Marvels of the Outback & Savannahlander Experience

Cairns is best known as the gateway to the magnificent Great Barrier Reef as well as a lively coastal town with a host of attractions – many of which are linked to the reef itself. Take the cable car to nearby Kuranda or settle into a restaurant on the esplanade, home to a spacious swimming lagoon - perfect for a cooling dip. Cairns also has a number of lively night markets that are open until 11pm, selling everything from food produce to handmade souvenirs by local artisans and designers.

Today you’ll board the Savannahlander for a unique Outback rail experience. Departing weekly from Cairns, this train, with its classic 1960s silver carriages, takes you through the wet tropics of the Kuranda Range to Forsayth at a gentle pace. Your excursion today is an afternoon tour of the Chillagoe Caves, home to ancient Aboriginal rock paintings, and the tiny town of Chillagoe itself. You’ll stay overnight at the eco-friendly Chillagoe Cabins, whose self-contained cottages blend a delightfully rustic feel with modern amenities.

Today you’ll alight at the rural town of Forsayth in Queensland, whose permanent population comprises around 75 residents.  Originally known as Finnigan’s Camp, this town has a long railway history, with the Stationmaster’s Residence and railway station designated heritage sites. It was once a prosperous town, thanks to the deposits of gold, silver and copper in the area, and it still radiates a hardy, pioneering spirit. You’ll spend the night at Finnigan’s Rest, a modern, comfortable accommodation adjacent to the town’s Goldfields Hotel.

The Undara Lava Tubes – tunnels formed by the lava flow from ancient volcanoes – are a unique natural feature of this part of Queensland and are reputedly the longest lava tubes in the world. While here, you’ll get to visit the Kalkani Crater and take in the surrounding flora and fauna. Retire after your exertions to your cabin at Bedrock Village. This unpretentious accommodation is home to a saltwater pool and mini golf course, as well as a campfire pit where guests can gather at night.

Today you’ll arrive back in Cairns for a three-night hotel stay. This coastal city has more than just the Great Barrier Reef to enthral visitors. Cairns Botanical Gardens is a delightful sanctuary of native flora and fauna, while you could find a spot in the sunshine on one of several great beaches. At the award-winning Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, learn about the culture and customs of the indigenous people of Australia via hi-tech holograms and re-enactments.

With another day in Cairns, you could try seeing the aquatic life from another perspective – perhaps by snorkelling or scuba diving. Or you could take the scenic cable car to nearby Kuranda, gliding above the rainforest while enjoying breath-taking panoramic views across North Queensland. The village itself is a wonderful place to spend a few hours, with handicraft and souvenir shops selling a cornucopia of quirky good, from Aboriginal artefacts to one-off jewellery.

You could choose to spend your third day here touring the marine paradise of the reef with an upgrade option. Explore Fitzroy Island National Park, one of this marine wonder’s most unspoiled destinations. Later, travel to Moore Reef on an air-conditioned catamaran where you’ll spend four hours on the Outer Great Barrier Reef. You’ll get to enjoy complimentary inclusions such as snorkelling and glass-bottom boat viewing tours, as well as a seafood buffet lunch. There are also a variety of optional extras including Seawalker Helmet Diving. 

Today your holiday ends and you’ll fly home.