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Gulf Savannah & Historic Rail 9 Day Tour

$7,795 / Person

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Tour Info

Ages
18 years+
Trip Code
CCGR9 / CCGR9B
Trip Styles
Multi day Tours
Duration
9 Days
Physicality
4/10
Group size
2-6
Destinations
Cairns and Far North Queensland

About This Tour

Discover the landscapes, outback towns and historic railways of North Queensland on this nine-day Gulf Savannah adventure from Cairns. Travel from the green Atherton Tablelands to the shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria, exploring gold-rush settlements, soaking at Talaroo Hot Springs and watching the sun set over the water in Karumba.

Ride the legendary Gulflander and the classic Savannahlander through wide-open cattle country, with stops at remote towns and outback pubs along the way. Venture into the ancient Undara Lava Tubes. With six nights in comfortable private ensuite rooms, two nights glamping in permanent Eco Tents at Talaroo Hot Springs and all main meals included, this journey brings together the Gulf’s natural wonders, pioneering history and welcoming outback character.

Highlights

  • Atherton Tablelands, Malanda and Ravenshoe
  • Herberton Historic Village
  • Millstream Falls
  • Georgetown, Cumberland Chimney and Croydon’s goldfields heritage
  • Lake Belmore
  • Normanton’s historic landmarks and railway heritage
  • Burke and Wills Camp 119
  • Mutton Hole Wetlands and Gulf birdlife
  • Karumba sunsets over the Gulf of Carpentaria
  • Barramundi Discovery Centre experience
  • Karumba sunset cruise and a visit to the Animal Bar
  • Historic Gulflander rail journey from Normanton to Croydon
  • Guided soak at Talaroo Hot Springs on Ewamian Country
  • 2 nights Glamping in permanent Eco Tents at Talaroo Hot Springs
  • Savannahlander rail journey
  • Einasleigh’s outback pub and Copperfield Gorge
  • Undara Lava Tubes
  • Almaden Railway Hotel and Dimbulah
 
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rated 4.8 on Tripadvisor (1,118 Reviews)

Itinerary

Day 1: Cairns to Ravenshoe
Malanda, Herberton Historic Village and the Atherton Tablelands Full day | Lunch and dinner included | Overnight: Ravenshoe ensuite motel rooms Climb from the tropical coast to the cool uplands of the Atherton Tablelands. The day runs through crater lakes and dairy country, then on to Herberton’s mining heritage, before finishing in Ravenshoe, Queensland’s highest town where we overnight.
Day 2: Ravenshoe to Georgetown
Millstream Falls, Mount Garnet and Georgetown Full day | Breakfast, lunch and dinner included | Overnight: Georgetown ensuite motel rooms Leave the green Tablelands and head west into the Gulf Savannah. The day begins at one of Australia’s widest waterfalls and follows the Savannah Way through open cattle and mining country to Georgetown.
Day 3: Georgetown to Normanton
Georgetown, Cumberland Chimney, Croydon and Lake Belmore Full day | Breakfast, lunch and dinner included | Overnight: Normanton ensuite motel rooms Follow the Gulf Developmental Road through the heart of Queensland’s gold-rush country. The day takes in Georgetown’s mineral heritage, the last remains of a once-thriving mining town, and Croydon’s preserved goldfields precinct, then finishes in Normanton.
Day 4: Normanton to Karumba
Normanton Heritage, Burke and Wills Camp 119, Mutton Hole Wetlands and Karumba Sunset Full day | Breakfast, lunch and dinner included | Overnight: Karumba ensuite motel rooms Spend the morning among Normanton’s landmarks and railway heritage, then follow the footsteps of the Burke and Wills expedition to their northernmost camp. In the afternoon, cross the wetlands to Karumba and end the day watching the sun set over the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Day 5: A Full Day in Karumba
Wetlands, Barramundi Discovery Centre, a Sunset Cruise and the Animal Bar Full day | Breakfast, lunch and dinner included | Overnight: Karumba ensuite motel rooms Spend the day exploring around Karumba, where the outback meets the Gulf at the mouth of the Norman River. The day mixes birdlife, a hands-on barramundi experience and a sunset cruise on the water, and ends with a drink in one of the Gulf’s best-known pubs.
Day 6: Karumba to Talaroo Hot Springs
The Gulflander to Croydon, then on to Talaroo Hot Springs Full day | Breakfast, lunch and dinner included | Overnight: Talaroo Eco Tents (glamping) Ride one of Australia’s most unusual railways. The Gulflander carries guests across the savannah from Normanton to Croydon, followed by a short heritage visit. The journey then continues east along the Savannah Way to Talaroo Hot Springs on Ewamian Country, where the night is spent in stylish glamping-style Eco Tents.
Day 7: A Day at Talaroo Hot Springs
Hot Springs Discovery Tour, Private Soak and a Night around the Campfire Full day | Breakfast, lunch and dinner included | Overnight: Talaroo Eco Tents (glamping) Spend a full day at one of the Gulf Savannah’s hidden gems. Talaroo Hot Springs is owned and managed by the Ewamian people, and its mineral springs are found nowhere else in Australia. The day brings together a guided tour of the springs, a private soak, time to relax or stroll beside the Einasleigh River, and an outback night around the campfire.
Day 8: Talaroo Hot Springs to Mount Surprise
The Savannahlander, Einasleigh, Copperfield Gorge and the Undara Lava Tubes Full day | Breakfast, lunch and dinner included | Overnight: Mount Surprise private ensuite cabin Leave Talaroo Hot Springs and join the Savannahlander, the silver 1960s railmotor that crosses the Gulf Savannah. Stop at the outback pub in Einasleigh and the dramatic Copperfield Gorge, ride east to Mount Surprise, then explore the Undara Lava Tubes, one of the longest lava tube systems on Earth, before returning to Mount Surprise for the night.
Day 9: Mount Surprise to Cairns
The Savannahlander East, Almaden, Dimbulah and Mareeba Full day | Breakfast and lunch included | Finish: Cairns Rejoin the Savannahlander for the final day and ride east across the savannah and into the foothills of the Tablelands. Lunch is at the Almaden Railway Hotel, with afternoon tea at Dimbulah (own expense, cash only), before a road transfer from Mareeba back to Cairns.

