Cairns, Townsville Outback Qld & Brisbane

DAY 1

ALBURY - CAIRNS WEDNESDAY 30TH JULY, 2025
Welcome to a wonderful experience with Martins Travel Albury for our 11 Day Tour featuring Tropical Townsville and Outback Queensland. Group to assemble at Albury Airport at 11.30am for departure at 12.40pm on Flight QF1970 to Brisbane, where we change planes and connect with Flight QF1886 to Cairns arriving 4.00pm. On arrival we are met by our local touring coach and transferred to our lovely accommodation at the Pacific Hotel, taking in the local sights along the way. Our hotel is perfectly located on the Esplanade, and only a short walk to the Cairns Esplanade.
Accommodation: Pacific Hotel (2 nights) Cairns Ph (07) 4051 7888

DAY 2

CAIRNS SIGHTSEEING THURSDAY 31ST JULY
We have a totally free day today to relax, explore the town and shops. If you would like to take an optional day trip to to Kuranda on Skyrail returning on the Kuranda Scenic Railway or a Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Cruise, our office can arrange this.
Great Barrier Reef & Green Island Cruise $325.00 pp (Guide only—subject to change)
Full Day Sky Rail & Kuranda Scenic Railway $215.00 pp (Guide only—subject to change)

DAY 3

CAIRNS TO TOWNSVILLE FRIDAY 1ST AUGUST
All aboard this morning, as we catch the Spirit of Queensland Train at 8.30am for a delightful journey south to Townsville. Townsville is in the dry tropics region of Queensland and is the largest urban centre north of the Sunshine Coast. Townsville hosts a significant number of governmental, community and major business administrative offices for the northern half of the state. However, it’s not all work - popular attractions include “The Strand”, a long tropical beach and garden strip; Riverway, a riverfront parkland attraction located on the banks of Ross River, the Museum of Tropical Queensland, built around a display of relics from the sunken British warship HMS Pandora; and Magnetic Island, a large neighbouring island, the vast majority of which is national park. We are met on arrival by our local coach operator who will transfer us to our accommodation.
Accommodation: Hotel Grand Chanceller (2 Nights) Townsville Ph: (07) 4729 2000

DAY 4

MAGNETIC ISLAND SATURDAY 2ND AUGUST
We’re off the explore Magnetic Island today. The island was first discovered by Captain Cook who called it Magnetical Island because he believed that ore on the island affected his compass. Cook’s concerns seem to have been unjustified as subsequent tests have shown no magnetising qualities in the islands predominate granite boulders. The island is two thirds protected National Park, situated in the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park so it has an abundance of wildlife and nature. We take a bus tour of the island and stop for lunch before the return ferry service takes us back to Townsville.

DAY 5

CHARTERS TOWERS SUNDAY 3RD AUGUST
Leaving the coast we head towards Charters Towers to visit the legendary Texas Longhorns! The Texas Longhorn Safari is the perfect way to see up close and learn the fascinating history of these historical and spectacular cattle. They are direct descendants of the millions of Texas Longhorns that walked in the great trail herds from Texas in the late 1800's. Our morning also includes the JR Gallery of Horns Museum tour, morning smoko and a BBQ lunch.  We then continue to Charters Towers for a look around town, followed by a visit to the Venus Gold Battery for a real insight into the gold rush era.  Following our touch of gold fever, we check into our Charters Towers Motel.
Accommodation: Cattlemans Rest Motor Inn Charters Towers Ph: (07) 4787 3555

DAY 6

CHARTERS TOWERS - WINTON MONDAY 4TH AUGUST
This morning, we make our way to Hughenden and visit the Flinders Discovery Centre. The Hughenden and Winton area was once a prehistoric inland sea and has been the site of many Fossil and Dinosaur discoveries. Here we see “Hughie”, the seven-metre tall Muttaburrasaurus, and an impressive fossil collection. We have an early lunch in Hughenden and arrive in Winton this afternoon. It was here, that Banjo Paterson wrote his famous poem about the swagman and jolly jumbuck and “Waltzing Matilda” was heard for the first time in the North Gregory Hotel. We visit the Waltzing Matilda Centre, the only museum in the world dedicated to a song. The world-class museum and art gallery focus is on the Australian landscape, channel country, the women of the homesteads and livestock/wool industries of the outback.
Accommodation: North Gregory Hotel Winton Ph: (07) 4657 0647

