Australian Pacific Tours

Around Australia, 45 day, Camping Safari

Tour Code: RA45

Departure Dates
2000: 25mar, 10jun, 5aug, 30sep, 14oct
2001: 24mar, 9jun, 4aug, 29sep, 13oct

Legend: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Price: au$ 6330 Twinshare pp / au$ 7229 Sole Tent use

Day 2 Sun. Mildura-Renmark (BLD) :Via the Murrumbidgee to the Murray River, orchards and vineyards dot the country. Travel via Mildura, in the heart of Sunraysia. Camp: Renmark Caravan Park.

Day 3 Mon. Flinders Ranges (BD): Adelaide passengers join Burra. Tour this historic town, then across the lower Flinders Ranges, through Port Augusta and Iron Knob. Camp: Ceduna, Foreshore Caravan Park.

Day 4 Tue. Nullarbor Plain (BLD): Commence our journey across the vast Nullarbor Plain. Experience spectacular views across the Great Australian Bight. Camp: Out Bush.

Day 5 Wed. Kalgoorlie (BLD): Continue west through Norseman to Kalgoorlie, in the heart of Western Australia's gold-mining area. Camp: Kalgoorlie, Prospector Caravan Park.

• Stay Kings Canyon - scenic rim walk
• Ride the Skyrail Cableway
• Visit Rainforestation - See Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers
• Ride in unique Army Duck
• Stay on Eighty-Mile Beach
• Dinner & Bush Dance - Historic Glenmore Homestead
• 2 nights Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park
• Explore the mystical Pinnacles
• World-famous Kakadu National Park
• Yellow Waters Billabong Cruise
• Tour the Sunshine Coast - Noosa Heads
• Coral Bay - Ningaloo Reef
• Cruise Geikie Gorge & Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge)
• Cross the Nullarbor Plain
• 3 nights Perth Hotel
• Monkey Mia Dolphins
• Ord River Cruise
• Hamersley Range
• 2 nights Broome
• 2 nights Darwin
• 2 nights on Fraser Island
• Ayers Rock Climb
• 3 nights Cairns
• Outer Barrier Reef Cruise
• Yellow Submarine Coral Viewing

Day 7 Fri. Albany (BD): Cross the Stirling Range for panoramic views of the surrounding National Park, which in spring is vibrant with wildflowers. Travel to Albany, see the beautiful coastline. Overnight: Albany, Havana Villas.

Day 8 Sat. Pemberton-Perth (BL): Travel through scenic farm country to Pemberton, surrounded by towering karri forest. Continue to Perth. RA38 passengers join. Overnight: Perth, City Waters Lodge for 3 nights.

Day 9 Sun. Perth-Fremantle: Morning city tour of Perth including Kings Park and the historic port of Fremantle with its fine "Olde Worlde" buildings. Free time this afternoon.

Day 10 Mon. Free Day Perth: Enjoy a free day in beautiful Perth. Perhaps cruise to Rottnest Island or take an Australian Pacific Day Tour (20% discount applies). Your crew will assist.

Day 11 Tue. Pinnacles (LD): Perth passengers join. Travel via wildflower country to Nambung National Park, and the Pinnacles. Explore amongst these unusual limestone pillars rising from the desert cave. Camp: Geraldton, Separation Point Caravan Park.

Day 12 Wed. Monkey Mia (BLD): Travel to the Peron Peninsula. See Shell Beach, composed of billions of shells, and the stromatolites of Hamelin Pool. Camp: Monkey Mia Caravan Park, overlooking the beach where "wild" dolphins come into shore.

Day 13 Thur. Coral Bay (BD): Opportunity this morning to stroll down the beach and greet the dolphins as they come into shore (subject to appearance). Tour Carnarvon and the Gascoyne Irrigation Area. Camp: Coral Bay, People's Caravan Park.

Day 14 Fri. Tom Price (BLD): Traverse through scenic spinifex plains dotted with deep red anthills and silken white gums. Camp: Tom Price Caravan Park for 2 nights.

