• Escorted Tour

Cairns to Perth

Australia’s Longest Shortcut

AUSTRALIA’S LONGEST SHORTCUT – CAIRNS TO PERTH

This has to be epic  - This is OUTBACK Australia, crossing from North East to South West is not something many achieve, even the Australians. 

While an exciting journey such as this cannot be termed luxury, the accommodation is definitely comfortable, and the very experienced local driver and assistant are renowned for their enthusiasm, knowledge and genuine love of the area.

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Your travel itinerary

Thursday 28 August

Auckland - Cairns

Dinner iconDinner

Depart Auckland on Air New Zealand flight to Cairns.  On arrival transfer to our central city hotel. A social get-together and welcome dinner tonight. 

Friday 29 August

Cairns

Breakfast iconBreakfast

This morning we transfer to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway which takes you over Australia’s World Heritage-listed tropical rainforest canopy and deep into the forest. There will be time to explore Kuranda, known as the ‘Village in the Rainforest’ which includes markets, cafés, restaurants and galleries. Your return journey by train on the famous Kuranda Scenic Railway built over 120 years ago, which winds its way through the tropical mountain ranges between Kuranda and Cairns.

Saturday 30 August

Cairns

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A free day to explore the tropical city of Cairns. 

Sunday 31 August

Cairns – Mount Surprise

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This morning we depart Cairns on our overland adventure by climbing the Great Dividing Range through the winding forest highway enjoying the lush rainforest and tropical plantations. Via Ravenshoe and Mount Garnet to reach Mount Surprise for a two-night stay.

Monday 01 September

Mt Surprise

Breakfast iconBreakfast Lunch iconLunch Dinner iconDinner

Today we take a guided tour through the Undara Lava Tubes, the world’s longest lava flow from a single volcano, some of the caves are over 21m wide and up to 10m high. 

Tuesday 02 September

Mt Surprise – Winton

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 Onto the first of many dirt roads we drive up the Flinders River take a visit to the Porcupine Gorge Lookout before lunch at Hughenden. In the afternoon we reach the sheep/cattle town of Winton on the sprawling Western River.

Wednesday 03 September

Winton

Breakfast iconBreakfast

 Morning visit to the Age of Dinosaurs Centre, the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils. Followed by free time in Winton, a visit to the Waltzing Matilda Centre and a wander around this romantic, classic outback Queensland town. 

Thursday 04 September

Winton - Boulia

Breakfast iconBreakfast Dinner iconDinner

Our journey is across the Queensland Channel Country and over the Diamantina which flows south past Birdsville to Lake Eyre. Through Middleton to Boulia this highway is the home of the Min Min Lights, an unusual shimmering light phenomenon that can appear at night. 

Friday 05 September

Boulia – Alice Springs

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An early start on the dirt of the Donohue Highway shadowing the Georgina River with its many tributaries to cross the Northern Territory border. Through the Toko, Tarlton, Jervois and Harts Ranges on the Plenty Highway in the northern reaches of the Simpson Desert. We arrive at the hub of Central Australia, Alice Springs for three nights.

Saturday 06 September

Alice Springs

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A restful morning before a day exploring some of the features of the MacDonnell Ranges, from scenic to culturally significant areas. 

Sunday 07 September

Alice Springs

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Take an optional early morning Hot Air Balloon through the rugged outback, followed by a tour of “The Alice” nestled on the north side of the MacDonnell Ranges. In the afternoon there is an optional visit to the Alice Springs Desert Park. 

Note: Optional Hot Air Balloon AUD$440 per person Experience the breathtaking feeling of floating silently above the Outback as the sun slowly rises over the desert on this awe-inspiring ballooning adventure. Passenger Weight Notification Any weight above 110kg must be notified in advance prior to making a booking.

Monday 08 September

Alice Springs – Curtin Springs Station

Breakfast iconBreakfast Dinner iconDinner

We head to Curtin Springs Station, home to the Severin family since 1956, when Peter Severin arrived with his young wife Dawn, their toddler son Ashley and 1,500 head of cattle for our two  night stay. The Severin family has protected the million-acre wildlife corridor that balances cattle production with conservation of this precious landscape. Appreciate a tour of the handmade paper, made from the native grasses found on the station, a distinctive and beautiful souvenir of Central Australia.

 

Tuesday 09 September

Curtin Springs

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The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, after a day in the park you will see why. We spend the morning at Uluru and the information centre. Return to Yulara Village for lunch and an optional helicopter flight over the spectacular sandstone formations. Later visit Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) to walk through the valleys between the mighty domes. Enjoy a sausage sizzle dinner watching the sunset on Uluru, before returning to Curtin Springs. 

