This itinerary is based on travelling Brisbane >> Cairns >> Brisbane.  There is also an option to start in Cairns. Please go to Best of the Coast for start dates from Cairns, and for the Cairns >> Brisbane >> Cairns itinerary please go to day 6, below.

DAY 1: SATURDAY
BRISBANE TO WARREMBA
Departing Brisbane at 7.30am this morning, our first destination will be the historical Jondaryan Woolshed. An interactive, rustic and charming outback sheep station, Jondaryan will give guests the chance to learn about (and participate) in sheep shearing and gain some insight into our old bush pioneers. Traditional Australian billy tea and damper bread will be served for lunch, and you will see how the pioneers prepared their staple damper with only flour, salt and water before cooking it in a huge cast iron pot over the coals of a bush campfire.  After a horse drawn wagon ride, we’ll make tracks for our evening destination at Warremba Farmstay, a privately owned cattle station. While your accommodation is cosy and comfortable cabins, you’ll enjoy an outback campfire meal and a talk under the stars. For those of you who haven’t yet travelled to outback Australia – you'll be amazed by the sheer vastness of the sky and stars.

DAY 2: SUNDAY
WARREMBA TO TAMBO VIA CARNARVON GORGE
This morning we’ll get going as early as possible, to ensure you see an outback sunrise and catch all the dawn wildlife on the hop. Most of our critters prefer the cool of the day - so this early start guarantees you an abundance of kangaroos, wallabies, birdlife and more on our short drive to the Carnarvon Gorge hiking trail.  Designed to be a very easy walk, Carnarvon Gorge boasts a sandy pathway that meanders between 150m high sandstone cliffs, giant gums, ancient palms, and over many rocky stream crossings. We'll spend a relaxing few hours exploring the flora and fauna, and highlights include the aboriginal rock art that has been preserved at the base of the sandstone cliffs. Patient and quiet folks may be rewarded with a sighting of the shy platypus. After our half day walk we’ll have a bite to eat, then travel 300km to Tambo via the Arcadia Valley. You’ll be amazed at the change in scenery through this 4WD stretch of country, which is reminiscent of the African savannah.  Tonight, Aussie hospitality will be a guaranteed at the tiny Tambo Pub, which was chosen for it's sheer authenticity. Tambo is full of interesting locals who see very few tourists, so expect a good laugh. Just don't expect the Hilton - all outback pubs are rustic and very basic.

DAY 3: MONDAY
TAMBO TO LONGREACH
Today guests can enjoy a well earned sleep-in, followed by a relaxed drive with plenty of stops for photography, strolls, etc on the way to Longreach. Travelling via the town of Blackall, you'll learn more about Australian heritage and the world’s most famous blade-shearer, Jackie Howe. The rest of the drive takes us via the tiny historical towns of Barcaldine and Ilfracombe. En route you'll see more dramatic changes in scenery and start to witness Australia’s famous outback gidgyea plains … endless flat rocky plains, with mulga and gidgyea scrub dotted throughout. Birdlife in the form of bustards and dancing grey brolgas is plentiful. Both of these birds are tall, elegant and iconic Queenslanders. After we arrive at the home of QANTAS (yes, Longreach!) and have some lunch, we’ll drop guests off at Queensland’s world renowned Stockman’s Hall of Fame where you can take your own time to browse and enjoy.  Interactive displays are on offer, and most guests thoroughly enjoy a three hour visit. This evening you are in for a special treat as we take a sunset cruise on the mighty Thomson river and enjoy some local entertainment around the campfire for dinner.

DAY 4: TUESDAY
LONGREACH TO HUGHENDEN VIA DINOSAUR TRACKS
This is an unexpected surprise today for many.  We travel 200km north to Winton, the home of Waltzing Matilda, before heading due west and out to the Lark Quarry dinosaur tracks. Yes indeed, this is the fossilized record of a dinosaur stampede, which your guide will explain thoroughly when you arrive. On the 4WD track to the site, you will once again be totally amazed by the way our outback landscapes can change so significantly in such a short time. Today your backdrop will be desert panoramas, with "red dirt blue sky" country that rivals the famous Territory and shimmering pale ghost gums. This is when you will truly realize how outback you really are. Mid-afternoon we leave our desert haven to head for our motel in the town of Hughenden for the evening.

DAY 5: WEDNESDAY
HUGHENDEN TO CAIRNS VIA PORCUPINE GORGE
This morning we’ll get going nice and early again to see more wildlife and another sunrise as we head 70km out to Porcupine Gorge. Back into thicker and denser scrub country today, we should see plenty of kangaroos and wallabies, and start to come across Queensland’s own cattle – the famous, very lovely Brahman. Our 1.2km morning hike is of medium difficulty and takes us down a rocky pathway to The Pyramid – a giant triangular red rock face in the depths of the gorge. The end is well worth the effort! You can immerse yourself in the cool rock pools, explore the caves and listen to the bird calls echoing in the gorge as you relax.  Afterwards, we’ll continue our journey through the lush and spectacular Brahman cattle country towards The Lynd Junction. This afternoon, prepare for the most radical change of all as we make the transition from red dirt to green rolling hills and Fresian dairy cattle. The Atherton Tablelands are reminiscent of Ireland and are the path that leads us into our home for the night, Cairns. We suggest you prepare yourselves for a little bit of a culture shock – get ready to change from boots to flip-flops and festivities for the next 7 days!

