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Overview
Malanda Return
Delve deep into the Gulf Savannah region of north Queensland by 4WD on this Small Group Tour with a maximum of just 18 guests. Visit Talaroo Hot Springs and take a sunset cruise on the Gulf of Carpentaria. Visit Normanton Station, cruise through rugged Cobbold Gorge, and explore the unique and mysterious Undara Lava Tubes.
Journey:
Departs & Returns to Cairns
Difficulty:
Medium
Group Size:
18
Tour Code:
TGTOCK8
Itinerary
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1 Day 1: Arrive Cairns, Malanda
Leave Cairns early this morning and head to Atherton Tablelands. The first stop is to visit the Malanda Falls Visitor Centre, an environmental education centre with interpretive interactive displays on the unique Tableland volcanic region, as well as the connection to country of the local Ndgaonji people. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to choose from a self-guided walk, seeing the rare Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo, or going swimming.
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2 Day 2: Mount Surprise, Georgetown
Discover the unique Talaroo Hot Springs, where water emerges from underground at up to a scorching 68 degrees Celsius, flowing into steaming pools and terraces which support an ecosystem of aquatic animals and plants found nowhere else in the world. The water that rises to the surface fell as rain an astonishing 20,000 years ago in the nearby Newcastle Range. Later, you head to Georgetown and check in to your accommodation.
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3 Day 3: Croydon, Karumba
Travel to Croydon and visit Lake Belmore. Continue to Karumba, where you will be treated to an Insider Experience.
Insider Experience – Karumba Sunset Cruise
Head out on a scenic cruise, and learn more about the town of Karumba, its history and the business of livestock exporting. Cruise out into the Gulf of Carpentaria to Sand Island, where you will indulge in a selection of local king prawns as the sun sets.
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4 Day 4: Karumba
This morning, you can choose to join a nature cruise which will see you venture out onto the gulf to see crocodiles and crabs, as well as do a spot of bird watching and feeding (additional expense). In the afternoon, visit the Les Wilson Barramundi Discovery Centre to learn all about this iconic fish. The centre is the only hatchery in the world to breed the Southern Gulf strain of barramundi.
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5 Day 5: Normanton, Forsayth
Visit Normanton Station and enjoy a self-guided heritage walk around the station precinct and museum. Built in 1889, the station is a treasure trove of history and architecture. Explore the vintage locomotives, carriages, heritage-listed buildings and gardens. Later, head to Georgetown and visit the TerrEstrial Centre, home to the Ted Elliott Mineral Collection, which brings together 4,500 mineral specimens from Australia and around the world.
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6 Day 6: Cobbold Gorge
Today, you explore rugged Cobbold Gorge, located on a private property amid a maze of sandstone formations. Learn about the mighty geological processes that formed the gorge, and in the afternoon, join a guided boat cruise. As your boat negotiates the narrow waterways between sheer rock walls, be on the lookout for freshwater crocodiles.
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7 Day 7: Undara, Mount Surprise
Discover the amazing 190,000-year-old Undara Lava Tubes, once described by Sir David Attenborough as the eighth wonder of the modern world.
Insider Experience – Undara Lava Tubes Tour
Embark on the Archway Explorer tour through the mysterious Undara Lava Tubes. Join a local guide and walk through sections of the underground tunnels formed during an ancient volcanic eruption.
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8 Day 8: Depart Cairns
On your return to Cairns, stop for lunch at Woodleigh Station, with its quintessential Australian bush location. Your journey ends on your arrival in Cairns.
- Itinerary, inclusions and pricing are subject to change
- Prices are for land tour only, flights not included unless specified
- Arrive before dinner on Day 1
- Depart after breakfast on final day
Availability
Additional Information
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Additional Information
Caravan Park Accommodation – Cairns
There are three Caravan Parks to choose from with limited storage options available at one of these properties. The Caravan Parks usually request a minimum stay of at least 4 nights pre/post tour to store your caravan/car/campervan/motorhome. Storage prices are anywhere from $20-$30 per night. These Caravan Parks are located all around the Cairns region and if applicable to your chosen tour itinerary your 4WD safari vehicle will either pick up or drop off at your chosen Caravan Park. We will provide you with these Caravan Park options once your selected tour booking has been confirmed. Should passengers choose to stay elsewhere, we can advise you which pick-up point is the closest to your chosen accommodation.Motel Accommodation – Cairns
We work with a local motel located in the Cairns CBD that offers quality, clean, and a range of good value room styles (see below). The room styles and inclusions can include free Wi-Fi, guest laundry, a swimming pool, and maybe luggage storage whilst you are on tour. Pick-up will be at the hotel or nearby. We’re happy to make the booking for you or we will give you the motel details, pick-up times, etc after you have booked your Gulf Savannah Tour. If your tour goes through to Darwin, we can also book accommodation in a similar price range that will be convenient for your trip.Travel Insurance
As a valued customer we are pleased to offer you the opportunity to purchase discounted travel insurance. It is HIGHLY recommended that passengers take out travel insurance or trip cancellation cover. As a valued customer we are pleased to offer you the opportunity to get a free no-obligation quote from NIB Travel Insurance.Credit Card Payments
Credit Card Customer Payment Link enter this link into your browser: pay.travelpay.com.au/AUSTCÂIf paying via the Customer Payment Link, please ensure you complete all fields and ensure you enter the correct Trip Reference Number, so we can identify your payment.
Credit card surcharges will apply when paying by credit card. We accept all credit cards and relevant credit card fee is applied when processing.
Direct Deposit
Direct Deposit payments take up to 3 business days to process. Please call your consultant to confirm bank details, and notify us when your payment has been made
Commonwealth Bank: Australian Tours and Cruises
Reference: Your Trip Number
BSB: 062-504 Account: 10## ##68
Branch Address: Shop 1/80-84 William St, Bathurst NSW 2795
In Bank Payment of Cash Or Cheque: Add $5 for bank fees
International Direct Deposit: Add $25 for bank fees
SWIFT or BIC CODE: CTBAAU2S -
Trip Reviews
Robyn & Russell
We would highly recommend this rail trip to anyone. From the Rain Forest to the outback of Far North Queensland this is an experience no one should miss! Superb scenery, Leigh & Will fantastic tour guides / rail-car drivers, excellent accommodation & good food. We will be booking another trip on Gulflander & Savannahlander hopefully if available for early next year. The pristine Cobbold Gorge was perhaps the highlight of our trip due to the serenity & picture-perfect gorge. Again, thanks Will & Leigh – will see you again.Sue, QLD, Australia
The small group, comfortable travel and easy support of the tour director and driver made the trip a happy experience for the participants. Each place visited had plenty to see and do with a range of interests catered for. Having nights free was a bonus for the range of people on the tour.
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