ISLANDS & ICONS OF REMOTE QUEENSLAND BY PRIVATE JET

14 Sep Departure : As Your Tour Manager, Dee Greenhill Welcomes You On This Journey

14 Sep Departure : Your Accompanying Tour Doctor For This Journey Is Dr. Guy Greenhill

Our privately chartered, business class jet leaves Sydney and promptly delivers us to Longreach, the heart of Queensland’s outback country. On arrival, we take in the sights of this iconic town, before checking in to our boutique outback lodge, Saltbush Retreat. Afterwards, delve into the history of our flag carrier at the Qantas Founders Outback Museum, where aviation enthusiasts will appreciate its historic collection of aircraft. It is here that we celebrate the commencement of our journey with a Welcome Dinner.

Our first stop today is the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, which pays tribute to the hardy men and women who settled the Outback. This afternoon, we take our preferred positions aboard a twin-decked watercraft and head out on the Thomson River for a sunset cruise. As the sun’s rays disappear over the horizon, our vessel docks and we settle in at Smithy’s Outback Dinner & Show. While enjoying dinner under the stars, we are entertained by an evening of song, dance and the occasional bush yarn.

Our private jet is at the ready and spirits us away to nearby Winton. After touching down, we make our way to the Waltzing Matilda Centre, where we go on an in-depth exploration of the song which embodies the Australian spirit. The centre incorporates the Qantilda Pioneer Place Museum, which celebrates the town’s founders. Following lunch, we depart again on our private jet for Mount Isa, in Queensland’s Gulf Country region. Here, we spend our first of two nights at the Red Earth Hotel.

This morning, our travels bring us to Mount Isa School of the Air, a critical service which caters to the needs of children in some of Australia’s most isolated areas. We then scan the vast landscape of this proud mining town from atop the Mount Isa City Lookout. Nearby Lake Moondarra provides a peaceful setting in which to observe various breeds of waterbird, including the Black-fronted Dotterel and the Black-necked Stork. After getting a closer look at the inner workings of Mount Isa Mines, we’re granted an exclusive opportunity to dine underground at Outback at Isa.

We soar in a northerly direction, stopping just short of the Gulf of Carpentaria to arrive in Normanton. Embarking the Gulflander train, our locomotive follows the tracks to Critters Camp, as we hear tales of the pioneers who long ago lay the tracks in these parts. Reaching beyond the mainland, our jet then delivers us to Horn Island in the Torres Strait. Boarding a ferry, our travels take us to neighbouring Thursday Island. We explore its historic main street, which drew workers from all over Asia, seeking their fortune in the pearling industry. For two nights, we stay at the Grand Hotel.

Choose to spend your day in one of two ways. From our base on Thursday Island, board a ferry and be transported across turquoise waters to Cape York. After taking in its tropical splendour, a convoy of 4WD vehicles will deliver you to ‘The Tip’, northernmost part of mainland Australia. Alternatively, take the short journey to neighbouring Friday Island, home to little over ten people, including one of Queensland’s last pearl farmers. While here, enjoy a sushi and sashimi lunch, which features rare and delicious pearl meat. We reconvene this evening for dinner at our hotel.

Horn Island was an operational airbase during World War II and we visit its aircraft wrecks, trenches and command posts. Commencing our gradual journey southward, we fly to Hamilton Island. On arrival, we transfer to our luxury vessel and cruise the Whitsundays to Hayman Island. The afternoon is yours to soak up this remote, tropical paradise. This evening’s Farewell Dinner takes place on a private beach; the relaxed setting proving conducive to reliving memorable moments with new-found friends. We retire to Lagoon Ocean View Rooms at the Intercontinental Hayman Island Resort.

Following breakfast, we cross the waters on our return to Hamilton Island. Re-joining our private jet, we continue our journey south and homeward bound. After saying our farewells to our friends in Brisbane, our final leg concludes late this afternoon in Sydney.