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Day 1: Wednesday 10 June 2020                                                              Toowoomba to Charleville

Depart Toowoomba on our luxury Stonestreets 4WD Tour Coach and head west through the Darling Downs to Chinchilla and on to Roma for lunch.  Afterward, continue to Mitchell where we stop to view the murals under the Maranoa River Bridge.  On arrival in Charleville check into our accommodation and enjoy dinner before heading to the Cosmos Centre to experience a never to be forgotten journey of the night sky.  There’s nothing quite like seeing the distant stars and planets with your own eyes through the magnificent telescopes.   Meals: LD     Accommodation: Waltzing Matilda Motor Inn  

Day 2: Thursday 11 June 2020                                                                     Charleville to Ray Station

Start the day with a sightseeing tour of Charleville, see the Vortex Rain Making Guns, Warrego River, then be fascinated at Corones Hotel as you enjoy the Stories and Scones tour.  After lunch in Quilpie, see the Opal Altar and Font in St Finbarr’s Catholic Church before setting our sights on Ray Station where Mark and Sandra Tully and their family will be sure to make you feel welcome.  Meals: BLD   Accommodation:  Ray Station (2 nights)                                        

Day 3: Friday 12 June 2020                                                                                              Ray Station

Mark and Sandra have arranged a full Tully-Durack Homestead tour with morning tea.  Then after lunch we do the water run to visit the 4 Mile, the Boundary Rider’s Hut, The Durack Tree, Pinkuna, Gidgea & Five mile plus we’ll take time out for afternoon tea.  Tonight, we will enjoy a scrumptious 3 course country dinner followed by poetry, guitar and magic…… and maybe sit around the campfire.   Meals: BLD

Day 4: Saturday 13 June 2020                                                                          Ray Station to Birdsville

Depart Ray Station and join the Diamantina Development Road, stop at our first crossing of Cooper Creek.  Approaching Windorah see the solar farm, then continue west to the Birdsville Development Road.  We’ve certainly hit the outback now, the bitumen ends, and the gravel roads begin.  From Deon’s Lookout, marvel at the expanse of the Australian Outback.  Stop in the town that was – Betoota, see all that remains - the ruins of the old roadhouse hotel, then continue to Birdsville where we stay at the iconic Birdsville Hotel for the next 2 nights.  The pub is a destination in itself, a place where yarns have been spun for more than a century by characters as colourful as the surrounding desert landscape.  Meals: BLD                                                                                      Accommodation: Birdsville Hotel/Motel (2 nights)

Day 5:  Sunday 14 June 2020                                                                                                          Birdsville  

Explore this “Must See” town where every September the population surges as around 8000 racegoers kick up some dust at the Birdsville Races.  Visit the infamous Birdsville Racetrack, see the Burke and Wills Tree and travel out towards Munga-Thirri National Park; see the giant red sand dunes this area is famous for.  For lunch today, we’ll stop at the Birdsville Bakery where you can try some of the locally made pies, maybe the Ale & Tail pie or Kangaroo and Claret pie might be your choice.  After lunch travel north to the Dingo Caves. Being one of the few hillsides in the region, the Dingo Caves offers a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside, including the rare desert Waddi Trees.  Meals: BD                                                                              

Day 6:  Monday 15 June 2020                                            Birdsville to Marree via Birdsville Track  

The Birdsville Track is an icon amongst Australian Outback tracks. Travelling the 517km route from Birdsville to Marree, leads you to remote, harsh outback country.  Despite the extremely dry environment, the land along the track is considered good cattle country, and once the rare rain and floods inundate the region, there is an amazing transformation of the sunburnt, desolate landscape. The Birdsville Track is surrounded by Australian deserts, The Tiari and Sturt's Stony Desert line the track in the southern and central part, the Strzelecki and Simpson Desert in the north.  Highlights along the track today include the border crossing into South Australia, Mungerannie Gap and roadhouse, Cooper Creek and the MV Tom Brennan, homestead ruins and various artesian bores.  Arrive Marree late afternoon, explore the town made famous by the Afghan Cameleers, the Old Ghan Railway and Tom Kruse, the Birdsville Mailman.  Meals: BLD                                                                                                            Accommodation: Marree Hotel/Motel (2 nights)

