Day 1 (D) MELBOURNE, COOLANGATTA, GYMPIE, MARYBOROUGH
Melbourne and interstate passengers fly to Coolangatta to commence their Queensland Inland Explorer holiday. Our Seniors Coach Tours coach captain or hostess will meet your flight. Later we travel north to Gympie and Maryborough and our home for tonight, McNevins Parkway.

Day 2 (B,L,D) MARYBOROUGH, CHILDERS, BOROREN, GLADSTONE, ROCKHAMPTON
A local guide joins us for a tour of Maryborough. This is a fascinating insight into a town that has preserved its heritage and sure to be enjoyed by all. Morning cuppa at Childers and lunch at Bororen. Visit Gladstone, Queensland’s busiest port, enjoy views of the deep water harbour from the lookout. We arrive in Rockhampton, located on the banks of the Fitzroy River and straddling the Tropic of Capricorn. “Rocky” is known as the “Beef Capital of Australia”. A short town tour prior to arriving at our home for tonight, the Comfort Inn, Rockhampton.

Day 3 (B,L,D) ROCKHAMPTON, MACKAY, PROSERPINE, AIRLIE BEACH
Visit Rockhampton Heritage Village, morning cuppa, with lunch at Clairview. A short city tour of the “Sugar City” – Mackay. Here we see the largest bulk sugar loading terminal in the world. On to Proserpine and Airlie Beach, the centre of the thriving Whitsunday Coast. Home for two nights, the Best Western Colonial Palms Motor Inn.

Day 4 (B,D) HAMILTON ISLAND CRUISE
A magnificent day in the Whitsundays. Travel by ferry to Hamilton Island. Coach tour of Hamilton Island. Free time to stroll the shops of bustling Airlie Beach.

Day 5 (B,L,D) AIRLIE BEACH, BOWEN, BILLABONG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, TOWNSVILLE
This morning we complete our journey north as we travel to Bowen, home of the Big Mango, a tribute to the local Kensington Mango. Enjoy a morning cuppa and lookout views. Lunch at Home Hill and guided tour of Ashworths Rock Collection. On to Billabong Wildlife Sanctuary and then to Townsville. Home for two nights, the Monte Carlo Motor Inn.

Day 6 (B,L,D) QUEENS GARDENS, REEF HQ, IMAX THEATRE, ANZAC PARK
Visit Queens Gardens, the original Townsville botanic gardens. Later a guided tour at Reef HQ, the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium. Lunch at the aquarium. We visit the IMAX theatre for spectacular movie viewing. Later we stroll in Anzac Park, overlooking Breakwater Marina. The rest of the day is free to explore.

Day 7 (B,D) TOWNSVILLE, CHARTERS TOWERS
A short journey inland this morning to a town of the gold era, Charters Towers, which once boasted 29 crushing mills, 65 hotels and its own Stock Exchange, all for 30,000 people. We join the Ghosts of Gold Trail to explore more of the history of gold mining in the area. Panoramic views from the town lookout. Home tonight, the Cattlemans Rest.

Day 8 (B,L,D) CHARTERS TOWERS, HUGHENDEN, WINTON, LONGREACH
A longer journey today. Morning cuppa at Hughenden with a later lunch at Winton at the Waltzing Matilda Centre. Created as a tribute to the swagman life, this centre provides an interesting look into Australian history. We continue to Longreach. Home for two nights is the Longreach Motor Inn.

Day 9 (B,D) LONGREACH
A relaxing day at Longreach, the largest town in central-west Queensland. Visit the School of Distance Education, the famous Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre (lunch available here), and the Qantas Founders Outback Museum (747 jumbo jet tour at own expense). Later in the day watch the sunset and the multitude of stars as we enjoy a Thompson River dinner cruise.

Day 10 (B,D) LONGREACH, BARCALDINE, EMERALD
To Barcaldine and the Australian Workers Heritage Centre, a national monument to workers. We continue to Alpha and Emerald, home to Queensland’s most handsome railway station and a 250 million year old fossilised tree. Tonight we stay at the Emerald Meteor Motel.

Day 11 (B,L,D) EMERALD, SPRINGSURE, INJUNE, ROMA
Today we head south via Springsure, Rolleston and Injune (picnic lunch today) to Roma. Check in to our overnight home, Roma Explorers Inn.

Day 12 (B,L,D) ROMA, MILES, DALBY, TOOWOOMBA
This morning we visit the Big Rig and discover the story of oil and gas in the area. On to Miles and the Miles Historical Village. Following lunch we travel to Dalby, centre of the richest grain and cotton growing area in Queensland and Toowoomba, a city with wide tree-lined streets, colonial architecture and over 100 parks and gardens. We enjoy a guided tour of some of the attractions of the city. Home tonight, The Park Motor Inn.

Day 13 (B) TOOWOOMBA, COOLANGATTA, MELBOURNE
A short journey to Coolangatta Airport this morning where we board flights home to various ports, completing a fascinating and enjoyable Queensland Inland Explorer holiday. In Melbourne, coach transfers to Southern Cross Station coach terminal and Forest Hill Chase are available