Day 15 Sat. Hamersley Gorges (BLD): Morning tour of Tom Price Mining Complex. Explore Karijini (Hamersley Range) National Park and enjoy views at Oxer Lookout and Fortescue Falls.

Day 16 Sun. Millstream (BLD): Leaving the spectacular Hamersley Ranges, we make our way to Millstream, an oasis of lush palms and lily ponds. Camp: Millstream National Park.

Day 17 Mon. Eighty Mile Beach (BLD): See Python Pool as we travel through the beautiful Chichester Ranges, to Port Hedland. Enjoy your camp tonight alongside Eighty Mile Beach.

Day 18 Tue. Broome (BLD): Travel to Broome, gateway to the Kimberley, bounded by white sands and beautiful turquoise waters. Tour the sights on arrival. Camp: Broome, Palm Grove Caravan Park for 2 nights.

Day 19 Wed. Broome At Leisure (BD): A full day to enjoy Broome at your leisure. Why not visit the crocodile park, relax on spectacular Cable Beach, or join a tour to Willie Creek Pearl Farm.

Day 20 Thur. Geikie Gorge (BLD): Visit the unique boab prison tree near Derby. Cross the lower Kimberley to Fitzroy Crossing and enjoy a cruise along the placid waters of Geikie Gorge. See the striking bands of colour in the rock face. Camp: Fitzroy Crossing, Fitzroy River Lodge.

Day 21 Fri. Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park (BD): An experience of a lifetime awaits as we meet up with our local guides and transfer to 4-wheel drive vehicles. Journey deep into the mysterious "Lost World" of Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park, possibly best known for its orange and black striped, "beehive" domes. Camp: In the heart of Purnululu National Park for 2 nights in canvas safari cabins.

Day 22 Sat. Bungle Bungle-Mini Palms Gorge (BLD): Spend the day touring one of Australia's natural wonders, the Bungle Bungle National Park. See the 350 million year old Bungle Bungle Massif. Visit Mini Palms Gorge, Echidna Chasm and Piccaninny Creek. Witness the ever changing light and colour as the sun sets over the Bungle Bungle.

Day 23 Sun. Kununurra (BLD): Complete your touring of the Bungle Bungle this morning, including a visit to Cathedral Gorge. Continue to Kununurra. Camp: Kununurra, Kimberleyland Holiday Park for 2 nights.

Day 24 Mon. Ord River Cruise (BLD): Enjoy a local guided tour of Kununurra and discover the beautiful 300 million year old Hidden Valley. This afternoon cruise along the majestic Ord River. Tonight your Tour Director will host pre-dinner drinks, including champagne, to celebrate the "Turn of the Century".

Day 25 Tue. Nitmiluk Cruise (BLD): Travel to Katherine and cruise the silent waters of Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge). View ancient rock walls dotted with caves and aboriginal paintings. Camp: Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park.

Day 26 Wed. Kakadu National Park- Yellow Waters Cruise (BLD): Travel north through Pine Creek to Kakadu. Cruise world-famous Yellow Waters Billabong, prolific with birds and wildlife. Camp: Cooinda Campground.

Day 27 Thur. Nourlangie Rock (BL): See ancient aboriginal paintings at Nourlangie Rock. Travel to Jabiru, visit the fascinating Bowali Visitor Centre and Warradjan Cultural Centre, then on to Darwin. Overnight: Hotel Darwin for 2 nights.

Day 28 Fri. Darwin at Leisure: Enjoy the day at leisure to further explore Darwin. Catch up on some shopping or personal sightseeing.

Day 29 Sat. Mataranka (LD): Visit Adelaide River War Cemetery before travelling to Mataranka. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the natural thermal pool. Camp: Daly Waters.

Day 30 Sun. Tennant Creek - Devils Marbles (BLD): Travel south to the gold-mining township of Tennant Creek. Explore the Devils Marbles and visit historic Barrow Creek. Camp: Alice Springs, Red Centre Resort for 2 nights.

Day 31 Mon. Alice Springs (B): Optional early morning ride in a hot-air balloon (own expense). Tour "The Alice" including the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Day 32 Tue. Kings Canyon (BLD): Visit Standley Chasm in the picturesque West MacDonnell Ranges. By special permit, journey south through aboriginal land to Kings Canyon. Camp: Kings Canyon Resort.

