ESCORTED HOLIDAY - Tropics to the Outback

13 nights ex Melbourne

Join Shirley Tamm on one of her Australian Escorted Holidays.

Departs MELBOURNE on 14th July 2012

INCLUSIONS:

» Air travel Melbourne to Cairns
» 3 nights in Cairns
» Full day Kuranda Classic Experience
» Rail travel in Queenslander Class on The Sunlander, Cairns to Brisbane
» 3 nights in Brisbane
» Brisbane River Cruise Lunch
» Rail travel in a First Class Sleeper on the Spirit of the Outback, Brisbane to Longreach
» 3 nights in Longreach
» 1 night in Winton
» Touring ex Longreach as specified
» Rail travel in a First Class Sleeper on the Spirit of the Outback, Longreach to Brisbane
» 13 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches and 9 Dinners
» Air travel, Brisbane to Melbourne
» Transfers as specified

SAT Melbourne to Cairns
Today you will join your flight to Cairns. On arrival you will be transferred to your accommodation. Overnight: Mantra on the Esplanade, 3 nights (D)

SUN Kuranda
Today you will be taken on a full day Kuranda Experience. Highlights will include gliding above the rainforest canopy on the Skyrail Cableway, leisurely exploring Kuranda, before returning to Cairns aboard the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway. (B)

MON Cairns
Today is free at your leisure to explore Cairns, wander around this beautiful city or take one of the many optional day tours. (B)

TUE Cairns to Brisbane
This morning you will be transferred to the Cairns Station to join the Sunlander. Relax and enjoy the stunning scenery in your Queenslander Class cabin. Overnight: The Sunlander (BLD)

WED Brisbane
Arrive Brisbane this afternoon, a short walk to our accommmodation near the station. Overnight: Holiday Inn Brisbane, 3 nights (BLD)

THU Brisbane River Cruise
Morning at your leisure before joining your Lunch Cruise of Brisbane River. Sit back and relax onboard the Kookaburra Queen, whilst enjoying a beautiful 3 course lunch. (BL)

FRI Brisbane
Today is free for you to explore Brisbane, perhaps take an optional day tour to the Australia Zoo or take a stroll to Southbank. (B)

SAT Brisbane to Longreach
Depart Brisbane this afternoon onboard the Spirit of the Outback, sit back & relax in your First Class Sleeper. Overnight: Spirit of the Outback (BD)

SUN Longreach
Arrive in Longreach this afternoon, enjoy real outback hospitality with the Camden Park Sunset Cattle Station Tour followed by Cattleman’s Bar and Grill dinner. Overnight: Longreach (BLD)

MON Winton
Today your touring will take you to the Longreach School of the Air, before continuing onto Winton. You will visit the multi-award winning Waltzing Matilda Centre. Time to relax this afternoon before ‘The Ultimate Progressive Dinner & Winton Welcome’. Take a short drive into the majestic mesa country to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs for a delicious barbeque dinner, followed by a very unique dessert! Overnight: Winton (BLD)

TUE Longreach
Today you will venture to Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways; step back in time, and witness the only recorded Dinosaur Stampede on the planet. Tour the working sheep and cattle station, Carisbrooke Station. Travel back to Longreach this afternoon, before enjoying the magic of an exclusive dining experience in the Qantas Founders Museum. Overnight: Longreach, 2 nights (BLD)

WED Longreach
Today you will learn about the challenges of working and living on the land first hand from local graziers Bevan and Maree Pearce at Strathmore Station. Explore the RM Williams Heritage Gardens and Cottage. Soak up great Australian stories at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame. Enjoy some leisure time this afternoon, and tonight join a cruise at sunset on Longreach’s timeless waterhole. Then, around the camp fire be entertained whilst savouring
the traditional flavours of our Outback-themed dinner. (BLD)

THU Longreach to Brisbane
An early start this morning as you board the Spirit of the Outback for your return rail journey to Brisbane. Overnight: Spirit of the Outback (BLD)

FRI Brisbane to Melbourne
Arrive in Brisbane this morning. You will make your way to the Airport for your flight home to Melbourne.

AUD COST PER PERSON	ADULT	SENIOR
Twin Share	$5406	$5076
Single Room	$6404	$6074

SHIRLEY TAMM is a well known travel identity and tour host who has been working in the travel industry for over 30 years. Most recently Shirley has worked for Great Southern Rail (The Ghan, Indian Pacific and the Overland) promoting the romance and enjoyment of rail travel on these iconic trains. Prior to this, she was State Manager for 14 years, with well known international coach company, Trafalgar Tours. Shirley easily develops relationships with people of all ages and has enjoyed escorting numerous groups of travelers both within Australia and overseas. With her passion for travel and wealth of knowledge you can be assured of a worry free and truly memorable holiday experience.

GENERAL INFO & BOOKING CONDITIONS
DEPOSIT of $500 per person is required at the time of booking.

FULL PAYMENT will be due 65 days prior to departure. Bookings made after this date, will require immediate payment. Credit card payment will incur a surcharge of 2% for Visa and Mastercard payments. Pensioner prices are valid for holders of either Centrelink Pensioner Cards or Commonwealth Senior Health Care Cards. Senior prices are valid for holders of Great Southern Rail Senior Cards. Application forms are available from your consultant for this card.

TRAVEL INSURANCE is recommended to cover the cost of cancellation due to illness, death in the family, etc.

MINIMUM TOUR NUMBERS are required for this tour to run at the advertised cost. If 20 passengers have not booked by 65 days prior to departure then it may be necessary to either cancel the tour or offer similar arrangements on an unescorted basis.

HOSTING ex Melbourne will occur should the numbers departing from Sydney exceed 15 passengers. Should the number be below this then hosting will begin from Adelaide.

SHARE STRANGER may be available if there is another traveller of the same sex who also wants to share with a stranger, however should no match be available the single price will apply.

CANCELLATION fees will apply. Once bookings are confirmed a cancellation fee of $500 per passenger will apply. Cancellation after the 20th of January, will incur a fee of $1000 per passenger plus any additional charges imposed by principals involved in operating the tour. Therefore, the cancellation fee may be up to the total cost. No itemisation of tour costs can be given.

REFUNDS are not available should you not utilise any sightseeing tours, accommodation, meals or other service listed as an inclusion in this tour.

RESPONSIBILITY The Australian Holiday Centre/ City Centre Travel is the tour organiser. We act only as an agent for passengers in the making of arrangements with carriers, hoteliers and others for the tour. As a result we cannot accept liability for any act or omission whatsoever, whether negligent or otherwise of those suppliers. We do not accept responsibility for any injury, damage, loss, delay, change of schedule or any other events which are beyond our control.