Shop 2, 70 Nicholson Street, Bairnsdale

Phone: 5152 6533 Lic. No. 30002www.cooperstravel.com admin@cooperstravel.com

ICONIC PUBSOF THE OUTBACK

come and join us on this exciting 16 day tour to some of australia’s most iconic outback pubs. We visit Bourke, Hungerford, thargomindah, noccundra, toompine, innamincka, the palace hotel at Broken Hill and of course the most famous outback pub of them all the legendary Birdsville Hotel. although we visit lots of

iconic pubs it’s not just about the pubs... it’s the outback with amazing sunsets and wonderful scenery.

16 days dEpartinG 19 May 2021DAY 1 Wed 19 May BAIRNSDALE – ECHUCA (D)Meet your driver/guide this morning and depart for Echuca on theMurray River. On arrival visit the historic River Port precinct and enjoy acruise on board a paddle steamer. This evening enjoy a welcome dinnertogether at the hotel. Overnight: Mercure Port of Echuca or similar

DAY 2 Thu 20 May ECHUCA – MUNGO NATIONAL PARK (BLD)This morning uncover the starkly beautiful landscape of ancient drylake basins, sand formations and towering dunes of Mungo NationalPark. This area is rich with Aboriginal stories and significantarchaeological discoveries. Take a giant leap back in time and enjoy theday exploring this remarkable location with a local guide. Walk thewalls of China, explore the historic woolshed and be amazed at thelandscape from a lookout. Overnight: Mungo Lodge

DAY 3 Fri 21 May MUNGO NATIONAL PARK – BROKEN HILL (BLD)Following the Darling River stop off at the Pooncarie Pub – a wateringhole for river fisherman. Continue to the Menindee Lake and thehistoric town of Menindee. Here see the Maidens Hotel known for itsrole in the Burke & Wills expedition. Afterwards continue to Broken Hill- a living, breathing time capsule where the great mining prosperity ofyesteryear blends seamlessly with the rising modern art scene. Enjoydinner this evening at Mario’s Palace Hotel. Overnight: Desert SandsMotor Inn

DAY 4 Sat 22 May BROKEN HILL (B)Begin todays touring at the Line of Lode Lookout & Miners Memorial, a unique structure which is a memorial to those who lost their livesworking in the Broken Hill mines. Afterwards witness the spiritualquality of the outback captured at the Pro Hart Gallery beforedelighting our visual senses at the International Sculpture Symposium -nestled amongst the Barrier Ranges - twelve sandstone artworkshighlight the skyline and all have a story to tell. Located on a majestichilltop, this unusual attraction was created by the finest sculptors fromaround the world. Early afternoon travel to Silverton, a remote outpostnorth of Broken Hill. See the unique art galleries and visit Mundi MundiPlains Lookout before arriving at the iconic Silverton Pub which shot tofame appearing in the Mad Max films and enjoy dinner here thisevening (own expense). Overnight: As Above

DAY 5 Sun 23 May BROKEN HILL – FLINDERS RANGES (BD)Travel through Peterborough and Orroroo today, stopping at MagneticHill, famous for its ability to make vehicles feel as though they arerolling uphill. Continue to Wilpena Pound, set in Ikara-Flinders RangesNational Park, a natural amphitheatre of mountains covering eighttimes the area of Uluru and is 300 metres higher, such an awe-inspiringvision to be held! Overnight: Wilpena Pound Resort

DAY 6 Mon 24 May FLINDERS RANGES (BLD)Uncover the dramatic gorges and spectacular peaks of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park with a local guide who will take us on aninsider’s tour of this stunning area. Touring will include Brachina Gorgeand Razorback Lookout (subject to weather conditions) and enjoy a visit to Gumcreek Station for lunch before returning to Wilpena Poundmid-afternoon. Overnight: As Above

