Leichhardt’s Savannah Expedition 2024
Snapshot
- 14 nights / 15 days
- Aboard the Outback Spirit
- Cairns to Darwin
From
$11,240*
per person twin share
Overview
Moments of Magic
Pungalina Sanctuary
Pungalina is a vast wildlife sanctuary stretching from the Savannah Way to the pristine coastline of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Owned and operated by AWC, it protects a diverse range of ecosystems, including over 350 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs.
Karumba Sunset Cruise
Cruise to Karumba’s magical sunset viewing destination, a sand island in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Witness a spectacular gulf sunset as you dine on delicious fresh seafood and enjoy the tranquillity that surrounds.
Past Passenger Loyalty Rewards
Travelled once: Save $250pp
Travelled 2-3 tours: Save $350pp
Travelled 4+ tours: Save $500pp
*Offer valid until 17 May 2024. Price based on per person twin share departing 23 September 2024, correct as of 4 April 2024.
Inclusions
Outstanding Value Inclusions
- Small Group Size - 22
- All meals including all breakfasts, lunches and dinners while on tour
- All attractions, entry, cruise and national park fees
- Travel aboard a 5-star All Terrain Mercedes Benz Coach
- 13 nights of good to excellent quality accommodation
- Services of a professional 2 person crew: Tour Driver and Tour Director
- Outback Spirit Explorer Pack (for first-time travellers only)
Tour Highlights
- Spend two nights at our new wilderness lodge on AWC’s Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gulf of Carpentaria. Take a scenic helicopter flight to the coast and cruise the Calvert River
- Travel the remote Savannah Way and spend three nights at Lorella Springs Wilderness Park, a spectacular million-acre cattle station on the Gulf
- Discover the Southern Lost City in Limmen National Park on an included helicopter flight and guided walk
- Take a guided tour through the mind-blowing lava tubes at Undara Volcanic National Park and overnight in unique train carriage accommodation
- Take a magical sunset dinner cruise on the Gulf of Carpentaria
- Travel through the Atherton Tablelands and visit Millaa Millaa Falls
- Swim in pristine thermal pools
Itinerary
Itinerary & Accommodation Snapshot
Day 1 - Darwin - DoubleTree by Hilton
Today you will be greeted by our friendly and professional Tour Directors at the time and location specified above. We then head into the city and check in to Harbour view rooms at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on the Esplanade.
This evening we enjoy our first dinner together on the Charles Darwin with a delicious Territory-style sunset dinner cruise. Meals (D)
Day 2 - Darwin - Edith Falls - Katherine
Enjoy a leisurely start to the day before departing Darwin mid-morning to journey south along the Stuart Highway, through Adelaide River and Pine Creek en route to Katherine. Along the way we’ll visit Edith Falls, where you can swim in the paperbark-fringed pool at the base of the waterfall.
Later this afternoon, arrive in Katherine for the first of two nights at Knotts Crossing Resort. Meals (B,L,D)
Day 3 - Katherine
This morning we enjoy Tom Curtain’s national award winning Katherine Outback Experience, a new addition to our tour.
Later on today we take a 2-hour boat cruise on the Katherine River Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park. The NitNit Dreaming cruise is one of the most popular tours in the region and will take you to the end of the first gorge, where you will experience the beauty of the large boulders, rock pools and sands that make up the crossover to the second gorge.
We return to Knotts Crossing Resort for our second night. Meals (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Katherine - Lorella Springs
An early departure today as we head through Mataranka before continuing along the Roper Highway towards Roper Bar. Our travels take us along one of the most remote sections of the Savannah Way. Used extensively by drovers in the 1870’s, thousands of cattle have walked this route on their way from Queensland to the Northern Territory and the Kimberley. We pass through the dramatic scenery of the Limmen National Park and take a guided walk into the geological wonder of the Southern Lost City before arriving at the turn off to Lorella Springs. From here it’s a 30km drive to Lorella Springs Wilderness Park, a spectacular one millionacre pastoral lease that stretches right to the shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria.
