



During our 3 nights stay in Birdsville we will be staying in the excellent Kangaroo Bus Lines Tent City. There will be a few portable toilets available in the KBL Tent City, for the sole use of those staying in the KBL Tent City. Also, everybody staying in the KBL Tent City will be given a KBL wrist band. This wrist band will give those staying in the KBL Tent City full access to the excellent toilet & shower facilities at the Birdsville Caravan park, right next to the Tent City. All tour group members need to bring their own sleeping bag & pillow, for the 3 nights in Birdsville. If you don’t have a sleeping bag Travelrite will hire one for you. (Please tick the relevant tick box on the tour booking form
Day 1 Sunday August 29, 2021 Depart Melbourne. Wentworth
Depart Melbourne and travel by coach to Wentworth, NSW, where the Murray
and Darling rivers meet. On arrival, panoramic tour of the town, including the
river junction, Possum’s Statue (Possum was a famous hermit who lived along
the banks of the Murray), and the Fergie Tractor monument (the grey Fergie
tractor saved the town in the 1956 flood). Also, see historic Old Wentworth
Gaol (built between 1879 & 1881). Overnight: Wentworth Grande Resort. ( - )
Day 2 Monday August 30, 2021 Tibooburra
Today we travel along the Silver City Highway, to Tibooburra. Morning: Travel
to Broken Hill. On arrival, sightseeing tour of this fascinating outback mining
town, with local guide. See iconic buildings, including the ornate Trades Hall
building, the photogenic Post Office, with clock tower (constructed 1890 –
1892), and the Palace Hotel (1889), which featured in the movie Priscilla, Queen
of the Desert. During lunch break, in Broken Hill, you may like to visit The Big
Picture (excellent art gallery/retail establishment) (optional). Afternoon:
Continue our journey. Afternoon tea at the historic Albert Hotel (1882), in
Milparinka. This former gold mining town (established 1880) is virtually a ghost
town these days. Then proceed to Tibooburra, a true outback town in the
‘corner country’ of far western NSW. You will have time to explore the town,
including the two pubs. The interior walls of the Family Hotel boast a mural
of artwork by famous Australian artists, including Clifton Pugh and Russell
Drysdale. Evening: Enjoy an excellent dinner at T.J.’s Roadhouse. Overnight:
‘The Granites’ Motel. (B,AfternoonTea,D
Day 3 Tuesday August 31, 2021 Innamincka
Travel northwest to Innamincka. Visit Fort Grey, where Sturt established his last
base camp in 1845 before pushing on to the Cooper. Then proceed to Cameron
Corner, where the borders of NSW, QLD and SA meet. See Australia’s famous
Dingo Fence. Have lunch at the beautifully named Corner Store (a pub). Proceed
to Innamincka, which is situated on Cooper Creek close to where the ill-fated
Burke and Wills expedition of 1860-61 came to its tragic end. Evening: After
dinner spend a relaxing evening around the Innamincka Hotel. Overnight: The
Innamincka Hotel & Innamincka Trading Post cabins. (B,L,D)
Day 4 Wednesday September 1, 2021 Innamincka
Morning: Visit Burke’s Grave and the beautiful Cullyamurra Waterhole, both
a few kilometres east of our hotel. The scenery along Cooper Creek, in the
vicinity of Innamincka, is stunning. Beautiful water holes, fabulous gum trees,
and lots of colourful Australian birds. Then visit the famous Dig Tree, where on
April 22nd 1861 Burke, Wills and King probably realised they were doomed.
Afternoon: Free time. Make sure you visit the former Australian Inland Mission
Hospital building, now a National Parks office and museum, located right next
to our hotel. Late afternoon: Further exploration of Cooper Creek. Travel to
the west of our hotel, including a visit to King’s Marker (marks the spot where
King was found alive by a search party following the Burke & Wills expedition).
Evening: Enjoy another relaxing evening at the Innamincka Hotel. (B)
Day 5 Thursday September 2, 2021 Birdsville
Depart Innamincka and head northwest to Birdsville, in Queensland. Picnic
lunch along the way. On arrival in Birdsville we will settle into our Tent City
accommodation. Our accommodation includes tents, with stretchers in them,
and breakfast, lunch & dinner each day. Evening: After dinner spend some time
getting to know the locals, and other visitors, at the Birdsville Pub. Overnight:
Kangaroo Bus Lines Tent City. (B,L,D)
Day 6 Friday September 3, 2021 Birdsville
Morning: Panoramic coach tour of Birdsville and surrounds. Travel west of
Birdsville to see (and climb) Big Red, a huge sand dune at the edge of the
Simpson Desert. Travel 12 kms north of Birdsville, to see a small stand of one
of Australia’s rarest trees – the waddi tree. The wood of these slow growing
trees, believed to be 500 – 1000 years old, is so hard it can damage an axe. A
member of the local aboriginal community (Jimmy Crombie) will accompany us on some of this morning’s tour (if available) and talk to us about Birdsville.
