PHONE1800 630 343
We will nominate a suitable, well-located hotel in central Brisbane. The tour will depart from this hotel. Those wishing to stay at this hotel please tick the relevant tick box, on the booking form. We will endeavour to find a hotel costing approx. $85 p/p, twin share, & approx. $70 single supplement. We will plan for the tour to depart our hotel at 7.30am on Day 1 (Tues. Aug. 2nd).
This experience is highly recommended! Those wishing to go on the 45 minute Stagecoach ride, in Longreach, on Saturday morning August 6th, please tick the relevant box on the booking form. Cost of the ride: If we have 20 people or more: approx. $90 per person. If we have less than 20 people: approx. $100 p/p.
If you would prefer to visit the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum, instead of the Waltzing Matilda Centre, in Winton, on Sunday morning August 7th, please indicate this by ticking the relevant box on the tour booking form. Cost of entrance to both attractions is almost the same, and ‘included’ in the tour; i.e., this is not an ‘optional’ activity; you don’t have to pay.
On Sunday afternoon August 13th, we have included in the tour a 2 hour guided Lava Tube Tour. The tour is ‘easy fitness’ level, with boardwalks and some fairly lengthy steps (stairs) [see picture, 2nd inside page of brochure]. This tour may not be suitable for people with mobility concerns. The cost of the tour is approx. $60 p/p. If you think you would have difficulty, and would prefer not to do the 2 hour Lava Tube Tour, tick the relevant box on the booking form, and we will deduct the approx. $60 from your tour price.
The optional excursion we are offering (Day 14 of our tour) is the Green Island Eco Adventure, with cruise company Great Adventures. Green Island is a beautiful 6000 year-old coral cay located in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Aboard Great Adventures’ fast catamaran from Cairns, your journey to the Great Barrier Reef takes 45 minutes. Once at Green Island you have a choice of seeing the reef coral, and the diverse marine life, by going snorkelling or via a glass bottom boat. You can also go on a self-guided walk through Green Island’s unique rainforest environment. You have up to 7 hours at Green Island. Cost: approx. $102 p/p. Includes morning tea/coffee. Lunch can be purchased at Green Island. If you would like to go on the optional cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, please indicate this by ticking the relevant tick box on the tour booking form.
Craig Giles is one of Australia’s most popular entertainers. His rich singing voice, dynamic stage presence, and friendly personality have earned him a place as one of the top artists in Australian country music, rock ‘n’ roll, and rockabilly. He has many successful albums, hit singles, and music industry awards to his credit. Craig is looking forward to sharing his passion for music with you, on the 2022 Central Australia Music Tour. www.craigiles.com
The tour manager will be John Howie John was a secondary school music teacher for 23 years (taught Kylie Minogue). He and his twin brother, Graeme, perform as The Howie Brothers. John has been leading successful music tours & music cruises for 25 years.>
The assistant tour manager will be Gill Delaney Gill (accordion/ukulele/mouth organ player from Wangaratta) has played in dance bands most of her life, and knows a million tunes! She will be coming on the tour as a musician and assistant tour manager, as long as we get sufficient bookings. She will be involved in lots of fun-filled informal music sessions with the tour group.
VIEW ITINERARYPre-Tour Day Monday 1 August 2022 Pre tour in Brisbane
Because the tour departs Brisbane early on Tuesday August 2nd, it will be
necessary for all tour group members, except those who live in Brisbane or very
close to Brisbane, to travel to Brisbane on Monday 1st August. We will choose a
suitable, well-located hotel in central Brisbane, for tour group members to stay.
Day 1 Tuesday 2 August 2022 Roma
Morning: Depart Brisbane.
In Toowoomba visit the outstanding Cobb & Co
Museum. See Australia’s finest collection of horse-drawn vehicles. Also in
Toowoomba, we pay tribute to Steele Rudd, the locally born author who created
Dad & Dave. Enjoy an entertaining ‘reading’ from one or two of his literary works.
Continue on to Roma, where we see some of the town’s famous bottle trees.
Also see the impressive heritage-listed Roma Courthouse (situated on site of
courthouse where Harry Redford [Captain Starlight] was tried, for cattle-stealing,
in 1872). Evening: Dinner at the White Bull Tavern, in Roma. Craig Giles will sing a
few songs. Overnight: Mandalay Motel, Roma. (D)
Day 2 Wednesday 3 August 2022 Charleville
Morning: Travel to Charleville. On arrival, sightseeing tour with local guide. See
the School of Arts Hotel, mentioned in the song Charleville, recorded by Slim
Dusty. Visit the Charleville Historic House and Museum, a beautiful historic
building (1881). During our visit we will be entertained by the president of the
Charleville Historical Society, George Balsillie, who plays the autoharp. Afternoon:
Attend the Charleville Bilby Experience (presented by Save the Bilby Fund).
See the rare and endangered bilby, a cute local marsupial. Evening: Dinner at
Charleville RSL Club. After dinner enjoy a fun-filled singalong session with John
Howie & Gill Delaney. Overnight: Charleville Motel (B,AfternoonTea,D)
Day 3 Thursday 4 August 2022 Barcaldine
Morning: Travel north. Morning tea in the town of Tambo. Meet the cuddly
sheepskin bears at Tambo Teddies Store. Proceed to the town of Blackall, home
of Jackie Howe, famous ‘gun’ shearer. Visit the Jack Howe Display. Afternoon:
Visit Blackall Woolscour, the last remaining steam operated wool washing plant
in Australia. On arrival in Barcaldine learn about the historic Tree of Knowledge
(Tree under which shearers met during Great Shearer’s Strike of 1891). Evening:
Dinner at our motel. A local bush poet will entertain us with Aussie yarns & bush
poetry. Overnight: Landsborough Lodge Motel, Barcaldine. (B,AfternoonTea,D)
Day 4 Friday 5 August 2022 Longreach
Morning: Travel from Barcaldine to Longreach. Spend some time in the historic town
of Ilfracombe. Visit Langenbaker House. This former teamster’s cottage remained
in the one family for a century, and is a fascinating ‘time capsule’. Afternoon: Visit
the Qantas Founders Outback Museum, which tells the story of QANTAS and the
impact the airline has had on outback life. Evening: Enjoy a performance by our
host, Craig Giles. Overnight: Albert Park Motor Inn. (B,MorningTea)
Day 5 Saturday 6 August 2022 Longreach
Morning: Enjoy a 45 minute ride in a Cobb & Co coach (optional). See back of
brochure for further details. We then visit the outstanding Stockman’s Hall of
Fame and Outback Heritage Centre, which pays tribute to Australia’s outback
heroes. Afternoon: 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. Evening: Enjoy Smithy’s Outback Dinner & Show…..a 2 course table
service dinner & show under the stars, on the banks of the Thomson River. (B,D)
Day 6 Sunday 7 August 2022 Winton
Morning: Travel to Winton. On arrival, visit the outstanding Waltzing Matilda
Centre, which tells the intriguing story of Waltzing Matilda, written by ‘Banjo’
Paterson in the Winton area in 1895. Note: If some tour group members would
prefer to visit Winton’s Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum, instead of the
Waltzing Matilda Centre, we can organise this. (See details, on back of brochure.).
Afternoon: Visit (1) Winton’s Musical Fence; (2) the Willie Mar Heritage Site (Willie
was a much-loved Chinese market gardener, in Winton; he and his son ran the
business for 90 years); (3) Arno’s Wall (long stone wall embedded with all kinds
of junk – lawnmower parts, typewriters, motorbikes, etc.). Evening: Visit Matilda
Country Tourist Park, for regular ‘campfire’ type 3 course roast dinner, plus live
country music / bush poetry entertainment. Overnight: Boulder Opal Motel,
Winton. (B,AfternoonTea)
Day 7 Monday 8 August 2022 Mount Isa
Travel to Mount Isa, via Combo Waterhole, a famous billabong that has important
links with the Waltzing Matilda story. ‘Banjo’ Paterson visited Combo Waterhole
for a picnic prior to writing the song. Did his visit provide some of the inspiration
for the song? We will have a picnic morning tea at Combo Waterhole and sing
the great song! We will then drop into the Blue Heeler Hotel, in the town of
Kynuna. This pub is full of character and also has links to the Waltzing Matilda
story. Continue on to the town of McKinlay. We will make a stop at the Walkabout
Creek Hotel, location for the pub scenes in the movie Crocodile Dundee. Then
continue on to Mount Isa, travelling through the beautiful ochre-red Selwyn Ranges. Mount Isa is outback Queensland’s largest town, built around a vast
silver, copper, zinc and lead mine. Evening: A free night, for you to explore Mount
Isa’s clubs, restaurants, and music venues at your leisure. Overnight: Burke & Wills
Motel. (B,MorningTea,L)
Day 8 Tuesday 9 August 2022 Mount Isa
Enjoy a day trip to the ‘little border town of Camooweal’*. This remote town is the
most westerly town in Queensland…just 14 km from the QLD/Northern Territory
border. After morning tea, in Camooweal, travel to the NT border. On returning
to Camooweal, visit Nowranie Waterhole, a lovely billabong on the outskirts of
the town. Then visit the Camooweal Drovers Camp, a heritage centre devoted to
the era when cattle were moved over vast distances by drovers on horseback.
Evening: Visit the Mount Isa Irish Club for dinner & special performance by Craig
Giles (if we are able to organise this with the Club). (B,MorningTea,L) (*quote from
the song, Camooweal, recorded by Slim Dusty)
Day 9 Wednesday 10 August 2022 Cloncurry
Morning: Enjoy a sightseeing coach tour of Mount Isa, with local guide, including
a visit to Mount Isa’s fascinating World War 2 Underground Hospital. Then travel
to Cloncurry. Afternoon: Visit Cloncurry Airport, where we see the historic
Original Qantas Hangar. Then visit Cloncurry’s excellent Mary Kathleen Memorial
Park & Museum. Learn about Cloncurry and the nearby Mary Kathleen uranium
mine. A prize exhibit is Burke’s leather water bottle, from the 1860-61 Burke &
Wills Expedition. Evening: Enjoy dinner at Grinners Pizza & Pasta Restaurant,
including an informal performance by Craig Giles. Overnight: Gidgee Inn Motel,
Cloncurry. (B,D)
Day 10 Thursday 11 August 2022 Karumba
Travel to Karumba, on the Gulf of Carpentaria. On the way visit the town of
Normanton, just south of the Gulf, on the Norman River. On arrival in Karumba
enjoy a Sunset Cruise on the Norman River (to where the river enters the Gulf
of Carpentaria). Drinks & snacks (including prawns) are included. Evening: For
dinner you may wish to sample the excellent Gulf seafood at Ash’s @ the Point
Café, or the bistro meals at the Sunset Tavern. Overnight: End of the Road Motel,
Karumba. (B,L,Drinks&Snacks On Sunset Cruise)
Day 11 Friday 12 August 2022 Cobbold Gorge
Morning: Travel in an easterly direction, heading for Cobbold Gorge. Stop, along
the way, in the towns of Croydon and Georgetown. Afternoon: Continue on to
spectacular Cobbold Gorge, located on Robin Hood Station. Cobbold Gorge is
quite narrow, with steep, rugged walls. Cruise the crystal clear waters of the gorge
in flat bottomed boats. See lots of fish and maybe some fresh water crocodiles. At
the conclusion of our cruise travel to the town of Forsayth. Overnight: Goldfields
Hotel and Finnigan’s Rest, Forsayth. (B,Afternoon Tea,D)
Day 12 Saturday 13 August 2022 Undara
Morning: Travel to Undara Volcanic National Park, famous for its gigantic lava
tubes which were created during volcanic eruptions 190,000 years ago. Afternoon:
Arrive Undara Lava Lodge, which features accommodation in beautifully refitted
old train carriages. Enjoy unforgettable two hour Lava Tubes Tour. Evening: After
dinner Craig Giles will entertain us with an informal performance around the
campfire. Overnight: Undara Experience. (B,D)
Day 13 Sunday 14 August 2022 Cairns
Travel to Cairns via picturesque Atherton Tablelands. Afternoon: Prior to our
arrival in Cairns visit colourful Kuranda Market. You then have the opportunity
to go on the Kuranda Scenic Rail trip or on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway (both
optional). Proceed to our hotel in Cairns. Evening: A free night for you to explore
the restaurants, bars, & colourful waterfront precinct of Cairns. Overnight: Cairns
Plaza Hotel. (B)
Day 14 Monday 15 August 2022 Cairns
Today you have a choice of (1) having a free day in Cairns, or (2) going on an
optional cruise to the Great Barrier Reef…one of the great natural wonders of
the world. Those going on the cruise will travel to Green Island, in the Great
Barrier Reef Marine Park, where they will be able to view the spectacular fish,
turtles, and coral, via a glass bottom boat, or they can go snorkelling (to see the
marine life & coral). See information on back cover of brochure for further details.
Evening: Back in Cairns, celebrate the conclusion of a wonderful tour with special
End-of-Tour Dinner. (B,D)
Day 15 Tuesday 16 August 2022 Depart Cairns
A free morning in Cairns. Late morning you will be transferred to Cairns Airport
for your flights back home. (B)
| TWIN FARE PER PERSON | SINGLE FARE |
|---|---|
| $5,395 | $6,390 |
The price per person, twin-share $ 70
Single room $ 140
Tour deposit fully refundable up to 60 days prior to departure
The organisers reserve the right to change any details of the tour that they believe will enhance the safety, quality, success and smooth running of the tour. For instance, if any entertainment mentioned in the itinerary is unavailable, we need to replace that entertainment with similar alternative acts.
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. A.C.N. 005 817 0781 (Travelrite International) is the tour operator.
Tour Costs: The tours costs are based on transport, accommodation costs and entrance costs at 1 June 2021. 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 costings will be made within 60 days of departure.
Deposit and Payment: A deposit of $500 per passenger is required at the time of booking. Full payment will be required 60 days prior to departure. A 1.5% administration charge will be added to payment by credit card.
Cancellation Charges: * Cancellation conditions don’t apply for clients with future cruise/tour credits. Cruise/tour credits are non-refundable. Deposits are fully refundable up to 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days prior to departure will result in the loss of all monies paid. Travel insurance is recommended to cover the costs of cancellation fees due to illness, death in family, etc.
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.
Minimum Tour Numbers:
The tour has been costed 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 if the minimum number is not achieved.
Responsibilities: Travelrite International Pty Ltd. is the tour organiser. Travelrite International acts only as agents for passengers in 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 carriers, hoteliers or other persons providing services in connection with the tour over whom we have no direct or exclusive control. We do not accept responsibility for any injury, damage, loss, delay, change of schedule or any other events which are beyond our direct control, such as, but not limited to, war, flood, fire, civil disturbance, acts of God, acts of government, or any other authorities, terrorism, accidents to or failure of machinery or equipment, or industrial action. The passage contract in use by the carriers concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the transportation companies or firms and the purchasers of these tours and the passengers. Baggage is at own risk throughout the tour. The contract shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Victoria and any legal action must be undertaken 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 International 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
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.”
