Heritage Tours
P.O. Box 3059, CAIRNS, Queensland 4870, Australia
Toll Free: 1800 77 55 33
Tel (07) 4054 7750. Fax: (07) 4054 7760
Email: Info@heritagetours.com.au
16 DAY BRISBANE TO ALICE SPRINGS
CAMPING SAFARI
INCLUDES BIRDSVILLE, COOPER PEDY, AYERS ROCK


HIGHLIGHTS:
  • St. George
  • Thargomindah
  • Tibooburra
  • Camerons Corner
  • Innamincka
  • Birdsville
  • Cooper Pedy
  • Dalhousie Springs
  • Finke National Park
  • Ayers Rock
  • Olgas
  • Kings Canyon
  • Glen Helen Gorge
Legend; B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

DAY 1 BRISBANE – ST. GEORGE (LD)

After an early start we depart Brisbane and travel 520 kilometers to St. George.

DAY 2 ST. GEORGE – THARGOMINDAH (BLD)

Enroute to Thargomonida we stop off for a short visit to the opal mining field at Yowah and the Date Farm at Eulo.

DAY 3 THARGOMINDAH – TIBOOBURRA (BLD)

Leaving Thargominda behind, we travel on to the small township of Tibooburra. Tibooburra first came alive when gold was discovered in the area in the late 1800's. The town thrived until a lack of water hindered the gold mining industry in the early 1900's. Water they say became more valuable than gold itself!

DAY 4 TIBOOBURRA – CAMERONS CORNER - INNAMINCKA (BLD)

We depart Tibooburra this morning to venture into the vast Sturt National Park. We make our way west through the park to a place called Cameron Corner, where it is possible to stand in NSW, QLD and SA all at the same time! After enjoying some lunch at the Corner Store we continue heading west towards the Strzelecki Track and then onto the village of Innamincka, to enjoy a refreshing beer at the Innamincka Pub. Overnight camping near the pub.

DAY 5 INNAMINCKA - BIRDSVILLE (BLD)

This morning we take the Cordillo downs track passing through Cordillo Downs, this Station was first taken up in 1875, when it was known as Cardilla, by John Frazer from Victoria. We visit the shearing shed built in the 1880s, with stands for 120 shearers and the famous Birdsville race track on our way to the famous Birdsville Hotel for two nights, with laundry facilities.

DAY 6 BIRDSVILLE (BD)

AWe spend the day taking in the sights of this town that is so much a part of Australia's history. Birdsville came to importance in the 1880s when the drovers and station owners in western Queensland realised that moving cattle through the Channel country and down the Birdsville Track to the railhead at Marree was the most efficient way to transport cattle to the coastal markets.

DAY 7 BIRDSVILLE – MUNGARANNIE – CLAYTON STATION (BLD)

Heading south along the Birdsville track we call in to Mungerannie the site of a government well for watering stock which dates back to 1883 on our way to Clayton Station first settled on the Birdsville Track in 1938. The family has set up a camping ground, in a creek setting on the property complete with a bush shower, bush spa and flushing amenities.

DAY 8 CLAYTON – MARREE - WILLIAM CREEK (BLD)

Today sees us travelling to Marree a fascinating old settlement on the edge of the vast desert area of Central Australia. Then through Muloorina Station to Lake Eyre where Donald Campbell's World land speed record attempt took place, in1963 then via the Oodnadatta track to William Creek for two nights. Basic camp with facilities

DAY 9 WILLIAM CREEK – COOPER PEDY (BLD)

Your choice today of an optional scenic flight over Lake Eyre, the painted hills, the mysterious Marree man, before continuing on to Cooper Pedy Opal Capital of the World'. Opals were first found at Coober Pedy in 1915, and since then has been supplying the world with the majority of gem quality opal, we get a real feel of the lifestyle by spending two nights in an underground bunkhouse.

DAY 10 COOPER PEDY (B)

Many of Cooper Pedy's 3,500 plus residents live underground to escape the summer temperatures that can soar to 54 degrees Celsius. Explore the world's largest opal field from which two-thirds of Australia's opals are drawn. Alternatively watch the skilled opal cutters and polishers prepare the colourful stones for sale. Overnight in underground bunk house at Cooper Pedy.

DAY 11 COOPER PEDY - OODNADATTA - DALHOUSIE SPRINGS (BLD)

Today we travel to Oodnadatta, visiting the Pink Road house and the railway museum before branching off to our camp at Dalhousie springs for two nights. Basic camp with facilities.

DAY 12 DALHOUSIE SPRINGS - FINKE - LAMBERT CENTRE OF AUSTRALIA (BLD)

 We continue on the Oodnandatta track visiting sites of the historical Ghan rail way to reach our over night stay at the very centre of Australia. Bush camp.

DAY 13 LAMBERT CENTRE - OLGAS - AYERS ROCK (BLD)

 Explore the Olgas on a Valley of the Winds walk, approximately 4 hours. Late afternoon we enjoy the sunset over the Ayers Rock. Overnight camping at Ayers Rock Resort Camp ground.

DAY 14 AYERS ROCK - KINGS CANYON (BLD)

Watch the sunrise over the Rock and then climb or walk around the base, before we travel on to Kings Canyon.

DAY 15 KINGS CANYON - GLEN HELEN GORGE (BLD)

An early morning start enables us to explore Kings Canyon with 2 walks. A 6 kilometre rim walk of the Canyon and a 1 kilometre base walk. Early afternoon we head on the Menindee Loop road to Glen Helen Gorge.

DAY 16 GLEN HELEN GORGE - ALICE SPRINGS (BL)

Today we explore the Glen Helen Gorge, Redbank Gorge and Standley Chasm all part of the Western Mc Donnel Ranges before our last stretch to Alice Springs.

16 DAY BRISBANE TO ALICE SPRINGS SAFARI

CAMPING .............. $ 3,550

2010 Departure Dates:
MAY 17 (FULLY BOOKED)

Due to popular demand we have another departure date on April 28,
departing from Alice Springs and finishing in Brisbane.
Only 12 seats left.

Heritage Tours, Cairns, Australia