Gulf Savannah Experience

Venture deep into Gulf Savannah Country and discover where the Outback meets the sea. Rugged by nature, the Gulf Savannah is home to great fishing, pioneer heritage and unique landscapes.

Friendly characters and historic towns showcase the Gulf Savannah’s rich pioneering heritage. Established as a Gold Rush port, Normanton is the Gulf Savannah’s largest town. Stop by the Victorian era Normanton railway station or get to know the locals at the ‘Purple Pub’. Visit the historic gold mining townships of Croydon and Forsayth and wander through the many heritage buildings.

It’s also blessed with awe-inspiring geological wonders. Cruise through the breathtaking sandstone escarpments of Cobbold Gorge. Take a dip in the waters of Copperfield Gorge, with its sheer basalt cliffs. Visit Undara Volcanic National Park and marvel at the world’s oldest and longest volcanic lava tubes, formed 190,000 years ago.

Experience the amazing landscape of the Gulf Savannah on two incredible rail journeys: the Gulflander and Savannahlander.

Your Holiday Package Includes:

• 6 night Gulf Savannah Experience

Includes:

• One way travel on the Gulflander from Normanton to Croydon
• One way travel on the Savannahlander from Forsayth to Cairns
• 1 night at Cairns Plaza Hotel
• 2 nights at Ash's Holiday Units, Karumba
• 2 nights at Finnigan's Rest, Forsayth
• 1 night at Discovery Parks - Undara
• 6x breakfast, 4x Lunch, 3 x dinner
• Karumba Hatchery Behind-the-Scenes Tour & Hand Feeding Experience
• 1 hour Forsayth By Night Tour
• 3 hour Cobbold Gorge Boat Cruise
• Afternoon Undara Lava Tubes Tour
• One way coach transfer from Cairns to Karumba
• One way coach transfer from Karumba to Normanton
• One way coach transfer from Croydon to Forsayth
• Return coach transfers from Forsayth to Cobbold Gorge
• Return coach transfers from Mount Surprise to Undara

Pricing is per person twin share and valid for travel between 14 June - 14 December 2024 and 01 January - 31 March 2025

Departs: 01, 15, 22 Sep, 06, 13, 20, 27 Oct 24

On sale until 01 October 2024

Seniors price available, speak with your travel consultamt

Call us to add flights!

Highlights:

• Travel aboard the iconic Gulflander and Savannahlander trains
• Enjoy a magnificent Gulf sunset in Karumba
• Wander through Croydon’s heritage precinct
• Tour the old goldfield town of Forsayth
• Cruise through Cobbold Gorge on a solar powered boat
• See the rugged sandstone formations of Cobbold Gorge as you walk across the glass bridge
• Explore the oldest standing lava tubes on earth at Undara
• Learn the rich history of Aboriginal culture 

Itinerary:

Day 1: Cairns

Arrive in Cairns and make your own way to your accommodation. If time permits, take a self-guided tour around Cairns. Stroll along the Esplanade, soak up the outdoor lifestyle at the many restaurants and cafés or spend time exploring the Cairns Aquarium (own expense). Overnight at Cairns Plaza Hotel.

Day 2: Cairns to Karumba (B)

An early start this morning for a full day of travelling by coach to Karumba. Travel over 700 kilometres, as you journey along the Savannah Way. Heading west from Cairns, wind your way up the Kuranda Range onto the Atherton Tablelands and then onto remote, untamed reaches of the Outback. Pass through the historic outback towns of Mount Surprise and Croydon before arriving in Karumba late afternoon. Stay the next two nights at Ash’s Holiday Units, Karumba

Day 3: Karumba (B)

The town of Karumba is a popular Barramundi fishing port on the Gulf of Carpentaria. Spend the morning at leisure. Choose to take a cruise through the Port of Karumba estuary or try your luck with a fishing tour (all own expense). In the afternoon transfer to the Les Wilson Barramundi Discovery Centre and join a behind the scenes tour. Get to see the hatchery operations and learn about the species of the Southern Gulf strain of Barramundi. Finish the day with a sunset cruise on the Norman River (own expense).

Day 4: Karumba to Forsayth (B,L,D)

After breakfast, transfer to Normanton railway station for your journey to Croydon onboard the Gulflander. Take in the diverse Gulf landscape and its rich history as you travel along the Heritagelisted Normanton to Croydon line. Make a stop at Blackbull Siding for morning tea. Arrive in the historic gold mining town of Croydon and enjoy lunch at the Croydon Hotel before transferring to Forsayth. Enjoy dinner at the Goldfields Hotel followed by a one hour Forsayth By Night tour. Learn about the history of how Forsayth was built during the gold rush and how the rail line development impacted on the town. Stay the next two nights at Finnigan’s Rest, Forsayth.

Day 5: Cobbold Gorge (B,L,D)

Transfer from Forsayth to Cobbold Gorge. After lunch, gain an informative insight in to the geology of the rugged sandstone formations before taking an interpretive walk to the escarpment. Cross over Australia’s first fully glass bridge and take in the view of the gorge’s impressive sandstone walls. Then explore Cobbold Gorge as you glide through the spectacular sculpted gorge walls on a boat cruise. This gorge is vastly different from others owing to its extreme narrowness, measuring a mere two metres width in places and featuring spectacular 30 metre cliffs on either side. After the cruise, return to Forsayth and spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

Day 6: Forsayth to Undara

Depart on the Savannahlander from Forsayth. The train travels through the Einasleigh Ranges before arriving at Mount Surprise. Arrive at Mount Surprise and join an afternoon tour of the Undara Lava Tubes. Savour rustic Australian flavours as you relax over dinner. After dinner, take part in a truly authentic outback experience as you gather around the campfire and listen to live entertainment. Overnight at Discovery Parks – Undara.

Day 7: Undara to Cairns (B,L)

This morning rejoin the Savannahlander. Along the way, stop at Bullock Creek Café for a morning tea break and then onto Almaden in time for lunch. After lunch, the Savannahlander will travel through World Heritage-listed rainforest, stopping briefly at Kuranda and Din Din (Barron Falls) before travelling down the range to Cairns where your tour concludes.

Prices listed are per person in AUD, based on twin occupancy, including all discounts unless otherwise stated. The offer is subject to availability at time of booking and shown on the lowest category available at the time.  Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice. Prices/Offers are correct as at 28-06-2024 and can be withdrawn without notice.   Cabin categories include prepaid government fees and port taxes unless otherwise stated.  Hotels may charge resort fees not included in this package, payable direct upon check in. Visas are not included.  Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.