Overview
Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Outback Spirit's 15 Day Leichhardt's Savannah Expedition. Off the beaten track, a journey across the Gulf of Carpentaria is an exciting adventure and for many people, the missing link in their travels. Now, with the upgrade of our wilderness camp at Pungalina Wildlife Sanctuary, you can enjoy this exclusive adventure with a level of comfort never before offered; ensuite accommodation all the way.
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Our Price From
US$8,027 per person
Price shown based on twin share
Save up to $1,919 per person
Trip Length
15 Days
Trip Starts
Cairns
Trip Ends
Darwin
Departures
May 2026 to Sep 2027
Countries Visited:
Operator
Outback Spirit
Trip Style
4WD Adventure
Accommodation
Mixed
Budget
Premium
Age Range
18-99 Years
Max. Group Size
22
Guide Style
Fully Guided
Tour Code
LSE
Itinerary
Please check your required arrival time with the office before booking your flights.
Today you will be greeted by our friendly and professional Tour Directors. We'll then check in to the Shangri-La Hotel located on the Marina, just minutes from the Esplanade.
Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner and meet your fellow adventurers. Stay: Shangri-La (D)
Today you will be greeted by our friendly and professional Tour Directors. We'll then check in to the Shangri-La Hotel located on the Marina, just minutes from the Esplanade.
Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner and meet your fellow adventurers. Stay: Shangri-La (D)
Departing Cairns early, we trek west and drive through the scenic Atherton Tablelands. Visit beautiful Millaa Millaa Falls before continuing to Undara Volcanic National Park, which protects the longest lava tube cave system in the world.
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 flowed was enough to fill Sydney Harbour 3 times over. The flows lasted a long time, allowing the outer edge to cool while the interior kept flowing, creating the tubes seen today.
This afternoon we arrive at Undara Lava Lodge and check in to our accommodation, consisting of homestead rooms. 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 sunset fades into a clear starlit night. Stay: Undara Experience (B/L/D)
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 flowed was enough to fill Sydney Harbour 3 times over. The flows lasted a long time, allowing the outer edge to cool while the interior kept flowing, creating the tubes seen today.
This afternoon we arrive at Undara Lava Lodge and check in to our accommodation, consisting of homestead rooms. 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 sunset fades into a clear starlit night. Stay: Undara Experience (B/L/D)
We depart Undara and head west to Croydon passing by Blackbull and travel through to Normanton before heading into Karumba.
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.
We will spend the next two nights at the End of the Road Motel. Stay: End of The Road Motel (B/L/D)
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.
We will spend the next two nights at the End of the Road Motel. Stay: End of The Road Motel (B/L/D)
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.
Later today we 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-of-the-art Interpretive Centre provides the history, stories, lifecycle, and habits of these sought-after fish.
This afternoon 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).
Tonight we enjoy our second night at the End of the Road Motel.
Please Note: Gulflander journey may change subject to operating hours. Stay: End of The Road Motel (B/L/D)
Later today we 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-of-the-art Interpretive Centre provides the history, stories, lifecycle, and habits of these sought-after fish.
This afternoon 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).
Tonight we enjoy our second night at the End of the Road Motel.
Please Note: Gulflander journey may change subject to operating hours. Stay: End of The Road Motel (B/L/D)
We follow the Savannah Way across the Gulf. Stop at Camp 119, the most northerly camp of the Burke and Wills Expedition of 1860/61. The exhausted party of Robert O'Hara Burke and William John Wills set up camp close to the seasonal Little Blynoe River, in the hinterland of the Gulf of Carpentaria, in their attempt to cross Australia from south to north. It was the northernmost point of their ill-fated expedition. From here we head to Leichhardt Falls (no swimming).
After lunch we'll make our way north and re-connect with the Savannah Way via Doomadgee. From here we head towards the Northern Territory border, arriving at Hell's Gate Roadhouse late afternoon. Here, we stay in new and modern accommodation with ensuite bathrooms for the next two nights. Stay: Hell's Gate Roadhouse (B/L/D)
After lunch we'll make our way north and re-connect with the Savannah Way via Doomadgee. From here we head towards the Northern Territory border, arriving at Hell's Gate Roadhouse late afternoon. Here, we stay in new and modern accommodation with ensuite bathrooms for the next two nights. Stay: Hell's Gate Roadhouse (B/L/D)
Today is all about enjoying our visit on the station at Hell's Gate. Located on Cliffdale Station, Hell's Gate takes its name from a gap in the escarpment one kilometre south.