DAY 6: THURSDAY
CAIRNS – FREE DAY
Today you can relax and be totally self-indulgent –  set your own pace and enjoy your free day sampling some of the many delights Cairns has to offer. Some folk love to disappear to the local lagoon, others choose a little retail therapy and a few just have a good rest. For those who want more, we can recommend and easily arrange a variety of activites for you as an add-on to your tour:

• Cape Tribulation Safaris – 1 day 4WD tours (from $145)
• White Water Rafting – at Tully (from $150)
• Skydiving – drop in on Cairns from above (from $250)
• Karunda – day rail & skyrail tours (prices vary)

NOTE: passengers wishing to do the 13 day tour starting in CAIRNS and travelling CAIRNS >> BRISBANE >> CAIRNS join us this evening and check in for their first night's accommodation. Your itinerary will begin from today and continue through until day 5 of the outback sector.

DAY 7: FRIDAY
DAY TRIP – GREAT BARRIER REEF – SNORKEL
Well, just about everyone has well and truly heard about the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and the East Coast … and now you’re going to see what all the hype is about. After a 6.30am breakfast with your crew, we make our way to the water and board our vessel for the day. With maximum groups of 28, this is a nice personal trip that ensures lots of personal attention. The dive crew will take you approximately 1.5 hours out from the coastline onto a couple of different snorkelling locations on the outer Great Barrier Reef. (Intro + Certified divers can choose to upgrade and do a more advanced dive at their own cost.) From colourful clown (Nemo) fish, turtles, and parrot fish to octopus and more – the reef is invariably a visual delight. Taking along an underwater camera is a great idea today.

DAY 8: SATURDAY
TRAVEL DAY TO AIRLIE BEACH
Today is a driving day that takes us over many miles of picturesque coastline on our way south to Airlie Beach. We’ll go via the quaint tiny village of Mission Beach in the morning or alternatively via Jourama Falls for a stretch and a swim (time depending). After lunch we’ll head through Townsville and Bowen and get into Airlie Beach as the sun sets. You'll get a hint as to why this bohemian village is renowned as Queensland’s coastal playground when we drive in past the glimmering yachts and festive crowd … Tonight, enjoy a top quality meal and a drink at the famous Beaches Hotel, right in the heart of Airlie Beach.

DAY 9: SUNDAY
OCEAN RAFTING – AIRLIE BEACH
See Airlie by day ... and then by ocean today, as we head out with a guaranteed small group on the well reputed, adventure packed Ocean Rafting boats. Giant rubber boats with twin outboard engines, these machines literally fly over the waves and give you a "three days in one" tour around the group of small islands that make up the Whitsundays. A snorkelling tour is included, as is a picnic lunch and relaxing afternoon at world famous Whitehaven Beach. Tonight, join the crew for some festivities and relaxing – a good way to get in the mood for your day off tomorrow. Make sure you have a camera ready, as the whole day is filled with picture perfect scenery.

DAY 10: MONDAY
AIRLIE BEACH – AGNES WATER / 1770
Today we head further south of Airlie Beach, aiming to get to the historical area of Agnes Water/ 1770 by mid afternoon. Agnes Water is home to the first surf beach heading south and is a great place to learn to surf. Hire a surf board this afternoon or just relax and explore this beautiful and relatively untouched region before our BBQ tonight.

DAY 11: TUESDAY
AGNES WATER TO SUSAN RIVER HOMESTEAD

After a leisurely departure we head via Bundaberg to Susan River Homestead situated between Hervey Bay and Maryborough. This lovely ranch style resort adds a tranquil rural touch to your tour. You will have free use of the tennis courts, swimming pool and cinema room as well as access to explore the entire farm. (2 hour scenic horse rides are also available, as an optional extra)

DAY 12 & 13: WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY
FRASER ISLAND 2 DAY FULLY GUIDED 4WD TOUR
The next two days are often the pinnacle of the 13 day tour. Your 4WD terrain bus will collect you at around 8am and you will travel with a group no larger than 20 for two days. The bus will take you on the barge from the mainland onto Fraser Island and your official island tour should begin at around 9.00am. Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island and stretches for some 170km of flat, glorious, golden sand and rolling surf.  Tour buses and any kind of vehicle you can imagine use these sand highways, and it’s not uncommon for a plane to descend out of the sky and land either! Many travellers find this an altogether unique and fun experience, as the island has a very casual and festive atmosphere. Also, the scenery is extremely diverse: in addition to the beachfront, the island has huge forest areas, utterly magnificent freshwater lagoons and rolling desert dunes to explore. Famous Fraser icons such as the dingo may be seen and, from July through October, travelling pods of whales are a common sight. High vantage points at Indian Head allows a full survey of the surf below, and you might be lucky enough to spot lurking sharks or dolphins. Whatever you do get to see, these two days are always so visually spectacular you're guaranteed a memorable trip. Accommodation on your tour is cute and cosy 2-share cabins. The tour will finish at approximately 3pm on day 2, when we’ll leave for the mainland and head for Brisbane. Our arrival time of 6.00pm is subject to variation, so please keep this in mind if you have flights etc to book.