14 Day Essence Of The Outback

Be met on arrival in Cairns and transferred to your hotel. This evening, a relaxed welcome dinner provides the perfect opportunity for you to meet your fellow travellers.

Travel to the authentic cattle station of Woodleigh Station for lunch, which has been family-owned for five generations. Continue to Undara Volcanic National Park and set out on a guided discovery of the intriguing lava tubes. The mysterious lava tubes and caves are the result of a massive volcanic eruption that occurred 190,000 years ago. The Undara tubes are some of the longest in the world, and are home to a unique array of native Australian plants and animals.

Signature Experience: Embark on the Archway Explorer tour through the mysterious Undara Lava Tubes.

Today, set off on the legendary Gulflander Train, originally built to connect the once bustling river port of Normanton with the gold fields of Croydon. This nostalgic rail journey is the perfect way to discover an area rich in pioneering history and heritage. From grasslands and wetlands to barren Savannah territory, the Gulflander travels through countryside rarely seen by the average traveller.

Signature Experience: Travel to Karumba and tuck into fresh local prawns as you watch the sunset over the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Set off for Mt Isa, commonly referred to as the ‘oasis of the outback’. En route, stop to see the Purple Pub, one of the most iconic hotels in the north of Australia.

Located on the banks of the Leichhardt River, Mt Isa is a melting pot of culture and industry. A tour of Hard Times Mine reveals its history as you enter the Alimak Cage with your guide and descend into the mine. Feel the earth tremble and cover your ears as you have a go at using the air-leg drill.

Embark on a drive to the outback town of Cloncurry. After some time here, visit the Waltzing Matilda Centre – the first museum in the world dedicated to a song, which also includes a nostalgic light and sound show in the Billabong Theatrette. Later, arrive in Winton in time for dinner.

Travel to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs exhibition and enjoy a Signature Experience. Continue to Lark Quarry to visit the Dinosaur Track-ways exhibit, known as one of the most concentrated set of dinosaur footprints in the world.

Signature Experience: As part of your exclusive experience with APT, enjoy working with recently unearthed dinosaur fossils in a specialised laboratory.

Visit the Qantas Founders Outback Museum, an award-winning museum that tells the story of Qantas through interactive exhibits and original and replica aircraft. Then head to the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre, dedicated to the custodians of the bush and Australia's pioneering history.

Signature Experience: This evening, enjoy a sunset cruise along the Thomson River, before savouring a three-course drover dinner and an entertaining performance.

Set off for Carnarvon National Park. Along the way, stop at the famed Tree of Knowledge, known as the founding site of the political movement that helped to create the Australian Labor Party.

Discover incredible Carnarvon National Park today.

Signature Experience: Take to the skies on a helicopter ride for an aerial perspective of Carnarvon National Park, including the spectacular Carnarvon Gorge. Admire its soaring sandstone cliffs and vibrantly coloured gorges from above.

View Minerva Hills National Park, keeping an eye out for eastern grey kangaroos, wallaroos and wallabies. Afterwards, continue on to Emerald. Established in 1879 as a base for building the western railway, the town is a gateway to the Sapphire Gemfields.

Travel to Charters Towers today. Established as a gold rush town in 1871, it quickly grew to become the second-largest town in Queensland.

On the way back to Cairns, stop at Paronella Park, nestled amid heritage gardens and 13 acres of lush Australian rainforest. Situated on the banks of the crystal-clear waters of Mena Creek, this unique attraction also features a Spanish-inspired castle. After time to explore the castle ruins and grounds, continue to the Shangri-La Hotel in Cairns. This evening, celebrate the end of your journey during a final farewell dinner.

Your holiday comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Be transferred to the airport for your onward flight home.