DAY 1 Tuesday, 5 May 2026 Brisbane to Rockhampton
– Tilt Train
Today group members depart Brisbane Roma Street Station late morning
on our Tilt Train journey to Rockhampton. Tilt Train connects passengers
with some of Queensland’s most iconic tourist destinations with a quick
and convenient way to access the Southern Great Barrier Reef and
Capricorn Coast. Travelling at up to 160km per hour, the Tilt Train is one of
the fastest trains in Australia. Upon arrival late evening we check into our
Rockhampton hotel.
DAY 2 Wednesday, 6 May 2026 Airlie Beach
This morning we enjoy a city tour of Rockhampton before heading north
to Airlie Beach via Mackay. This evening we enjoy an included Welcome
Dinner.
DAY 3 Thursday, 7 May 2026 Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday
Islands, a gathering of 74 sandy isles scattered across the centre of the
Great Barrier Reef. Today we take a cruise to spectacular Whitehaven
Beach and Hill Inlet.
DAY 4 Friday, 8 May 2026 Townsville
We depart Airlie Beach today following the coast north to Townsville. We
check into our hotel late afternoon. Townsville is a vibrant and bustling
city with Federation-style architecture and a coastal vibe. It’s also
Australia’s largest garrison town with Australian Defence Force bases and
a fascinating military history.
DAY 5 Saturday, 9 May 2026 Charters Towers
– The Inlander
A free morning in Townsville before we board The Inlander train for
Charters Towers. Relax as we depart the coast and head into the Great
Dividing Range and Outback Queensland. We disembark in Charters
Towers mid-afternoon and check in to our motel. Gold was first discovered in the outback town of Charters Towers in 1871 by Aboriginal horse boy,
Jupiter Mosman. It quickly became a booming gold rush town, with over
65 hotels and a population of more than 25,000 people. The afternoon
will be free to explore the town.
DAY 6 Sunday, 10 May 2026 Richmond
This morning we will have a tour of Charters Towers. The town has many
magnificent heritage buildings which are testament to its prosperity in
the early 1900s. These include the heritage listed Stock Exchange Arcade,
The World Theatre, City Hall and the Post Office Tower. The cemetery,
which was established in 1895, is the resting place of Jupiter Mosman.
This afternoon we travel to Richmond, a small outback town which
functions as a service centre to the surrounding pastoral community.
Once part of Australia’s vast inland sea, Richmond is best known for its
marine fossil discoveries.
DAY 7 Monday, 11 May 2026 Mt Isa
This morning we visit Kronosaurus Korner which displays fossil finds
from the cretaceous-era inland sea, which existed from about 97.5 to
120 million years ago. We then travel to Mount Isa via Cloncurry. Mt Isa
is Outback Queensland’s largest town, built around vast silver, copper,
zinc and lead mines. Nestled among the ochre-red Selwyn Ranges, on
the banks of the Leichhardt River, Mount Isa is a bustling melting pot of
culture and industry and home to one the most productive single mines
and the southern hemisphere’s largest rodeo.
DAY 8 Tuesday, 12 May 2026 Mt Isa
We enjoy a sightseeing coach tour of Mount Isa, with local guide,
including a visit to Mount Isa’s fascinating World War 2 Underground
Hospital. This afternoon we visit the Hard Times Mine underground tour. Descending into the mine in the Alimak Cage, we begin to explore the history of mining as the guides entertain us with their stories of the good times and the hard times that they had working deep under the earth.
DAY 9 Wednesday, 13 May 2026 Winton
This morning we travel to Winton via McKinlay and the Walkabout Creek Hotel, location for the pub scenes in the movie Crocodile Dundee. On the way we will see the Combo Waterhole, a famous billabong that has important links with the Waltzing Matilda story. ‘Banjo’ Paterson visited Combo Waterhole for a picnic before writing the song in 1895. After dinner, we will enjoy a Nostalgia Movie Night, a special one-hour movie show at Winton’s Royal Theatre, one of the few remaining open air picture theatres still operating in Australia, complete with original projection equipment and canvas seats! The show includes old cinema newsreels, old movie ads, ‘The 3 Stooges’ and ‘Popeye’.
DAY 10 Thursday, 14 May 2026 Winton
This morning we enjoy a visit to the outstanding Waltzing Matilda Centre, which tells the intriguing story behind the writing of Waltzing Matilda. After lunch we enjoy a panoramic drive around town. We will see iconic sights such as the Musical Fence, Arno Wall and QANTAS Winton Origin Memorial.