Gallery

Herberton Historic Village from above
Vintage vehicles at Herberton Historic Village
Old trucks at Herberton Historic Village
Millstream Falls
Watching Millstream Falls
The Millstream Falls lookout
The mineral collection at Georgetown
A mining heritage sign
Goldfields heritage in Croydon
A heritage display in Croydon
A picnic by the water in Croydon
Krys the Crocodile in Normanton
Boarding the Gulflander at Normanton Railway Station
The Gulflander at Normanton Railway Station
The Gulflander in Normanton
The Norman River near Karumba from the air
Gulf country rivers from the air
Pelicans on the wetlands at sunrise
Wetlands from the air
Sunset over the river
An Eco Tent at Talaroo Hot Springs
Private baths at a Talaroo Eco Tent
Sunset over the Eco Tents at Talaroo
Talaroo Hot Springs
Steam rising from Talaroo Hot Springs
A hot spring pool at Talaroo
The boardwalk over the springs at Talaroo
The Undara Lava Tubes
Walking through the Undara Lava Tubes
Exploring the Undara Lava Tubes

Inclusions

  • Nine-day touring itinerary, starting and finishing in Cairns
  • Road transport and transfers as outlined in the itinerary
  • Eight nights’ accommodation: six nights in motel-style rooms and a cabin, all with private ensuite bathrooms, and two nights glamping in permanent Eco Tents at Talaroo Hot Springs with shared facilities
  • Eight breakfasts, nine lunches and eight dinners
  • Herberton Historic Village visit
  • Guided Talaroo Hot Springs experience including a swim in private soak pool.
  • Heritage sightseeing through Georgetown, Croydon and Normanton
  • Burke and Wills Camp 119 and Mutton Hole Wetlands visits
  • Karumba sunset cruise
  • Gulflander rail journey from Normanton to Croydon
  • Savannahlander rail travel on Days 8 and 9
  • Undara Lava Tubes experience
  • Road transfer from Mareeba to Cairns on the final day
  • Afternoon tea at Dimbulah is at your own expense and is cash only contributing to the local community.

Tour Map

Gulf Savannah & Historic Rail 9 Day Tour map

FAQ

What is the minimum age to join this tour?
This tour is for guests aged 18 years and over.
What fitness and mobility should I consider?
The itinerary includes walking at heritage sites and natural attractions, including the Undara Lava Tubes. Guests should be comfortable walking on uneven ground, negotiating steps and boarding and disembarking heritage trains. The tour also includes full days of travel and time outdoors in warm conditions. Please contact us before booking if you have any mobility concerns so we can discuss the itinerary’s suitability for you.
Where does the tour start and finish?
The tour starts and finishes in Cairns. On the final day, you will travel aboard the Savannahlander to Mareeba, then return to Cairns by road transfer. Please confirm departure and return times with our team before arranging connecting travel.
What type of accommodation is included?
Eight nights of accommodation are included. Six nights are in motel-style rooms in Ravenshoe, Georgetown, Normanton and Karumba and a cabin in Mount Surprise, all with private ensuite bathrooms. The other two nights are spent glamping in permanent Eco Tents at Talaroo Hot Springs on Ewamian Country. Each tent has its own sink, with toilets in the shared facilities. For something special, choose a tent with two private baths filled with the hot spring water.
Which meals are included?
The tour includes eight breakfasts, nine lunches and eight dinners. Lunch and dinner are included on Day 1, all three main meals are included on Days 2–8, and breakfast and lunch are included on Day 9. Please make sure to notify us of any dietary requirements prior to travel. Afternoon tea at Dimbulah on the final day is at your own expense and is cash only.
Which historic train journeys are included?
You will ride the Gulflander from Normanton to Croydon on Day 6. On Day 8, join the Savannahlander for the journey through Einasleigh to Mount Surprise, then rejoin it on Day 9 to travel east to Mareeba. These heritage rail journeys offer a memorable way to experience the Gulf Savannah’s landscapes and remote communities.
What should I bring?
  • Comfortable, lightweight clothing
  • A jacket or warm layer for cooler mornings and evenings
  • Comfortable, enclosed walking shoes
  • Swimwear and a towel for Talaroo Hot Springs and accommodation pools
  • A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • A refillable water bottle
  • Personal toiletries and all required medications
  • A camera or phone and chargers
  • Cash and cards for personal purchases and optional activities
  • Cash for afternoon tea at Dimbulah
Please confirm luggage allowances with our team before packing.
Can you accommodate dietary requirements?
Please advise us of any dietary requirements or food allergies when booking. As the tour travels through remote areas, advance notice is essential so we can confirm what can be accommodated.
Do I need to advise you of any medical requirements?
Please let us know about any medical conditions or support requirements that may affect your participation before travelling. Bring all medications required for the nine-day journey, and advise us in advance if any medication needs refrigeration.
Are there any optional activities or additional expenses?
Afternoon tea at Dimbulah is also an additional expense and requires cash. Allow spending money for souvenirs, personal purchases and any food or drinks outside the listed inclusions.
What is your cancellation policy?
Please refer to the booking terms and conditions for the cancellation policy that applies to your tour.

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