The Rock to The Reef 21 Days coach tour - May 2018 - Simes Brothers

The Rock to The Reef camping tour
19 May – 8 June 2018
21 days / 20 nights

Tour of Broken Hill & Silverton, site of many movies including Mad Max. We’ll also the famous Broken Hill Slag Dump. We’ll travel through the charming old town of Quorn, then on to Port Augusta. We will discover Coober Pedy, known as the Opal Capital of the World. we cross the border into the Northern Territory. Once in Yulara, the service town for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park with time to watch the sun set over the Rock. Your coach driver, who is an accredited Uluru guide, will take you on a visual and cultural journey to Uluru, a sandstone monolith, which stands 348 metres in height and bears various inscriptions made by ancestral indigenous peoples. We travel to Kings Canyon, a majestic destination featuring 100 m-high sandstone walls, palm-filled crevices and views that stretch across the desert. Lace up your walking boots and explore the 6km Rim Walk-a must for those seeking magnificent views of the Canyon rim, the weathered domes of ‘The Lost City’ and the ‘Garden of Eden’. There are options to suit all fitness levels. Kings Canyon boasts some of the best views of the night sky you can only get in the Outback. We’ll explore all that “The Alice” has to offer. Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Alice Springs School of the Air and tonight, the Alice Springs Desert Park to see the Outback’s nocturnal animals by torchlight.

Click the “Itinerary” tab for full details of these inclusions and more!

If you would like to print a copy of these tour details, click on the green printer icon at the far left of your screen.

Day 1 – 19 May 2018

Depart Lismore to Coonabarabran

Depart the Northern Rivers early this morning for the drive over the Range, through the New England Region to Coonabarabran, the gateway to the Warrumbungle National Park.

Day 2 – 20 May 2018

Coonabarabran – Broken Hill

Today we travel through Gilgandra, Nyngan, Cobar and Wilcannia to reach Broken Hill as the sun sets.

Day 3 – 21 May 2018

Broken Hill Sightseeing

A visit to the Silver City Mint & Art Centre is first today, followed by a guided tour of Broken Hill & Silverton, site of many movies including Mad Max. We’ll also the famous Broken Hill Slag Dump. (You’ll be surprised what they have done here). Late in the day, we’ll visit Sculptures in the Desert to see this amazing vista with the setting sun as a backdrop.

Day 4 – 21 May 2018

From Broken Hill to Port Augusta

Today we cross the border in to SA, stopping at Peterborough to stretch our legs. You can choose to take a tour at Steamtown where you’ll be transported back to the glamorous train travel of the 1920’s; see the Bob the Dog Sculpture and Story at the Visitor Centre; be inspired by The Burg, a mural depicting the history of Peterborough; or take the history walk around town. We’ll travel through the charming old town of Quorn, then on to Port Augusta. Here, we’ll visit the Wadlata Outback Centre to be transported through the creation and history of the Flinders Ranges and the Outback.

Day 5 – 23 May 2018

Travel from Port Augusta to Coober Pedy

This morning we’ll travel through Woomera Township which is in fact part of the RAAF Base Woomera which, along with the ‘Woomera Test Range’, forms the larger entity known as the ‘Woomera Range Complex’, covering about one seventh of South Australia. We arrive in Coober Pedy, known as the Opal Capital of the World. We spend some time exploring this unique outback town. Forget pitching the tent, tonight we stay in an amazing underground dormitory.

Day 6 – 24 May 2018

Coach from Coober Pedy to Marla

This morning we’ll have a leisurely breakfast before loading the coach and visiting the Breakaways, colourful low hills which have “broken away” from the Stuart Range. We travel on to Marla, a town which marks the northern end of the Oodnadatta Track. Marla is our home for tonight.

Day 7 – 25 May 2018

Cross the border from Marla to Yulara

We have a long day on the road today as we cross the border into the Northern Territory. Late this afternoon we’ll arrive in Yulara, the servicetown for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park with time to watch the sun set over the Rock.

Days 8 – 26 May 2018

Guided tour of Uluru to Kata Tjuta

Your coach driver, who is an accredited Uluru guide, will take you on a visual and cultural journey to Uluru, a sandstone monolith, which stands 348 metres in height and bears various inscriptions made by ancestral indigenous peoples. Kata Tjuta, formerly the Olgas, is a group of 36 large rock formations spread over an area of more than 20 kilometres.

