Gulf Savannah Way Cairns to Darwin via Cobbold Gorge Adels Grove Accommodated Tour 9 Days

SAVE - DEDUCT $500 IF PAID IN FULL WHEN BOOKING

FULLY ACCOMMODATED

Gulf Savannah Way Darwin to Cairns tour 8 days …

Days Prior – Cape York tour prior or Cairns / Kuranda options – Ask for details 

Day 1 – Gulf Savannah Way Tours Depart Cairns for the picturesque drive to the Atherton tablelands to tour through the Undara Lava Tubes. The Undara Lava Tubes were formed some 190,000 years ago when a major volcano erupted, its molten lava flowing down a dry river bed. As the top layer quickly cooled and crusted, the fiery magma below continued to flow through the tubes taking it further and further from the volcano. The Undara tubes are the world’s longest lava flow. The word Undara means ‘a long way’ in Aboriginal language. One of the lava flows from Undara extends over 160 kilometres (or 100 miles). This makes it one of the longest lava flows from a single volcano on our planet in modern geological time. The original tube formed by the flow extended for approximately 100 kilometres, and several sections are accessible. After our 2 hour tour and tasty lunch, we travel via historic gulf towns of Mt Surprise and Einasleigh to Cobbold Gorge on Robin Hood Cattle station, for overnight. LD

Day 2 – Cobbold Gorge is unique, hidden away within the rugged sandstone formations of North Queensland. This gorge is extremely narrow, closing to only two metres in places, with spectacular 30 metre cliffs on either side. The overall length of the gorge is about six kilometres and includes a series of water-holes and rock falls, with the the last 500 meters is accessible by flat bottom boat. Great walks, swimming and relaxing or optional canoeing. Overnight Cobbold Gorge. BLD

Day 3 – Travel via Georgetown and the multi award winning, Terrestrial – the Ted Elliott Mineral Collection, the largest minerals collection in the world. We follow the Gulflander Railway line via the Gulf Development Road through Croydon which in goldrush days had 7000 people and 122 pubs. On to Normanton, and view the old Burns Philp store, and the 1870 railway history from the goldrush days, plus the hot artesian bore. Arriving  Karumba on the edge of the Gulf of Carpentaria, we enjoy a sunset river cruise. Karumba is the base of the gulf Barramundi and prawning industry and home to many salt water crocodiles. Overnight Karumba BLD – Dinner at own expense in local restaurant – great fresh fish and prawns here !

Day 5 – Adel’s Grove and Lawn Hill National Park - Today we visit Adel’s Grove, originally an experimental botanical garden established by Albert de Lestang (ADEL) in 1920, before exploring Lawn Hill National Park. Enjoy walks, canoeing, or a swim in the stunning lagoons and rivers with picturesque waterfalls. In the afternoon, Return to the "Helton" at Hells Gate Roadhouse for overnight. Hells Gate is an iconic landmark where settlers once needed police escorts due to the fierce local Aboriginal tribes.  BLD

Day 6 – Police were stationed to provide escorts for settlers to the escarpments of Hell’s Gate, beyond which the Aboriginals were considered fierce. Hells Gate is the routes most western settlement in Queensland and now is a popular stopover with a grassy oasis and refreshments, nearby Aboriginal rock art and caves. We travel via Westmoreland (uranium deposits) and enter the Northern Territory, passing the Redbank (copper) Mine and arrive at Borroloola with time permitting to view the museum and history of this once wild frontier town, now a popular fishing destination. Population is around 800 (about 200 whites and 600 Aboriginal), with Aborigines living in camps around the town. Borroloola has some very different Aboriginal cultures ie the Yanyuwa and Mara are ‘saltwater people’ from the nearby islands while the Kurdanji and Karawa people are ‘mainland people’. Overnight Boroloola  BLD

Day 7 – Today we walk in the Lost City like towers of the  Caranbirini Nature Reserve overlooking a billabong and across the escarpment
country of the Gulf Region. The Lost City near Cape Crawford can this morning be explored by helicopter from base at the Heartbreak Hotel at Cape Crawford, with an amazing 15 or optional 30 minute flight over these ancient sandstone pillars, (or even landing) formed when all this area was underwater. After lunch we head off on the Carpentaria Highway for historic Daly Waters, and enjoy the amusing Daly Waters Pub and township adornments, including an old helicopter and the thong tree. We take a short tour of the WWII airbase and aircraft hanger here – with a fascinating historic display of WWII equipment, aircraft images and life here at that time.  vernight Daly Waters BLD

Day 8 – Onwards north through Birdham and the Pink Panther country pub, for a swim at Mataranka Hot Springs and connect with the famous classic outback Australian story “We of the Never Never” by Jeannie Gunn first published in 1907, as an account of the experiences at Elsey Station near Mataranka, Then a short hop to Katherine, the NT's 3rd largest town, and on to to picturesque Edith Falls for lunch and a swim, or simply relax or take a swim by this beautiful peaceful
river. In the afternoon we take the 3 hour drive to Darwin, passing
through historic Pine Creek (old gold town) and Alligator River, home of the famous & retired water buffalo downed by Crocodile Dundee (test your hypnotic skills). Overnight Darwin BLD.

Optionally tour by Kakadu National Park for 1 or 2 nights from Katherine, or do Kakadu in a day or more from Darwin. Ask for details.

Day 9 – Tour completes after breakfast at 10am. Enjoy a free day to celebrate your journey. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and the many sights or activities Darwin has to offer. Options include a trip to Kakadu or Litchfield National Parks, or simply shop or relax in Darwin’s balmy climate. Tour ends after breakfast. Home Flights depart from Darwin or consider travelling with us to Alice Springswith options including Kakadu, Katherine Gorge (optional), Lost City & Devils Marbles. B

Optionally tour by Kakadu National Park for 1 or 2 nights from Katherine, or do Kakadu in a day or more from Darwin. Ask for details. or see links