Outback Adventure

Your journey begins with a flight to Adelaide. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Explore the major sights of the city. Later, join a local food expert for a guided tour of the vibrant Adelaide Central Market. Relax this evening at a Welcome Reception and dinner.

❱ Hotel stay: Stamford Plaza Adelaide (1 night)

Drive through the rolling hills of the Clare Valley for a wine-tasting at Sevenhill Cellars, the region’s oldest winery. Later, travel through the Flinders Ranges to Wilpena Pound.

❱ Hotel stay: Wilpena Pound Resort (1 night)

Take a walk with your Travel Director to the faithfully-restored Hills Homestead and Wangarra Lookout, which affords panoramic views over Wilpena Pound. Journey through the historic town of Quorn to Port Augusta. Visit Wadlata Outback Centre before dining at a local restaurant.

❱ Hotel stay: Majestic Oasis Apartments (1 night)

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.

❱ Hotel stay: Desert Cave Hotel (1 night)

Cross the border into the Northern Territory and continue to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Sparkling wine is served this evening as you witness the sunset over Australia’s most renowned natural landmark.

❱ Hotel stay: Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort (2 nights)

Rise early to experience a majestic Uluru sunrise. After a tour of the base of Uluru, take a guided walk to the Mutitjulu Waterhole where your Travel Director will explain the significance of the ancient Aboriginal rock paintings you’ll encounter. This afternoon’s journey takes you to Kata Tjuta, thirty-six magnificent domes of red-hued sedimentary rock.

Travel through a stark red desert landscape to awe-inspiring Kings Canyon. The 6-kilometre walk around the rim of the canyon will reward you with marvellous views of Watarrka National Park. A shorter, more relaxed walk takes you along the sandy creek bed, and leads to a lookout point affording excellent views of the towering canyon walls.

❱ Hotel stay: Kings Canyon Resort (1 night)

Travelling past vast cattle properties, you’ll develop a true appreciation for the magnitude of the Australian outback. On arrival in Alice Springs visit the historic Telegraph Station and learn how it relayed message between Darwin and Adelaide for 60 years.

❱ Hotel stay: Mercure Alice Springs Resort (2 nights)

Join a local Aboriginal guide at Alice Springs Desert Park to learn about the culture and traditions of the Arrernte People. Then visit the headquarters of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. This evening, join the Falzon family at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre for a Be My Guest barbecue dinner. Hear from brothers, Tom and Danny, about the sustainable lifestyle they have established.

Visit the legendary School of the Air, then travel north, stopping to view Karlu Karlu, an intriguing outcrop of precariously-balanced granite boulders. You’ll stay tonight in the former gold-mining town of Tennant Creek.

❱ Hotel stay: Bluestone Motor Inn (1 night)

Call in to the quirky Daly Waters Pub before continuing to Mataranka, where a swim in the warm, crystal-clear waters of the thermal springs is a must-do. Journey on to Katherine.

❱ Hotel stay: Paraway Motel (1 night)

Travel to Nitmiluk National Park and take a tranquil cruise along the spectacular Katherine Gorge. Then journey deep into Kakadu for a cruise on Yellow Water Billabong, famed for its birdlife and estuarine crocodiles.

❱ Hotel stay: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel (1 night)

Visit Ubirr, one of Kakadu’s renowned Aboriginal rock art sites, then walk to nearby Nadab Lookout, for views over the surrounding wetlands. This afternoon in Darwin, choose an Included Choice sightseeing experience. Visit the colourful Mindil Beach Sunset Market where we’ll treat you to dinner or visit Crocosaurus Cove to explore at your leisure.

❱ Hotel stay: Mantra on the Esplanade (2 nights)

Travel to Litchfield National Park, pausing to examine the park’s amazing termite mounds. Stop to view Florence Falls, then venture on to Wangi Falls to swim in the large waterhole before heading back to Darwin. Join your Travel Director for a Darwin Harbour Farewell Dinner Cruise.

Say farewell to your fellow travellers when your holiday comes to an end this morning after breakfast. You will be transferred to Darwin Airport in time for your flight home.