Outback Desert Discovery
Burke & Wills 9-day tour
Menindee, Tibooburra, Dog Fence, Innamincka, Cameron Corner, Burke and
Wills ‘Dig Tree’, Cooper Creek.
Join a great tour in to the rarely seen Australian historic icons deep in
the desert wilderness including, the famous Burke and Wills Dig Tree,
Cameron Corner and the Dog Fence.
NOW INCLUDES “WALLS OF CHINA” AT
MUNGO NATIONAL PARK!
$2740.00
pp twin share
-
Departing Sunday 3rd September 2017
Inclusive Touring
*Return Flights from Home Port *Entrance fees and touring *Morning Teas, Breakfasts
and Evening Meals *A number of Lunches *Facilitated Coach *Visit Banrock Wetlands &
Mungo National Park *Cruise
the legendary Cooper Creek
Sun 3rd Sept 2017
DAY 1 – HOME PORT TO ADELAIDE
Today passengers will board their flight from their home port to Adelaide to join our Last Wilderness Tour. On
arrival passengers, will be met and transferred to their accommodation in Adelaide.
Overnight: Adelaide
Mon 4th Sept 2017
DAY 2 – ADELAIDE RIVERLAND-MILDURA
(L, D)
This morning we depart Adelaide on-board our comfortable air-conditioned
coach for our journey via the Riverland of South Australia to Mildura.
After a stop for morning tea we continue to Banrock Station, which is
situated near Lock 3 at Kingston on the Murray. Banrock Station is an
award-winning complex, committed to producing fine wines as well as
developing some amazing wetlands of over 900 hectares.
Enjoy views over the wetlands with a delicious light luncheon comprising of
warm chicken salad or Farmers Market quiche, accompanies by Wattle seed
scones with Quandong jam and cream with tea and coffee.
An informative and entertaining talk on the wetlands follows before we take
a walk on the boardwalk trail with bird viewing "hides" allowing close
sightings of the varieties of bird life which have returned to the area.
Species including Black Swans, Pelicans Swamp Hens, as well as many species of Ducks, Ibis, Spoonbills, Heron,
Egrets have returned making this a true nature lover’s paradise!
We continue via Renmark before crossing the Murray River into Victoria to the oasis city Mildura for our overnight
stop.
Dinner & Overnight: Mildura
DAY 3– MILDURA – MUNGO NATIONAL PARK – MENINDEE
Tues 5th Sept 2017
(B, D)
This morning after breakfast we again cross the Murray River this time
into NSW. We take the outback track to Mungo National Park. On
arrival at the Interpretive Centre at the Park we learn legends of the
dreamtime period and as well see the amazing evidence of ancient
camp fires and fossils which are among the 40,000 relics that have
been found here. In 1974, the discovery of remains which have
become known as the ‘Mungo Man’ created worldwide interest. The
Maidens Hotel, Menindee
bones which have been dated as 62,000years old have completely
changed the original theory on the evolution of man-kind.
Later we visit a historic shearing shed made from local pine, put together without the use of one single nail! We
continue to Menindee situated by the inland Menindee lakes system. Tonight dinner is at the historic Maidens
Hotel, Menindee where Burke stayed and dined at the Maidens Hotel, which was called the Pain’s Hotel in 1860.
Dinner & Overnight: Menindee
DAY 4- MENINDEE – BROKEN HILL -TIBOOBURRA
Wed 6th Sept 2017
(B,L,D)
Breakfast this morning then a remarkable days touring as we travel via
the Burke & Wills memorial tree and Copi Hollow. From here, we begin
our journey further into Australia’s remote outback to the historic town
of Tibooburra.
Along the way Kangaroos, Emus and other native animals can often be
seen roaming around in the wild. We stop at the ‘Packsaddle’ for lunch,
before continuing following the early explorer’s route to Milparinka. Here
at this former goldmining settlement we see the original old outback
courthouse and Police Station. We visit John Pooles lonely gravesite.
Family Hotel, Tibooburra
John Poole was Captain Charles Sturts second in command, Poole died of
scurvy here after being stranded during the first expedition.
After the interesting sights in the area, we continue through to Tibooburra.
Tonight is a great opportunity to enjoy and feel the atmosphere of a real Aussie Outback. A special highlight is
the paintings by famous Australian artists Clifton Pugh, Drysdale and Minchin painted on the bar wall. Hotel
dinner tonight.
Dinner & Overnight: Tibooburra
Thurs 7th Sept 2017
DAY 5– TIBOOBURRA-INNAMINCKA-CAMERON CORNER.
(B,D)
This morning we set off into classic Australian Outback terrain which is possibly the best example of real outback
desert landscape. The stony desert has relics of ancient Aboriginal habitation. The area is mainly Mulga Bushland
and arid shrub land although after rains the area often turns into a wonderland of wildflowers! The area is
inhabited by Red Kangaroos, Euros, large lizards, emus and wedge tailed eagles. We arrive at Cameron Corner
store a well-known outback icon where you are able to stand in 3 states at once!
