Outback Adventure

Day 1: Welcome to Adelaide

On arrival today, explore the major sights of this picturesque city. Later, join a local food expert for a guided tour of the vibrant 140-year-old Adelaide Central Market where you’ll meet the traders and sample some local culinary delights. Relax this evening at a Welcome Reception at Luna10 Bar, and dinner at Koomo Restaurant and Bar with your Travel Director and fellow travellers.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza Adelaide

Day 2: Adelaide – Flinders Ranges

Today, drive through the rolling hills of the Clare Valley for a wine-tasting at the historic Knappstein Enterprise Winery before stopping at the township of Clare for lunch. This afternoon your journey continues to Hawker, home of the Jeff Morgan Gallery where you’ll get to meet Jeff and experience his spectacular 30 metre panoramic painting of the Flinders Ranges! Your last stop for the day is at Wilpena Pound Resort, nestled in the shadows of this remarkable natural amphitheatre.

Hotel: Wilpena Pound Resort

Day 3: Flinders Ranges – Port Augusta

Take a walk with your Travel Director this morning to the faithfully restored Hills Homestead and Wangarra Lookout which affords panoramic views over Wilpena Pound. Journey through Pichi Richi Pass and historic Quorn to Port Augusta. Visit Wadlata Outback Centre before venturing out for a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.

Hotel: Majestic Oasis Apartments

Day 4: Port Augusta – Coober Pedy

Visit a former rocket-testing site at Woomera before travelling through salt-lake country to isolated Coober Pedy, regarded by many as the opal capital of the world. View an opal demonstration with a local expert, who’ll then lead you through some of the town’s iconic underground buildings. Tonight, enjoy dinner at Umberto’s Restaurant.

Hotel: Desert Cave Hotel

Day 5: Coober Pedy – Uluru

Cross the border into the Northern Territory and continue to Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park. Enter the dual world heritage listed National Park to enjoy nibbles and sparkling wine at the Uluru sunset viewing area, ‘Sunset Strip’. Get your camera ready as the sun sets over the western horizon, the evening sky brings out the many shades of colour for which Uluru is renowned.

Hotel: Desert Gardens Hotel, 2 nights

Day 6: Uluru Sunrise – Kata Tjuta

See the Red Centre set alight by the morning’s first rays of sunlight. After sunrise tour the base of Uluru. You may like to take a self-guided stroll around the 11km base of ‘The Rock’ or enjoy a guided walk with your Travel Director to Mutitjulu Waterhole. You’ll view Aboriginal rock paintings as your Travel Director interprets their meaning and significance. You’ll also learn about the flora, fauna and cultural traditions of traditional owners, the Anangu. Visit Uluru – Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre where there is time to purchase some locally made Aboriginal art and learn more about the Western Desert region. This afternoon, visit the spectacular domes of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and walk through Walpa Gorge, following the natural creek-bed between two of the main domes. Take in a magnificent outback sunset at Kata Tjuta while you enjoy sparkling wine and nibbles.

Day 7: Uluru – Kings Canyon

This morning you might choose the optional extra of seeing the Field of Light at Sunrise or enjoy a sleep in. After breakfast you will travel to Kings Canyon Resort. On the way, marvel at Atila (Mt. Conner), the ‘forgotten wonder of Central Australia’ and stop for a lunch break at Kings Creek Station. Originally vacant crown land, the station now runs cattle and is the largest exporter of wild camels in Australia. Why not taste one of their famous camel burgers for lunch? You don’t want to miss out! Now get ready for spectacular sightseeing. You’re off on a 6km rim walk exploration of Kings Canyon, which will reward you with marvellous views of Watarrka National Park, where you’ll be able to see as far as the horizon and get a real feel for the grand scale of this natural wonder. An easier walk along the boulder-strewn canyon floor is also available.

