Classic Travel

16 Night - Savannah Explorer & Outback Spirit Package

Explore pioneering towns and sprawling national parks

Package Details

Overview

Accommodation Escorted Tours Fly Rail

From AU$10,849 per person*

Package Provider: APT
Package Type: Package
Region: Australia
Duration: 16 Nights


Description

Travel along the iconic Savannah Way to the Top End as you explore pioneering towns and sprawling national parks. Watch the sun set over the Gulf of Carpentaria and embark on scenic flights over Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park and the Lost City before travelling aboard The Ghan to Adelaide. A legendary train. An unforgettable Australian adventure.


Your Fly, Tour, Stay & Rail Package Includes:

  • Economy class flight from Sydney to Cairns, returning from Adelaide
  • 12 day Savannah Explorer guided holiday with APT, Cairns to Darwin
  • Includes 11 nights accommodation, 32 meals, experiences in 15 destinations, expert APT tour director & driver + more
  • 2 nights accommodation in Darwin
  • 3 day/2 night rail journey onboard The Ghan from Darwin to Adelaide
  • Includes all meals, fine wines & beverages, immersive off train experiences + more
  • 1 night’s accommodation in Adelaide

Extend your flights and stay longer - talk to our travel experts about more options!

Savannah Explorer Itinerary:

DAY 1    Arrive Cairns

Your journey begins today as you are met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, get to know your fellow guests, Tour Director and Driver-Guide during a Welcome Dinner. Today, be met on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Tonight, get to know your fellow guests during a welcome dinner.

Stay: Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns

Daily: Dinner

DAY 2    Woodleigh Station, Millstream Falls, Undara

Travel from Cairns to Woodleigh Station and enjoy lunch amid the surrounds of the Australian bush. Later this afternoon, journey to the beautiful tiered waterfall of Millstream Falls, the widest single-drop waterfall in Australia. A unique experience awaits tonight at Undara, where you'll stay in restored turn-of-the-century train carriages.

Stay: Undara Experience

Daily: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 3    Undara, Cobbold Gorge

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Embark on the Archway Explorer tour through the mysterious Undara Lava Tubes.

After a bush breakfast this morning, discover the site of the 190,000-year-old Undara Lava Tubes, a series of underground tunnels formed during a volcanic eruption in the region. Join a savannah guide for a tour of the mysterious caves before enjoying lunch. Later, arrive at Cobbold Gorge.

Stay: Two Nights, Cobbold Gorge Hotel

Daily: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 4    Cobbold Gorge

An exploration of Cobbold Gorge awaits today, hidden within a rugged sandstone formation. A jewel in the Gulf Savannah, learn about its ancient geological formations. This afternoon, join your guide for a boat cruise and tour. As your boat meanders through the narrow waterways of the gorge, be sure to keep an eye out for freshwater crocodiles.

Daily: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 5    Croydon, Karumba

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise in Karumba and indulge in a selection of local king prawns as you take in the sunset over the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Journey to the historic goldrush town of Croydon and visit the True Blue Interactive Information Centre, home to an array of heritage items and sculptures. Continue to Karumba and end your day with a special Signature Experience.

Stay: Karumba, End Of The Road Motel or similar

Daily: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 6    Karumba, Normanton, Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Travel along the iconic Savannah Way towards Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park.

Journey to Normanton, where you'll see the famous Purple Pub and Victorian-era railway station. Stop at Leichhardt Falls and Camp 119, before heading off-road into Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park. Once covered in tropical rainforest and dotted with freshwater pools, the landscape of Boodjamulla has eroded over millions of years, leaving behind deep gorges and rugged escarpments.

Stay: Two Nights, Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park, Adels Grove

Daily: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 7    Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park

After a guided tour around the desert oasis of Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park, set out on a cruise through Lawn Hill Gorge, awash with emerald waters, lush vegetation and native wildlife. Home to over 80 species of birds, the gorge has been named as one of the top 10 bird watching spots in Australia. Continue cruising along tranquil Lawn Hill Creek before enjoying the rest of the day at leisure.

