CORNER COUNTRY HIGHLIGHTS

Day 1: Sunday ‐ Brisbane (D)

Arrive in Brisbane and check into your accommodation early afternoon. This evening, join your fellow travellers and the Outback Aussie Tours team for a welcome dinner and tour orientation ready for the start of your Corner Country Explorer adventure. Your accommodation is conveniently located above the Brisbane Transit Centre.

Accommodation Brisbane – Hotel Jen

Day 2: Monday ‐ Stanthorpe (B,L,D)

We travel to the beautiful Southern Queensland Country region, follow the Falls Scenic Drive to Queen Mary Falls then begin our ‘foodie’ adventure in Stanthorpe. Enjoy a seasonal produce lunch at Queensland College of Wine Tourism, before we sample ciders at Suttons Apple Farm. We have a late afternoon check‐in to our cosy cedar cabins at Happy Valley Retreat, home also to the Granite Belt Brewery. Tonight we’ll sample their famous 4‐course Brewers Platter – season produce menu matched with craft beer.

Accommodation Stanthorpe – Happy Valley Retreat.

Day 3: Tuesday – Stanthorpe (B,L,D)

Visit the Bramble Patch to sample gourmet jams, sauces and chutneys. At Girraween National Park select an easy stroll or medium level bush walk to explore the dramatic granite landscapes. Enjoy lunch at Ballandean Estate then a relaxing afternoon at Happy Valley Retreat.

Accommodation Stanthorpe – Happy Valley Retreat.

Day 4: Wednesday – Roma (B,L,D)

We travel via St George on the beautiful Ballonne River, arriving late afternoon in Roma. Tonight we’ll join an evening tour of the Big Rig for an entertaining sound and light show telling the story of Australia’s boom and bust years of oil and gas exploration.

Accommodation Roma ‐ Explorers Inn

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Day 5: Thursday – Charleville (B,L,D)

We call in at Mitchell, home of the Great Artesian Spa, before continuing a short distance to Bonus Downs Station, a privately owned property run by Lyle and Madonna Connolly, for a tour of the homestead, followed by lunch. We arrive in Charleville mid afternoon with time to relax at our accommodation before the mesmerising Cosmos Centre Twilight Show.

Accommodation Charleville ‐ Mulga Country Inn

Day 6: Friday ‐ Charleville (B,L,D)

Enjoy a welcome tour of Charleville and visit the Charleville Airport precinct with the Royal Flying Doctor hangar and remnant reminders of our World War II involvement. We visit the Historic House Museum, one of the few Queenslanders left in Charleville. Tonight we meet the rare and endangered Bilby at the Bilby Experience where the dedicated volunteers will share their knowledge and passion for the preservation of this delightful marsupial.

Accommodation Charleville – Mulga Country Inn

Day 7: Saturday ‐ (B,L,D)

We follow the Warrego River to Cunnamulla, which came into being as a Cobb and Co coach stop. Discover the quaint township of Eulo, hear the tales of Isabel 'The Eulo Queen' and learn the story of the Eulo Artesian Mud Baths. Travel to Thargomindah and discover its historic electrical street lighting story.

Accommodation Thargomindah ‐ Oasis Motel or Explorer Caravan Park Cabins

Day 8: Sunday ‐ Tibooburra (B,L,D)

Travel southwest across the Dingo Barrier Fence to the historic Hotel and the Warri Gate border into Outback NSW. View the eastern sections of the Sturt National Park then traverse gibber plains and spectacular 'jump up' country to Tibooburra. The striking granite boulders around Tibooburra are said to be remnants of a mass underground granite dating back 410 million years. Explore the National Parks Interpretive Centre and Court House Museum.

Accommodation Tibooburra ‐ Granites Motel

Day 9: Monday ‐ Innamincka (B,L,D)

Travel through the Sturt National Park to Cameron Corner where the boundary lines of the states of Queensland, South Australia, and New South Wales meet. See the Strzelecki Desert, characterised by extensive red dune fields and home of the endangered Dusky Hopping Mouse. Pass by large cattle stations and travel through the heart of the oil and gas fields to Innamincka on the banks of Cooper Creek in north‐east South Australia.

Accommodation Innamincka ‐ Innamincka Hotel

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Day 10: Tuesday ‐ Innamincka (B,L,D)

Retrace the last days of Burke and Wills and hear about the town with two lives. Explore the restored Australian Inland Mission building then enjoy a peaceful late afternoon cruise on the Cooper Creek witnessing gnarled river gums, gliding pelicans and shady creek water.

Accommodation Innamincka ‐ Innamincka Hotel

Day 11: Wednesday ‐ (B,L,D)

Follow the Strzelecki Desert through flood plains, sand dunes and gibber country. Visit the site of the Burke and Wills Depot Camp and see the iconic Dig Tree, a reminder of Australia's pioneering spirit. Journey through changing desert environments to Birdsville ‐ where the Channel Country meets the Simpson and Strzelecki Deserts. Tonight enjoy a dinner at the famous Birdsville Hotel.

Accommodation Birdsville ‐ Birdsville Hotel

Day 12: Thursday– Birdsville (B,L,D)

Visit the Birdsville Burke and Wills Tree on the Diamantina River, said to mark one of their final campsites. We call in at the famous Birdsville Racetrack, view the Birdsville Billabong then explore the Inland Hospital and Royal Hotel ruins, reminders of Birdsville as a pre‐federation metropolis. Tonight we'll toast the glorious Outback sunset atop the famous Big Red, one of the stunning red dunes on the edge of the Simpson Desert National Park.

Accommodation Birdsville ‐ Birdsville Hotel

Day 13: Friday – (B,L.D)

Travel on to Deon's Lookout with its amazing view of the Diamantina Shire and the ghost town of Betoota, once a Cobb and Co. Station. We arrive in Windorah on the Cooper Creek where the two main tributaries of the Thomson and Barcoo Rivers merge. Located in the heart of the Channel Country with its majestic red sand dune landscapes, we take a late afternoon drive out to the red sand hills for a spectacular sunset.

Accommodation Windorah – Cooper Creek Cabins or Western Star Hotel Motel

Day 14: Saturday ‐ Longreach (B, L, D)

We follow the Thomson River floodplain to Jundah on the banks of the Thomson River. Just outside of town we call into the Native Well, once a valuable source of water for Indigenous people. Stunning views are to be had from Swanvale Lookout en route to Stonehenge. See the unusual visitors book at Stonehenge, where visitors sign their town names in stone! We arrive back in Longreach late afternoon.

Accommodation Longreach – Longreach Motor Inn

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Day 15: Sunday – Longreach (B, L, D)

Today we visit the Qantas Founders Museum where you’ll discover the real Qantas story of pioneer aviation and hear great human stories of our national airline’s early years. Next, we’ll head across to the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame to explore the five themed galleries and to watch the Outback Stockman’s Show with lunch. Free time to relax before a late afternoon transfer to join the M.V. Explorer for the Drover’s Sunset Cruise. Unwind with onboard nibbles and drinks, watching a magnificent outback sunset. Enjoy a 2‐course table service dinner as you watch the entertaining Smithy’s Outback Dinner and Live Show.

Accommodation Longreach – Longreach Motor Inn

Day 16: Monday – Homeward bound (B, L, D)

Board the Spirit of the Outback for your return overnight First Class sleeper journey to Brisbane.

Day 17: Tuesday ‐ (B)

Arrive in Brisbane this morning.

Meals: B – Breakfast, L – lunch, D ‐ Dinner

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