Day 7:  Tuesday 16 June 2020                                                         Lake Eyre South & William Creek

Another famous track to tackle today, the Oodnadatta Track.  Heading west from Marree follow the original Ghan Railway line and cross the wild dog fence, the longest fence ever constructed in the World.  Stop at the Lake Eyre South lookout and visit the Ghan railway siding at Curdimurka.  Travel through part of the largest cattle property in the World, Anna Creek Station.  At roughly 6 million acres Anna Creek is nearly 2 million acres larger than its closest Australian rival and more than 7 times the size of the United States largest ranch in Texas.  Optional scenic flights over Lake Eyre are available today.  Stop at Mound Springs to explore the artesian springs which are formed by deep water within the Great Artesian Basin rising to the surface to form mounds of bubbling ponds.  Meals: BLD                              

Day 8: Wednesday 17 June 2020                                 Marree to Innamincka via Strzelecki Track

South to Lyndhurst before turning north east and on to the Strzelecki Track.  Although this is definitely part of the harsh Australian outback, the road these days, is usually of a very good standard.  Due to the continuing exploration of the Cooper Basin which is subject to the relentless oil and gas exploration, the track has been constantly upgraded to handle the heavy vehicles travelling along the track to Moomba.  Stop at the Oil and Gas viewing Platform near Moomba before arriving in the tiny town of Innamincka. Meals: BLD                                      Accommodation: Innamincka Hotel/Motel (2 nights)

Day 9: Thursday 18 June 2020                                                                                           Innamincka   

Situated next to Cooper Creek, Innamincka, with a population of around 12 certainly is about as remote as you can be in Australia - this town may be small on size but it’s big on hospitality.  This morning enjoy an unforgettable 2 hour cruise along the shady "creek".  Be greeted by screeching corellas, pelicans and even seagulls (yes, they are this far inland) as you glide past the banks which are heavy with beautiful river gums.  Return to town for lunch and then head across for a few hours in Queensland.  Visit the Dig Tree, a sad and forlorn reminder of the harshness of the region and the foolhardiness of the Burke and Wills expedition.  Meals: BLD                      

Day 10:  Friday 19 June 2020                                                                           Innamincka to Tibooburra  

Follow the old Strzelecki Track along Cooper Creek, then south past the oil Derricks to Merty Merty Station where we join the track to Cameron Corner.  The Journey to Cameron Corner is one you’ll remember as we ride over the tops of over 120 desert sand dunes.  Make a stop at Cameron Corner for lunch at “The Corner Store” and view the point where South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales meet.  Continue through Sturt National Park to the outback town of Tibooburra. Meals: BLD    Accommodation: Granites Motel

Day 11:  Saturday 20 June 2020                                                                   Tibooburra-Bourke

Today, after a look around Tibooburra we head east through the cattle and sheep grazing country to the small town of Wanaaring.  This afternoon on arrival in Bourke, visit The Back O'Bourke Exhibition Centre which is nestled in a spectacular natural setting amongst the river red gums on the banks of the Darling River.  The centre allows you to experience a journey through life in the back country; rediscovering the stories of Australia through modern eyes, taking you from the rich cultural history of the past through to the future of the Australian Outback.  This world-class centre employs a series of interactive installations and stunning visual screen displays to immerse visitors with stories of the Australian Outback, bringing them to life and actively engaging visitors with the area's rich history.  Engage and uncover stories of early exploration, the poets, local bushrangers, the grazing industry, Outback legends and conflicts.  Meals: BLD                                                                                                          Accommodation: Darling River Motel 

Day 12: Sunday 21 June 2020                                                 Bourke–Western Plains Zoo–Orange

Today we start making our way back towards the more populated areas of eastern Australia, passing through Nyngan and Narromine before arriving at Taronga’s Western Palins Zoo.  Enjoy lunch at the zoos Bakhita’s Café overlooking the Savannah Lake, then set off to explore the zoo in the coach.  Western Plains Zoo is home to over 700 animals including exotic and endangered species such as Black Rhinoceros, Sumatran Tigers, Elephants and Giraffe which roam wide open spaces across 300 hectares of bushland.  The zoo is widely recognised as Australia’s greatest which means you won’t notice the moats or barriers that keep you separate from our magnificent wildlife. As you travel the Zoo’s 6km circuit by coach you will encounter animals hailing from each corner of the globe, however you will also find yourself immersed in the great Australian bush, teaming with native wildlife.  Late afternoon continues east to Orange and the final night of our outback tour.  Meals: BLD                      Accommodation: Hotel Mercure, Orange

