Come together for an unforgettable journey of exploration in Queensland’s outback. Some of us will fly to Brisbane and board the Spirit of the Outback, settling into our Gold Class sleeper cabins as the train gently rolls westward. As cityscapes give way to open plains, we watch the scenery shift from lush farmland to rugged bushland and vast, sunlit horizons. We enjoy lunch and dinner onboard, relax in the lounge, and soak up the charm of classic rail travel. Others will join us on Day 2 in Longreach after flying from Sydney to Brisbane and connecting onward.

Overnight: Spirit of the Outback – Gold Class sleeper
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

After a restful night aboard the Spirit of the Outback, we spend the day watching the scenery unfold—rolling plains and red earth revealing Queensland’s heart. By late afternoon, we arrive in Longreach, meet our coach and fellow travellers and settle into Saltbush Retreat. This evening, we head to the Qantas Founders Museum for our Business Class evening experience, where aviation history is brought to life in an immersive night setting. We share dinner together and look forward to exploring more on Day 3.

Overnight: Saltbush Retreat, Longreach
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch (train only), Dinner

This morning we step inside the School of Distance Education, discovering how outback children learn from home through radio and online lessons. We meet the dedicated teachers who keep remote communities connected. After morning tea, we visit the iconic Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, where we enjoy a short film and a captivating live show celebrating Australia’s pioneering spirit, followed by time to explore the museum galleries. Later, we browse the Station Store before returning to relax and dine together.

Overnight: Saltbush Retreat, Longreach
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we experience the spirit of the pioneers at Nogo Station, riding in an open-top double-decker overland bus across the outback to explore a working cattle property. We visit historic shearing sheds, hear the Merino wool story, see Brahman cattle, camels, horses and wild donkeys, and join the station’s “water run” checking stock water supplies. After lunch, we return to the Qantas Founders Museum, where we take a guided airpark tour of iconic aircraft—including the Boeing 747 and vintage Qantas planes—exploring interactive exhibits that trace the birth of Australian aviation. As dusk falls, we board our Starlight Cruise along the Thomson River, enjoying a riverside dinner, campfire stories, bush poetry, and the magic of the outback night.

Overnight: Saltbush Retreat, Longreach
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we farewell Longreach and travel to Winton, stopping for morning tea before exploring the Waltzing Matilda Centre. This world-class museum honours Banjo Paterson’s timeless ballad and the Australian bush spirit. We enjoy lunch before heading to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils. We explore the fascinating laboratory and Dinosaur Canyon, walking among ancient landscapes. Tonight, we settle into our accommodation and share dinner in Winton’s welcoming country atmosphere.

Overnight: North Gregory Hotel, Winton
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we journey to the extraordinary Dinosaur Stampede National Monument at Lark Quarry, where over 3,000 fossilised footprints reveal the dramatic moment dinosaurs stampeded across the ancient mudflats. After morning tea and time to marvel at this prehistoric site, we return to Winton for lunch. This afternoon, we visit local icons including the Musical Fence and the Birthplace of Qantas, before enjoying some free time to wander in town. Tonight, we dine together and may catch a film beneath the stars at the historic Royal Open Air Theatre.

Overnight: North Gregory Hotel, Winton
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We depart Winton and travel to Hughenden, stopping at the Flinders Discovery Centre to learn about ancient inland seas and see the impressive Muttaburrasaurus replica. Over a picnic lunch at the scenic Eco Walk on Flinders, we stroll through interpretive trails showcasing local flora and fossils. This afternoon, we visit landmarks including the Hughenden Recreational Lake and Coolibah Tree, before climbing to the Mount Walker Lookouts for a stunning outback sunset. We end the day with a relaxed dinner and restful evening.

Overnight: The Royal Hotel, Hughenden

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we head to Richmond, stopping for morning tea before visiting Kronosaurus Korner, one of Australia’s premier marine fossil museums, where we uncover the secrets of ancient creatures that once swam in the inland sea. After lunch, we enjoy a leisurely heritage walk and visit the Cambridge Heritage Centre, discovering local pioneer history. We then return to Hughenden for a relaxed afternoon before sharing dinner together and reflecting on the incredible prehistoric stories of Outback Queensland.

Overnight: The Royal Hotel, Hughenden

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We set out early, travelling north through striking outback scenery. A stop at Porcupine Gorge Lookout offers breathtaking views over the “Little Grand Canyon” and morning tea amid nature’s splendour. We continue through The Lynd, where we enjoy a simple lunch break, before arriving at Undara Discovery Park, nestled within ancient volcanic landscapes. The afternoon is free to settle in or enjoy a gentle bushwalk before gathering for a hearty dinner surrounded by the tranquillity of the savannah.

Overnight: Undara Discovery Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We begin with a traditional bush breakfast under the gum trees, then join the Archway Explorer Tour to explore Undara’s incredible lava tubes. These giant caverns were formed by volcanic eruptions over 190,000 years ago. Afterward, we take the Kalkani Crater Rim Walk, soaking in panoramic views of the vast landscape. Following lunch, there’s time to unwind or take short bushwalks before our Wildlife at Sunset Tour, where we watch wallabies and birds emerge in the golden light before enjoying dinner together.

Overnight: Undara Discovery Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We journey to Forsayth and onward to the breathtaking Cobbold Gorge, a hidden natural wonder of narrow sandstone walls carved by centuries of water. On our guided Cobbold Gorge Tour, we glide through the gorge’s serene waterways and stroll the glass bridge for incredible views. After a delicious lunch, the afternoon is free to relax in this peaceful setting before sharing dinner and conversation beneath the stars.

Overnight: Latara Motel, Georgetown

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we journey through the lush Atherton Tablelands, pausing at Pinnarendi Station Café before visiting the spectacular Millaa Millaa Falls, where a picnic lunch awaits beside cascading waters. We continue to the ancient Cathedral Fig Tree, a towering natural marvel draped in vines and history. From here, we follow winding rainforest roads that gradually descend toward the coast, the air growing warmer and the vegetation shifting from dense canopy to tropical palms. By afternoon, we arrive in vibrant Cairns, settling into our waterfront hotel. This evening, we gather for a memorable farewell dinner, celebrating the friendships and discoveries shared on our outback adventure.

Overnight: Shangri-La Hotel, Cairns

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our final morning begins with breakfast before a spectacular journey aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway, winding through rainforest-clad mountains and cascading waterfalls. We return to Cairns via the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, gliding above the treetops for a fitting finale to our journey. With hearts full of memories and a deeper connection to Queensland’s outback and ancient past, we transfer to the airport to begin our journey home.

Meals Included: Breakfast