RSOE15 Special - The Simpson Desert and Outback Experience Special
Duration: 15 Days, 14 Nights

Departing Port Macquarie we travel along the Oxley Highway to Walcha then down the Moonbi Ranges to Tamworth where we stop for lunch. This afternoon we continue across the Liverpool Plains to Gunnedah, before arriving in Coonabarabran for our overnight stay.

Overnight: Country Gardens, COONABARABRAN (DBB)

Leaving Coonabarabran after breakfast this morning we travel on to the spectacular Warrumbungle Ranges where we have the opportunity to see some of the wildlife which abounds in this unique area. We continue on our north-west bound journey on to Coonamble, through Carinda, then head west to Gongolgon, an Aboriginal settlement, where we see one of the residents at work making boomerangs and other artifacts out of the native timbers of Mulga and Gidgee, which are available for purchase if you wish. We then continue on following the Bogan River, through Tarcoon, Oxleys Tableland enroute to our overnight accommodation at Bourke. We take the opportunity to visit Fred Hollows grave at the Bourke Cemetery, as he did so much for the people of the outback and is honored as an Australian hero.

Overnight: Major Mitchell Bourke, BOURKE (DBB)

This morning we farewell Bourke after breakfast and enjoy the morning journey through the Darling Downs, crossing the Warrego River at Goombalie before continuing west. We arrive for our lunch stop in Wanaaring, an isolated village which was the last place in Australia where a manual telephone exchange kept the various stations in contact. After lunch we head due west to Clifton Bore, a natural thermal bore where hot water is pushed toward the surface, making it extremely important for the regions early settlers. Our journey continues to Tibooburra for our overnight stay.

Overnight: Tibooburra Hotel, TIBOOBURRA (DBB)

After breakfast we pause briefly at the "School Of The Air" where the children of this isolated area are taught via radio. Leaving the hospitality of Tibooburra, we travel through the Sturt National Park, visit the Waka Clay Pans, crossing Fromes Creek to Fort Grey on our way to Cameron's Corner where New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia all meet. We visit the famous store and then head out into the Strzelecki Desert, up and over many desert dunes to Merty Merty Station. From here we join the Strzelecki Track and head southwards through the desert to Mount Hopeless and into the Gammon Ranges to visit the spectacular Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary.

Overnight: Arkaroola Village, ARKAROOLA (DBB)

Enjoy a relaxing day walking and exploring around Arkaroola including the Echo Camp Race Track. There is much to discover in this intriguing area.

Overnight: Arkaroola Village, ARKAROOLA (DBB)

We spend some time in the morning visiting the hidden corners of Arkaroola before heading out through the ranges to Copley, Lyndhurst and the Ochre pits, rich in colorful Ochre's used by the Aboriginal people. Later in the afternoon we retrace some of the old Ghan railway route to the ghost town of Farna to arrive at the Marree for our outback experience at the junction of the Birdsville and Oodnadatta tracks.

Overnight: Marree Hotel, MARREE (DBB)

We head off along the Oodnadatta track along the inland rims of the Simpson Desert to firstly visit some unique hot springs before arriving on the shores of Lake Eyre, the great salt lake below sea level where many of the Australian great rivers flow. In the rare times inland rains come to the inland. Onwards to one of Australia's most isolated pubs at William Creek for a refreshing drink before crossing the dunes to Coober Pedy, where we spend some time underground looking at the rich opal mines and experiencing the wonders of the town.

Overnight: Lookout Cave, COOBER PEDY (DBB)

We firstly head off to encounter and visit the Breakaways before travelling further into the desert to visit the Moon Plains, on our way to Mt Barry Outback Station and scenic desert countryside as we travel and continue our journey along the old Ghan Railway Line to Oodnadatta.

Overnight: The Pink Roadhouse, OODNADATTA (DBB)

Heading north this morning we cross the usually dry Alberga River then across Fogartys Plain to Hamilton Station where we leave the recognized tracks and head onwards to Pedirka Ruins into the Simpson Desert for lunch and a swim in the Dalhousie Springs, a beautiful thermal paradise in the desert, before heading to set up camp near Purnie Bore for our first night camping.

Overnight: Near Purnie Bore, SIMPSON DESERT (DBB)

Today we continue heading further into the famous Simpson Desert and endeavour to follow the French survey line, spending our adventurous day crossing this beautiful, uninhabited desert to aim to bush camp once again to arrive at Poeppel Corner for the night, where the Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia meet. We once again spend another night in the isolation of the desert, enjoying the stars and the experience of bush camping.

Overnight: Poeppel Corner Bush Camp, POEPPEL CORNER (DBB)

Heading north firstly into Northern Territory we head to Playa Salt Lake before heading east once again, over the many dunes to Spinifex Dune, crossing the Eyre Creek floodplain then to the famous Big Red Dune for a lunch break. We have some time here to enjoy this special place before heading to our overnight stay at Birdsville.

Overnight: Birdsville Hotel, BIRDSVILLE (DBB)

Today we leave Birdsville and head towards Cadelga Outstation, where an abundance of wildlife gathers daily to feed at the Billabong. After crossing the South Australian border, we travel through Sturt's Stony Desert, stopping to marvel at the great red dunes and the original pioneer's woolshed of Cordillo Downs, which was built from natural materials taken from the area. During the day we visit Coopers Creek which flows through this area, providing the migrating bird life with a welcomed resting spot and taking time to visit the famous "Dig Tree" and the Burke and Wills monument commemorating these great explorers of our past.

Overnight: Innamincka Hotel, INNAMINCKA (DBB)

Heading east heading towards Queensland we follow Coopers Creek and enjoy more of the Burke and Wills history as we head to Thargomindah.

Overnight: Bulloo River Motel, THARGOMINDAH (DBB)

This morning we cross the Blue River with it's record of the 2010 flood and on to Lake Bindegolly, where we enjoy some free time here before crossing the Paroo and Warrego River basins to have morning tea in the Queensland town of Cunnamulla. We travel now into more civilised areas as we firstly visit Collarenebri, then following the Gwydir River Valley to Moree where we will see many cotton farms as this area has been heavily developed for this industry over the last few decades. Here we relax and enjoy the thermal baths.

Overnight: The Artisian Spa Motel, MOREE (DBB)

We depart today to continue on to Warialda and then Inverell, the sapphire capital of New South Wales for lunch before climbing the New England Ranges through Bundarra and onwards to Uralla. From here we enjoy the views of the New England as we travel to Walcha and eastwards on the Oxley Highway to visit Apsley Falls; a giant gorge which is a tributary of the Macleay River. After a lunch break we head across the New England Range through the dense forests and rainforest to the Mt. Seaview Guesthouse for an afternoon tea stop before continuing to Port Macquarie to conclude the journey.

Tour departs at 7:30am from Port Macquarie on Sunday 15th July 2012 with a minimum of 4 passengers.

INCLUSIONS: - 4WD air-conditioned deluxe transport - Mini-bus air-conditioned transport from Mt. Seaview to Sydney - 11 nights in Hotel/Motel style accommodation - 4 nights bush camping - All breakfasts and dinners - Morning and afternoon teas and 2 lunches - All National Park entries - Experienced driver guide Tour Cost: AUD $6,375.00 Adult (twin share) $1,660.00 Single Supplement TOUR CODE: RSOE15 Special Note: Accommodations are subject to availabilities and may be changed without notice.

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