarding for verification). 

*The itinerary is subject to change without notice due to unforeseen circumstances, weather conditions, or other factors. We will make every effort to keep you informed of any changes.

Multiple Departure Dates from 26 April to 12 September 2027

Below price based on travel in April & September 2027

• from $13,390 $12,090 pp twin share*

* Please note: prices are subject to availability at the time of booking and may change or be withdrawn at any time without notice.

You'll stay in a selection of quality hotels, safari camps, and wilderness lodges, carefully chosen to provide comfort while exploring some of Australia's most remote regions.

• Shangri-La
• Undara Experience
• End of The Road Motel (2 Nights)
• Hell's Gate Roadhouse (2 Nights)
• Pungalina Safari Camp (2 Nights)
• Lorella Springs Station (3 Nights)
• Knotts Crossing Resort (2 Nights)
• Hilton Garden Inn

How long is Leichhardt’s Savannah Expedition?

The tour is 15 days and 14 nights, travelling between Cairns and Darwin.

What are the highlights of the tour?

Highlights include the Savannah Way, Undara lava tubes, Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary, Lorella Springs, the Southern Lost City, Katherine Gorge and the Gulf of Carpentaria.

What is the group size?

The tour has a maximum of 22 guests, providing a more intimate small-group experience.

What type of vehicle is used?

Guests travel in a 5-star all-terrain Mercedes-Benz 4WD coach with reclining seats, air conditioning, Wi-Fi and an onboard restroom.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. The tour includes 14 nights of accommodation in hotels, resorts, safari camps and unique wilderness properties.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included throughout the tour. Selected complimentary beverages are also included with lunch and dinner at licensed venues.

Are scenic flights included?

Yes. The itinerary includes scenic helicopter flights, including flights over the Southern Lost City and from Hell’s Gate towards the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Are there any flight weight restrictions?

Yes. A maximum passenger weight of 136 kg applies to the scenic flights on this tour.

What is the Savannah Way?

The Savannah Way is a remote route crossing northern Australia, linking Queensland and the Northern Territory through rugged landscapes and outback country. The expedition travels sections of this route between the Gulf region and Katherine.

What is Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary?

It is a vast conservation area on the Gulf of Carpentaria, home to diverse wildlife and ecosystems. Guests explore the sanctuary with an ecology tour and a cruise on the Calvert River.

What can I expect at Lorella Springs?

Guests spend three nights exploring the remote Lorella Springs Wilderness Park, with opportunities to experience its rugged landscapes, thermal pools and natural surroundings.

Is the tour physically demanding?

The tour includes some walking on uneven, rocky terrain. Walks range from easy to medium difficulty, so a reasonable level of mobility is recommended.

Are special dietary requirements catered for?

Most dietary requirements can be accommodated when advised at the time of booking or at least six weeks before travel. Availability may vary at remote locations.

Is drinking water available?

Yes. Fresh drinking water is available on the coach, and guests should carry adequate water during walks.

What should I bring on the tour?

Comfortable walking shoes, lightweight clothing, sun protection, a reusable water bottle, insect repellent and a small day bag are recommended for the outback environment.