Tour Overview
You will travel through the open Savanna Country, soak in outback Hot Springs, then explore the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park. Time out in Darwin, before learning the aboriginal ancient ways and cultures. Experience Alice Springs, hike Kings Canyon then take our challenge at Ayers Rock.
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.
Departures from Aug 07 - Oct 07 will operate with a 20 day itinerary as below.
Departs our Cairns hotel at 07:00 hrs
1. Cairns / Great Barrier Reef (L)
2. Ellis Beach (C)
3. Mount Surprise (BC)
4. Cloncurry (C)
5. Bush Camp (BC)
6. Katherine Gorge (C)
7. Litchfield Nat. Park (C)
8. Darwin (L)
9. Darwin (L)
10. Kakadu Nat. Park (C)
11. Kakadu Nat. Park (C)
12. Manyallaluk (C)
13. Mataranka (C)
14. Devils Marbles (BC)
15. Alice Springs (C)
16. Alice Springs (C)
17. Kings Canyon (C)
18. Uluru/Ayers Rock (C)
19. Uluru/Ayers Rock (C)
20. Alice Springs
BC = Bush Camp
L = Budget Lodging
C = Camping
Departures from Apr 08 - Oct 08 will operate with a 19 day itinerary as below.
Departs our Cairns hotel at 07:00 hrs
1. Cairns / Great Barrier Reef (L)
2. Mount Surprise (BC)
3. Cloncurry (C)
4. Bush Camp (BC)
5. Katherine Gorge (C)
6. Litchfield Nat. Park (C)
7. Darwin (L)
8. Darwin (L)
9. Kakadu Nat. Park (C)
10. Kakadu Nat. Park (C)
11. Manyallaluk (C)
12. Mataranka (C)
13. Devils Marbles (BC)
14. MacDonnell Ranges(C)
15. Alice Springs (C)
16. Kings Canyon (C)
17. Uluru/Ayers Rock (C)
18. Uluru/Ayers Rock (C)
19. Alice Springs
BC = Bush Camp
L = Budget Lodging
C = Camping
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: - Cairns & Great Barrier ReefStart the tour with a day on our luxury sailing boat to the Outer Barrier Reef. Try scuba diving (no experience needed) and snorkelling among the coral in the clear waters. A great start to the tour and a day you will remember for the rest of your life!
Accommodation: Budget Lodging included
Day 2: - Mount Surprise
Then travel up and over the Great Dividing Range, passing through small towns like Ravenshoe and Mount Garnet. Meet Russell in Mt Surprise and interact in his unique reptile show.
Accommodation: Camping included
Day 3-4: - Cloncurry & Bush Camp
We travel through some vastly changing landscape en route to Cloncurry where we can do a tour of the "Flying Doctor Museum". From the mining town of Mt Isa, we depart Queensland through Camooweal and into the exciting Northern Territory. Today you can see just how flat this remarkable country is. We camp on the banks of a river near Cape Crawford. A good opportunity to have a damper cooked in the coals of the fire.
Accommodation: Camping/Bush Camp included
Day 5-6: - Katherine Gorge & Litchfield National Park
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. Heading North, maybe take a cruise up two of the spectacular gorge systems of Katherine Gorge. Then head further north to the see the famous magnetic termite mounds in Litchfield National Park. We camp next to waterfalls in Litchfield National Park this evening.
Accommodation: Camping included
Day 7-8: - 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 9-10: - Kakadu National Park
A chance for last minute shopping before we head out on the road to the "World Heritage Listed" Kakadu National Park, one of Australia's most beautiful areas of wilderness. Come and explore 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 or take a criuse on the Yellow Water Billabong where you can spot the many crocodiles, birds, snakes, dingos and more that are abundant in Kakadu.
Accommodation: Camping included
Day 11-12: - Manyallaluk & Mataranka Hot Springs
Maybe take a swim at Barramundi Gorge before heading out of Kakadu to camp on an Aboriginal buffalo station, Manyallaluk. We join the locals to try some "Bush Tucker", and learn how to throw a spear or even "make fire". Find out how the aboriginals existed for thousands of years in harmony with their surroundings. The aborigines themselves teach the ancient skills. Also a great opportunity to purchase didgeridoos, paintings & woven baskets from the people who make them. We have time for another relaxing swim at Mataranka Hot Springs after setting up camp.
Accommodation: Camping included
Day 13-15: - Devils Marbles, McDonnell Ranges & Alice Springs
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. The next day we travel through the Western MacDonnell ranges, where you can see Simpson's Gap, the Ochre Pits or even hike around Ormiston Gorge. We continue to Alice Springs and set up camp before heading out on the town for a meal & some nightlife. Why not eat out in one of the great restaurants or maybe have pizza?
Accommodation: Bush Camp/Camping included
Day 16-18: - Kings Canyon & Ayers Rock
We visit a working camel farm and you can catch a camel ride over stunning sand hills as we hit the track south to Kings Canyon. Marvel at the sheer canyon walls and hit the rim trail for a hike over the Lost City and the Garden of Eden before arriving at our final camp 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 the next day, 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.Then explore Kata Juta (The Olgas) before viewing the sunset over these surreal domes.
Accommodation: Camping included
Day 19: - Alice Springs
We will have one last early morning visit and photo stop at Uluru before returning to Alice Springs where we will say a goodbye to newfound friends.
Tour ends at approx 17:00 - 18:00 hrs in Alice Springs on day 20.
NOTE: Departures from Aug 07 - Oct 07 will operate with a 20 day itinerary.
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.
( 