Afternoon: Attend the first of our 2 days at the Birdsville Races. Evening: After
dinner attend the Birdsville Races live entertainment of your choice (optional),
or join in the general revelry as large crowds gather in the vicinity of the
Birdsville Pub. Entertainment may include live music, Fred Brophy’s Boxing
Troupe, and possibly a Sportsman’s Night. (B,L,D)
Day 7 Saturday September 4, 2021 Birdsville
Morning: Free time. Afternoon: Attend the second of our 2 days at the Birdsville
Races. Today we will see the running of the legendary Birdsville Cup. Other
entertainment at the Birdsville Races carnival will possibly include Fashions
on the Field, whip cracking, sideshows, and a giant auction. Evening: Attend
Birdsville Races live entertainment of your choice (optional) or relax with the
large crowd of revellers in & around the Birdsville Pub. (B,L,D)
Day 8 Sunday September 5, 2021 Marree
Depart Birdsville and head south along the famous Birdsville Track, to
the remote town of Marree. Marree is located at the southern end of the
Birdsville Track, at the junction of the Oodnadatta & Birdsville Tracks. Lunch
at Mungerannie Roadhouse. On arrival in Marree enjoy a short panoramic tour
of the town. See many reminders of Marree’s past. For many years the town
was an important railhead. Goods would arrive in Marree by rail, then the
Afghan cameleers would transport the goods further on into the outback. Our
accommodation, the two-storey, solid stone Marree Hotel is one of Australia’s
classic outback hotels (built in 1883). Evening: Enjoy dinner in our hotel. You will
also want to spend some time relaxing & chatting in the hotel’s bar. Overnight:
Marree Hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 9 Monday September 6, 2021 Peterborough
Travel south to Peterborough, via the southern Flinders Ranges. Shortly after
leaving Maree, visit the colourful ruins of Farina township. Morning Tea at the
Copley Bush Bakery & Quandong Café. Visit Leigh Creek township, then pass
through scenic Parachilna Gorge, in the Flinders Ranges. Lunch in the historic
copper mining town of Blinman. Near Wilpena Pound, see the Cazneaux Tree,
subject of a famous photograph entitled The Spirit of Endurance, taken by Dick
Smith’s grandfather, Harold Cazneaux, in 1937. Continuing south, we will pass
Wilpena Pound… an extraordinary natural basin measuring approximately
14 by 7 kilometres. It’s like a huge natural fortress, with only one entry point. Afternoon tea in the town of Hawker. We will visit a well-known service station/
shop – Hawker Motors. It has a museum with a display of gemstones, fossils,
pioneer memorabilia and aboriginal artefacts, plus an outstanding selection
of books (for sale) on the Australian outback. Then proceed to the historic
railway town of Peterborough. On arrival enjoy a short panoramic coach
tour. See the statue of Bob the Railway Dog, and an impressive 1880s Y Class
steam locomotive (one of the first steam trains to operate between Silverton,
Peterborough and Port Pirie). Overnight: Roundhouse Motel Peterborough. (B)
Day 10 Tuesday September 7, 2021 Mildura
Morning: Visit Peterborough’s excellent Motorbike Museum & Antique Centre,
before commencing our journey to Mildura. Along the way we visit historic
Burra, once a booming copper mining town. After a tour of the town you may
like to sample one of the delicious local Cornish pasties, for lunch. Afternoon:
Continue on to Mildura, via the towns of Morgan, Berri and Renmark. On
arrival in Mildura, visit Lock 11, on the Murray River, before checking into our
accommodation. Evening: For our final night of the tour enjoy a special End-of-
Tour Dinner. Overnight: Quality Hotel Mildura Grand. (B,D)
Day 11 Wednesday September 8, 2021 Melbourne
Return to Melbourne. On the way, visit Bendigo. See magnificent public
buildings & monuments…. reminders of Bendigo’s gold rush boom times;
e.g., the Shamrock Hotel, the Bendigo Historic Post Office building, and the
impressive Alexandra Fountain. Arrive Melbourne approximately 6pm and the
tour concludes. (B)
TWIN FARE PER PERSON | SINGLE FARE |
---|---|
$3,850 | $4,200 |
Tour deposit fully refundable up to 45 days prior to departure
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: 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 45 days prior to commencement of tour.
Deposit and Payment: A deposit of $500 per passenger for is required at the time of booking. Full payment will be required 60 days before departure for the Outback Tour. Cancellation over 60 days before tour departs the deposit is refundable. 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.
Cancellation Charges: * Cancellation conditions don’t apply for clients with future cruise/tour credits. Cruise/tour credits are non-refundable. Cancellations within 45 days prior to departure will result in the loss of all monies paid. Cancellation outside 45 days from departure will result in your $500 per person deposit being refunded.
Refunds:
The tour is based on arrangements which do not
allow for any refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation,
meals or other services not utilised after the tour
has commenced
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is recommended to cover the costs of cancellation fees due to illness, death in family, etc.
Minimum Tour Numbers: The tour has been priced on the basis of a minimum number of passengers having booked 45 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.
Responsibilities: Travelrite International Pty Ltd. (ABN 64 005 817 078) is the tour organiser. 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 taken in the State of Victoria.
Delays and unforseen 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 deposit of $500 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
Fax (03) 9836 8068
Email balwyn@travelrite.com.au
https://www.travelrite.com.au/
About Travelrite International: Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078) is a well-established family-owned business that’s been operating in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs for more than 35 years. Travelrite International is a full member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA), is fully Accredited with ATAS (A10538) and IATA. As such they directly represent the major airlines of the world and all major domestic and international hotel, tour and transport operators.
“One of the best tours we have ever done. Great program and lovely people.”
“Well organised tour that ran smoothly. Very impressed with Wayne Horsburgh, intelligent, talented and caring.”