Queensland, South Australia and the NSW borders’ meet here. During our tour
sections of the famous Rabbit Proof Fence will be seen. After our lunch stop at
Cameron Corner we continue along the famous Strzelecki Track to the outback
settlement of Innamincka where we stay for 2 nights.
Dingo Fence
Dinner & Overnight: Innamincka
DAY 6–INNAMINCKA-DIG TREE & CRUISE ON COOPER CREEK
Fri 8th Sept 2017
(B,D)
After breakfast today, we begin our journey which takes us to this important
site of Australia’s most astonishing and well-known story of survival and
tragedy! This is where the final saga of explorers Burke and Wills expedition
was played out.
Our tour to the famous “Dig Tree” takes us to the exact location and the original
tree which had been carved with instructions on where vital rations had been
buried for the Burke and Wills team who were returning badly weakened by lack
Cooper Creek
of food and water from the north.
In one of Australia’s greatest tragic circumstances, the group missed seeing the
tree which resulted in the death of Burke and Wills as well as most of the party!
Later we take a boat ride along one of Australia’s most famous waterways- Cooper Creek. We visit the actual
Burke and Wills burial sights which are located on the side of the creek on the outskirts of Innamincka.
Tonight we enjoy a fabulous Aussie style dinner at the Innamincka Hotel.
Dinner & Overnight: Innamincka
Sat 9th Sept 2017
DAY 7– INNAMINCKA-LEIGH CREEK-STRZELECKI TRACK
(B, L, D)
Today it’s quite a long day along one of the world’s most gruelling outback roads-“The famous Strzelecki”. To
make the journey a more comfortable pace we depart early after a breakfast at sunrise. The road has been
upgraded a little in recent times as it serves as an access to the huge Moomba Gas Field in the area. Natural gas
from Moomba is piped all the way to Sydney and Adelaide. We stop to view this awesome complex which set in
the middle of the desert and is reminiscent of a scene from a James Bond Movie! Some of the original Wells and
waterholes are still visible along the route. We make refreshment stops during the trek for morning tea and a
picnic lunch and to take in some of the unique landscape along the way.
On arrival at Leigh Creek a modern township built to house electricity workers from the nearby ETSA works, we
stop for our overnight stay.
Overnight: Leigh Creek
DAY 8– LEIGH CREEK TO ADELAIDE
Sun 10th Sept 2017
Today after breakfast we depart Leigh Creek for our journey back to
Adelaide. Our tour takes us south through the town of Hawker on the
edge of the Flinders Ranges. Stops will be made for morning tea and
lunch along the way. We enjoy good views of the Flinders Ranges along
the way. We continue to Adelaide arriving at around 5.30pm. Overnight:
Adelaide
Day 9 – ADELAIDE TO HOME PORT Mon 11th Sept 2017
(B)
After breakfast this morning, passengers are transferred to Adelaide
Airport to board their flight back to your home port.
Fare Ex. Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne $2740 per person, twin share
Fare Ex. Perth $2990 per person, twin share
(B)
Please note: All Outback tours are subject to weather and road conditions while at the time may
not be suitable for travel. In these cases changes may need to be made to the itinerary.
On some departures accommodation in remote areas may be shared between several properties due to
restricted availability.
BOOKING CONDITONS:
Bookings:- A $500 per person non-refundable deposit is due within 7 days of confirmation in order to
secure your booking. Full balance is due no later than 8 weeks prior to departure. For bookings made
within 6 weeks of departure full payment is due within 48 hours.
Fares:- All fares are quoted in Australian Dollars. Fares include transport, entrance fees & cruise fares
as per itinerary plus services of a driver/guide. Holiday Wonders advise we can accept credit card payments,
including American Express, AMEX and Diners Club for our tours, however a 1.9% credit card fee applies.
Single Supplement: $576.00
Accommodation: - Accommodation is based on twin share. Single rooms are available on request and
a single supplement is payable at time of booking.
Cancellations:Cancellation penalties apply and are as follows:
For cancellation within 12 weeks of departure - 50% of fare will be charged.
For cancellation within 6 weeks of departure - full fare will be charged
Travel Insurance: We strongly recommend that passengers purchase travel insurance.
All itineraries and costings are subject to change without notice.
Government regulations prohibit smoking on board coaches within Australia. Ample comfort stops are
provided en route.
When booking please advise your consultant if you have any special requirements you would like to be provided.
This includes special dietary requirements and if you require any assistance with mobility. In some cases you may require a
suitable travelling companion to provide assistance.
Please ensure your main luggage does not exceed 20kgs in weight. An overnight bag of up to 8kgs may be taken on board
in addition to your suitcase.
All special dietary requests will be forwarded to pre booked meal providers on tour.
Passengers are required to alternate seating on the coach through the duration of the tour.
Please note- groups travelling together may be able to arrange a special pick up and drop off arrangements on some tours.
All itineraries and costings are subject to change without notice
Original ‘Dig Tree’
Menindee Lake at sunset