Top End Tour

We will depart from the Sunshine Coast Airport and head out north-west to Emerald. When land was taken up in the area around 1860, a settler named MacDonald, impressed by the greenness of the pastures, called his property ‘Emerald Downs.’ The town takes its name from his property. We have the opportunity to go on a guided tour of one of the many underground gem fields in this area.

Departing Emerald, we fly to a private airstrip near Lake Galilee (not the Sea of Galilee) for a relaxed afternoon tea overlooking the lake. Our journey then continues to Hughenden where we will spend our first two nights.

After Breakfast, there is a full-day private, guided tour of some of the most amazing scenery in our state, at Porcupine Gorge. The creek has carved an impressive canyon that reveals strata of sedimentary rocks spanning thousands of years. Over time the eroding action of the creek has created the Pyramid, with multicoloured sandstone rising from the floor of the gorge, creating the shape of its namesake.

We return to our accommodation for dinner and time to relax before continuing the adventure tomorrow.

This morning our private guide will show you the highlights of the town, including the Flinders Discovery Centre. Over 3,000 fossil specimens from the cretaceous period have been found around the Hughenden district. Fossil varieties include many marine reptiles, Muttaburrasaurus, Hughenden Sauropod, Queensland Pterosaur and a large selection of shells, molluscs and fish. 

Departing on our next leg of the journey, we take in the views of Porcupine Gorge from above as we head to our next destination of Mt Isa, flying  over Julia Creek and Cloncurry on the way.

Accommodation for the night is at the 4.5-star RedEarth Boutique Hotel, which has been carefully restored to provide “premium service with historical stylings”.

The mining region of Mt Isa grew around the vast deposits of Lead, Silver, Copper and Zinc. An amazing town which has a rich history you will learn about on our guided tour of ‘The Isa’ (as the locals call it) and the Uranium mine.

As we depart The Isa and fly further north, we call in to the famous Burke and Wills Roadhouse (Population: 8) for a ‘bite to eat’ before continuing onto Burketown, our place of rest for the next 2 nights.

Burketown was established in 1865 and has an interesting past, which you can learn about from our local guides. There will be ample time to relax and enjoy this ‘Oasis’ as we have now travelled over 2000km in 5 days! Sure beats driving!

After breakfast, you can explore one of Australia’s most vibrant cultural landscapes on a Marrija 4WD Cultural Tour. With your guide, you will experience the historical, cultural and natural wonders of Moungibi (Burketown), with exclusive access to Australia’s largest salt pans. You will learn about the traditional uses of different native plant species and hear local knowledge on seasonal indicators and what they mean for the coming season.

In the evening we will go on the Gambumanda Sunset Cruise, where you can experience the magic of the vivid crimson shades of an outback sunset as you cruise the calm and pristine waters of the Gambumanda (Albert River) aboard our custom vessel, the Mabuntha Yipippee. Along with the Dreamtime stories of the Gangalidda people, your guide will share their traditional knowledge and unique insights into the local river system and its diverse range of animals and birdlife.

Today we will fly north to the coastal town of Kurumba in the Gulf Country. The region has a rich fishing history and is home to the Barramundi Discovery Centre where you will be treated to a guided, behind-the-scenes tour. It is the only hatchery in the world to breed the Southern Gulf Strain of the Barramundi.

Lunch, as you may have guessed, is Fish & Chips overlooking the beach (other meal options will be available).

Spend your afternoon relaxing, before boarding a Sand Island boat for a cruise while we dine on freshly cooked Gulf Prawns and other refreshments as we watch the sun set over the water.

Our flight this morning takes us over some amazing scenery of the Gulf of Carpentaria and on to Weipa, a coastal mining town. What would be a 13-hour drive takes us less than 2 hours by air. There are enormous deposits of Bauxite along the coast, and you will have to opportunity to learn more about this unique region on a guided tour.

Departing Weipa, we’ll fly from mainland Australia out to Horn Island. This area is part of the Torres Strait Island Group and these islands have an incredible history. You will gain insight into the region by visiting the museum with local tour guides.

Accommodation here is ‘island-style’ with all the essentials provided.

After a leisurely breakfast we will travel by ferry to Thursday Island, just a 5-minute boat ride away. The island is known by the locals simply as TI and is home to a vibrant mix of colours and sounds displaying the history of island life. You will again be guided by a local who has the insights into this region. A visit to heritage-listed Green Fort Hill is a highlight of the town tour.

There may be time for shopping at the local markets for souvenirs before we return to Horn Island and your accommodation for the night.

This morning’s flight takes us south, along the coast and past Iron Range National Park, to Cooktown. This beautiful unspoilt coastal town is where Lt James Cook repaired his ship in 1770. You will have the opportunity to visit the world-class James Cook Museum, Historical Railway Park, Cooktown Cemetery and Grassy Hill where James Cook stood while looking for a safe passage through the reef. We will spend 2 nights in this location filled with history.

Today is relaxed, with a guided tour of some of this region’s most pictures places, comprising of visits to natural wonders.

Returning to your accommodation for dinner and a good night’s rest before our adventure continues tomorrow.

Our next flight takes us south to Charters Towers which was founded on gold back in 1872 and a rush of ‘fortune seekers’ followed for many years and reached its peak of gold production in 1899. During the period 1872-1899 the place changed from a rough settlement with bark and calico buildings to a thriving City of some 25,000 inhabitants. The city, by that time, had properly formed streets, some wonderful houses and many grand public buildings lining the two main streets.

The decline of mining following World War 1 also saw a decline in the population. The town then became the supply centre or hub of the then Dalrymple Shire as well as the educational centre for students from all over North Queensland. You will have the opportunity to go on a self-guided tour of the town and the areas you have an interest in.

We depart and head Southeast to the coastal town of Bowen which holds the title of North Queensland’s oldest town and the Mango capital. Mangoes originate from south-east Asia, in particular India and in the late 1800’s, Mr Sandrock, the then Bowen harbourmaster, collected seeds and planted them on his property, along with a Mr McDonald from Adelaide Point. From these seeds the delicious, stringless Kensington Pride Mango was developed.

To date, the name Kensington Pride is still correct, but the variety is now more widely known as the Bowen Mango or Bowen Special and it is still considered the king of all mangoes.

Our flight today takes us out to the Queensland Coast over Airlie Beach and the Great Barrier Reef. Photo opportunities are endless as we will head home over some of the most iconic islands in the Whitsundays. Be sure to have your camera ready as we fly over the world-famous Whitehaven Beach, Lindeman, Brampton and Keswick Islands many of which are still closed to visitors due to the cyclone Debbie in 2017.

Soon after passing over Mackay we will arrive at our next destination of Rockhampton – known as the Beef Capital of this state. A visit to the Dreamtime Cultural Centre, as well as the opportunity to visit the Capricorn Caves and the stunning Cathedral Cave are highlights of this area.

Returning to your luxury accommodation for the night; right in the heart of the City.

Departing Rockhampton, we fly to Bundaberg, where you will be able to take a tour of the Bundaberg Rum Distillery (established in 1888) to learn the amazing story of the survival of this business.

Homeward bound now, this flight will take us over the world-famous K’gari (Fraser Island) and the Coloured Sands before passing over the holiday destination of Noosa on our way to the Sunshine Coast Airport. We will have you arriving early afternoon for any flights you may have to connect with to get you home.