Mount Surprise is a railway town on the old Cairns to Forsayth Railway line and is the first Gulf Savannah town encountered by visitors approaching from the east.

It is the centre for gem fossicking with quantities of topaz, quartz, spinel, garnet, cairngorm and aquamarine to be found. Mount Surprise sits on the edge of the immense Undara lava field caused by ancient volcanic eruptions in the McBride Plateau. The surrounding country is flat, wooded savannah grasslands, with isolated hills. There are several activities to undertake at Mt Surprise: fossicking, Undara lava tubes, 40 Mile Scrub National Park and the Savannahlander train.

LOCATION

• 319 km west of Cairns
• 821 km east of NT border

• Latitude 18° 10'S
• Longitude 144° 17'E
• Elevation 1300 ft
• Runway Bearing 222° 31 minutes 50 seconds
• Sealed and Linemarked 1150 m
• Strip width 15m

ATTRACTIONS

Go fossicking: Mt Surprise is an ideal area to either fossick for one's own gemstones or to get local information on the gem-fields check with the local businesses of Mt. Surprise.

Visit the lava fields: to the east of Mount Surprise is the toe of the lava flow which originated from the 164 craters of the McBride Plateau. This is the youngest volcanic system in Australia at only some 190,000 years old. There are basalt tunnels which run for some 160 kilometres underground. The tubes and can only be accessed through the Savannah Guide Post located at Bedrock Village and at Undara Experience on the Undara Volcanic National Park.

Stop at the 40 Mile Scrub National Park: this park boasts a rare and relatively unique vine thicket that sits on a recent cap of volcanic basalt flow. You will see it when you travel east of Mt Surprise and north to Mt Garnet. This park is part of the Undara lava fields. The thicket includes bottle trees and giant fig trees as well as possums, gliders, wallabies and a large number of birds usually associated with rainforests.

Go Swimming: the Einasleigh River, on the way to Georgetown, is another location for cooling off especially in the early part of the year or after the first storms in the build-up to the monsoons. Routh Creek, on top of the Newcastle Range on the way to Georgetown, also has a permanent waterhole on the northern side of the road. Be aware that these are not swimming pools and care should be taken of the local wildlife, including crocodiles on the Einasleigh River.

Experience the Savannahlander: Mt Surprise is on the Savannahlander route which is a weekly tourist service running from Cairns to Forsayth. This train journey is an international rail treasure allowing people to experience one of the more unique rail experiences in the world.

For bookings and enquiries contact:

Savannahlander
PO Box 718
Edge Hill Qld 4870
Telephone: 0740 536848
Fax: 0740 536818
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: www.savannahlander.com.au

Discover the Old Coach Road:  travelling across the Newcastle Range between Mt Surprise and Georgetown, you may be able to see the remains of the old coach road that wound through this high country. The grades were so steep that supply laden horses were fitted with shoes that had nails protruding from the bottom to give the animals better traction. From the Newcastle Range, on either side, are views of the Gulf Savannah that seem to go on forever.

Come to the Annual Campdraft: held on the Sports Reserve just west of Mt Surprise the Campdraft is an annual event that offers true country entertainment in a relaxing environment. This Campdraft is normally held in June each year. If you are in town at this time look for further details of the exact dates.

FACILITIES

Clinic - Phone (07) 4062 3171
Commonwealth Bank Agency - at Post Office
Mount Surprise School - Garland Street Phone (07) 4062 3130  Fax (07) 4062 3160
Mount Surprise Wash Down Bay - on the road coming down to Georgetown, 100m outside Mount Surprise
Police - Garland Street Phone (07) 4062 3120
Post Office - Garland Street Phone (07) 4062 3107
Public Telephone - Gulf Development Road, Mount Surprise
Public toilets - between medical centre and railway and at the rear of the Community Hall
Queensland Rail Agencies - at Bedrock Village Caravan Park and Mount Surprise Tourist Caravan Parks
Sport and Recreation Association - Phone:  (07) 4062 3125
Blackwater Dump Site - Situated on roadside at toilet block

ACCOMMODATION & SERVICES

Bedrock Village Caravan Park
Phone: (07) 4062 3193
Fax: (07) 4062 3166

Mount Surprise Gems
Phone: (07) 4062 3055
Fax: (07) 4062 3099

Mount Surprise Tourist Van Park and Motel & BP Service Station
Phone: (07) 4062 3153
Fax: (07) 4062 3162

Mount Surprise Hotel
Phone: /Fax 4062 3118

Mount Surprise Store
Phone: (07) 4062 3115
Fax: (07) 4062 3004i

Planet Earth Adventures
Phone:  (07) 4062 3127
Fax:  (07)  4062 3114