Rangeland Rifts Sunset Tour

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By Red Dirt Tours, Winton , the Rangeland Rifts Sunset Tour takes you to a cattle station to explore the area's geology followed by wine and cheese platter with a sunset view over the Winton Formation and its many tablelands. The bus climbs the little tableland known as the 'Jump-up' and for an hour you get an active, adventurous, yet fairly accessible all things considered exploration of the rift formations on the Jump-up. The bus driving and tour guidance is knowledgeable and authentic, with top-drawer local knowledge and local driving skills. The driver made the tour look easy and the general flow of events on the tour was very exciting and engaging.

I had the pleasure of meeting the tour company owner by phone a few days prior who clearly has a fairly enviable job and business concept, but the driving on the occasion I took the tour was from another driver and it was impressive, just very slow and careful over what is clearly a bumpy road up to the top of the jump-up. Orange super moon as I got back to the Matilda Motel , and off to sleep for more tours the following day.

Tour Facts:
Tour company: Red Dirt Tours, Winton
Area visited: Rangelands Cattle Station and the Winton Formation (the Jump-up tableland)
Contact Details: 1800 568 968, reddirttours.com.au
Timing: 4.15-7.15 PM
Cost: at the time of publication according to the tour brochure and online, Adult just $85, Seniors $80, Child $60, Family $235.
Bring: full water bottle, camera/memory devices, closed comfortable shoes, comfy clothing, hat, sunscreen (especially when not in winter) AND a sense of adventure and wonder!

Tour Gallery

The bus windows are cleaned regularly or at every possible chance (a few times daily) with very clear glass for photography opportunities. Below is when a few gates get opened by the bus driver stopping the vehicle, getting out of the driver seat and manually unlocking (obviously there are no automatic gates).



Then the climb up the jump-up, but the view is well worth the careful drive:



The rifts will surprise you, hence best not to give much away.



I'm a dedicated non-drinker, yet with a view like this one I just had to indulge.



Best sunset mobile shot of the night, bringing a cheap phone is not recommended but can be useful if you are forgetful, but the below shot is indicative of the sky colour you will see without ruining what is a very pleasant surprise (hint it just gets better and better, and once starting to get dark then the driver counts the passengers, packs up the esky and switches on high beam, and yes, the drive down the jump-up is even more careful yet still exciting).



Did you know, there is a glamping site nearby hence there is mobile reception, you can give your folks back home a video call through the rifts if you really want! This sunset and rifts tour is a sought-after touring experience, at $85 don't miss out!

Note photos by the author in July 2024.

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