Day 13: Monday 22 June 2020                                                                                          Orange-Sydney

Travel through the beautiful and scenic highland country through to Bathurst where no visit to this region would be complete with a circuit of the famous Mt Panorama Motor Racing Track.  Next, travel through this historic gold town then make our way thought the coal country and into the Blue Mountain to Katoomba for lunch.    Visit the Three Sisters, the Blue Mountains’ most spectacular landmark, located at Echo Point, Katoomba.  This iconic visitor attraction is experienced by millions of people each year.  From here descend from the beautiful Blue Mountains on to the coastal plains near Penrith and on to Sydney for our final night on tour.  Meals: BD  Accommodation: Mercure Sydney Airport

Day 14:  Tuesday 23 June 2020                                                          Sydney – Toowoomba/Brisbane

This morning after breakfast we transfer to Sydney Airport in time for our flight home to Toowoomba or Brisbane.  Meals: B                              

Travel along any outback road (including Birdsville, Oodnadatta and Strzelecki Tracks) are subject to local weather conditions and government road closures.

Cooper Creek cruise subject to water level in creek at time of cruise.

Meals: 13 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 13 Dinners

Flights: Economy Airfare: Sydney - Brisbane

Transport: Luxury 4x4 Coach

Accommodation: 

All entries to Attractions and Tours as follows:

• Cosmos Centre Experience, Charleville
• Charleville sightseeing tour
• Stories and Scones at Corones Hotel, Charleville
• St Finbarr’s Opal Alter in Quilpie
• Historic Ray Station 2-night stay including station and homestead tours
• View Cooper Creek near Windorah, Birdsville Track and Innamincka
• Historic Birdsville Hotel 2 night stay
• Birdsville sightseeing including the famous racecourse, desert sand dunes and Dingo Caves
• Travel the Birdsville Track, Oodnadatta Track & Strzelecki Track
• Historic Marree 2-night stay
• See Lake Eyre South
• Optional Lake Eyre Scenic Flight
• Cooper Creek Cruise at Innamincka
• Innamincka 2-night stay
• Historic Burke & Wills Dig Tree
• Traverse the many sand dunes from Innamincka to Cameron Corner
• Cameron Corner where Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia meet
• Back ‘o’ Bourke Centre, Bourke
• Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo
• Mt Panorama Motor racing track, Bathurst

Other Inclusions:

• Experience coach crew
• Home pickup and return – Toowoomba city area (Prior booking required)
• Free on-site parking available at Stonestreets Depot (Uncovered. Prior booking required)

WHAT OUR GUESTS HAD TO SAY ABOUT OUR LAST AUSSIE OUTBACK TOUR:

• Rob and Nick and Stonestreets organised a top tour. Good sightseeing, good meals and good weather after the first few days. The documentary was very interesting. - Fay and Sonya
• Very Enjoyable - Patricia
• The Driver and Host went the extra mile to give us a great holiday. - Marie
• All in all, a damned good trip. - Cliff and Jill
• Touring with Stonestreets is a wonderful experience. Great people great food and accommodation, with excellent Leaders - Ron and Ruth
• My sincere thanks (plus all the very friendly touring companions). A very pleasant interlude with like a minded group, totally Fun, Fun, Fun!!! - Jan

OUR GUESTS RATED THIS TOUR: 9.7/10 (26 REVIEWS)

Ray Station

Ray Station was settled in 1874 by Patsy and Sarah Tully. Sarah’s brother being the famous Patsy Durack from the book ‘Kings in Grass Castles’. He later urged them to follow him on his trek to the Kimberley – they declined, remaining in southwest Queensland and surviving the great drought of 1900. Ray Station remains one of a select few properties in Australia that’s never changed hands. It has been handed down from father to son and so remains with its unique history and within the original family.