The Gulf Savannah “Pioneer” is an 11 day all overland camping safari along the Savannah Way between Cairns and Darwin through a land of real outback characters, bush pubs and wild yarns, wedge-tailed eagles and wallaroos, hot springs and cool rivers, and a rich history of Aboriginal culture, explorers and pioneers.
Highlights:
- Atherton Tableland
- Undara Lava Tubes
- Georgetown, Croydon, Normanton, Karumba
- Burke & Wills Camp #119
- “Plains of Promise”
- Leichhardt Falls
- Burketown
- Lawn Hill National Park
- Riversleigh Fossil Fields
- Borroloola
- Butterfly Springs
- Limmen National Park & “Lost City”
- Limmen, Cox & Towns Rivers
- Roper Bar
- Elsey Cemetery & Mataranka Hot Springs
- Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park
2014 Departures
Cairns to Darwin – GS11CDC: June 9
** This tour also goes in reverse – Darwin to Cairns
Rates are per person, inclusive of GST, and in AUD$. Rates are valid until 31 March 2015
Twin Share: $3,295.00
Single Share: $3,545.00
Child (7-14): $3,195.00
Inclusions:
- All meals as coded in the itinerary
- Camping equipment except for sleeping bags
- All National Parks and Aboriginal Site fees
- Coach between Katherine and Darwin
Exclusions:
- All soft and alcoholic drinks
- Optional tours
The tour is not suitable for children under 7 years of age, a fuel levy of $40.00 per person is payable on board.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1 (LD): Atherton Tableland’s Curtain Fig Tree and “The Crater” National Park. Undara Lava Tubes tour (optional). Camp at Undara.
Day 2 (BL): Gulf towns of Mt Surprise, Georgetown, Croydon, and Normanton, home of the “Gulflander” en route to camp at Karumba.
Day 3 (BLD): “Plains of Promise”, Burke & Wills camp #119, Leichhardt Falls, and Burketown en route to camp at Escott Barramundi Lodge.
Day 4 (BLD): Mitchell Grass plains, spinifex-clad ranges, and the inviting Gregory River on our way to Lawn Hill National Park, our two-night camp.
Day 5 (BLD): A leisurely day in Lawn Hill National Park and a tour of the World Heritage-listed Riversleigh Fossil Fields (optional).
Day 6 (BLD): Across the vast expanse of Lawn Hill cattle station to the Queensland Road, now the “Savannah Way”, once used by the legendary “Overlanders”. On past Hell’s Gate, we cross into the Northern Territory to a bush camp at the Robinson River, a favorite spot of “The Bush Tucker Man”.
Day 7 (BLD): Continue west to Borroloola, an infamous frontier town, for supplies then on to Butterfly Springs for two nights.
Day 8 (BLD): Limmen National Park to see spectacularly carved sandstone pillars known as “Lost City” formations. Return to Butterfly Springs camp.
Day 9 (BL): On to remote Roper Bar, where explorer Ludwig Leichhardt crossed in 1845. On to Mataranka Hot Springs to camp.
Day 10 (BLD): Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park to bushwalk or enjoy a cruise up the famous gorge (optional). Camp in the National Park.
Day 11 (BL): Farewell this morning as you board your coach (included) bound for Darwin.
Meal Codes: B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner