Never-Never Country: Cairns to Darwin, Australia

The Never Never - The name was first recorded, in the late 19th century, describing the uninhabited regions of Australia - then called just ‘The Never-Never’. The more remote outback regions of the Northern Territory and Queensland are still known by that name. This is as much a state of mind and a folk-memory that recalls the pre-settlement outback life with fondness as it is a precise geographical location. The Never-Never has attained iconic status through the poems of Henry Lawson and the novel written by Jeannie Gunn and this tour will bring home to travellers the powerful effects of Australian outback landscapes that inspired these writers.

Highlights: The iconic landscapes of northern Australia and the Elsey Homestead – a replica of the original cypress pine homestead at the Mataranka Homestead Resort. The replica was constructed for the filming of “We of the Never Never” that follows the life experiences of Jeannie Gunn in the Top End that she documented in her book of the same name.

Detailed itinerary:
Day 1: Cairns – Undara Lava Tubes – Cobbold Gorge (L,D)
Depart Cairns for the picturesque drive to the Atherton tablelands to tour through the Undara Lava Tubes. The Undara tubes are the world’s longest lava flow. One of the lava flows from Undara extends over 160 kilometres and this makes it one of the longest lava flows from a single volcano on our planet in modern geological time.. After our 2-hour tour and lunch, you travel via historic gulf towns of Mt Surprise and Einasleigh to Cobbold Gorge on Robin Hood Cattle station, for overnight

Day 2: Cobbald Gorge (B,L,D)
Cobbold Gorge is unique, hidden within the rugged sandstone formations of North Queensland. This gorge is extremely narrow, closing to only two metres in places, with spectacular 30 metre cliffs on either side. The overall length of the gorge is about six kilometres and includes a series of water holes and rock falls, with the last 500 meters only accessible by flat bottom boat. There are great walks, swimming and relaxing or optional canoeing. Overnight Cobbold Gorge.

Day 3: Georgetown – Normanton – Karumba (B,L,D)
Travel via Georgetown and the multi award winning, Terrestrial - the Ted Elliott Mineral Collection, the largest minerals collection in the world. You follow the Gulflander Railway line via the Gulf Development Road through Croydon that in goldrush days had 122 pubs. On to Normanton to view the Burns Philp store, and the 1870 railway, plus the hot artesian bore. Arrive in Karumba on the edge of the Gulf of Carpentaria to enjoy a sunset river cruise. Karumba is the base of the gulf Barramundi and prawning industry and home to many salt water crocodiles. Overnight Karumba. Dinner at your own expense in local restaurant.

Day 4: Leichardt River – Burketown – Doomadgee – Nicholson River (B,LD)
Travel westward and parallel to the coastline of the Gulf of Carpentaria you cross numerous rivers including the Leichardt River. You see the Leichardt Falls before travelling across the “Plains of Promise” named when H M Brig Beagle (the famous ship which had carried Charles Darwin on his voyage) visited here in 1841. Enjoy a break in the frontier town of Burketown, then travel by the large Aboriginal community of Doomadgee, before turning off the Savannah Way to arrive at Kingfisher camp beside the Nicholson River.

Day 5: Corinda - Borroloola - Caranbirini Nature Reserve - Cape Crawford (B,L,D)
There’s time for a dip before Corinda, where police were stationed to provide escorts for settlers to the escarpments of Hell’s Gate, beyond which the Aboriginals were considered fierce. Hells Gate is the route’s most western settlement in Queensland and now is a popular stopover. Travel via Westmoreland (uranium deposits) and enter the Northern Territory, passing the Redbank (copper) Mine and arrive a the river port town of Borroloola. Time permitting, you can see the museum and history of this once wild frontier town, now a popular fishing destination. The population is around 800 with Aborigines living in camps around the town. You visit Caranbirini Nature Reserve to walk amongst the Lost City through sandstone towers overlooking a billabong and across the escarpment country of the Gulf Region. Then it’s an hour to Cape Crawford for overnight.

Day 6: Cape Crawford – Daly Waters - Mataranka (B,L,D)
The Lost City can this morning be explored by helicopter from base at the Heartbreak Hotel at Cape Crawford, with an amazing 15 or optional 30-minute flight over these ancient sandstone pillars. After morning tea you head to the Carpentaria Highway for historic Daly Waters, and here have lunch amongst the amusing Daly Waters Pub and township adornments, including an old helicopter and the thong tree. You take a short tour of the WWII airbase and aircraft hanger here. Have a swim at Mataranka Hot Springs then connect with the famous classic outback Australian story of “We of the Never Never” and Elsey’s homestead from the film. Overnight Mataranka.

Day 7: Katherine - Jawoyn rock art site – Darwin (B,L,D)
After a relaxing walk and swim, we head north to the Territory’s 3rd largest town, Katherine and nearby Nitmiluk National Park, at Katherine Gorge. Relax on an Aboriginal guided gorge and river cruise. Optional helicopter flight to the top gorges. Consider the optional Jawoyn Rock Art Tour - turn back the clock as you depart Nitmiluk helipad for a unique travel and outback experience. Destination: 40,000 years ago. Fly to the amazing Jawoyn rock art site. Then fly over rugged stone country and all 13 gorges on your return. Alternatively just relax or take a swim. In the afternoon you take the 3-hour drive to Darwin, passing through Pine Creek (old gold town) and Alligator River, home of the retired water buffalo downed by Crocodile Dundee. Overnight Darwin.

Day 8: Arrive Darwin (B)
A day at leisure to enjoy the sights of Darwin. Options include a trip to Kakadu or Litchfield National Parks, or you can simply shop or relax. Tour ends after breakfast.

Included:
• Optional helicopter flight to and from Jawoyn rock art site at Katherine
• Professional and experienced driver / guides
• Long established relationships with local Aboriginal people that enrich your journey
• Access to remote areas and rock art sites unreachable by most tour vehicles
• All accommodation – 7 nights
• Meals as indicated including a vegetarian option.
• Accommodated sleeping or luxury camping. Camp gear includes stretcher, mattress & linen.
• All World Heritage and National Park entry and accommodation fees

Validity: August 12-19, 2012

Please contact your Concierge Traveller Advisor for more information on 1800 047 047.

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