The activities will include a tour of the station, a scenic helicopter flight to the coastline of the Gulf of Carpentaria via Eight Mile Creek where you may see native birds, wild pigs, wild brumbies, wild bulls and cattle, crocodile's and native fish life all accessible from the air.
Enjoy some free time this afternoon on your second night with friends on this unique outback station. Stay: Hell's Gate Roadhouse (B/L/D)
The activities will include a tour of the station, a scenic helicopter flight to the coastline of the Gulf of Carpentaria via Eight Mile Creek where you may see native birds, wild pigs, wild brumbies, wild bulls and cattle, crocodile's and native fish life all accessible from the air.
Enjoy some free time this afternoon on your second night with friends on this unique outback station. Stay: Hell's Gate Roadhouse (B/L/D)
This morning we continue along the Savannah Way and cross the border into the Northern Territory. Not far into the Territory we turn off and head north into Australian Wildlife Conservancy's Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary 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 two-night stay to discover the area.
Please 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. Stay: Pungalina Safari Camp (B/L/D)
Built by Outback Spirit in 2019, the camp features unique safari tents with ensuite bathrooms and covered decks, the perfect spot for a two-night stay to discover the area.
Please 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. Stay: Pungalina Safari Camp (B/L/D)
Today, we'll explore Pungalina-Seven Emu Sanctuary and learn about what makes these two properties such important ecological habitats in northern Australia.
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.
Take a cruise on the Calvert River and experience some rarely seen but truly spectacular scenery. We'll also enjoy an informative ecology tour with trained AWC staff. Stay: Pungalina Safari Camp (B/L/D)
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.
Take a cruise on the Calvert River and experience some rarely seen but truly spectacular scenery. We'll also enjoy an informative ecology tour with trained AWC staff. Stay: Pungalina Safari Camp (B/L/D)
This morning we return to the Savannah Way and make our way west to Borroloola on the McArthur River. After a visit to the Borroloola Museum, we pass through Limmen National Park 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. Stay: Lorella Springs Station (B/L/D)
We arrive late afternoon and settle in for our three-night stay in this extraordinary location. Stay: Lorella Springs Station (B/L/D)
Over the next two days we explore all the wonders of Lorella Springs Wilderness Park including pristine thermal springs.
We'll take part in an exhilarating helicopter flight over the southern ‘Lost City' and also take a drive out to the area to explore ancient sandstone structures where we will 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.
Please Note: Weight restrictions apply for legal and safety reasons on all helicopter flights. All passengers must be weighed prior to boarding the aircraft. Stay: Lorella Springs Station (B/L/D)
We'll take part in an exhilarating helicopter flight over the southern ‘Lost City' and also take a drive out to the area to explore ancient sandstone structures where we will 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.
Please Note: Weight restrictions apply for legal and safety reasons on all helicopter flights. All passengers must be weighed prior to boarding the aircraft. Stay: Lorella Springs Station (B/L/D)
Our travels today take us along one of the most remote sections of 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'll pass through the dramatic scenery of the Limmen National Park before continuing along the Savannah Way towards Roper Bar.
This afternoon we follow the Roper Highway east and press on to Katherine via Mataranka, arriving late afternoon for our two night stay at the Knotts Crossing Resort. Stay: Knotts Crossing Resort (B/L/D)
We'll pass through the dramatic scenery of the Limmen National Park before continuing along the Savannah Way towards Roper Bar.
This afternoon we follow the Roper Highway east and press on to Katherine via Mataranka, arriving late afternoon for our two night stay at the Knotts Crossing Resort. Stay: Knotts Crossing Resort (B/L/D)
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. Stay: Knotts Crossing Resort (B/L/D)
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. Stay: Knotts Crossing Resort (B/L/D)
This morning we enjoy a leisurely start before the final stretch of the journey to Darwin. Departing Katherine, we'll pass through Pine Creek and Adelaide River before arriving in the Territory's capital early afternoon. Along the way we'll visit Edith Falls, where you can swim in the paperbark-fringed pool at the base of the waterfall.
