Gulf Savannah Wanderer

Starting From AUD $4,375
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Explore spectacular Gulf Country! Take the Savannahlander train into cattle country, see historic Normanton, enjoy a Gulf of Carpentaria sunset cruise and explore Burke & Wills’ infamous Camp #119. Then relax in Lawn Hill National Park and marvel at the Undara lava tubes.

Tour Highlights

  • Mt Surprise
  • Undara Lava Tubes
  • Karumba Sunset Cruise
  • Lawn Hill National Park
  • Cobbold Gorge

Tour Itinerary

(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner (SD) Specialty Dinner
Tour Code: QGS

1
Cairns – Malanda (L, D)
Day 1
Cairns – Malanda (L, D)
Your North Queensland tour begins on a high – quite literally – as you depart Cairns along the Kuranda Range road, weaving upwards into the rainforest-shrouded Atherton Tableland. One of the key features of these dramatic highlands is Lake Barrine, its mirror-like expanse set in an ancient volcanic mar. As pretty as the waterway is, the stars of the show are the soaring ‘twin kauri pines’, these giants of the forest thought to be more than 1,000 years old and one of the earliest known species of rainforest tree. Talking of stepping back in time, Historic Village Herberton is a recreated tin mining town replete with shops, a pub, grocer, school and garage. There are more than 50 restored period buildings making this outdoor museum, all decked out with antiques and memorabilia. And you can visit them at your leisure – be sure to order a coffee in the Bakerville Tearooms.
Malanda Lodge, Malanda
Malanda Lodge is centrally located to all of the Atherton Tablelands top attractions and boasts Pickle & Smoke on site restaurant.
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2
Malanda – Georgetown (B, L, D)
Day 2
Malanda – Georgetown (B, L, D)
If you’re looking for a reason to get up early this morning, make it a journey toward Mount Surprise. All aboard the 1960s Savannahlander train as it tracks towards Einasleigh in the Wet Tropics area of the Kuranda Range. You linger here with sufficient time to enjoy a cold one at the pub or visit Copperfield Gorge – remnants of an ancient lava flow that spewed from a now extinct volcano thousands of years ago – before the ‘silver bullet’ chugs on toward Forsayth, continuing northwest toward the sleepy village of Georgetown.
Latara Resort, Georgetown
Latara Motel is located in Georgetown in the heart of the Savannah Way. It is the perfect base to explore the surrounding area and unique attractions.
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3
Georgetown – Karumba (B, L, D)
Day 3
Georgetown – Karumba (B, L, D)
The aquatic jewel of your Gulf Savannah tour, Croydon’s Lake Belmore is the region’s largest body of water, stocked with a mind-boggling variety of fish. Stretch your legs here before reaching Normanton, a delightfully quirky town with old-world charm to spare. Have your camera poised to snap shots of the legendary ‘Purple Pub’, historic Burns Philp General Store and a replica of Krys, the (late) 8.63-metre crocodile. More fish await at Karumba, at the mouth of the Norman River on the Gulf of Carpentaria. This pocket of tropical paradise is also a twitchers delight, as you’ll discover on a fiery sunset cruise.
Karumba Lodge, Karumba
Karumba Lodge is the centre of all the excitement and adventure on offer in the Gulf Country. Situated on absolute river frontage, the Karumba Lodge overlooks the Norman River in the centre of the main township of Karumba. 
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4
Karumba (B, L, D)
Day 4
Karumba (B, L, D)
Spanning 310,000 square kilometres, the Gulf of Carpentaria is a rare modern example of a shallow sea on top of a continent – a feature much commoner at earlier times of the Earth’s geologic history. It’s a unique marine ecosystem that fosters all manner of fish, including barra, as you’ll learn at the Les Wilson Barramundi Discovery Centre & Hatchery. The interactive and interpretive centre provides the history, stories, lifecycle and habits of these fish, and is the only place in the world to breed and hatch them. Feeling thirsty? Let’s head to Point Sunset for happy hour. Cheeers!
Karumba Lodge, Karumba
Karumba Lodge is the centre of all the excitement and adventure on offer in the Gulf Country. Situated on absolute river frontage, the Karumba Lodge overlooks the Norman River in the centre of the main township of Karumba. 
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5
Karumba – Normanton (B, L, D)
Day 5
Karumba – Normanton (B, L, D)
The Far North Queensland touring outback is beautiful. But 160+ years ago it was also harsh. Explorers Burke and Wills came through this part of the world while surveying the gulf. Campsite 119 was their most northerly post during their 1861 expedition. They didn’t make it to Mutton Hole Wetlands Regional Park, but you will, with time for croc- and bird-watching in this part of the largest continuous wetland in northern Queensland.
Gulfland Motel, Normanton
This motel is located on the outskirts of Normanton and offers motel accommodation as well as a camping ground onsite.
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6
Normanton – Cobbold Gorge (B, L, D)
Day 6
Normanton – Cobbold Gorge (B, L, D)
When the journey matters just as much as the destination, jump aboard the historic Gulflander RM93 train at Normanton’s handsome Victorian-era railway station. Your adventure through the savannah landscape crosses the Norman River to Critters Camp and on to Black Bull Siding before arriving in the old gold mining town of Croydon. As locals like to say, the train “travels from nowhere to nowhere”. But it sure is fun. Call in again at Georgetown and Forsayth en route to Cobbold Gorge.
Cobbold Gorge Cabins
Cobbold Village offers outback accommodation near Cobbold Gorge.
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7
Cobbold Gorge (B, L, D)
Day 7
Cobbold Gorge (B, L, D)
Cobbold Gorge is the place to visit to put life in perspective – in the best possible way. This ancient geological landform is distinguished by its narrow, striated sandstone formations and humbling 10-metre cliffs. Waterways carved the gorge some 10,000 years ago, channelling through 135-million-year-old sandstone. Cruising here, the only sounds you’ll hear are the wind, wildlife and quiet hum of your boat.
Cobbold Gorge Cabins
Cobbold Village offers outback accommodation near Cobbold Gorge.
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8
Cobbold Gorge – Undara (B, L, D)
Day 8
Cobbold Gorge – Undara (B, L, D)
The outdoor antics of yesterday were likely draining. Sleep in – we’re in no rush today. Forsayth for lunch, then campfire entertainment before retiring to your accommodation in faithfully restored antique railway carriages.
Undara Lava Lodge, Undara
Undara Lava Lodge offers a unique outback adventure. This accommodation puts you in the heart of the Australian Outback, providing an authentic escape into the bush.
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9
Undara – Farewell from Cairns (B)
Day 9
Undara – Farewell from Cairns (B)
The Undara Lava Tubes were created 190,000 years ago when a staggering 23 cubic kilometers of lava flowed into a river bed and kept flowing for 160 kilometers, making it the world’s longest lava flow from a single volcano. The result today? Huge caves, some over 21-metres wide and 10-metres high, have formed along the tubes; they’re never dark because they are gaping holes which can be entered by visitors on Undara Lava Tubes tours, accompanied by guides. It’s like falling down the proverbial rabbit hole, so surreal is this underground world. It’s a hard act to follow, but the heritage Curtain Fig Tree in the Atherton region puts up a good fight. Time to say see-ya-later to the Savannah. Make no mistake – this siren is one that will continually call you back for yet another Cairns tour.