DAY 11 Friday, 15 May 2026 Longreach
Today we depart Winton for Longreach, which is the heart of Outback Queensland and home to the Stockman’s Hall of Fame and the Qantas Founders Museum. According to its founders; “[Qantas] was conceived in Cloncurry, born in Winton and grew up in Longreach.” On the way, we enjoy a visit to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs. One of Australia’s largest dinosaur fossils (‘Elliot’) was discovered near Winton in 2002. We will
also visit the Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways for a guided tour. We will
see amazing fossilized footprints from a dinosaur stampede 95 million years ago.
DAY 12 Saturday, 16 May 2026 Longreach
This morning we will visit the Qantas Founders Museum. The museum tells the story of Australia’s national airline, from its early days in Outback Queensland to the present day. Characters of the early Qantas days, their pioneering spirit and the impact the airline had for all Australians, is brought to life through life size exhibits, historical artefacts and interactive displays including the National Heritage Listed Qantas Hangar. We will also enjoy informative guided tours of the Boeing 707, Boeing 747, Super Constellation and DC-3 in the Museum’s new Airpark Enclosure. This afternoon there is free time, in the centre of town. Make sure you visit The Station Store. This outstanding store is based on the traditional outback stores that sold everything. This evening enjoy a traditional stockman’s campfire dinner and show on the Thomson River.
DAY 13 Sunday, 17 May 2026 Longreach
This morning we visit The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre, which pays tribute to Australia’s outback heroes. It also tells the story of the rural areas from the arrival of the Aborigines more than 40,000 years ago, settlement by the British, exploration, the establishment of grazing, agriculture, mining, forestry and other industries in country Australia. It also follows the story of the many kinds of technologies which are playing a role in farming, business and communications to the present day. This afternoon, we will enjoy a drive to the nearby town of Ilfracombe to explore the ‘Great Machinery Mile’.
DAY 14 Monday, 18 May 2026 Spirit of the Outback
We enjoy a taste of the historic Spirit of the Outback train journey this morning as we board for the Longreach to Barcaldine leg. Enjoy watching the ever changing outback scenery from the comfort of the train. On arrival in Barcaldine we have an overview tour of the town and learn about the historic Tree of Knowledge (the Tree under which shearers met during Great Shearer’s Strike of 1891). We return to our hotel in Longreach.
DAY 15 Tuesday, 19 May 2026 Charleville
This morning we travel to Charleville. On arrival we enjoy a sightseeing tour with a local guide. We see the School of Arts Hotel, mentioned in the song Charleville, recorded by Slim Dusty and visit the Charleville Historic House and Museum, a beautiful historic building (1881). We also visit the Charleville Bilby Experience (presented by Save the Bilby Fund). We see the rare and endangered bilby, a cute local marsupial.
DAY 16 Wednesday, 20 May 2026 Roma
We depart Charleville and continue on to Roma, where we see some of the town’s famous bottle trees. We also see the impressive heritage-listed Roma Courthouse, situated on site of courthouse where Harry Redford (Captain Starlight) was tried in 1872 for cattle-stealing. This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner.
Optional Westlander Train Journey
For those taking the train back to Brisbane you will board the Westlander late evening (You will not have access to a hotel room in Roma for the afternoon and early evening). Enjoy the overnight journey and wake up to the stunning scenery of the Darling Downs and Great Dividing Range as you pass through Toowoomba and head towards Brisbane, arriving late morning on Thursday. Please note that the Westlander is not a sleeper train, you will be seated throughout the journey. The train arrives into Brisbane Roma Street Station around 11.30am.
DAY 17 Thursday, 21 May 2026 Brisbane
For tour members returning by coach we travel from Roma to Brisbane across the Darling Downs and the Great Dividing Range. In Toowoomba visit the outstanding Cobb & Co Museum and see Australia’s finest collection of horse-drawn vehicles. We arrive into Brisbane Roma Street Train Station at approximately 5:00pm and the tour concludes. Please talk to your consultant if you would like us to arrange post tour accommodation.
| Twin Fare | Single Fare |
|---|---|
| $6,490 | $8,190 |
Touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing in the places visited and it is important that all tour participants have a level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this activity without the need of assistance from others.
Tour Operator: Travelrite International Pty Ltd, (ABN 64 005 817 078) is the tour operator.
Tour Costs: The tour costs are based on general transport, entry, and accommodation costs. Travelrite reserves the right to alter the costs if any of these factors change, giving any passenger that has booked the right to withdraw with full refund of monies paid or modify arrangements. No alterations to price will be made within 60 days of departure from Australia.