Daily: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 8    Lorella Springs Wilderness Park

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Board a scenic flight from Adels Grove and take in the spectacular landscapes over Leichhardt Country and Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park.

After a Signature Experience, continue to Lorella Springs Wilderness Park, a sprawling one-million-acre working cattle station. The landscape here is incredibly diverse, ranging from open savannah and dense forest to coastal floodplains, salt flats and mangroves.

Stay: Two Nights, Lorella Springs Wilderness Park

Daily:Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 9    Lorella Springs Wilderness Park, Lost City

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Take to the skies on a helicopter flight over the Lost City, made up of incredible sandstone formations. Said to be more than 500 million years old, the unique formations of the Lost City resemble the ruins of an ancient city, with a maze of narrow alleys.

This morning has been set aside for you to explore the natural surrounds of Lorella Springs Wilderness Park. Join your guide for a scenic walk through a number of the park's trails and perhaps go for a dip in one of the waterholes or thermal springs. This evening, watch the sunset over the property before enjoying dinner.

Daily: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 10  Roper River, Mataranka

Today, learn about the mystery that surrounds the death of explorer Ludwig Leichhardt, who disappeared with his exploration party in 1848. In the remote town of Roper Bar, see the monument commemorating the centenary of Leichhardt’s crossing of the Roper River before enjoying a cruise along the water. Continue to the natural Mataranka Thermal Pool, where you might like to take a dip in the warm, crystal-clear waters, said to have healing properties. Afterwards, head to Mataranka for dinner.

Stay: Mataranka, Territory Manor

Daily: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 11  Adelaide River, Litchfield National Park, Darwin

After breakfast this morning, visit the poignant war cemetery at Adelaide River, then continue to the falls at Litchfield National Park, set amongst a monsoon forest. Enjoy a swim after lunch before returning to Darwin. This evening, toast the end of your journey during a farewell dinner at your hotel.

Stay: Hilton Darwin

Daily: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 12  Depart Darwin

Your adventure draws to a close after a final breakfast this morning. Be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Daily: Breakfast

 

The Ghan:

Highlights & Inclusions:

  • 3 days/ 2 nights aboard The Ghan

  • All-inclusive meals, fine wines, and beverages

  • A regionally-inspired menu paired with a selection of local wines

  • Immersive off train experiences in Marla, Alice Springs, and Katherine

  • Cruise the Nitmiluk Gorge, learn more about Katherine’s ancient Indigenous rock paintings, or discover authentic outback life on a cattle station

The Ghan Itinerary:

DAY 1 – Darwin & Katherine

From Darwin, take in the remarkable Top End views before stopping in Katherine for an afternoon of unique touring. Prepare to experience one of the region’s most impressive natural wonders near Katherine. The stunning Nitmiluk Gorge lies within the massive 292,000 hectares of the Nitmiluk National Park, and you’ll have the chance to explore it from the water with guided cruise options – an experience you’ll never forget.

DAY 2 – Alice Springs

Next stop is Alice Springs, where more Off Train Excursions await. Explore Simpsons Gap, tour the town attractions, or get up close to some of the Red Centre’s native wildlife. Dinner on the train is followed by an extraordinary evening experience in the outback where you will see the Milky Way like you have never seen it before. Simply breathtaking.

DAY 3 – Arrive Adelaide

From your cabin window this morning you’ll see a dramatic change in landscape, as the rich ochre tones of the outback make way for the green fields of South Australia. Enjoy a leisurely brunch as you pass through the majestic Flinders Ranges and prepare for your mid-morning arrival into Adelaide, completing one of the world’s great travel experiences. In the smart southern city, you can extend your experience with a holiday package to the Barossa Valley, fascinating Kangaroo Island, or an expertly-curated tour of this food and wine loving capital.

Terms & Conditions

Conditions apply. Subject to availability and change without notice. Full supplier conditions apply. Valid for new bookings only. Prices valid at the time of publication. Prices are per person based on twin share occupancy unless otherwise stated and displayed in AU$. Member savings are calculated using the original advertised price.

Enquire Now

1300 765 305 (AUST) 0800 956 363 (NZ)

}