Inclusions

INCLUSIONS

Attractions Included

  • Mt Surprise
  • Undara Lava Tubes
  • Karumba Sunset Cruise
  • Lawn Hill National Park
  • Cobbold Gorge

Coach Features

  • 48 Seat coach
  • Restroom
  • Air conditioned

Experiences Included

  • Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
  • National Park fees
  • Centrally located premium 3.5-star hotels

Meals Included

  • 8 Full Breakfasts
  • 9 Lunches
  • 8 Dinners

Fitness Requirements

  • Heritage Tours – High level of fitness required
    If you have any mobility issues or over 80 years of age, it is a requirement to complete the “Fit to Travel & Mobility Questionnaire” and return these to Heritage Tours. A doctor’s clearance may be required before booking can be confirmed.

Visited Locations

  • Georgetown
    Georgetown is a pleasant, sleepy little town on the Etheridge River which is surrounded by rich beef cattle country and some of the best gemstone areas in Queensland.
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  • Karumba
    Karumba is a fishing destination and industrial port on the banks of the Norman River where, each winter, anglers from all over Australia arrive to try their luck in the fish-rich waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria.
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  • Normanton
    Normanton is a genuinely delightful town with an excess of old world charm. It started life as a port for the Gulf of Carpentaria's cattle industry and grew in importance with the discovery of gold at Croydon in 1885.
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  • Cairns
    Cairns is the gateway to Australia's Great Barrier Reef in tropical Far North Queensland.  It is a thriving tropical city where unparalleled natural beauty, spectacular reefs, ancient rainforests, rich culture, and an alfresco dining scene blend into one. 
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  • Undara
    The Undara Volcanic National Park is a national park in the Shire of Etheridge, Queensland where you can explore natural geological wonders.
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  • Malanda
    Malanda is home to Malanda Falls and great for bird watching, bushwalking, and scenic drives.  It is located 85 km from Cairns and 732 metres (2,402 ft) above sea level.
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Attractions

  • Savannahlander Train
    The Savannahlander travels the 850 km return trip between Cairns and Forsayth once a week.  The train stops at three different outback towns for the night (Almaden, Forsayth and Mt Surprise) giving passengers the opportunity to enjoy the sights and visit some interesting places.
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  • Gulflander RM93 Train
    Take a journey aboard the legendary Gulflander for a rail journey unlike any other.  ​Originally built to connect the once bustling river port of Normanton to the gold fields of Croydon, today the Gulflander is a tourism icon.
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  • Cobbold Gorge Cruise
    Cruise on Cobbold Gorge’s beautiful and secluded waterway surrounded by spectacular carved Hampstead sandstone, 135 million years old. 
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  • Undara Lava Tubes
    Set in the Gulf Savannah country, in Tropical North Queensland Australia, Undara is as ancient and alluring as the continent itself. The Undara Lava Tubes stand as silent sentinels to our pre-history.
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Available Dates

Dates Price per person
On Request
21 May 2025 - 29 May 2025 $4,375$5,275
On Request
04 Jun 2025 - 12 Jun 2025 $4,375$5,275
On Request
11 Jun 2025 - 19 Jun 2025 $4,375$5,275
On Request
25 Jun 2025 - 03 Jul 2025 $4,375$5,275
On Request
02 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025 $4,375$5,275
On Request
09 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025 $4,375$5,275
On Request
30 Jul 2025 - 07 Aug 2025 $4,375$5,275
On Request
20 Aug 2025 - 28 Aug 2025 $4,375$5,275
On Request
27 Aug 2025 - 04 Sep 2025 $4,375$5,275
On Request
03 Sep 2025 - 11 Sep 2025 $4,375$5,275
On Request
17 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025 $4,375$5,275
On Request
24 Sep 2025 - 02 Oct 2025 $4,375$5,275
On Request
01 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025 $4,375$5,275
Gulf Savannah Wanderer
Days
9
Price from
AUD $4,375