Original Australia
The world's largest sand island. The remote gorges of the
Great Dividing Range and the outback itself; a range of unique
landscapes filled with the colourful animal, bird and plant
life which makes a visit to this beautiful rugged continent
so special.
- Carnarvon Gorge: towering sandstone icon of the Australian
outback
- Fraser island and 8 of Australia's finest national parks
- Wallabies, kangaroos and brilliant parakeets
Detailed information
2008 Tour Itinerary
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Day 1: Brisbane – 1 night
Meet in the sub-tropical city with its relaxed riverside lifestyle.
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Days 2 - 3: Noosa – 2 nights
Travel north to Noosa for walks in the Glass House Mountains. We also take a full day 4WD beach safari on the world's largest sand bar, Fraser island, a World Heritage Site with its multi-coloured sands and unusual land formations. |
Days 4 - 5: Cania Gorge – 2 nights
Travel inland for walks in the Cania Gorge National Park. The park features vivid yellow and ochre caves, isolated monoliths and dry rainforests making it an important habitat for wildlife.
Days 6 - 8: Carnarvon Gorge National Park – 3 nights
Further on into the outback we reach Carnarvon Gorge National Park, its towering sandstone walls bursting with geological history and extensive ancient Aboriginal rock art. We'll explore the main gorge and canyons, with their 'living fossils', chattering parrots and haunting side gorges with evocative names like 'Hellhole Gorge', 'Cathedral Cave' and 'Moss Gardens'.
Day 9: St George – 1 night
Heading south we journey through the pioneering country of the outback to St George.
Days 10 - 12: Girraween – 3 nights
Continue to the Girraween National Park
where we will be greeted by mobs of kangaroos and wallabies in their natural environment. We spend two days enjoying another of inland Australia's ancient landscapes, with walks on steep-sided, heath-laden granite hills and large angular tors. We climb to the summit of Bald Rock, the largest granite monolith in the Southern Hemisphere which towers above the surrounding bushland.
Day 13: Armidale – 2 nights
We head for historic Armidale, taking time to visit Tenterfield, birthplace of the nation and Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.
Day 14: Wollomombi Falls
We walk to Wollomombi Falls, and enter the wilderness expanse of World Heritage listed New England National Park, featuring every habitat from sub-tropical rain forest to high country snow gums.
Day 15: Byron Bay – 1 night
Head to Australia's most easterly point at Byron Bay where we take a sunset walk along one of its celebrated beaches and dine on the waterfront.
Day 16: To Brisbane
Return to Brisbane via the renowned Gold Coast.
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| About the walks |
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Explore Australia’s finest beaches, primitive rainforests, towering gorges, grand granite monoliths and boulder strewn landscape in search of living fossils, abundant wildlife and the Australian spirit of adventure.
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Guided Walks:
The average length of a day's walking will be about 5-6
miles with a range from 2 to 12 miles. Ascents are easy,
the greatest being 1,200ft on Day 5, with many walks on
the flat. |
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| Dates and prices |
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| 19 October 2008 (15nts) |
Price on request* |
£2,920 |
*Flights are not priced as we know many guests wish to stop off en route to Australia or spend some extra time at the beginning or end of their holiday. A guide to the flight times we can book are shown below.
Independent travellers who book the no flight option can join the HF Holidays' airport transfers for £20 per person return.
Airport Parking: To book secure airport parking throughout the UK visit Purple Parking or Holiday Extras to book on-line.
Airport Hotels: To book airport hotels throughout the UK visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.
Airport Lounges: To book airport lounges visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.
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| Temperatures |
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There will be considerable variation in temperature depending upon the distance from the coast and elevation. Expect warm days and cool nights in most places with much cooler days at Girraween and on the New England heights.
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| Accommodation |
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We stay in comfortable motor inns, luxury safari style tents/cabins
at Carnarvon Gorge and park lodges. All accommodation is en-suite.
Where you'll stay
Brisbane - 1 night
Noosa - 2 nights
Cania Gorge National Park - 2 nights
Carnarvon Gorge National Park - 3 nights
St George - 1 night
Girraween National Park - 3 nights
Armidale - 2 nights
Byron Bay - 1 night
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| Flight information |
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Latest HF Holidays Flight Information - updated 22/08/2007 (provisional and available on request)
Singapore Airlines
Heathrow - Brisbane (via Singapore)
Out 22:15 (Fri) - 06:40 (Sun)
Brisbane - Heathrow
Return 23:45 (Mon) - 19:10 (Tues)
*Holidays with flights start and finish two days before and after no flight holidays dates.
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| What the holiday includes |
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- 15 nights' accommodation in twin-bedded en-suite rooms.
- Full Board from lunch on day two to lunch on day of departure.
- Services of a local tour conductor and walking guide.
- Walks, sightseeing, entrance fees for the itinerary as
described.
- Travel by air-conditioned tour coach.
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