& OUTBACK QUEENSLAND - Travel by Tracey

How to Get There
BY AIR
Cairns is the gateway to Cape York and the Gulf Country and has direct flights daily from
Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Darwin and Townsville. Direct flights are also available on
selected days from Adelaide and Perth. Weipa and Horn Island have daily flights from
Cairns with QantasLink. Longreach, in the heart of the Outback is serviced by QantasLink
daily from Brisbane. MacAir operates flights to Longreach from Townsville via Winton twice
weekly. Mount Isa has daily flights from Brisbane with Qantas. MacAir operates direct flights
to Mount Isa daily from Townsville and five days a week from Cairns. Charleville has direct
flights twice weekly from Brisbane with MacAir. We have access to airfares with Virgin Blue,
Qantas, QantasLink, Jetstar, MacAir and most other airlines. Ask your travel agent to find
the best available airfare for you.
FLIGHT DURATION
FROM / TO LONGREACH CHARLEVILLE MOUNT ISA CAIRNS
Brisbane 2 hrs 1 hr 50 mins 2 hrs 40 mins 2 hrs 25 mins
Sydney - - - 3 hrs 10 mins
Melbourne - - - 3 hrs 25 mins
Darwin - - - 2 hrs 55 mins
The above table shows flight durations for direct flights only. Connecting flights from other
destinations are also available. Times are a guide only and subject to change.
BY RAIL
Queensland Rail offers a choice of services to Cairns and Queensland’s Outback. The
Inlander operates between Townsville and Mount Isa, The Westlander connects Brisbane to
Charleville and the Spirit of the Outback is the iconic rail journey between Brisbane and
Longreach. The Sunlander and Tilt Train service the coastal regions between Brisbane and
Cairns. See page 10 for further details on Outback rail journeys.
BY CAR
Take the time to explore as you make your way to Cape York and Queensland’s Outback.
Whether it’s getting there or getting around we recommend Avis car hire. See page 8
for details or ask your travel agent about the great specials Avis has to offer.
DISTANCES BY ROAD (KM)
BRISBANE
742 CHARLEVILLE
1683 839 BIRDSVILLE
637 795 1334 ROCKHAMPTON
1174 517 678 687 LONGREACH
1828 1164 684 1334 647 MOUNT ISA
1360 1218 1451 724 693 907 TOWNSVILLE
2028 1365 1047 1497 909 499 784 NORMANTON
1709 1564 1796 1068 980 1107 349 677 CAIRNS
2520 2099 2099 1848 1695 1345 1128 846 802 WEIPA
2623 2241 2243 1990 1837 1487 1270 989 945 335 CAPE YORK
Distances should should be used be used as a guide as a guide only. only.
More Great Holiday Ideas
Ask your travel agent for a copy of one of our many brochures on Queensland.
Gold Coast Brisbane
Sunshine Coast
Islands & Whitsundays
Tropical North Queensland
Queensland for Couples
Queensland Rail Tours
Indulgent Escapes Australia
Cruise & Sail Australia
Travel Tips
WEATHER GUIDE – TEMPERATURE AVERAGE
Cape York & Gulf Country Outback Queensland
Summer 23ºC to 37ºC Summer 19ºC to 38ºC
Autumn 14ºC to 34ºC Autumn 8ºC to 34ºC
Winter 8ºC to 31ºC Winter 4ºC to 25ºC
Spring 14ºC to 37ºC Spring 9ºC to 34ºC
WHAT TO BRING
Lightweight clothing is suitable all year round; however
bring something warm as the temperature drops at night
during winter. To ensure adequate protection from the sun
we suggest you bring a broad-brimmed hat, SPF 30+
sunscreen, sunglasses and a long sleeved shirt with a
collar. On your Cape York and Outback Queensland
holiday it is also advisable to bring comfortable walking
shoes, a torch, insect repellent and an adequate supply of
medications. Finally don’t leave home without your spirit
of adventure!
WHAT TO EXPECT
Outback Queensland and Cape York tours often visit
remote wilderness and outback areas, with access subject
to suitable conditions. Itineraries may vary from time to
time. Whether yours is a camping or accommodated tour,
the isolation of these areas means that facilities will not be
exactly like home.
Typically, your tour will be made up of people of all ages and
all walks of life. Meals will be simple and sourced from fresh
foods wherever possible. Meals included in touring
packages are represented by: B = breakfast, L = lunch,
D = dinner. Most tour operators will ask that passengers
rotate seats each day, so everyone has a chance to sit near
a window or occupy a front seat. On camping safaris, you
may be asked to help with general camp duties – no
experience necessary… it’s all part of the fun!
It’s very important that you telephone your tour operator at
least 24 hours prior to your tour departure time to reconfirm
your arrangements. It’s also a great opportunity for you to
ask any last minute questions.
Some extended and day tours require a minimum number
of passengers to operate. It is important to note that tours
may be cancelled at short notice, if minimum numbers are
not achieved.
CUSTOMER CARE SERVICE
We want your holiday to be memorable for all the right
reasons, so it’s comforting to know that if things don’t go
exactly to plan, our Customer Care team is here to help you.
If you need assistance once your holiday has started, please
contact our Customer Care helpline. You’ll find the phone
number on your travel documentation or itinerary.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Queensland 10 – 19 Apr 27 Jun – 12 Jul
19 Sep – 4 Oct 12 Dec 09 – 26 Jan 10
Victoria 4 – 19 Apr 27 Jun – 12 Jul
19 Sep – 4 Oct 19 Dec 09 – 26 Jan 10
New South Wales 10 – 27 Apr 11 – 26 Jul
3 – 18 Oct 19 Dec 09 – 26 Jan 10
ACT 10 – 27 Apr 4 – 19 Jul
26 Sep – 11 Oct 19 Dec 09 – 31 Jan 10
South Australia 10 – 26 Apr 4 – 19 Jul
26 Sep – 11 Oct 12 Dec 09 – 26 Jan 10
Western Australia 10 – 28 Apr 4 – 20 Jul
26 Sep – 12 Oct 18 Dec 09 – 31 Jan 10
Northern Territory 4 – 13 Apr 20 Jun – 20 Jul
26 Sep – 4 Oct 12 Dec 09 – 26 Jan 10
Tasmania 10 – 19 Apr 30 May – 14 Jun
5 – 20 Sep 18 Dec 09 – TBC
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