Escape to two of Australia’s most remote and untouched wilderness areas, rich with age-old wisdom and raw beauty. A blend of the rugged Australian outback paired with barefoot luxury on the Great Barrier Reef, you will be treated to an intimate wilderness experience both in the bush and by the sea. This fully customizable itinerary can be tweaked and tailored to meet your personal style, pace and budget.
QLD
Reef & Indigenous Queensland
FROM $23,495 PP
Reef & Indigenous Queensland
FROM $23,495 PP
A journey overview
highlights
Duraion: 8
Difficulty: Easy
Guided? While on activities/tours
Air-conditioned Bus
Private Airplane
- Overnight Thala Beach Nature Reserve Resort or similar
- Overnight Private Bush Camp
- Overnight Shangri La Cairns or similar
- Overnight Haggerstone Island or similar
- Overnight Haggerstone Island or similar
itinerary
8 days
Day 1 – Arrival
Overnight Thala Beach Nature Reserve Resort or similar
Welcome to Queensland! You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel in Port Douglas where the remainder of the day is yours at leisure. Port Douglas was the traditional home to the Yirrganydji People before it was converted into a fishing village after European settlement. Enjoy exploring the marina and strolling along stunning beaches or simply relax at your hotel.
Day 2 – Rock Art & Indigenous Culture
Overnight Private Bush Camp
An early start this morning as you set off into the Queensland outback with your expert guide as you learn all about the region you are traversing and its history. Stop at a quirky café for morning tea at Mt Molloy as you start to set the scene for your outback adventure.
Continuing on, you will reach the old Jowalbinna Station where you can see Red Bluff in the distance. Nearby, is the historic Cobb and Co staging post and the Patrick Mail Hotel site with the remains of the sandstone floor and kitchen. Cobb and Co were a true pioneer for Australian travel in the gold rush years taking travellers between colonies and mining towns as well as further into the outback. Cobb & Co were also instrumental in setting up the mail delivery system in Australia.
Well on the way, following the 4WD only Laura – Maytown Coach road adventure track, you will see the pick axe marks in the sandstone from the ‘old timers’ who forged the road. Natural formations in the sandstone like Jockey Cap will also be seen. Hop out of your vehicle, stretch your legs and head into the bush to learn about native bush tucker, traditional bush medicine as well as many other interesting facts about the Australian bush.
Arrive at Jarramali bush camp around lunch time. Enjoy lunch and be shown to your comfortable camping tents. After lunch, venture on a short walk to your interpretive guided rock art tour.
Following your guided tour, you will have some free time to wonder and explore the wilderness or simply enjoy the jaw dropping scenery at the lookout. Wash off the day’s red dirt in our hot water bush shower overlooking the deep gorge and rocky cliff-faces. In the evening, curl up around the fire as the sounds of the Yigi Yigi (didjeridoo) echo through the valley while your roast dinner cooks on the coals. Then it’s billy tea and yarns around a campfire.
Slip into nightfall and become part of the incredible landscape – roll out a swag or cosy up in your tent with beds that will make you forget you’re camping. Five star? How about a billion stars?
TESTIMONIALS