DAY 7 Tue 25 May FLINDERS RANGES – MARREE (BLD)Travel to Parachilna stopping at the legendary Prairie Hotel for theirsignature ‘Feral Mixed Grill’. Enjoy a delicious antipasto platter madewith a variety of conventional and unique bush foods before continuingto Farina which was once a thriving town that served a huge area ofmeal runs reaching as far away as Innamincka and Cordillo Downs. Havetime to wander the old town, walk through the ancient rooms and readthe informative storyboards before continuing to Marree, the townfamous for being the junction of the illustrious Oodnadatta andBirdsville Tracks. Once a thriving centre for transport andcommunication now only relics of a bygone era remain. The localMarree Pub – like many in remote parts of Australia – is the social centreof this community and is also where we’ll be staying. Tonight make sureyou look into the night sky… it’s like a blanket of stardust and twinklystarts, a true outback experience. Overnight: Marree Hotel Motel

DAY 8 Wed 26 May MARREE – BIRDSVILLE (BD)Today travel the infamous Birdsville Track and see the remains ofsettlements, missions and stations that once dotted this busy stockroute and continue to Birdsville for our two-night stay. Deep in theheart of wild and isolated country, Birdsville is one of the Outback’smost recognised towns. This evening have the opportunity to enjoy acold drink at the iconic Birdsville Hotel. Overnight: Birdsville Hotel

– Fully EscortEd Gippsland dEparturE –

Shop 2, 70 Nicholson Street, Bairnsdale

Phone: 5152 6533 Lic. No. 30002www.cooperstravel.com admin@cooperstravel.com

DAY 9 Thu 27 May EXPLORING BIRDSVILLE (BD)A local guide joins us this morning as we learn the history and uniquecharacters of Birdsville on a town tour. Head to Big Red, the tallest sanddune (40 metres high) in the Simpson Desert. Also travel out of towntoward Bedourie and see the rare desert Waddi trees, some said to be1000 years old. This afternoon is at leisure, perhaps visit the beautifulBirdsville Billabong, try a camel pie at the Birdsville Bakery or view localartwork in the gallery. Overnight: As Above

DAY 10 Fri 28 May BIRDSVILLE – INNAMINCKA (BD)Today see the historic woolshed on Cordillo Downs Station beforeheading off the beaten track through picturesque breakaway country toInnamincka. Located along the old Strzelecki Track on the edge ofCooper Creek, Innamincka is where travellers and explorers can discoverthe real beauty of Australia’s outback. Overnight: Innamincka Hotel

DAY 11 Sat 29 May INNAMINCKA – NOCCUNDRA – THARGOMINDAH (BLD)This morning arrive at the Dig Tree - the site of national icons Burke &Wills expedition - and an enduring reminder of the pioneering spiritand extreme harshness of the outback. From here visit the historicNoccundra Hotel which is the only original surviving building in thetownship. The hotel was built from locally quarried sandstone andtransported to Noccundra by Camel Train. This afternoon travel toThargomindah. Overnight: Oasis Motel

DAY 12 Sun 30 May EULO & TOOMPINE (BLD)Located on the banks of the Bulloo River, Thargomindah’s traditionalsource of industry is sheep and wool. In recent times howeverpetroleum/oil and gas make up a large part of the region’s economy. Aswe drive around town look out for the old mud brick hospital and theartesian hydro power plant, thought the be the oldest working unit inAustralia. Thargomindah is also the perfect launch pad to discovernearby iconic pubs! Travel to Eulo for lunch where the local pub isnamed after a colourful character, Isobel Gray, notoriously known as the“Eulo-Queen” due to her business ventures in town and her fine taste injewellery. Our afternoon stop will be a “pub without a town” atToompine which was once a thriving community serviced by Cobb &Co’s regular coach service. As with many outback pubs, Toompine is agreat place to have a beer or two and a good yarn. Stop in and enjoy

the unique atmosphere including unbeatable friendly service,entertaining locals and interesting stories. Overnight: As Above