After checking into the Hilton Garden Inn Darwin (Formerly The Doubletree by Hilton), enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure before boarding the Charles Darwin for a delicious Territory-style sunset dinner cruise and celebrate a truly amazing trip! Stay: Hilton Garden Inn (B/L/D)
After checking into the Hilton Garden Inn Darwin (Formerly The Doubletree by Hilton), enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure before boarding the Charles Darwin for a delicious Territory-style sunset dinner cruise and celebrate a truly amazing trip! Stay: Hilton Garden Inn (B/L/D)
After breakfast enjoy a leisurely morning before being transferred. (B)
Trip Inclusions
Moments of Magic
- Nitmiluk Gorge Cruise (Katherine) - Enjoy a boat cruise on the Katherine River Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park. On one of the most popular tours in the region and will take you to the end of the first gorge, to experience the beauty of the boulders, rock pools and sands.
- Millaa Millaa Falls - Millaa Millaa Falls is a lush tropical icon of the Atherton Tablelands, where a perfectly curved cascade drops into a clear rainforest pool surrounded by ferns and towering greenery.
- The Lost City - This marvellous natural structure in Limmen National Park, reminiscent of an ancient civilisation is a result of thousands of years of wind and rain erosion. Learn about the geology and local wildlife from your expert guide. Includes an exhilarating helicopter tour.
- Karumba Sunset Cruise - Cruise to Karumba's magical sunset viewing destination, a sand island in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Witness a spectacular gulf sunset as you dine on delicious fresh seafood and enjoy the tranquillity that surrounds.
- Pungalina Sanctuary - Pungalina is a vast wildlife sanctuary stretching from the Savannah Way to the pristine coastline of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Owned and operated by AWC, it protects a diverse range of ecosystems, including over 350 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs.
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
- Small Group Size - 22
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) included. Complimentary beverages from a selected list included at lunch and dinner (when dining at licensed venues only).
- All attractions, entry, cruise and national park fees
- Travel aboard a 5-star All Terrain Mercedes Benz Coach
- 14 nights of hotel, motel, resort and safari camp accommodation
- Services of a professional 2 person crew: Tour Driver and Tour Director
- Outback Spirit Explorer Pack (for first-time travellers only)
- Croc & Crab - (distance 600m), Easy. Flat walk
- Pungalina - (distance 600m - 40 min), Easy. Uneven, moderate walk. Slight decline for first 100m
- Butterfly Springs - (distance 500m), Easy. Uneven walking track
- Leichhardt Falls - (distance 200m), Medium. Rocky, uneven surfaces
- Lorella Springs - Varied, Medium. Rocky, uneven surfaces
- Itinerary is under review and subject to change. This tour also operates with a reverse itinerary.
- Prices are for land tour only, flights not included unless specified
Operator
Choosing Outback Spirit means choosing an award-winning tour operator. We’re proud to have been acknowledged for consistently delivering professional and authentic adventures to remote destinations of Australia. From the very beginning, Outback Spirit has focused on offering a more personal, intimate and rewarding experience more on its adventure tours. Of course, that can only be achieved by travelling in a small group of like-minded travellers.
Inclusive Small Group Adventures
Enjoy an intimate and enriching touring experience with other like-minded people on an inclusive Outback Spirit small group journey. Read more
Expert Drivers & Guides
Highly professional, passionate and always willing to go the extra mile, Outback Spirit's guides provide a seamless touring experience. Read more
Mercedes Benz 4WD Touring Coaches
When you travel with Outback Spirit, you're guaranteed to travel in the comfort and safety of Mercedes Benz. Read more
Download Brochure
Outback Spirit 4WD Adventures (2026)
Explore the remote heart of Australia in comfort and style with Outback Spirit’s all-inclusive, small-group adventures. Travel aboard a custom fleet of luxury 4WDs to exclusive camps, lodges, and off-the-map destinations like Arnhem Land and the Kimberley. With expert guides, unrivalled access, and a strong focus on sustainability, Outback Spirit offers more an immersive outback experience unlike any other.
Dates & Pricing
USD
Friday
15 May 2026
15 May 26
Cairns
Friday
29 May 2026
29 May 26
Darwin
Details
Definite Departure
Fly Free
Exclusive 10% Pay In Full Discount
Was: $10,582
US$9,524
Save $1,058
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Monday
18 May 2026
18 May 26
Cairns
Monday
01 Jun 2026
01 Jun 26
Darwin
Details
Definite Departure
Fly Free
Exclusive 10% Pay In Full Discount
Was: $10,582
US$9,524
Save $1,058
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Thursday
21 May 2026
21 May 26
Cairns
Thursday
04 Jun 2026
04 Jun 26
Darwin
Details
Definite Departure
Fly Free
Exclusive 10% Pay In Full Discount
Was: $10,582
US$9,524
Save $1,058
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Outback Spirit. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Outback Spirit. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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