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Spirit Of The Outback, The Gulflander, The Savannahlander, The Bally Hooley Steam Railway

Longreach | Winton | Mt Isa | The Gulf Country | Queensland Savannah | Cairns & the Tropics

15 Days: 2-16 May, 1-15 August, 5-19 September 2017

Australia is indeed a lucky country to have such a unique collection of great train journeys in one sweeping region. Together with a scenic flight, a couple of gentle boat trips and comfortable coach connections, here is a rare chance to see the Queensland Outback from the air, on the water and along the line.

The first tour, at the end of the wet season, sees the landscape lush and green, the rivers full and the air dry and warm. The next, scheduled for springtime, presents its own colour and character. You'll enjoy many culinary delights, meet all kinds of outback characters and be bowled over by the variety of entertaining experiences on this unique adventure.

Travel from Brisbane to Mount lsa on the legendary Spirit of the Outback with a few interesting stops along the way, then up to the Gulf of Carpentaria on board the island-hopping mail-plane flight. The journey continues across the wide Savannah and the Atherton Tableland on the Gulflander and The Savannahlander through the rainforest, high tablelands and on down to the coast. Enjoy time in Longreach, Winton, Mount lsa, Normanton, the stunning Cobbold Gorge, the intriguing Undara Lava Tubes, and, finally, Cairns. The tour is topped off with a daytrip to the Port Douglas markets, the Bally Hooley Railway and Mossman Gorge. Welcome aboard this character-filled tour, a rare opportunity to explore the many aspects of Far North Queensland by coach, boat, plane and train.

In a nutshell

• Overnight journey on the Spirit of the Outback in first-class sleepers
• 4 heritage train journeys
• 4 comfortable coach excursions
• Mail-plane flight over the Gulf Country
• Fascinating Cobbold Gorge and Undara Lava Tubes
• 2 days’ gentle travel on The Savannahlander
• Characters, scenery and iconic journeys from the desert to tablelands and rainforest.

Your Tour Leader

In the 1960s, Robert Kingsford-Smith expanded a childhood passion for railways and began a quest to record on film the world's disappearing steam locomotives. His often adventurous travels have taken him to over forty countries.

The resulting photographs and articles have appeared in Australian and overseas publications. Robert has led groups of like-minded enthusiasts on tours to places as diverse as South America, Pakistan and South Africa and more recently has been the tour guide on rail tours through outback Queensland. His train journeys have also allowed him to indulge his love of history and wildlife.

Cairns is of special significance for Robert as his great, great grandfather, R. A. Kingsford, was its first mayor.