Earlybird 20% Off Selected New Zealand Rail Tours Book by 31 January for departures September 2026 to April 2027.

Gulf Savannah Railway Experience

Duration: 7 Days

Price: from AU$2,875

Departure From: Cairns

Departure Date: Sundays (May-October)

Tour Type: Escorted Tour

Meal Plan: B&B and selected meals

Physical Grading: 3/5

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Venture into Australia’s Gulf Savannah Country on this 7 day Gulf Savannah railway experience and discover where the Outback meets the sea.

Rugged by nature, the Gulf Savannah is home to great fishing, pioneer heritage and unique landscapes.
Friendly characters and historic towns showcase the Gulf Savannah’s rich pioneering heritage. Established as a Gold Rush port, Normanton is the Gulf Savannah’s largest town. Stop by the Victorian era Normanton railway station or get to know the locals at the ‘Purple Pub’.

Visit the historic gold mining townships of Croydon and Forsayth and wander through the many heritage buildings. It’s also blessed with awe-inspiring geological wonders. Cruise through the breathtaking sandstone escarpments of Cobbold Gorge. Take a dip in the waters of Copperfield Gorge, with its sheer basalt cliffs. Visit Undara Volcanic National Park and marvel at the world’s oldest and longest volcanic lava tubes, formed 190,000 years ago.

Experience the amazing landscape of the Gulf Savannah on two incredible rail journeys: the Gulflander train and Savannahlander train. The Gulf Savannah railways are truly unique.

Gulf Savannah Railway Experience Map
Normanton Station, Gulflander Railway

Gulf Savannah Railway Experience Highlights and Inclusions

  • Step aboard the iconic Gulflander and Savannahlander trains
  • Enjoy a magnificent Gulf sunset in Karumba
  • Wander through Croydon’s heritage precinct
  • Tour the old goldfield town of Forsayth
  • Cruise through Cobbold Gorge on a solar powered boat
  • See the rugged sandstone formations of Cobbold Gorge as you walk across the glass bridge
  • Explore the oldest standing lava tubes on earth at Undara
  • Learn the rich history of Aboriginal culture
  • Karumba Hatchery Behind-the-Scenes Tour and Hand Feeding Experience

Your Gulf Savannah Railway Experience

The Gulf Savannah railway trips are two distinct heritage rail journeys operated by distinct heritage rail motor vehicles. Both Gulf Savannah rail journeys now exist as tourist railways and are described as more of an adventure than a train ride. The crews are qualified guides on both trains and will stop and talk about points of interest.

Gulflander Rail Journey

Discover the incredible Gulf Savannah railway country aboard the Gulflander, a legendary rail journey unlike any other. The Heritage-listed Normanton to Croydon 151 mile line is an icon of the Outback, an isolated railway line affectionately said to go from ‘nowhere to nowhere’ and to this day, retains its patented steel sleepers, laid between 1888 and 1891.

Savannahlander Rail Journey

Experience the heritage and rugged natural beauty of the Savannah Country as you travel from Cairns to Forsayth on the Savannahlander. Departing once a week from March to November, The Savannahlander
travels along the route of the Kuranda Scenic Railway and continues stopping overnight at three different outback towns – Almaden, Forsayth and Mount Surprise.

Savannahlander LOCO Journeys

For a detailed itinerary, departure details, and booking conditions for your Cairns to Cairns, Gulf Savannah railway experience, please see below. Tours depart on Sundays

2026 Departure Dates:

  • Every Sunday from 26 April to 25 October 2026

Click here for alternate Queensland rail tours.

Should you wish to add pre or post night accommodation, activities or international flights to your Gulf Savannah Railway Experience, please be sure to let us know at the time of booking.

Tour Inclusions

  • One way travel on the Savannalander from Mount Surprise to Forsayth
  • One way travel on the Gulflander from Normanton to Croydon
  • 6 nights in 3.5-4 star accommodation
  • Travel by air-conditioned coach
  • 6 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 3 Dinners
  • Sightseeing and inclusions as per itinerary
  • Services of a tour guide

Tour Pricing

  • From prices are a guide only, subject to change and availability in Australian Dollars.
  • Price for rail packages are per person per package twin share
  • Prices are based on travel in low season
  • Full payment is required at the time of booking
  • Price is subject to change unless paid in full
  • Full terms and conditions will be advised at the time of booking.
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Tour Itinerary

Day 1 | Cairns
Arrive in Cairns and make your own way to your accommodation. If time permits, take a self-guided tour around Cairns. Stroll along the Esplanade, soak up the outdoor lifestyle at the many restaurants and cafés or spend time exploring the Cairns Aquarium (own expense). Overnight at Cairns Plaza Hotel.
An early start this morning for a full day of travelling by coach to Karumba. Travel over 700 kilometres, as you journey along the Savannah Way. Heading west from Cairns, wind your way up the Kuranda Range onto the Atherton Tablelands and then onto remote, untamed reaches of the Outback. Pass through the historic outback towns of Mount Surprise and Croydon before arriving in Karumba late afternoon. Stay the next two nights at Ash’s Holiday Units, Karumba.
The town of Karumba is a popular Barramundi fishing port on the Gulf of Carpentaria. Spend the morning at leisure. Choose to take a cruise through the Port of Karumba estuary or try your luck with a fishing tour (all own expense). In the afternoon transfer to the Les Wilson Barramundi Discovery Centre and join a behind the scenes tour. Get to see the hatchery operations and learn about the species of the Southern Gulf strain of Barramundi. Finish the day with a sunset cruise on the Norman River (own expense).
After breakfast, transfer to Normanton railway station for your journey to Croydon onboard the Gulflander. Take in the diverse Gulf landscape and its rich history as you travel along the Heritagelisted Normanton to Croydon line. Make a stop at Blackbull Siding for morning tea. Arrive in the historic gold mining town of Croydon and enjoy lunch at the Croydon Hotel before transferring to Forsayth. Enjoy dinner at the Goldfields Hotel followed by a one hour Forsayth By Night tour. Learn about the history of how Forsayth was built during the gold rush and how the rail line development impacted on the town. Stay the next two nights at Finnigan’s Rest, Forsayth.
Transfer from Forsayth to Cobbold Gorge. After lunch, gain an informative insight in to the geology of the rugged sandstone formations before taking an interpretive walk to the escarpment. Cross over Australia’s first fully glass bridge and take in the view of the gorge’s impressive sandstone walls. Then explore Cobbold Gorge as you glide through the spectacular sculpted gorge walls on a boat cruise. This gorge is vastly different from others owing to its extreme narrowness, measuring a mere two metres width in places and featuring spectacular 30 metre cliffs on either side. After the cruise, return to Forsayth and spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
Depart on the Savannahlander from Forsayth. The train travels through the Einasleigh Ranges before arriving at Mount Surprise. Arrive at Mount Surprise and join an afternoon tour of the Undara Lava Tubes. Savour rustic Australian flavours as you relax over dinner. After dinner, take part in a truly authentic outback experience as you gather around the campfire and listen to live entertainment. Overnight at Discovery Parks – Undara.
This morning rejoin the Savannahlander. Along the way, stop at Bullock Creek Café for a morning tea break and then onto Almaden in time for lunch. After lunch, the Savannahlander will travel through World Heritage-listed rainforest, stopping briefly at Kuranda and Din Din (Barron Falls) before travelling down the range to Cairns where your tour concludes.

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