DAY 7

LONGREACH TUESDAY 5TH AUGUST
Leaving Winton, we now make our way to Longreach and arrive at the Outback Pioneers Station Store. We can have some free time to look through the store before the Harry Redford Old Time Tent Show whilst enjoying our Billy Can lunch. Based on the traditional outback travelling shows, it’s hard not to be charmed by the simple delights of bush theatre. The Harry Redford Old Time Tent Show tells a fictional story set in the time of Harry Redford (Captain Starlight) and refers to his infamous adventures. After the show we can enjoy tea, coffee and scones from the Welcome Home Café, then we head to our hotel and enjoy some free time. Tonight, we enjoy a sunset cruise and dinner on the banks of the Thomson River - a timeless waterhole. Relax on the top deck of the Longreach Explorer and take in 360 degree views of the Thomson River. Enjoy entertaining and informative commentary detailing river and cultural stories. Unwind with complimentary nibbles platters and purchase drinks from the licensed onboard cash bar. As the sunset fades into starlight, we dock at Smithy’s Outback Dinner & Show for a night of great food and live entertainment under the stars. There will be an open fire and bush poetry. It will be a fantastic night.
Accommodation: Longreach Motor Inn (2 Nights) Longreach Ph: (07) 4658 2322

DAY 8

LONGREACH WEDNESDAY 6TH AUGUST
This morning is a special experience as we get an insight into the area through the eyes of local graziers and pioneer families. We meet the owners of a local property called Rosebank Station and learn about their operations while enjoying morning tea in the homestead. Late morning we arrive at the iconic Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame to experience the Outback Stockman’s Show. The show encompasses the modern day aspects of being a stockman, as well as telling the tales of the past. This afternoon we will be visiting the QANTAS Founders Museum. The Museum tells the story of Qantas from the early days in Outback Queensland to present day. Displays focus on the founding figures of Qantas, life in Outback Queensland in the 1920s and the advancement and impact of aviation in Australia and the world. Included in our visit is a tour of the Boeing 747, 707 and DC-3 aircraft showing you features such as the Lavatory Service Hatch, Traffic Collision Avoidance System, Flight Recorders (the Black Box) and many other systems. We have dinner back at the Hotel before returning to the QANTAS Founders Museum for the nightly Luminescent Longreach Tour, a spectacular light and sound experience where the story of Qantas is projected onto the mighty Boeing 747.

DAY 9

LONGREACH—BRISBANE ‘Spirit of the Outback’ THURSDAY 7TH AUGUST
We have an early breakfast and make our way to the Longreach Railway Station where we depart on the Spirit of the Outback train. From the comfort of our seat, watch as the scenery morphs into rugged terrain as the train takes us on the 1,300 km journey from Longreach to Brisbane. The train offers a unique insight into the history and culture of early Australia, combined with interesting commentary, a social atmosphere and an authentic dining experience. The daylight journey will allow us to enjoy the magical colours and landscape of Outback Queensland as the train snakes its way across the top of the Drummond Range to then arrive into Rockhampton whilst darkness falls.
Overnight: Spirit of the Outback Train (cabins)

DAY 10

BRISBANE FRIDAY 8TH AUGUST
Waking to the clickety clack of our train travelling along the coast, we enjoy breakfast onboard before arriving in Brisbane late morning. From the Roma Street Train station, we now head to Newstead House for lunch followed by a tour. Newstead House was once the finest home in the colony of Moreton Bay, boasting a reputation for hosting lavish parties, it was considered the place to be – the heart of Brisbane’s social life. Built in 1846, it is now Brisbane’s oldest standing European residence and tells the story of early colonial life in Brisbane. To finish our day of local sightseeing in Brisbane we head to the best views of Brisbane from the Mount Cootha Lookout.
Accommodation: Hotel Grand Chanceller Brisbane Ph: (07) 3831 4055

DAY 11

BRISBANE - ALBURY SATURDAY 9TH AUGUST
Unfortunately our adventure is coming to an end. Today we head to Brisbane Airport for direct Flight QF1971 departing 9.55am, arriving in Albury at 11.55am with fantastic memories of Outback Queensland. What a fabulous holiday we’ve had!

TOUR COST

$6750.00 Per Person Twin / Double
$7680.00 Single Supplement

INCLUDES

· Economy Flights Albury / Brisbane / Cairns and return Brisbane / Albury
· Luxury Coach Travel
· Accommodation on basis as booked
· ‘Spirit of Queensland’ Day Journey
· ‘Spirit of the Outback’ - Overnight Journey Twin Sleepers & Singles Available
· Meals as indicated on itinerary
· Entrances to attractions and cruises as per itinerary
· Goods & Services Tax

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, MT=Morning Tea