Outback Special - The Real Outback Experience (Sydney, Outback NSW, Innamincka, Coopers Creek, Birdsville Track, Flinders Ranges, Menindee Lakes)
Duration: 11 Days, 10 Nights

Depart Sydney, travel through the western suburbs and onwards to the famous Blue Mountains to visit Leura and the Three Sisters at Katoomba for a morning tea stop. Then we head north-west towards Lithgow taking in a scenic drive through Capertree, Running Stream following the river to arrive at historic Mudgee nestled in an upland valley of the Cudgegong River.

Of interest are more than 25 buildings listed by the National Trust. We continue along historic Gulgong, famous for being the "town on the ten dollar note" where we enjoy lunch. Gulgong sprang up around the gold diggings after Tom Sanders struck gold in 1870 and is one of Australia's best preserved gold towns.

This afternoon we continue to Dunedoo, cross the Castlereagh River 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 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 NSW, QLD and SA 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. During the afternoon we track along the old dry Strzelecki Creek bed and through the Moomba gas and oil fields, which supply gas through to Sydney to Innamincka, situated on the famous Cooper Creek.

Overnight: Innaminka Hotel, INNAMINKA (DBB)

A reasonably early start to head along Cooper Creek to visit the famous "Dig Tree" and learn about the history of Burke and Wills, then we head onwards to Arrabury Station before crossing again into South Australia to historic Cordillo Downs Station. Here we visit the old wool shed made of iron and rock before traveling onto Cadelga Outstation Ruins and then onto Birdsville on the Diamantina River and Far Outback Queensland.

Overnight: Birdsville Hotel, BIRDSVILLE (DBB)

Today we travel the infamous Birdsville Track from north to south. We follow the Diamantina River for a short distance then into Sturts Stony Desert to Mungerannie, an isolated village east of Lake Eyre. We then travel onwards through the Tirari Desert enjoying the real outback. We see Red Mulga Trees as well as many other desert plants and wildflowers to arrive at Marree for the conclusion of our day.

Overnight: Marree Hotel, MARREE (DBB)

Our first stop after leaving Marree is the old Chan Railway town of Farina, where we get to relive the lives of the early pioneers. We then travel onwards to the ochre pits and Lyndhurst. Then we visit the giant Leigh Creek Coal Mines which supply millions of tones of power to South Australia. Heading eastwards into the Gammon Ranges we arrive at Arkaroola for our lunch stop and overnight location.

After settling into our units we then enjoy a wonderful 4WD experience through the Echo Camp backtracks, viewing the rare Yellow-Footed Rock Wallaby and spectacular views of the region.

Overnight: Arkaroola Resort, ARKAROOLA (DBB)

A day of many scenic wonders today as we head towards the Flinders Ranges National Park. We firstly visit "The Walls Of China" then the historic town of Blinman, named after Robert Blinman who discovered copper ore there in 1862, before heading into Brachia Gorge to travel into ancient times, taking in the majestic, rugged rock formation, wildlife, streams and much more.

We then enjoy a picnic lunch in the gorge before exploring Bunyoroo Gorge and Wilpena. If the normal rains occur in winter the wildflowers should be splendorous.

Overnight: Wilpena Chalet, FLINDERS RANGES (DBB)

Departing the Flinders Ranges, we head through sheep stations and old ruins on our back tracks to Yunta. We then travel east to cross into NSW and visit Broken Hill, an historic silver, lead and zinc mining city springing up when Charles Rasp discovered these metals in 1883. The silver, lead and zinc mines in the Barrier Mountains are the world's richest. Today, mining is still it's main source of business and Broken Hill still continues to prosper.

Later this afternoon, we travel onwards to the Menindee Lakes and spend time enjoying this region before visiting Kinchega National Park and the Old Woolshed. Returning to our overnight accommodation in Menindee on the Darling River among the majestic Old Red River Gums.

Overnight: Burke and Wills Motel, MENINDEE (DBB)

Continuing our special and extraordinary time around the Kinchega/Menindee Lakes area we travel on, through many vast outback properties to Ivanhoe and onwards to Hillston for a lunch break along the banks of the Lachlan River. During the afternoon we enjoy the western New South Wales town of Condobolin, home town of Shannon Noll.

Overnight: Condobolin Motor Inn, CONDOBLIN (DBB)

We firstly travel to the city of Parkes and then start our journey upwards into the Central Highlands to travel through Cudal to Bathurst for lunch. We continue onwards during the afternoon, we head to Bell and the northern Blue Mountains before our journey down the Bell's Line of Rode to Richmond to return to Sydney to conclude our memorable journey to arrive at approximately 4:00pm.

Tour departs at 7:30am from Sydney on Sunday 13th May 2012 with a minimum of 4 passengers.

INCLUSIONS: - 4WD air-conditioned deluxe transport - All accommodation twin share private facilities (some accommodation shared facilities) - All breakfasts and dinners - Morning and afternoon teas - All National Park entries - Experienced driver guide Tour Cost: AUD $4,395.00 Adult (twin share) $950.00 Single Supplement TOUR CODE: Outback Special Note: Accommodations are subject to availabilities and may be changed without notice.

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