Tour Overview
From Sydney to Moreton Island, the Great Barrier Reef and Outback Australia. You will travel through the open Savannah country, then up to the tropical Darwin and the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park. Spend time learning some of the aboriginal ancient ways and cultures, then head South to Alice Springs, hike Kings Canyon and marvel at the enormity of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the awe inspiring Kata Tjuta (the Olgas).
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 Sydney hotel at 0730 hrs
1. Coffs Harbour (L)
2. Surfers Paradise (L)
3. Moreton Island (L)
4. Redcliffe (L)
5. Rockhampton (L)
6. Airlie Beach (L)
7. Airlie Beach (L)
8. Mission Beach (L)
9. Mission Beach (L)
10. Cairns (L)
11. Cairns (L)
12. Cairns (L)
13. Charters Tower (L)
14. Mt Isa (L)
15. Three Ways (L)
16. Katherine (L)
17. Katherine (L)
18. Darwin (L)
19. Darwin (L)
20. Darwin (L)
21. Kakadu National Park (L)
22. Kakadu National Park(L)
23. Katherine (L)
24. Wauchope (L)
25. Alice Springs (L)
26. Alice Springs (L)
27. Alice Springs (L)
28. Kings Canyon (L)
29. Uluru/Ayers Rock (L)
30. Alice Springs
L = Budget Lodging
Departures from Nov 08 - Mar 09 will operate as below.
Departs our Sydney hotel at 0730 hrs
1. Coffs Harbour (L)
2. Byron Bay (L)
3. Redcliffe (L)
4. Moreton Island (L)
5. Moreton Island (L)
6. Rockhampton (L)
7. Airlie Beach (L)
8. Airlie Beach (L)
9. Mission Beach (L)
10. Mission Beach (L)
11. Cairns (L)
12. Cairns / Barrier Reef (L)
13. Charters Tower (L)
14. Mt Isa (L)
15. Three Ways (L)
16. Katherine (L)
17. Litchfield Nat'l Park (L)
18. Darwin (L)
19. Darwin (L)
20. Darwin (L)
21. Kakadu National Park (L)
22. Kakadu National Park(L)
23. Katherine (L)
24. Wauchope (L)
25. Alice Springs (L)
26. Alice Springs (L)
27. Alice Springs (L)
28. Kings Canyon (L)
29. Uluru/Ayers Rock (L)
30. Alice Springs
L = Budget Lodging
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1-2: - Sydney, Coffs Harbour & Surfers ParadiseSay a fond farewell to Sydney as we set out on our camping adventure. Leaving via the harbour bridge, we travel the coast road through Taree. We stop at a koala breeding park and sanctuary before heading onto our first night's accommodation in cabins on the beach. A great opportunity for a BBQ tonight. Continue up the coast through Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay and walk out to Australia's most easterly point. Look out for dolphins playing in the surf. We continue to vibrant Surfers Paradise, as the stresses and strains of everyday life disappear.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 3: - 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 4-7: - Redcliffe, Rockhampton & Airlie Beach
Enjoy the coast before crossing the Tropic of Capricorn at Rockhampton and entering the tropical zone. 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 a day on a fast Maxi sailing yacht or to catch a launch to discover the underwater observatory and several of the island resorts. In the evening you can check out a live band & the local nightlife.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 8-9: - Mission Beach
Heading further north 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 10-12: - Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
We make our way to Cairns for our included full-day sailing cruise to the Outer Barrier Reef. Try scuba diving, (no experience needed), hand feed the fish or snorkel among the vibrant coral in the warm tropical waters. A day you will remember for the rest of your life. Next you have a full day to explore the city.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 13-15: - Charters Tower, Mt Isa & Three Ways
Then we travel west over the Great Dividing Range through some vastly changing landscapes visiting quiet outback country towns like Julia Creek. Travel through some vastly changing landscapes en route to the mining town of Mt Isa before we depart Queensland through Camooweal and into the exciting Northern Territory to see just how flat this remarkable country is. Visit the historic Daly Waters Hotel for a refreshing drink, then take a refreshing dip in the turquoise waters of Mataranka's thermal pool, nestled amongst tall shady palms.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 16-17: - Katherine Gorge
Heading North, join us on a cruise up two of the spectacular gorge systems of Katherine Gorge before visiting the famous Magnetic termite mounds in Litchfield National Park. We overnight in Katherine.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 18-20: - Darwin
There is time for a morning swim at Florence Falls before arriving this afternoon back to civilisation in Darwin with a real bed in the multi million-dollar YHA. We normally go out for a meal and perhaps a fling at a nightclub for those in a party mood. Then a free day to take in the sights of this frontier city. See the museums, the historic early settlement, take a trip on the "Tour Tub!", an open top bus trip of the city or just chill out by the pool.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 21-22: - Kakadu National Park
Back on the road, we head to the "World Heritage Listed" Kakadu National Park, one of Australia's most beautiful wilderness areas. We'll take you to Nourlangie Rock to see Aboriginal rock art thousands of years old before watching the sunset where the aborigines have lived for over 40,000 years. An early start to catch the Yellow Water Billabong Cruise where you can spot the many crocodiles, birds, snakes, dingos and more that are abundant in Kakadu.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Day 23-24: - Katherine & Wauchope
The road south leads us past the Daly Waters Pub again. Visit the gold mining town of Tennant Creek before arriving at the eerie Devils Marbles in time for sunset. There are several short hikes around the area & some stunning photographs to be taken.
Accommodation: Budget Lodging included
Day 25-28: - Alice Springs & Kings Canyon
Next, there are two full days to spend exploring Alice Springs. Maybe take a hot air balloon flight, complete with champagne breakfast, consider a day tour through the Western MacDonnell ranges, where you can see Simpson's Gap, the Ochre Pits or even hike around Ormiston Gorge. Why not eat out in one of the great restaurants or maybe have pizza tonight? Experience aboriginal life on an included cultural tour before we visit a working camel farm where you can catch a camel ride over stunning sand hills. We hit the track south to Kings Canyon and marvel at the sheer canyon walls. Hike and photograph the "Lost City" and "Garden of Eden". Accommodation: Backpacker hostel /cabin included
Day 29-30: - Ayers Rock & Alice Springs
We'll the drive further outback to one of the worlds' largest monoliths, Uluru (Ayers Rock) as the sun sets. Discover some of the aboriginal legends that abound in this World Heritage Area. We'll hike the base of Uluru, learning some of the Aboriginal legends that surround this sacred area, spend time at the unique visitor's centre. Watch the sunrise at Uluru before we join the haunting Valley of the Winds walk around Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), giant dome shaped boulders looming out of the flat desert. Sadly we must head back to Alice Springs and the end of this unforgettable adventure.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Tour ends at approx 17:00 - 18:00 hrs in Alice Springs 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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