Tour Overview
The very best that Eastern and Central Australia has to offer, all in one trek. From Alice Springs to the awe inspiring Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) with plenty of time to marvel at the enormity of Ayers Rock. Hike Kings Canyon then head north to the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park. Spend time learning some of the aboriginal ancient ways and cultures before visting tropical Darwin. Then hit the coast for Great Barrier Reef, Whitsundays Islands, Moreton Island and Sydney.
Flexible Itineraries
The itinerary shown is intended as a guide only indicating a typical itinerary & series of activities. While our intention is to adhere to the published day by day route, the itinerary, distance travelled, type of accommodation and available activities may vary due to group input, weather, road conditions & local restrictions. Early or late season treks can be affected by extreme weather.
Departures from Nov 07 - Feb 08 will operate as below.
Departs our Alice Springs hotel at 07:30 hrs.
1. Uluru/Ayers Rock (L)
2. Kings Canyon (L)
3. Alice Springs (L)
4. Alice Springs (L)
5. Alice Springs (L)
6. Wauchope (L)
7. Katherine (L)
8. Kakadu National Park(L)
9. Kakadu National Park(L)
10. Darwin (L)
11. Darwin (L)
12. Darwin (L)
13. Katherine (L)
14. Katherine (L)
15. Three Ways (L)
16. Mount Isa (L)
17. Charters Tower (L)
18. Cairns (L)
19. Cairns / Barrier Reef(L)
20. Cairns (L)
21. Mission Beach (L)
22. Mission Beach (L)
23. Airlie Beach (L)
24. Airlie Beach (L)
25. Rockhampton (L)
26. Redcliffe (L)
27. Moreton Island (L)
28. Surfers Paradise (L)
29. Coffs Harbour (L)
30. Sydney
L = Budget Lodging
Departures from Nov 08 - Mar 09 will operate as below.
Departs our Alice Springs hotel at 07:30 hrs.
1. Uluru/Ayers Rock (L)
2. Kings Canyon (L)
3. Alice Springs (L)
4. Alice Springs (L)
5. Alice Springs (L)
6. Wauchope (L)
7. Katherine (L)
8. Kakadu National Park(L)
9. Kakadu National Park(L)
10. Darwin (L)
11. Darwin (L)
12. Darwin (L)
13. Litchfield Nat'l Park (L)
14. Katherine (L)
15. Three Ways (L)
16. Mount Isa (L)
17. Charters Tower (L)
18. Cairns (L)
19. Cairns / Barrier Reef(L)
20. Mission Beach (L)
21. Mission Beach (L)
22. Airlie Beach (L)
23. Airlie Beach (L)
24. Rockhampton (L)
25. Moreton Island (L)
26. Moreton Island (L)
27. Redcliffe (L)
28. Byron Bay (L)
29. Coffs Harbour (L)
30. Sydney
L = Budget Lodging
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: - Alice Springs & Ayers Rock/UluruWe head out of Alice Springs for a breathtaking walk into the Olgas (Kata Tjuta) and our first distant views of Ayres Rock (Uluru) before arriving at our camp site at Ayers Rock Resort. Plenty of time this evening for that world famous picture of Uluru (Ayers Rock) at sunset. An early rise is required today, not only to watch the sunrise but because the cool of the morning is the best time to for those that wish to climb Ayers Rock. For anyone not wanting to climb the Rock there is also plenty of time to seek out and explore the artwork and culture around the base of the Rock.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 2-5: - Kings Canyon & Alice Springs
The comfort of your air-conditioned seat on the coach will be appreciated as we head around to Kings Creek Station. There is an opportunity to indulge in some optional activities such as camel ride, 4WD quad bike ride or even a helicopter ride over the George Gill Range. We depart "The Station" early this morning so that we can explore King's Canyon with its "Lost City" and "Garden of Eden" in the cool of the morning before spending a few days relaxing in Alice Springs. "The Alice" is home to some of the world's best hot air ballooning, complete with a champagne breakfast. Consider taking an optional day trip through the Western MacDonnell Ranges where you can see Simpson's Gap, the Ochre Pits or even hike around Ormiston Gorg; visit the Desert Park, go shopping or just hang out at the pool.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 6-7: - Wauchope & Katherine
Next we head North up the Stuart Highway to the eerie Devils Marbles in time for sunset before arriving at our "bush camp" for the night. There are several short hikes around the area & some stunning photographs to be taken. We then head to the gold mining town of Tennant Creek and visit the Daly Waters Pub before a relaxing swim at Mataranka Hot Springs.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 8-9: - Kakadu National Park
Back on the road, we head to the "World Heritage Listed" Kakadu National Park, one of Australia's most beautiful areas of wilderness. Here you can explore rainforest, eucalyptus woodlands, swamps and mangroves, home to a wide variety of fauna and flora. There are some fantastic hikes leading you around detailed aboriginal rock artwork before we explore their northern cultural centre and a stunning sunset over the escarpment. . We join our included Yellow Water Billabong Cruise where you can spot crocodiles, birds, snakes, dingos and a large array of water birds and more that are abundant in Kakadu.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 10-12: - Darwin