We arrive late afternoon and settle in for our three-night stay in this extraordinary location. Lorella Springs has recently built new accommodation, all with private ensuite bathrooms. Meals (B.L.D)
Day 5 - Exploring Lorella Springs Station
Over the next two days we explore all the wonders of Lorella Springs Wilderness Park. Visit pristine thermal springs, take part in an exhilarating helicopter and ground tour of the southern ‘Lost City’.
After landing near these ancient sandstone structures enjoy a ground tour with your guides who'll tell you about the local geology, vegetation and birdlife.
At the end of each day's adventures, join your station hosts at the bar for happy hour and mingle with other likeminded explorers journeying across the Gulf. Meals (B,L,D)
Note: Weight restrictions apply for legal and safety reasons on all helicopter flights. All passengers must be weighed prior to boarding the aircraft.
Day 6 - Exploring Lorella Springs Station
As Day 5. Meals (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Lorella Springs - Borroloola - Pungalina - Pungalina Safari Camp
This morning we farewell the lovely team at Lorella Springs and make our way back out to the Savannah Way. From here we head to Borroloola, and after a visit to the Borroloola Museum, we continue our journey southeast towards Australian Wildlife Conservancy’s Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary. Together the two properties cover a combined area of around 305,000 hectares and include coastal monsoon rainforest, tall paper bark forests, palm-fringed wetlands, deep gorges and coastal flood plains. The sanctuary is home to over 40 species of mammals, 190 species of birds and 95 species of frogs and reptiles.
We arrive at the sanctuary late afternoon and check in to our new safari camp. Built by Outback Spirit in 2019, the camp features unique safari tents with ensuite bathrooms and covered decks, the perfect spot for a three-night stay to discover the area. Meals (B,L,D)
Note: Seven Emu is owned by Mr Frank Shadforth with 110,000 hectares of the property leased to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy for conservation. Pungalina is wholly owned by AWC.
Day 8 - Exploring Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary
Over the next two days, we'll explore Pungalina-Seven Emu Sanctuary and learn about what makes these two properties such important ecological habitats in northern Australia.
Activities include a scenic helicopter flight over the sanctuary, following the spectacular Calvert River all the way to the shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Visit the old homestead or take a cruise on the Calvert River and experience some rarely seen but truly spectacular scenery. Meals (B,L,D)
Note: weight restrictions apply for legal and safety reasons on all helicopter flights. All passengers must be weighed prior to boarding the aircraft.
Day 9 - Exploring Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary
As Day 8. Meals (B,L,D)
Day 10 - Savannah Way – Hell's Gate - Hell's Gate Roadhouse
This morning we bid farewell to Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary and continue east along the Savannah Way, crossing over the NT/QLD border and onto Hell's Gate. Located on Cliffdale Station, Hell's Gate Roadhouse takes its name from a gap in the escarpment one kilometre south.
This afternoon we enjoy a tour of the station and tonight we stay in new and modern accommodation with ensuite bathrooms. Meals (B,L,D)
Day 11 - Hell's Gate – Leichhardt Falls - Camp 119 - Karumba
This morning we depart Hell's Gate and continue travelling along the Savannah Way. Located on the banks of the Norman River, Karumba came to importance in the 1930's when it became a stop-over point for flying boats on the run from London to Australia. Later this afternoon we check in to the End of the Road Motel for our 2 night stay. Meals (B,L,D)
Day 12 - Karumba - Gulflander - Barramundi Centre
This morning we join one of the last great characters of rail travel - The Gulflander. This historic little train takes us on a journey from Normanton to Critters Camp.
From here we head back to Karumba and discover the amazing secrets of the mighty barramundi at The Les Wilson Barramundi Discovery Centre, the only hatchery in the world to breed the Southern Gulf strain of this iconic fish! The brand new interactive and state-of-the-art Interpretive Centre provides the history, stories, lifecycle, and habits of these sought-after fish.
This evening we enjoy our second night at the End of the Road Motel. Meals (B,L,D)
Note: Due to the closure of Adel’s Grove we will be spending the night at the End of the Road Motel.
Note: Gulflander travel may change subject to availability.
