Rail and coach travel combine for a 16-night Queensland tour to shake off the winter blues next July.
The fully escorted tour from Travelrite, in conjunction with The Senior, features travel from Brisbane to Rockhampton on the Tilt Train; Townsville to Charters Towers on The Inlander; Longreach to Barcaldine onboard Spirit of the Outback; and Roma to Brisbane (optional) on The Westlander.
This rail and coach exploration begins at Brisbane's Roma Street Station where it's all aboard the Tilt Train. Travelling at speeds up to 160kph, it is one of the fastest trains in Australia and will have you disembarking in time for the welcome dinner in Rockhampton.
After a tour of Rockhampton, there will be time to familiarise yourself with Airlie Beach, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands. There's a cruise to Whitehaven Beach before some free time at Hamilton Island.
The tour then follows the coast to Townsville, with time to take in the vibe of this lively, dynamic town with its signature Federation-style architecture.
The following it's time to board The Inlander train bound for Charters Towers.
Once a booming gold rush town, Charters Towers has a fascinating history told in its museums, tours and colonial heritage architecture.
Richmond, a small outback town once part of Australia's vast inland sea, is the place to see fossil finds from the cretaceous-era at Kronosaurus Korner.
Later it's off to Mount Isa via Cloncurry. Built on the banks of the Leichhardt River, Mt Isa came into existence thanks to the huge mineral deposits in the area.
Today it is a bustling, cultural melting pot. The tour will explore the unique Hard Times Mine Underground Tour and the WWII Underground Hospital.
On the way to Winton there'll be a stop to have a beer at the Walkabout Creek Hotel as seen in the movie Crocodile Dundee. This is Banjo Paterson country that takes in the Combo Waterhole and The Waltzing Matilda Centre.
Winton is known for its fossilised past inhabitants such as dinosaur Elliot, who was discovered close by in 2002. Visitors will see the fossilised footprints of a 95 million-year-old dinosaur stampede at Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways.
At the next stop, Longreach, you'll discover the town's close association with the Australian airline while exploring the Qantas Founders Museum.
It's then back on the rails aboard the historic Spirit of the Outback from Longreach to Barcaldine, where there will be time to rest a little under the famous Tree of Knowledge.
In Charleville, the group will be treated to the Ultimate Bilby Experience and meet the cute but endangered little marsupials.
Roma is known for its bottle trees and famous heritage-listed courthouse. It's also the place where Harry Redford (otherwise known as Captain Starlight) was tried for cattle stealing in 1827.
From Roma you can choose how to head back to Brisbane - by rail overnight on the Westlander or head off by coach. Both routes will take you across the Darling Downs and the Great Dividing Range via Toowoomba.
Rail and Coach Exploration of Queensland, July 16-August 1, 2024; from $5990 per person twin share, $6490 single.
For more call 1800 630 343 or click HERE