Note: Optional 25-minute Helicopter Flight over Uluru approx AUD$320 per person This tour will showcase Uluru & Kata Tjuta, Kata which means ‘many heads’, a sacred place relating to knowledge that is considered very powerful. It is made up of a group of 36 conglomerate rock domes the highest of which stands 198 meters taller than Uluru and dates back 500 million years.

 

Wednesday 10 September

Curtin Springs – Warburton

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Continuing across Australia deep into the South West corner of the Northern Territory we visit Lasseters Cave and learn a little of the mystery of Lewis Lasseter and his elusive reef of gold. Crossing into WA on the Great Central Road through the Gibson Desert, passing the Schwerin Mural Ranges we reach Warburton.

Thursday 11 September

Warburton - Laverton

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The dirt road winding through the ranges, sand hills and salt lakes of the desert has a beauty that is iconically Australian. We leave the dirt behind at Laverton.

Friday 12 September

Laverton - Kalgoorlie

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 Travelling through mining towns of all sizes and minerals, Ghost Towns to Cities from Nickel to Gold. Visit the Gwalia Museum on the edge of the large open pit Sons of Gwalia Mine. After a visit to the historic Two-Up ring out in the scrub its south to Kalgoorlie

 

 

Saturday 13 September

Kalgoolie – Perth

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 Finishing off Australia’s Longest Shortcut we inspect the Super Pit and leave the Goldfields, through the Wheatbelt then down the Darling Scarp to Perth, having crossed the Country North East to South West.

Sunday 14 September

Perth

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Todays city Tour of Perth includes the famous port of Fremantle, a walk in Kings Park and a beachfront drive. Remainder of the day free to explore  at your leisure. 

Monday 15 September

Perth

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After breakfast enjoy your morning in Perth before we transfer to the airport for an evening flight. 

Tuesday 16 September

Perth – Auckland

Morning arrival into Auckland

Option to extend in Perth  - Please Ask

 

Inclusions

• Air Zealand economy flights "The Works' Auckland – Cairns // Perth - Auckland

• Three night’s accommodation in Cairns and Perth 

• Welcome Dinner Cairns

• Farewell Dinner in Perth

• On tour 13 nights Motel / Camp Accommodation on tour

• 13 evening meals, 17 breakfasts, 4 lunches

• Sightseeing included on the overland touring: 

          Undara Lava Tubes

           Sunset over Uluru

           Age of Dinosaurs Centre, Winton

           Waltzing Matilda Centre

           Uluru & Kata Tjuta

           Desert Grass Paper Making

           Gwalia Museum and Ghost Town

• Pukekohe Travel escort subject to 15 passengers travelling. 

Cost

Cost Per Person *
Auckland - Auckland
Twin ShareSingle 
       $11,995     $13,387

Premium Economy Upgrade ( limited space  - Perth - Auckalnd flight only)

P.O.A

Business Class Upgrade ( limited space  - Perth - Auckalnd flight only)

 

P.O.A

*This is a cash price. Credit cards will incur a 1.5% fee
*Itinerary and costs subject to change, airline and fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment

Exclusions

• Items of a personal nature

• Travel Insurance (please ask us for a quote)

• Airline and airport taxes (approx $229)

• Items not specified

 

Booking Conditions

• A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person will secure a place on the tour

• Full payment is due no later than 06 June 2025

Cancellations

• From the date of booking to 06 June 2025– loss of deposit

• After 06 June 2025 – no refund

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is essential. Please feel free to contact us for a quote.

General Information

Clothing

• Daytime – comfortable touring clothes, good walking shoes. Evening – smart casual for hotels. 

 

Temperatures           Max                 Min

Cairns                     26˚c                 17 ˚c  

Alice Springs        23˚c                 6 ˚c  

Perth                      19˚c                 10 ˚c   

 Documentation

• A current passport is required, valid six months beyond date of travel

• No visa is required for New Zealand Passport holders

• All other passport holders – please ask

 

Currency

• The Australian Dollar – ATMs available in major towns

 

4WD Coaches – reclining seats, seatbelts, air conditioning, onboard toilet, air  suspension, tinted windows & front mounted touring camera. While in remote areas passengers can rest assured that our coaches are  self-sufficient for several days at a time. We carry up to 800 litres of water, flood lighting, satellite phone, many parts, tools and excess food including fresh fruit and vegetables. The coach also carries; chairs with back support, gas stoves, eskies, and barbeque. 

Health and Fitness

• A high standard of fitness is required for this tour. 

• We expect you to arrive on tour fit, healthy and ready to travel. 

 

Terms and Conditions

For full terms and conditions please visit our website Terms and Conditions or please ask our tour consultant for a copy.


Note: Pukekohe Travel reserves the right to correct errors and omissions on our website without recourse.
* Itinerary subject to change

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