Hotel: Kings Canyon Resort

Day 8: Kings Canyon – Alice Springs

Your Outback Adventure continues today as you journey past vast cattle stations as the landscapes rises to the spectacular MacDonnell ranges that surround Alice Springs. In Alice Springs you explore the historic Telegraph Station that was established in 1872. It first served as one of 12 stations positioned along the Overland Telegraph Line that stretches between Adelaide and Darwin. Your last stop for the day is Anzac Hill for reflection and the panoramic views that give you an appreciation for Alice Springs.

Hotel: Doubletree by Hilton Alice Springs, 2 nights

Day 9: Alice Springs

This morning you will learn about the life of the local indigenous Arrernte People before experiencing the Royal Flying Doctor Service tourist facility. Here you will learn how the facility brings first class health services to people living in the bush. This evening ‘Be My Guest’ with the Falzon family for an Australian BBQ dinner at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre. Join them as they share stories of self-sufficient living and astronomy and even lead you on a sing-a-long accompanied by the didgeridoo and guitar. It will be a night to remember!

Day 10: Alice Springs – Tennant Creek

Your first stop is School of the Air to witness a live classroom lesson broadcast over 1.3 million square kilometres. These children living in remote locations that would otherwise have no access to public education. Continue north, stopping at interesting Wycliffe Well where you need to keep your eye out for a UFO. Next stop is Karlu-Karlu (Devils Marbles) where you’ll explore the precariously balanced boulders. End the day at Tennant Creek, an old gold mining town along the Stuart Highway.

Hotel: Bluestone Motor Inn

Day 11: Tennant Creek – Katherine

Today you’ll travel north and visit eccentric Daly Waters Historic Pub at lunchtime. Continue to Mataranka, ‘Land of the Never Never’. At Mataranka you can visit a replica of the original Elsey Homestead, used in the filming of ‘We of the Never Never’, an autobiographical film about Jeannie Gunn’s life in the Outback. Or, you may take the palm lined walkway for a swim in the famous thermal springs – a bit of a must do! Travel on to Katherine for the night.

Hotel: Paraway Motel or Contour Hotel Katherine

Day 12: Katherine – Kakadu National Park

Join your local guide on a serene early morning cruise through Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park. Discover the cultural significance of this ancient waterway to the traditional landowners, the Jawoyn, and keep an eye out for the resident crocodiles. Continue to Kakadu National Park via Pine Creek. We recommend treating yourself to a mango smoothie along the way! Travel deep into Kakadu for a cruise on the famous Yellow Water Billabong. You should see a stunning variety of birdlife such as sea eagles, brolgas and with any luck, fascinating little kingfishers. You’ll also see feared estuarine crocodiles basking in the muddy shallows.

Hotel: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel

Day 13: Kakadu – Darwin

This morning you’ll have the opportunity to take an optional flight over Kakadu and Arnhem Land. Later visit Ubirr and view Aboriginal rock art dating back some 20,000 years. Climb to the top of this rocky outcrop for spectacular views over the flood plains and escarpment country. You may recognise the location from the famous Australian film, Crocodile Dundee! This afternoon you will arrive in tropical Darwin. After a brief tour around Darwin the evening is free to explore. We highly recommend you explore the popular Mindil Markets for dinner and to watch a famous top end sunset over the beach.

Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Darwin, 2 nights

Day 14: Litchfield National Park

Today travel to Litchfield National Park. You’ll stop at the amazing Termite Mounds and then Florence Falls to view the famous waterfalls from a high vantage point. Venture on to tropical Wangi Falls for a relaxing swim in the large crystal-clear waterhole before heading back to Darwin. This evening join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Farewell Dinner on board a Darwin Harbour Cruise. Enjoy a delicious buffet meal as you watch the sun set over Darwin and the surrounding area – it’s time to celebrate your Northern Territory outback adventure.

Day 15: Farewell from Darwin

Bid Farewell to your fellow travellers after breakfast when your journey comes to an end.