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Leichhardt's Savannah Expedition
Operated by Outback Spirit
Tripcode:
Overview
Destination:
Australia,
Northern Territory (NT),
Queensland (QLD),
Duration:15 days
Travel Period
May 2025 - September 2025
Fly Free + Save up to $400pp - Members Save More^
Tour Highlights:
- Spend two nights at our new wilderness lodge on AWC’s Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary
on the Gulf of Carpentaria. Take a scenic helicopter flight to the coast and cruise the Calvert
River.
- Travel the remote Savannah Way and spend three nights at Lorella Springs Wilderness Park, a
spectacular million-acre cattle station on the Gulf.
- Discover the Southern Lost City in Limmen National Park on an included helicopter flight and
guided walk.
- Take a guided tour through the mind-blowing lava tubes at Undara Volcanic National Park and
overnight in unique train carriage accommodation.
- Take a magical sunset dinner cruise on the Gulf of Carpentaria.
- Travel through the Atherton Tablelands and visit Millaa Millaa Falls.
- Swim in pristine thermal pools.
*Note: This tour also operates with a reverse itinerary - please ask your travel consultant for more information.
Itinerary
Expand all 
Collapse all
Collapse allDay 1 - Darwin
Today you will be greeted by our friendly and professional Tour Directors at the time and location specified above. We then head into the city and check in to harbour view rooms at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on the Esplanade.
This evening we enjoy our first dinner together on the Charles Darwin with a delicious Territory-style sunset dinner cruise. Meal (D).
Day 2 - Darwin - Edith Falls - Katherine
Enjoy a leisurely start to the day before departing Darwin mid-morning to journey south along the Stuart Highway, through Adelaide River and Pine Creek en route to Katherine. Along the way we’ll visit Edith Falls, where you can swim in the paperbark-fringed pool at the base of the waterfall.
Later this afternoon we arrive in Katherine for the first of two nights at Knotts Crossing Resort. Meals (B.L.D).
Day 3 - Katherine
This morning we enjoy Tom Curtain’s national award winning Katherine Outback Experience, a new addition to our tour.
Later on today we take a 2-hour boat cruise on the Katherine River Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park. The NitNit Dreaming cruise is one of the most popular tours in the region and will take you to the end of the first gorge, where you will experience the beauty of the large boulders, rock pools and sands that make up the crossover to the second gorge.
We return to Knotts Crossing Resort for our second night. Meals (B.L.D).
Day 4 - Katherine - Lorella Springs
An early departure today as we head through Mataranka before continuing along the Roper Highway towards Roper Bar. Our travels take us along one of the most remote sections of the Savannah Way. Used extensively by drovers in the 1870’s, thousands of cattle have walked this route on their way from Queensland to the Northern Territory and the Kimberley.
We pass through the dramatic scenery of the Limmen National Park and take a guided walk into the geological wonder of the Southern Lost City before arriving at the turn off to Lorella Springs.
From here it’s a 30km drive to Lorella Springs Wilderness Park, a spectacular one million acre pastoral lease that stretches right to the shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria.
We arrive late afternoon and settle in for our three-night stay in this extraordinary location. Lorella Springs has recently built new accommodation, all with private ensuite bathrooms. Meals (B.L.D).
Day 5 - Exploring Lorella Springs Station
Over the next two days we explore all the wonders of Lorella Springs Wilderness Park. Visit pristine thermal springs, take part in an exhilarating helicopter and ground tour of the southern ‘Lost City’.
After landing near these ancient sandstone structures enjoy a ground tour with your guides who'll tell you about the local geology, vegetation and birdlife.
At the end of each day's adventures, join your station hosts at the bar for happy hour and mingle with other likeminded explorers journeying across the Gulf. Meals (B.L.D).
Note: Weight restrictions apply for legal and safety reasons on all helicopter flights. All passengers must be weighed prior to boarding the aircraft.
Day 6 - Exploring Lorella Springs Station
As Day 5. Meals (B.L.D).
Day 7 - Lorella Springs - Borroloola - Pungalina
This morning we farewell the lovely team at Lorella Springs and make our way back out to the Savannah Way. From here we head to Borroloola, and after a visit to the Borroloola Museum, we continue our journey south east towards Australian Wildlife Conservancy’s Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary. Together the two properties cover a combined area of around 305,000 hectares and include coastal monsoon rainforest, tall paper bark forests, palm-fringed wetlands, deep gorges and coastal flood plains. The sanctuary is home to over 40 species of mammals, 190 species of birds and 95 species of frogs and reptiles.
We arrive at the sanctuary late afternoon and check in to our new safari camp. Built by Outback Spirit in 2019, the camp features unique safari tents with ensuite bathrooms and covered decks, the perfect spot for a three-night stay to discover the area. Meals (B.L.D).
Note: Seven Emu is owned by Mr Frank Shadforth with 110,000 hectares of the property leased to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy for conservation. Pungalina is wholly owned by AWC.
Day 8 - Exploring Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary
Over the next two days, we'll explore Pungalina-Seven Emu Sanctuary and learn about what makes these two properties such important ecological habitats in northern Australia.
Activities include a visit the old homestead, scenic helicopter flight over the sanctuary, following the spectacular Calvert River all the way to the shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Take a cruise on the Calvert River and experience some rarely seen but truly spectacular scenery. Meals (B.L.D).
Note: weight restrictions apply for legal and safety reasons on all helicopter flights. All passengers must be weighed prior to boarding the aircraft.