Leaving Kakadu National Park, we continue to the city of Darwin. We will do a quick city tour before checking into the YHA for a bed for the next two nights. Let's head out for a meal on the town tonight and a beer at the Vic Hotel. A free day to sleep in or explore the city at your own pace. Take a sight seeing tour on the "Tour Tub" and leave some time for the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Well worth a look. We might even have a BBQ down by the beach tonight.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 13-14: - Litchfield Nat'l Park & Katherine
Leaving Darwin there is time for an optional tour through the award winning Territory Wildlife Park before arriving at Litchfield National Park and it's famous Magnetic termite mounds. Time for a swim then a walk down to the base of Florence Fallsbefore heading to our semi-bush camp next to a crystal clear waterfall. Heading south, maybe take a cruise up two of the spectacular gorge systems of Katherine Gorge.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 15-17: - Three Ways, Mount Isa & Charters Towers
The next few days will be a real outback adventure as we cross the remote landscapes from the North Territory to North Eastern Queensland. You'll get a real feel for the vastness and emptiness of much of Australia's interior. We visit the Daly Waters Pub before a relaxing swim at Mataranka Hot Springs then cross the border through Camooweal. We overnight in the mining town of Mt Isa before passing through small towns like Julia Creek before travelling over the Great Dividing Range.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 18-19: - Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
Crossing the Atherton Table lands we'll head into Cairns. We spend a full day our multi-million dollar sailing boat and cruise to the Outer Barrier Reef. You can snorkel or dive some of the best sites and marvel at the vast array of marine life living in the most extensive reef system in the world. A day you will remember for the rest of your life.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 20-21: - Mission Beach
Heading south along the coast we spend two nights relaxing at Mission Beach. For those with a strong sense of adventure there is adrenaline pumping white water rafting or sea kayaking. Alternatively take the daily boat service out to Dunk Island and try the unsurpassed rainforest hikes or even muster the courage to go tandem sky-diving. For a more leisurely day simply lounge on Mission Beach and work on your suntan. The choice is yours.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 22-24: - Airlie Beach & Rockhampton
Arriving in Airlie Beach we have come to the gateway of our expedition to the Whitsunday Island Group, some of the most picturesque sailing in the world. With suntan lotion and swimming costume in hand it's time to embark on an island cruise. The choice is yours between spending a day on a fast Maxi sailing yacht or catching a launch to discover the underwater observatory and several of the island resorts. There is time for a jet ski or just lie around the pool. In the evening you can check out a live band & the local nightlife. Enjoy the coast before crossing the Tropic of Capricorn at Rockhampton and leaving the tropical zone.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 25-26: - Moreton Island
Picking up our 4WD vehicle we take a barge out to Moreton Island, where the world's highest sand dunes await you. With miles of deserted white beaches and inland forests dotted with crystal clear lakes, this is the highlight of the trip for many. We'll hike some of the trails, visit the Tangalooma Wrecks and maybe view dolphins, fish or pods of whales in season. You can also explore the shipwrecks and swim in the Blue Lagoon - a naturally formed "perched lake." As good as Fraser Island without the crowds.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 27-30: - Redcliffe, Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour & Sydney
We continue to vibrant Surfers Paradise and then travel down the coast to Byron Bay. Walk out to Australia's most easterly point and look out for dolphins playing in the surf. After staying at Coffs Harbour we head back to Sydney on the coast road through Taree and can stop en-route at a koala breeding park and sanctuary before crossing the Harbour Bridge before the end of adventure.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Tour ends at approx 17:00 - 18:00 hrs in Sydney on day 30.
Flexible Itinerary
The itinerary shown is intended as a guide only indicating a typical itinerary & series of activities. While our intention is to adhere to the published day by day route, the itinerary, distance travelled, type of accommodation and available activities may vary due to group input, weather, road conditions & local restrictions. Early or late season treks can be affected by extreme weather.
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