Deposit and Payment: A non-refundable deposit of $750 per passenger for is required at the time of booking. Full payment will be required 60 days before departure for the Rail and Coach Exploration of Queensland. Cancellation over 60 days before tour departs results in loss of deposit. Cancellation under 60 days before tour departs will result in a loss of all monies paid. Payment may be made by cheque or cash a 1.5% administration fee will be charged on payments made by credit cards.
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is recommended to cover the costs of cancellation fees due to illness, death in family, etc.
Minimum Tour Numbers and Conditions: The tour has been priced on the basis of a minimum number of passengers having booked 60 days prior to departure. Travelrite reserves the right to cancel the tour, giving a full refund of all monies paid or offer arrangements to proceed with the tour at a modified cost.
Tour Organisation: Travelrite reserves the right to change advertised entrances if necessary for the smooth operation of the tour.
Refunds:
The tour is based on arrangements that do not allow for any
refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation, meals, airfare or other
services not utilized after the tour has commenced.
Baggage: Due to coach restrictions, tour members can only bring one large suitcase.
TOUR PARTICIPATION:
Children under 5 years of age are ineligible on coach & cruise tours. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Passengers with disabilities are welcome on Travelrite & Cruise Offers tours provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing all necessary assistance, and do not require special assistance from Travelrite & Cruise Offers personnel. Travelrite and Cruise Offers reserves the right to refuse to carry anyone if it is felt the individual cannot cope with the requirements of coach & cruise tour travel and who may require services and facilities that Travelrite & Cruise Offers cannot guarantee will be available. You agree to not hold the Travelrite & Cruise Offers responsible for any decision made by any of them or any service provider to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you or to provide any service to you.
Responsibility: Travelrite International Pty Ltd. (ABN 64 005 817 078) is the tour organizer. Travelrite acts only as an agent in the making of arrangements for hotels, transportation, restaurants or any other service and does not assume any liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, death, loss, accident or delay to person or property due to an act of negligence or a default of any hotel, carrier restaurant company or person rendering any services included in the tour, or by act of God. Further no responsibilities are accepted for any damage or delay due to sickness, pilferage, labour disputes, machinery break-down, quarantine, government restraints, weather, terrorism or other causes beyond their control. No responsibility is accepted for any additional expense, omission, delays, re-routing or acts of any government authority. The passage contract between the carriers concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the purchasers of this tour and/or the passengers. The right is reserved to withdraw any tour and/or make such changes in the tour as may be found desirable or necessary for the convenience of the parties and the proper carrying out of the tour. This contract shall be construed in accordance of the laws of the State of Victoria, Australia and any legal action must be undertaken in the State of Victoria.
DELAYS AND UNFORESEEN EVENTS:
You engage Travelrite International
to book this tour on your behalf and you acknowledge that Travelrite
International acts as your agent for the purpose of making contracts
between you and the various providers of accommodation, transportation
and other services that comprise the tour. Travelrite International may
without reference to you provide or make available to you, or may as
your agent engage any third party to provide or make available to you,
any good or service which Travelrite International reasonably believes is
necessary for your benefit to maintain the tour itinerary, repatriate you
or otherwise accommodate, transport or sustain you in circumstances in
which the tour itinerary fails wholly or partly for any reason. You appoint Travelrite International your attorney for this purpose. You agree to pay
Travelrite International any cost thereof and you indemnify Travelrite
International in respect of any cost it incurs in this regard. Travelrite
advises you to obtain travel insurance generally including in respect of
the risk that any such good or service may become required.
How to Book: Bookings can be made by completing a booking form and sending it with a non-refundable deposit of $750 per person to:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd
423 Whitehorse Road Balwyn, Victoria 3103
Further information can be obtained by telephoning
Toll Free: 1800 630 343
Telephone (03) 8803 6868
Email sales@travelrite.com.au
https://www.travelrite.com.au/
About Travelrite International: Travelrite International Pty Ltd is a well-established travel company which has been operating in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne for more than 40 years. It is fully ATAS accredited (No. A10538) and fully IATA credited and directly represent’s the major airlines of the world and all major domestic and international tour and transport operators. Travelrite International has been operating special interest tours for 32 years, and now runs over 120 tours a year. Travelrite International Pty Ltd is a full member of the Australian Travel Industry Association – ATIA.
“Being part of an organised tour was a new and enjoyable experience for us. We could relax because the Tour Manager had everything organised.”
“The Tairei Gorge out of Dunedin was our favourite – it had great scenery, bridges and tunnels!”