Day 13 - Karumba - Undara - Undara Experience
From here we head east to Mt. Surprise and then on to Undara Volcanic National Park, which protects the longest lava tube cave system in the world.
This afternoon we check in to Undara Experience for our overnight stay in unique accommodation, consisting of restored railway carriages. The lodge has recently been fully renovated and upgraded, with all rooms now featuring private ensuite bathrooms. Tonight, enjoy dinner in the outdoor style restaurant as the outback sun fades into a clear starlit night. Meals. (B,L,D)
Day 14 - Undara Lava Tubes - Atherton Tablelands - Cairns
This morning a local Savannah Guide will take us on a tour through the lava tube cave system. Created when the Undara Volcano erupted over 190,000 years ago, the lava that poured out was enough to fill Sydney Harbour three times over. The lava flows lasted a long time, which allowed the outer edge to cool while the interior kept flowing, creating the tubes seen today.
Departing Undara, we join the Kennedy Highway and travel east to the beautiful Millaa Millaa Falls. Continuing through the scenic Atherton Tablelands, we check in to the Shangri-La located on the Marina, just minutes from the Esplanade.
Tonight, enjoy our final dinner together and celebrate our adventure through some of the most remote country in Australia. Meals. (B,L,D)
Day 15 - Cairns
After breakfast enjoy a leisurely morning before being transferred according to the details specified below.
Bon Voyage! (B)
*Note: Itinerary is under review and subject to change. This tour also operates with a reverse itinerary. Please see departure dates below for reverse itinerary dates.
About Outback Spirit
Australia's leading experiential tourism group
Outback Spirit is part of Journey Beyond, a national business focused on bringing Australia’s most unique and iconic experiences to life. Outback Spirit was founded in 1999 and has been showcasing great Australian destinations to travellers to this day.
To learn more about Journey Beyond and our unique travel experiences, please click the link below
Committed to Conservation
As an eco-certified company, Outback Spirit regularly reviews its potential impact on natural, cultural and historical environments. We strive to be ecologically sustainable and limit our impact on the environment through good practice, innovation and financial support for Australia’s pre-eminent wildlife conservation group, AWC (Australian Wildlife Conservancy).
AWC is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the protection of our most precious wildlife. With 3 million hectares under conservation locations such as the Kimberley, Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York and Lake Eyre, AWC is making a real difference in the fight against extinction. Since 2008, Outback Spirit has donated over $1 million to AWC and will continue its support well into the future.
To learn more about this fantastic organisation, head to www.australianwildlife.org
Supporting Aboriginal Communities
Outback Spirit supports remote Indigenous communities in certain locations across the Kimberley & Arnhem land by way of employment opportunities, community sponsorships and support for Indigenous owned businesses. For example, Outback Spirit sponsors over a dozen football teams in Ramingining and Maningrida, both directly and through local schools.
The company also creates jobs for local interpretive guides, which gives Outback Spirit passengers an authentic insight into the environment and local culture. It also helps to preserve Indigenous culture. Past initiatives have included the provision of teachers and tutors in small communities where no school facilities exist.
Award Winning Tour Operator
Choosing Outback Spirit means choosing an award-winning tour operator. We’re proud to have been acknowledged for consistently delivering professional and authentic adventures to remote destinations of Australia.
Some of our achievements have been recognised with the following awards:
Operation & Mechanical Bases
The outback can be a challenging environment to operate in, and professional back-up support is vital.
Outback Spirit headquarters are in the regional NSW city of Albury, however we have a dedicated team in Broome and Darwin for mechanical and operational matters. These teams are available 24 hours a day to provide immediate support, should it be required. Other smaller bases are located around the country, guaranteeing you a seamless touring experience.
* Term and conditions apply:
All pricing subject to change and availability.
Advertised prices are per person twin share unless stated otherwise.
Offers may be withdrawn at any time. Itineraries are subject to change.
Booking Conditions and Phil Hoffmann Travel Schedule of Professionalism* applies.
Please speak to your Phil Hoffmann Travel Consultant for more information.
Destinations featured in this deal
Australia Northern Territory Queensland Tropical North Queensland