9 days - $1950 per person
Includes Accommodation and all Meals
Departure Date:
Saturday April 12th 2008
Day 1
You are welcomed aboard your unique, purpose built and air-conditioned bus for
departure from Adelaide at 7.30 am.
We travel to Broken Hill via the Barrier Highway, passing through historic small towns such
as Riverton and Burra, and Yunta.
We take a town tour of Broken Hill, before checking into our motel.
Overnight : Silver Haven Motel - Broken Hill
Day 2
Excitement is in the air ! as we travel out of Broken Hill on the Silver City Highway to
Mutawintji National Park (formerly Mootwingee National Park), 130km northeast of
Broken Hill in the Bynguano Ranges. This Park has totally different and perhaps even more
fascinating scenery to offer: secluded gorges and quiet waterholes that attract a profusion of
wildlife. The main attractions of the park are the ancient galleries of Aboriginal rock art in
the caves and overhangs; and we view these accompanied by our Aboriginal tour guide.
Following a picnic lunch, we travel to the remarkable opal mining town of White Cliffs,
famous for its opals and underground accommodation.
Overnight : Underground Motel – White Cliffs
Day 3
One of the legends of Outback New South Wales is The Darling River Run – a track over
300 kms running alongside the Darling River, from Wilcannia to Bourke.
There is an element of the “frontier” as we travel along this track on the Darling floodplains
through the tiny townships of Tilpa and Louth to Bourke.
Our accommodation in Bourke is the restored and refurbished old Telegraph Hotel, set in
over one hectare of beautiful gardens, and the only motel in town with river frontage !
Overnight : Bourke Riverside Motel – Bourke
Day 4
A day of sight seeing ! - Bourke is a charming town on the banks of the Darling and was
established as a paddle steamer destination. A modern day replica of a paddle steamer,
the “Jandra” gives us a chance during an hour cruise to experience the Darling of old.
Following the cruise, we visit the Exhibition Centre and historic cemetery, then head out of
town a short distance to Mt Oxley where there are magnificent views and wedge-tailed
eagles.
Overnight : Bourke Riverside Motel – Bourke
Day 5
Leaving Bourke this morning, we head to the town of Brewarrina – one of those
truly rare locations where you can actually see a working example of human ingenuity
from long before recorded time. The fish traps below the rock bar lying across “Garrunga”, the large water hole in the Barwon River north-west of the town, are still luring fish today, as they did some 40,000 years ago!.
We travel on to Goodooga, near the Queensland Border, and then Lightning Ridge,
a town renowned for its beautiful black opal.
Overnight : Lightning Ridge Motel
Day 6
Today’s short travelling distance allows time for a leisurely look around Lightning Ridge, before we head to Walgett, the centre of the Shire. At Coonamble we take a scenic
detour into the Warrumbungle National Park where there are a couple of look-outs and easy walks to experience the peace and tranquillity of a protected, fragile environment guarded by the lofty mountains.
Overnight : Village Motor Inn – Gilgandra
Day 7
Warren Shire situated on the Macquarie river is Australia's Wool and Cotton Capital.
We pass through Warren on our way to Nyngan , a pleasant country town and
service centre on the Bogan River. Continuing further south, we come to the town
of Cobar – a copper mining town founded in the early 1870's.
Since copper was discovered here in 1869, Cobar has experienced three mining booms.
Today, it’s home to the vast CSA Mine, said to be the most highly mechanised in
Australia, extracting about 850,000 tonnes of copper every year.
Overnight : Cross Roads Motel – Cobar
Day 8
Bushrangers and Cobb & Co Coaches ! - its all part of the history of the area we travel
through today as we leave Cobar and travel along an unsealed road to Ivanhoe
Amidst flat saltbush plains and red sandy ridges is Hatfield. It was here in 1879 that a band
of four horse thieves began a very short-lived spree of bushranging when they robbed the
hotelier. They were caught after a shootout two days later and subsequently executed.
We continue on to Balranald
Overnight : Sturt Motel – Balranald
Day 9
An interesting trip home today, as we travel through Mildura and the Riverland Towns
of Renmark, Barmera, Waikerie on the Sturt Highway, arriving in Adelaide
approximately 6pm
TRAVEL ROUTINE
Tours depart from 4 Southern Avenue West Beach at 7.30am
Off street parking is available
The distance travelled in any day will depend on the general road conditions and
sightseeing opportunities along the way. .After morning departure at 8.00am,
we take a break at around 10.30am and stop for lunch between 12.00-1.00pm, and
an afternoon break approximately 3.00pm.
Other stops are taken for photos, exploring and recreation.
MEDICAL
We carry a comprehensive First Aid kit, and have an accredited Senior First Aid
staff member on hand on all tours.
Due to the nature of outback travel, and the vast distances involved, anyone with
health problems, should give proper consideration to undertaking this trip,
and seek their doctor’s advice if necessary.
WHAT YOUR FARE INCLUDES
- All meals from start to finish and hotel accommodation (twin share) plus meals
where indicated. (Alcoholic drinks are not included).
- Tour costs do not include additional accommodation, meals and incidental expenses
resulting from flooding, natural delays, unavailable connections or other unforeseen
circumstances. Travel Insurance is recommended for these instances.
- Entry fees to attractions specified and cruise aboard “Jandra” paddle– steamer.
TOUR VEHICLES
Travel is in an air-conditioned, purpose built, fully equipped 6 WD bus.
For your safety we carry an HF Radio with Royal Flying Doctor frequencies.
We also carry a satellite telephone .
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING
Comfortable casual clothes, for warm to hot days, and cool to cold nights, stout
comfortable shoes, and hat. (Most people bring more clothes than they ever use,
so consider carefully, and keep your baggage to a minimum), a camera, with
plenty of film and a torch.
home Page: http://www.DesertSkyTours.com
Please email Desert Sky Tours enquiries to: enquiries@desertskytours.com
enquiries@desertskytours.com