15-day Birdsville to Burketown and Longreach Tag-along Tour

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Escape the hectic pace of city life on this great Outback tour! These vast regions are a paradise for people with a spirit of adventure and a yearning to experience vastly different and unique parts of Australia. See the spectacular scenery, the red sand deserts, the stunning Flinders Ranges, the endless blue skies, the memorable sunsets and feel the hold of this timeless land. This is a leisurely tour through ancient landscapes and breathtaking scenery which will fill you with awe and leave you with lifelong memories.

DAY 1: BROKEN HILL - LYNDHURST

Depart Broken Hill, and head west into S.A. to Yunta, then north to the Flinders Ranges, past Leigh Creek coalfields and to overnight at Lyndhurst Campground (facilities). [Accommodation, meals available at the Lyndhurst Hotel-Motel if preferred.]

DAY 2: LYNDHURST - MARREE

Today’s journey is a short one to Marree, which is famous as the “camel capital” of Australia. It is also the starting point for two of the Outback’s most famous roads - the Birdsville and Oodnadatta Tracks. (Accommodation, meals available Marree Hotel if preferred.)

DAY 3: MARREE - BIRDSVILLE

Today head north, cross Cooper Creek floodplain on the famous Birdsville Track, continue along western edge of Sturt Stony Desert. Finally cross into Queensland, over the Diamantina River before reaching remote Birdsville. (Accommodation, meals available at the Birdsville Hotel-Motel if preferred.)

DAY 4: BIRDSVILLE

Morning tour of Birdsville, then head out to Simpson Desert, which is Australia’s only true sandhill desert with ridges up to 30 metres high. No trip to Birdsville would be complete without marvelling at “Big Red”, the huge sandhill that marks the eastern boundary of the Simpson Desert. The “dingo caves” is also on today’s itinerary.

Day 5: BIRDSVILLE - BOULIA

We travel through Bedourie, meaning “dust storm”, then continue north, over the Georgina, to Boulia (“Min Min Light” country). This eerie phenomenon has been baffling locals and travellers for years: many theories have been suggested to explain this mysterious light that appears on infrequent night sightings. Boulia is also renowned for the “Red Stump” - its answer to the Black Stump - which warns travellers of the dangers of the Simpson Desert. (Accommodation, meals available if preferred.)

Day 6: DIAMANTINA LAKES NATIONAL PARK

The country of far south-west Queensland stretches from horizon to horizon, broken only by the coolabah-lined channels of rivers and creeks. Diamantina was once a pastoral property of over 500,000 ha and was gazetted as a National Pk in 1992. This Park sweeps across highly weathered sandstone ridges in the east to the central floodplains of the Diamantina River. The Park offers great fishing, and is also home to approximately 180 species of birds!

Day 7: BOULIA - MT. ISA

From Boulia we travel through Dajarra before arriving at the famous mining town of Mt Isa late afternoon, our base for the next 2 nights (accommodation and meals available at a variety of Motels if preferred).

Day 8: MT. ISA

Day at leisure to explore this interesting City. Mt. Isa sits on the banks of the Leichhardt River and its mines are recognised as one of the world’s largest producers of silver, lead, copper and zinc.

Day 9: MT. ISA - ADELS GROVE

Today’s journey takes us to beautiful Adels Grove (approx. 340kms north-west of Mt. Isa), situated on Lawn Hill Creek and adjacent to the Lawn Hill National Park. It was originally gazetted in 1904 as a Miner’s Homestead Lease, and in 1920 Albert De Lestang took up the property as an experimental botanical garden – hence the name “Adel” from Albert’s initials. (If preferred accommodation may be available for the next two nights in pre-erected tents with beds and linen).

Day 10: ADELS GROVE - LAWN HILL NATIONAL PARK

Surrounded by miles of open plains Lawn Hill is a complete surprise with its incredible tropical beauty and abundant water. A profusion of Leichhardt Pines, Figs and Cabbage Palms grow throughout the gorge area. The creek, a deep and mysterious green colour, is home to tortoises and freshwater crocodiles. There are 20 kms of walking trails, and 2 Aboriginal sites can be accessed.

Day 11: ADELS GROVE - BURKETOWN

Travel to Burketown for the next 3 nights. Only 18kms west of Burketown, on the banks of the Nicholson River, this Lodge is part of a 700,000 acre cattle station. The 3 nights here allow you plenty of time for fishing, walking or just sitting and pondering! Spend the time how you wish ...

Day 12: BURKETOWN

Two days at leisure - just relax or go fishing!

Day 13: BURKETOWN

Day at leisure.

Day 14: BURKETOWN - CLONCURRY

Today we head south arriving in Cloncurry late afternoon. Explorer Burke named the river “Cloncurry” for his cousin. Then, in 1867, Ernest Henry (the town’s founder) came this way in search of grazing land, but instead discovered copper. (Meals, accommodation available if preferred.)

Day 15: CLONCURRY - LONGREACH

Heading south we pass through Winton, where Banjo Patterson wrote the words to “Waltzing Matilda”, and finish our journey at Longreach (on the Tropic of Capricorn) - home of QANTAS, the Stockman’s Hall of Fame and the Waltzing Matilda Centre. Final night group dinner hosted by your Guide (drinks not included.)