Day 9 – 27 May 2018

From Yulara travel to Kings Canyon

Today we travel to Kings Canyon, a majestic destination featuring 100 m-high sandstone walls, palm-filled crevices and views that stretch across the desert. Lace up your walking boots and explore the 6km Rim Walk-a must for those seeking magnificent views of the Canyon rim, the weathered domes of ‘The Lost City’ and the ‘Garden of Eden’. There are options to suit all fitness levels. Kings Canyon boasts some of the best views of the night sky you can only get in the Outback.

Day 10 – 28 May 2018

From Kings Canyon we travel to Alice Springs

On the road again, we’ll travel towards Alice Springs with a stop at Stuart’s Well for a camel ride. From here, it’s just a short drive into Alice Springs.

Day 11 – 29 May 2018

Alice Springs Sightseeing

Today we’ll explore all that “The Alice” has to offer. Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Alice Springs School of the Air and tonight, the Alice Springs Desert Park to see the Outback’s nocturnal animals by torchlight.

Day 12 – 30 May 2018

Alice Springs – a day to explore

You are free to explore The Alice today. Perhaps take a camel ride, take a day trip to the West MacDonnell Ranges, take to the skies in a hot air balloon, visit the Old Telegraph Historical Reserve or simply enjoy a relaxing day around the camp.

Day 13 – 31 May 2018

From Alice Springs travel north to Barkly Homestead

We continue our journey northwards on the Stuart Highway to the Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve, 1802 hectares in size, there are lots of marbles. The Devils Marbles – or Karlu Karlu – are a collection of huge, red, rounded granite boulders. Actually, they vary in size, from 50 cm up to six metres across, and they are strewn across a large area. This afternoon we’ll pitch our tents on the grassy campsites of Barkly Homestead, our last overnight stop in the Northern Territory.

Day 14 – 1 June 2018

Travel East from Barkly Homestead to the town of Cloncurry

This morning we decamp and travel eastwards to the Queensland border, through Camooweal and Mt Isa to Cloncurry, home town of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Day 15 – 2 June 2018

Leave Cloncurry and arrive in Winton

Today we’ll travel from Cloncurry, via the Landsborough Highway to Winton, the dinosaur capital of Australia. Experience some of Winton’s attractions – play a tune on the Musical Fence; marvel at Arno’s Wall, where everything can be found – including the kitchen sink! And take a tour at the Age of Dinosaurs Museum.

Day 16 – 3 June 2018

From Winton we take a short drive to Longreach

Just a short drive today to Longreach where you will experience a Cobb & Co stagecoach rides through Longreach followed by a gallop in the bush. This afternoon visit the International Stockman’s Hall of Fame. Tonight enjoy Starlight’s Cruise on the Thomson River, complete with nibbles, dinner and Starlight’s Spectacular Sound & Light Show.

Day 17 – 4 June 2018

From Longreach to Rubyvale

Continuing our journey, we’ll make a stop in Barcaldine to see the Tree of Knowledge – the historical site of the 1891 Shearers’ Strike. On arrival in Rubyvale, do a bit of fossicking prior to setting up camp.

Day 18 – 5 June 2018

From Rubyvale to 1770

We’ll pass through the outskirts of Rockhampton to join the Bruce Highway arriving in 1770 early afternoon.

Day 19 – 6 June 2018

Lady Musgrave Island Cruise

Today we cruise to Lady Musgrave Island, one of the most beautiful coral cays and lagoons of the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy 5 hours on the outer Great Barrier Reef: snorkelling all in the protected lagoon; glass bottom boat; guided island walk; underwater observatory; feed the tropical fish – in abundance around the pontoon; swim with the turtles all year round; and enjoy a tropical buffet lunch.

Day 20 – 7 June 2018

From 1770 we travel to Bundaberg

After a short drive to Bundaberg, we take a tour of the Bundaberg Cordial Factory with their one simple rule; If it’s worth brewing it’s worth brewing well. This afternoon we join an expert Distillery Guide on a guided journey deep into the heart of the fully operational Bundaberg Rum Distillery and finish by sampling some top shelf rums.

Day 21 – 7 June 2018

Tour of Bundaberg then travel back to Home