Day 9 - Exploring Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary
As Day 8. Meals (B.L.D).
Day 10 - Savannah Way - Hell's Gate
This morning we bid farewell to Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary and continue east along the Savannah Way, crossing over the NT/QLD border and onto Hell's Gate.
Located on Cliffdale Station, Hell's Gate Roadhouse takes its name from a gap in the escarpment one kilometre south.
This afternoon we enjoy a tour of the station and tonight we stay in new and modern accommodation with ensuite bathrooms. Meals (B.L.D).
Day 11 - Hell's Gate - Leichhardt Falls - Camp 119 Karumba
This morning we depart Hell's Gate and continue travelling along the Savannah Way.
Located on the banks of the Norman River, Karumba came to importance in the 1930's when it became a stop-over point for flying boats on the run from London to Australia.
Later this afternoon we check in to the End of the Road Motel for our 2 night stay. Meals (B,L,D).
Day 12 - Karumba - Gulflander - Barramundi Centre
This morning we join one of the last great characters of rail travel - The Gulflander. This historic little train takes us on a journey from Normanton to Critters Camp.
From here we head back to Karumba and discover the amazing secrets of the mighty barramundi at The Les Wilson Barramundi Discovery Centre, the only hatchery in the world to breed the Southern Gulf strain of this iconic fish! The brand new interactive and state-ofthe-art Interpretive Centre provides the history, stories, lifecycle, and habits of these soughtafter fish.
For our dinner this evening we enjoy a special Sand Island sunset dinner cruise in the Gulf. Dine on local seafood while watching a sensational gulf sunset. (Includes wine and beer. Alternative meals are available). We head back to the End of the Road Motel for our final night in Karumba. Meals (B.L.D).
Note: Due to the closure of Adel’s Grove we will be spending the night at the End of the Road Motel.
Note: Gulflander journey may change subject to operating hours.
Day 13 - Karumba - Undara
From Karumba we head east to Mt. Surprise and then on to Undara Volcanic National Park, which protects the longest lava tube cave system in the world.
This afternoon we check in to Undara Experience for our overnight stay in unique accommodation, consisting of restored railway carriages. The lodge has recently been fully renovated and upgraded, with all rooms now featuring private ensuite bathrooms. Tonight, enjoy dinner in the outdoor style restaurant as the outback sun fades into a clear starlit night. Meals. (B.L.D).
Day 14 - Undara Lava Tubes - Atherton Tablelands - Cairns
This morning a local Savannah Guide will take us on a tour through the lava tube cave system. Created when the Undara Volcano erupted over 190,000 years ago, the lava that poured out was enough to fill Sydney Harbour three times over. The lava flows lasted a long time, which allowed the outer edge to cool while the interior kept flowing, creating the tubes seen today.
Departing Undara, we join the Kennedy Highway and travel east to the beautiful Millaa Millaa Falls. Continuing through the scenic Atherton Tablelands, we check in to the ShangriLa located on the Marina, just minutes from the Esplanade.
Tonight, enjoy our final dinner together and celebrate our adventure through some of the most remote country in Australia. Meals. (B.L.D).
Day 15 - Cairns
After breakfast enjoy a leisurely morning before being transferred according to the details specified above, below Overview.
Bon Voyage! (B).
Departure dates
Select your preferred date or enquire
Operator
Outback Spirit
At Outback Spirit, we’re continuing with what we’ve done for the past 22 years, which is connecting you – our guests – to Australia’s most remarkable landscapes, unique touring experiences and some very special communities. We’ve always made guest safety paramount – and we continue to do so with our experienced guides who are the best in the business and subtle changes to protect us in this new world of travel. Our journeys incorporate the finest accommodation available, specialised vehicles, fine food and wine and something we could all do with a little more of – and that’s perspective. When you realise you’re one of a handful of people to see exquisite rock art that’s thousands of years old, or you’re overlooking a rugged outback landscape once covered by sea, you gain a sense of perspective that prevails over everything else.
Important Information
*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.
For more information, please see Terms of Use
^Fly Free + Save up to $400pp: Terms & Conditions
Fly Free offer available for travel in 2025 on Leichhardt’s Savannah Expedition, plus save up to $400 per person on selected 2025 departures - Members save more.
Savings reflected in the prices shown.
Conditions apply. Fly Free Offer valid for new bookings only. Offer available until 31 March 2025 unless sold out prior. Fly Free includes economy airfares and taxes from major Australian capital cities.
2025 Fly Free Offer
Savings are reflected in the tour fare quoted and are subject to availability. Block out dates may apply. Bookings must be made by 31 March 2025, unless allocation sold out prior. Offer valid on select itineraries and dates departing in 2025. Offer includes economy airfares and taxes. All offers are subject to airline availability. Flight tickets will not be booked until booking deposit has been received by Outback Spirit Tours. Deposit amount is $1,000 per person. Flight offers are available from major capital cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart, Darwin or Canberra. Fly free is only applicable to a return airfare to and from your domestic capital city airport. Free flights are valid on the most direct route. Free flights are subject to a maximum amount of $1,500 per person. Amendments to ticketed flights will incur airline-related charges and a $50pp admin fee. Changes may not be possible if cancellation happens whilst on tour. Any cancellations of ticketed flights may be subject to third party fees and charges as per Airline T&Cs. No Flight credits will be given for tickets issued under this campaign. Offer is available for new bookings made between 1/11/2024 and 31/03/2025 for travel in 2025.
For full terms and conditions, please ask your travel consultant.
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14 nights
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