DAY 13 Mon 31 May THARGOMINDAH – HUNGERFORD – BOURKE (BLD)Visit the tiny town of Hungerford this morning, which features a largeborder gate that doubles as a wild dog and dingo fence. Stop at thehistoric Royal Mail Hotel which was originally a Cobb & Co Staging Postwhere weary horses and travellers could rest from the harsh heat, roadconditions and infrequent floods. This afternoon continue to Bourke onthe banks of the Darling River. Overnight: Darling River Motel, Bourke

DAY 14 Tue 01 Jun BOURKE – PARKES (BD)At the Back o’ Bourke Exhibition Centre hear tales of early explorationand the paddleboat trade. Also learn about the local aboriginal peopleof the region, farmers, stockman, bush poets, bushrangers and Afghancameleers. Afterwards continue to Parkes via Nyngan, stopping at thearmy helicopter memorial – a stark reminder of the massive floods thatdevastated the town in 1990. Stop at the Visitors Centre located at theRadio Telescope, affectionately known as “The Dish”, on arrival intoParkes. Settle into the accommodation and enjoy dinner at the hotelthis evening. Overnight: North Parkes Motel or similar

DAY 15 Wed 02 Jun PARKES – CANBERRA (BD)Depart after breakfast and travel to Cowra, located on the banks of theLachlan River. Stop to visit the beautiful tranquil Japanese Gardenswhich are set over 5 hectares and encompass manicured hedges,waterfalls, streams and two lakes. Have time to stroll these beautifulgardens and see an authentic open-air tea house and bonsai house andenjoy the vista over the lake from the viewing platforms. Afterwardscontinue to our nation’s capital, Canberra, and overnight. Enjoy a finalfarewell dinner this evening to reminisce about the events andhappenings of the past fifteen days. Overnight: Canberra Rex Hotel orsimilar

DAY 16 Thu 03 Jun CANBERRA – BAIRNSDALE (B)After breakfast enjoy a town tour via Parliament House & the WarMemorial and drive up Mt Ainslie for a view of Burley Griffon’s ‘vision’.With a good book in hand head for home, arriving in Bairnsdale thisafternoon, so ending a wonderful journey experiencing true outbackhospitality on this outback pubs trip.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:• Historic paddle steamer cruise, Echuca• Mungo National Park sightseeing & stay• Menindee Lakes & Maidens Hotel• Silverton & Mario’s Palace Hotels• Pro Hart Gallery, Broken Hill• Back O Bourke Exhibition Centre • Flinders Ranges & Wilpena Pound• Birdsville Hotel & Big Red sand dune• Burke & Wills Dig Tree & Innamincka• Flinders Ranges & Wilpena Pound• Eulo Queen Hotel & Noccundra Hotel• Toompine Pub• Historic Royal Mail Hotel, Hungerford• “The Dish” & Visitors Centre at Parkes• Japanese Gardens at Cowra• Canberra town tour

TOUR COST INCLUDES: • Air conditioned vehicle travel with

experienced driver/guide.• Accommodation with ensuite facilities.• Meals as per the itinerary.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch & D=Dinner.• All entry fees to sightseeing activities

as listed in the itinerary.

TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: • Travel insurance.• Items of a personal nature eg

laundry/phone and any optionalextras/trips.

• Alcoholic & non-alcoholic beveragesplus meals not listed in the itinerary.

PRICE$6,250.00 Per Person Twin Share$7,350.00 Per Person Single SupplementPrices based on a minimum of 14 adults. We require a non- refundable deposit of $300 per person to secure your booking. Please enquire for booking form and full termsand conditions. Travel Insurance is essential on all Gippsland Departures.

Alterations to the itinerary may occur – a final confirmed itinerary will be provided with your travel documentation

MEALS: Breakfasts will be served daily at theaccommodation. Included lunches will be a combinationof picnic style, eg meat & salad rolls or pub style. Includeddinners will be served at the accommodation orrestaurant/pub. Please note that due to the remotenessof some areas travelled accommodation standards mayvary as to what is available.