Day 33 Wed. Ayers Rock-Olgas-Sunset Viewing (BLD): Enjoy a guided walk to the rim of the canyon for views of the sheer red walls and the lush "Garden of Eden". Journey to Ayers Rock and explore amongst the domes of the Olgas. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks tonight as you watch the sunset over Ayers Rock. Camp: Ayers Rock Resort.

Day 34 Thur. Uluru-Cairns (BD): A chance to climb Ayers Rock this morning. Spend some time at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, before afternoon flight to Cairns. Camp: Cairns, Coconut Caravan Village for 3 nights.

Day 35 Fri. Skyrail-Army Duck (BD): Ride aboard the Skyrail and immerse yourself in the lush tropical environment as you journey above the World Heritage rainforest. Visit Rainforestation and see the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers. Join your local guide for an adventure ride in the unique Army Duck, deep into the rainforest, travelling on land and in water. Opportunity this afternoon to return to Cairns aboard the scenic Kuranda Train (own expense).

Day 36 Sat. Outer Reef Cruise (BL):Cruise to Fitzroy Island and Moore Reef on the true Outer Barrier Reef. Ride in a sub-sea coral viewer and view the world of living coral and tropical fish.

Day 37 Sun. Cairns-Airlie Beach (BD): Cross the Cardwell Ranges with spectacular views of Hinchinbrook Passage and Island, to arrive in the tropical city of Townsville. Camp: Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Wanderers Resort for 2 nights.

Day 38 Mon. Whitsunday Cruise (BL): Experience the magic of the Whitsundays today as we cruise to Bali Hai Island. Laze on the beach, snorkel amongst the coral reefs or perhaps try an optional "diving experience". Board the Yellow Submarine and view the tropical fish and coral, ending the day on beautiful Daydream Island.

Day 39 Tue. Rockhampton (BLD): Tour Mackay, then on to Rockhampton, noted for its wide tree-lined streets and fine building architecture. Enjoy a bushman's dinner this evening in the barn at Glenmore Homestead. Camp: Rockhampton, Tropical Wanderer Holiday Village.

Day 40 Wed. Fraser Island (BD): Cruise to World Heritage Fraser Island - the world's largest sand island, covered with lush tropical rainforests. Overnight: Fraser Island, Kingfisher Bay Resort & Village, Wilderness Lodge for 2 nights.

Day 41 Thur. 4WD Tour- Seventy-Five Mile Beach (B): Discover the Coloured Sands as we travel in 4-wheel-drive vehicles along Seventy-Five Mile Beach. Visit the historic Maheno Shipwreck and Eli Creek. Remainder of afternoon at leisure.

Day 42 Fri. Noosa-Gold Coast (B): Tour Noosa Heads and the exclusive Sunshine Coast, renowned for its natural scenery and beauty. Pass the peaks of the Glass House Mountains on our way to sunny Brisbane. Brisbane passengers depart Transit Centre, 4.00 p.m. Gold Coast passengers depart on arrival Surfers Paradise 5.30 p.m. Camp: Gold Coast, Treasure Island Caravan Park.

Day 43 Sat. Port Macquarie (BLD): Continue south through the riverland to Coffs Harbour, surrounded by lush banana plantations. Camp: Port Macquarie, Sundowner Caravan Park.

Day 44 Sun. Sydney (B): Travel via Lake Macquarie, crossing the Hawkesbury River into Sydney. Sydney passengers depart Circular Quay Terminal, 5.00 p.m. Canberra passengers depart Sydney Airport 5.45 p.m. for flight home (Interstate passengers wishing to fly out of Sydney may do so on arrival). Overnight: Sydney, Mercure Hotel. 

Day 45 Mon. To Melbourne: Adelaide, Perth and Tasmanian air passengers depart tour. Melbourne coach returns along the Hume Highway over the border into Victoria, then via Albury and Benalla to Melbourne. Arrive Australian Pacific Travel Centre, 184 Swanston Walk, 8.00 p.m.