10 DAY BIRDSVILLE RACES Dep: 29 Aug 2016 DAY 1 Mon 29 Aug MELBOURNE – OUYEN – MILDURA T (D) Passengers depart Southern Cross Coach Terminal at 8:00am then proceed to Tullamarine Airport to pick up interstate passengers (latest flight arrival 7:45am). Travel through central Victoria to the mallee region of the far north west of the state and large wheat fields. Enter the Sunraysia near Mildura and set up camp on the banks of the mighty Murray River tonight. Overnight: Mildura DAY 2 Tue 30 Aug MILDURA – BROKEN HILL - TIBOOBURRA T (BD) Cross the Daly River at Wentworth and head into the vast interior of the outback. Enter Broken Hill, the town synonymous with mining in Australia and time for a stroll in town after stopping at the Information Centre. This afternoon head north, stopping at historic Milparinka before ending the day in the town of boulders – Tibooburra, where “The Brushmen of the Bush” painted many of their landscapes. Overnight: Tibooburra DAY 3 Wed 31 Aug TIBOOBURRA – CAMERON'S CORNER – INNAMINCKA T (BLD) This morning travel to Cameron's Corner - the cornerpost of the three states - New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. Pass through the gate of the Dog (Dingo) Fence then proceed through cattle stations and stop off to photograph and climb the red sand dunes at Merty Merty Station. Travel through the oil and gas fields of Moomba on the way to Innamincka. Overnight: Bush Camp - Innamincka DAY 4 Thu 01 Sep INNAMINCKA – CORDILLO DOWNS – BIRDSVILLE T (BLD) Travel through Cordillo Downs Station across the centre of Sturts Desert with its barren gibber plains. Continue north over the Queensland border to Birdsville, once known in its heyday to have boasted three pubs. Today only one remains and it is still a welcome sight to thirsty travellers travelling along the Birdsville Track. Tonight you may like to visit the famous Birdsville Pub and get some tips for tomorrow's races. Overnight: Birdsville DAYS 5 & 6 Fri 02 & Sat 03 Sep BIRDSVILLE CUP RACES T (BD&B) Enjoy two full days to be part of the action at the famous annual Birdsville Races. It is a time when thousands of people drive in from many miles away and increase the normal population of approx. 100 to approx. 4000+ The Birdsville Races is one of the country's most spectacular and colourful sporting spectacles. Overnight: As Above DAY 7 Sun 04 Sep BIRDSVILLE TRACK T (BLD) Commence our journey today along one of Australia's most controversial roads, the notorious Birdsville Track. The Birdsville Track was once a supply outpost for Afghani camel traders, and follows the route originally used to drove cattle from south-west Queensland to Marree. The 'track' skirts the fringes of the Simpson Desert with its giant sand dunes and the desolate Sturt's Stony Desert. Camp out bush somewhere along the track with a campfire to add to the atmosphere. Overnight: Bush Camp DAY 8 Mon 05 Sep BUSH CAMP – FLINDERS RANGES – WILPENA POUND T (BLD) Today we follow the Old Ghan Railway as we travel to Marree with its desolate saltbush country surrounding the town along with its open cut coal-mining. Travel through the beautiful Parachilna Gorge to Wilpena Pound to view the vast natural amphitheatre. Overnight: Wilpena Pound Caravan Park DAY 9 Tue 06 Sep WILPENA – CLARE & BAROSSA VALLEYS – MANNUM T (B) Travel through the foothills of the picturesque Flinders Ranges this morning, then the vast grain area of the mid north of South Australia. See the vineyards and olde worlde architecture of the wineries in the Clare and Barossa Valleys this afternoon. Our last camp is on the Murray River in the paddlesteamer village of Mannum. Dine out this evening (own expense). Overnight: Mannum DAY 10 Wed 07 Sep MANNUM – BALLARAT – MELBOURNE (B) Pack up for the last time and head for home travelling along the Western Highway crossing the border back into Victoria. Pass by the picturesque Grampians and Ballarat before dropping off at Southern Cross Station at approximately 6:30pm, so ending a great holiday to the outback’s most famous race carnival. HIGHLIGHTS: Cameron’s Corner Birdsville Races Broken Hill Birdsville Track Tibooburra Flinders Ranges & Wilpena Pound Innamincka Mannum on the Murray River TOUR COST: $1,980.00 per person, twin share Single Supplement: $180.00 TOUR COST INCLUDES: TOUR COSTS DOES NOT INCLUDE: Air-conditioned safari coach and catering trailer Entry to entertainment on Friday evening All meals as listed in itinerary Entry to entertainment on Saturday (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner) Travel Insurance Tents and camping mattresses Entry to races Experienced Coach Captain and Cook Meals not listed in itinerary PASSENGERS ARE TO SUPPLY: * Sleeping Bag * Pillow * Torch * Eating Utensils & Tea Towel. Swagman Tours standard booking and cancellation fees apply – see booking form for details FOR BOOKINGS CONTACT: SWAGMAN TOURS Level 1, 182 Latrobe Terrace (PO Box 7473) GEELONG WEST VIC 3218 P: 1800 808 491 E: [email protected] W: www.swagmantours.com.au .