Plan Your Trip
Dinos, Crocs & Gold
Distance
2,934km
How
Car or Camper
Where
Townsville to Townsville
Date
Year round
Start your 14 day Dinos, Crocs and Gold journey from Townsville. Highlights include fossicking for gold, digging for fossils on The Dinosaur Trail, heading underground at the Hard Times Mine Tour in Mount Isa, meeting the world’s largest ever captured crocodile, spotting freshwater crocodiles on a Cobbold Gorge cruise and walking the path of a volcano at Undara Experience.
DAY 1
Townsville to Charters Towers
Leave the beaches behind and head west on the Overlanders Way to the historic gold mining town of Charters Towers.
Be prepared for some awesome tales as we follow the Ghosts of Gold Heritage Trail, which brings to life the legends and the characters of Charters Towers. You can even try your hand at panning for gold at the Miner’s Cottage.
Watch a short film telling the story of the city’s beginnings from the discovery of gold at the Charters Towers Visitor Information Centre. Hear how gold stocks and shares were traded at the National Trust’s Stock Exchange Arcade then take a short walk to the Zara Clark Museum for an insight into Charters Towers’ 140-year history.
Tonight watch the Ghosts after Dark film screened at the amphitheatre atop Towers Hill. Hear some local tales and historical milestones, which will give you an understanding of how tough it was in ‘The World’ back then, before settling in for the night in this charming town.
DAY 2
Charters Towers to Hughenden
Along the way, take time to call into the townships of Pentland, Torrens Creek and be sure to stop at the Prairie Pub. Far more than a licensed venue, this family friendly establishment is laden to the rafters with antiques and collectables from times gone by. A wonderful opportunity to show the kids an array of items from old tools and saddlery to swagman’s hats and a tricycle.
Arriving in Hughenden, you will find the Flinders Discovery Centre where you can see an exciting Porcupine Gorge light and sound show recounting its formation over 500 million years. The Centre is also home to ‘Hughie’ the skeletal Muttaburrasaurus. Located on the edge of the inland sea, it’s hard to imagine there are sea shells in the hills around this country town, or that once instead of cattle, dinosaurs roamed the land.
Stay overnight in Hughenden and get ready for more adventures tomorrow.
DAY 3
Hughenden to Julia Creek
Follow the highway from Hughenden to Richmond and Kronosaurus Korner – Australia’s Premier Marine Fossil Museum. Hear the amazing discovery story of the 100 million year old pliosaur on a nearby cattle station. As you wander the museum, you’ll see the most complete marine reptile fossils in the world originating from the Cretaceous Inland Sea that covered a large section of Queensland millions of years ago.
Discover early pioneer stories at the Cambridge Downs Heritage Display Centre. Built from local flagstone rock, the Cambridge Downs Heritage Display Centre is a replica of the original Cambridge Downs Homestead built in the late 1860s.
Red dirt country, rattling road trains and roaming kangaroos – you know you’re in the Outback now. Go west to Julia Creek and visit ‘At the Creek’ and ‘Beneath the Creek’, the town’s award winning Visitor Information Centre and hands-on interactive centre. If you’re lucky you will catch a live feeding of the Julia Creek Dunnart – one of Australia’s ‘vanishing species’.
DAY 4
Julia Creek to Mount Isa
Today you’re headed for Mount Isa, the Rodeo & Mining capital of Australia. As you near Mount Isa, keep an eye out for super-sized machinery and the big stacks of the mines that seem to rise up out of the earth.
If your tummies are rumbling as you arrive into town you may be up for an epic pub feed at the Rodeo Bar & Grill, part of the Isa Hotel.
Visit the Underground Hospital and Museum, a fully equipped hospital built in a large air-raid shelter during World War II and the bombing of Darwin. Everything is just as it was all those years ago!
Tonight, make your way to the City Lookout to view the stunning water tank mural and ever-changing light show as you watch the sunset over this mighty mining town.
DAY 5
Mount Isa
If you’ve ever wondered what working underground would be like or how an underground mine actually works, today’s your chance with the Hard Times Mine Tour, at the Outback at Isa centre. You’ll get to dress in high visibility gear, take the cage lift underground, learn the history of mining, see how the tunnels are formed, feel the earth rumble with the firing of the blast face and maybe even get to use a drill.
Also at Outback at Isa is the Riversleigh Fossil Centre, where you’ll see 30 million year old mega fauna fossils from one of the world’s richest fossil fields.
This afternoon, take a short drive out to the picturesque Lake Moondarra for a relaxing barbeque, a swim or perhaps a kayak. If you like fishing, then you’ll want to throw in a line here, for your chance to catch the prized barramundi.
DAY 6
Mount Isa to Cloncurry
Spot the rodeo legends names engraved in the footpaths on Rodeo Drive (yes in Mount Isa not L.A.) and explore the quaint boutiques before travelling on to Cloncurry.
At John Flynn Place Museum, learn the great Australian story of how John Flynn began the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The museum also plays tribute to Alfred Traeger, who gave a voice to Outback Australia through his invention of the pedal radio.
At Cloncurry Unearthed you can fossick for gemstones and minerals. You will also see memorabilia from the Mary Kathleen Uranium Mine. Followers of the Burke & Wills story will be interested to see Burke’s water bottle and photographs of their expedition.
DAY 7
Cloncurry to Adels Grove
Today is a big day of driving to Adels Grove and the spectacular Lawn Hill Gorge, a beautiful oasis in the Outback. This magnificent gorge is perfect for spotting wildlife, scenic walks, canoeing and visiting cultural sites.
Travel north along the Matilda Highway via the Burke & Wills Roadhouse, an ideal lunch stop. Next take the Wills Development Road to Gregory Downs with time to relax on the riverbank, before travelling on to the Century Mine turn off. The last 40km stretch to Adels Grove is via an unsealed road, suitable for both conventional and 4WD vehicles with the exception of wet weather.
Adels Grove is located 10km from the Lawn Hill Gorge, Boodjamulla National Park. You have the option of camping or enjoying their dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation in either furnished river tents or rooms.
DAY 8
Adels Grove
Meet your guide at reception for a 7.30am departure to experience the wonder of Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park. Upon arriving at Boodjamulla, explore the Park walks and learn about the unique flora and fauna in the area. Enjoy some morning tea then hop in your canoe to explore the winding emerald green waters of the gorge and Lawn Hill Creek.
Your afternoon is free to wander more scenic walks, visit cultural sites or swim in Lawn Hill Creek, a perennial and spring fed waterway. Tonight you may like to join the Sunset on Harry’s Hill Tour and watch the beautiful Outback sunset over this special part of the world.
DAY 9
Adels Grove to Normanton
Depart Adels Grove early for the Burke & Wills Roadhouse. The Roadhouse is actually right on the route taken by the intrepid explorers Burke and Wills, hence its name. Make a stop here, fuel up your car and grab some lunch. The Burke and Wills trail continues as you drive north to Normanton where their last northern camp is signposted on the Normanton-Burketown road.
They say never smile at a crocodile but today you could kiss Krys the Crocodile – replica of the largest crocodile caught in the world!
If you choose to stay at the Normanton Tourist Park, enjoy a swim in the largest resort pool in the North West. While in town, check out the legendary Gulflander rail motor, also known as the ‘Tin Hare’, one of the last great characters of the rail world.
DAY 10
Normanton to Georgetown
Wind the windows down, take in the fresh Gulf Savannah air and head for Georgetown today. Just after the half way mark, your travels will bring you to Croydon, a small town with a big history that started with the discovery of gold in 1885. Let the kids out for a run around at Lake Belmore, stop for lunch and call by the Visitor Information Centre to learn more about the local region.
Continue your journey west to Georgetown and call it a day for the road. Visit TerrEstrial – The Ted Elliot Mineral Collection containing over 4,500 mineral specimens in a myriad of colours.
DAY 11
Georgetown to Cobbold Gorge
Leaving Georgetown, travel east to Forsayth, originally known as Finnegan’s Camp, then Charleston and finally Forsayth. This part of the Etheridge Goldfield has plenty of stories to tell. The area was known as the ‘Poor Man’s Goldfield’, as a prospector did not need expensive equipment to search for gold.
Your destination today is something truly special. Deep in the heart of the Gulf Savannah region is the hidden outback oasis of Cobbold Gorge. Located on the huge Robin Hood Cattle Station, Cobbold Gorge offers an impressive selection of facilities to include comfortable accommodation, an infinity swimming pool, fully licensed bar/restaurant, and a full program of tours and activities.
DAY 12
Cobbold Gorge
Note: Please ensure you confirm business opening times prior to undertaking this section of the itinerary to avoid disappointment. Some tourism businesses in the Outback do not operate during November-March.
So many options today and all day to do them! Go bushwalking, birdwatching, or enjoy a swim the infinity pool. A must do is the three-hour Cobbold Gorge Tour which includes a boat cruise on their custom-made, electric powered boat and a tour of the magnificent sandstone gorge, including walking across Australia’s first fully glass bridge offering a birds-eye view deep into the gorge. Bookings essential.
If you missed your chance yesterday, today’s a great opportunity to experience the vastness of the outback from above, and you can’t beat a scenic helicopter flight to parts of the Gorge not accessible to the public any other way.
There’s nothing like a campfire dinner to finish off a day in the Outback. Gather around and see who has the best yarn to share from your adventures so far.
DAY 13
Cobbold Gorge to Undara
Note: Please ensure you confirm business opening times prior to undertaking this section of the itinerary to avoid disappointment. Some tourism businesses in the Outback do not operate during November-March.
An early start and onward to your next adventure – today you are destined to walk the path of a volcano at Undara Lava Tubes. Fuel up in Georgetown this morning, have a bite to eat, and continue on to Undara. It’s worth aiming to arrive at Undara in time for lunch and to join one of the afternoon tours (remember to phone ahead and book).
During daylight hours there are the Archway or Active Tours, or see the big sky sunset and insect-eating micro bats on the Wildlife at Sunset Tour. At 8.00pm nightly, pull up a chair at ‘Round the Campfire’ for this wonderful free activity that includes bush yarns, singing with the guitar and talks on the environment.
DAY 14
Undara to Townsville
With a bush breakfast in your bellies, there’s time for one last exploration of the bush at Undara before you set out for the drive back to Townsville.
Along the way, be sure to stop for morning tea at The Lynd Oasis Roadhouse on the Lynd Junction, home to Australia’s Smallest Pub – a tiny 1.2 metres square!
Travelling south on the Gregory Development Road, if time permits, call into Greenvale. Situated on the Burdekin River and made famous in Slim Dusty’s song ‘Three Rivers Hotel’, Greenvale was the end of the line for the Townsville to Greenvale railway line until it closed in 1993.
After lunch, turn east onto Hervey Range Road and leave the country sunrises and sunsets behind on your return drive to Townsville.
As you cross over to the eastern side of the range, be sure to take in the expansive view of the coastline below. Who will be first to spot Castle Hill? Magnetic Island? The North Queensland Cowboys stadium? Arrive in Townsville late afternoon.
