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ITINERARY:
Day 1 -
Sydney to Thredbo Alpine Village* (via Canberra)
Our first stop today is the capital city of Australia - Canberra
- where the Prime Minister hangs out. See for yourself how
a custom-made capital city is built as you take in the view
from Mt. Ainslie, take a tour of Parliament House, check out
a few embassies and see other city highlights. We travel via
Cooma, learning about the historically important Snowy Hydro-Electric
Scheme on our way to Thredbo. *In ski season (Jun-Sep) we
stay in Jindabyne and during winter Perisher/Smiggins (D).
Day 2 -
Thredbo to Lakes Entrance via Snowy River Country
Grab your hiking boots, we're going to the 'Roof of Australia'.
There's a chairlift express up the mountain (seasonal) and
you can either walk to the summit of Australia's highest mountain,
Mt Kosciuszko (weather permitting), or to the viewing point.
During winter, we have time to play in the snow at the ski
resort of Perisher/Smiggins (optional toboggan hire or snow
tube at own expense). It's a spectacular drive along Barry
Way, with the Snowy River below. Tonight we stay at Lakes
Entrance, the Gateway to the Gippsland Lakes and Australia's
longest beach - Ninety Mile Beach. (BD)
Day 3 -
Lakes Entrance to Wilsons Promontory National Park and Melbourne
We travel to mainland Australia's most southerly point, Wilsons
Promontory National Park. Walk along gleaming beaches, hike
along amazing granite rock formations and learn about coastal
flora and native wildlife. You might even see emus and wombats!
We finish our tour travelling to Melbourne through pastoral
landscapes in South Gippsland. (B)
Day 4 -
Melbourne via Great Ocean Rd to Port Campbell
We pass Geelong and check out the surfing town of Torquay
and world famous Bells Beach. Our Great Ocean Road journey
begins here as we wind our way along one of the most spectacular
coastal roads in Australia. At Kennett River we spot for koalas
and watch and listen to the abundant birdlife. Next we hit
the cool temperate rainforest of the Otway National Park,
where we spend time at the Otway Fly Tree Top Walk (included)
then watch the sun set over the Twelve Apostles. (LD)
Day 5 -
Port Campbell to Grampians National Park
We walk down the Gibson Steps on to the beach for a different
view of the Twelve Apostles, or there's time for a helicopter
ride (at own expense). Next up is Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge,
the Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands. Watch for whales (seasonal)
as we pass through Warrnambool, then head inland to the Grampians
National Park. Hikes today include The Pinnacle and Reeds
Lookout. You'll sleep well tonight at our private accommodation.
(BLD)
Day 6 -
Halls Gap to Adelaide
Get your legs working this morning with hikes at Hollow Mountain
and the amazing MacKenzie Falls before we farewell The Grampians
and travel via Horsham into South Australia. See rare White
Western Grey Kangaroos at Bordertown, then cross the Murray
River before arriving into Adelaide. Overnight accommodation
included. (BL)
Day 7 -
Adelaide
A FREE DAY in Adelaide to relax. Overnight dorm accommodation
included. (Meals at own expense)
Day 8 -
Adelaide to Quorn
Leaving the city behind, we travel through the Clare Valley
to Quorn, a quaint and historical railway township nestled
at the entrance to the Richman Valley. Eat a hearty lunch,
because this afternoon we hike to the summit of Dutchman's
Stern for stunning 360° views of Quorn, Spencer Gulf and the
Flinders Ranges! We return to Quorn where we stay two nights
in private accommodation at the historical "Mill". Get ready
for tonight's BBQ dinner - it doesn't get any more Aussie
than this! (LD)
Day 9 -
Flinders Ranges & Wilpena Pound
The Flinders Ranges has been recognised as one of Australia's
National Landscapes and today you'll get to experience and
explore this magical region! Wilpena Pound is a natural amphitheatre
located in a huge stone crater and you will spend the morning
hiking and exploring its wonder! After lunch, it's a short
walk to Yourambulla Caves to view Aboriginal rock paintings.
Learn about the hardships of sheep farming in the mid 1800's
as you view the ruins of Kanyaka Homestead. As we travel back
to Quorn, there's an opportunity to spot the shy and elusive
Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby on a quiet stroll through peaceful
Warren Gorge. Overnight at the Quorn "Mill". (BLD)
Day 10 -
Quorn to Coober Pedy
We travel north through Port Augusta and the small township
of Glendambo (population 30!) passing ancient salt lakes which
are the remnants of an inland sea. The Opal Capital of the
World is our destination and our bunkhouse for tonight is
- you guessed it - underground. (BLD)
Day 11 -
Coober Pedy to Marla
After breakfast we check out the sites of Coober Pedy on a
town tour which includes an opal cutting demonstration and
mine tour with the opportunity to try your luck 'noodling'
for opals! We continue our drive north and you will see the
flat topped mesas, 'The Breakaways'. During the afternoon
we drive through the rugged desert country to the small outback
township of Marla. (BLD)
Day 12 -
Marla to Uluru
From Marla, we cross the Northern Territory border and arrive
at the Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park. Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)
will fascinate you, and you will discover some of the secrets
of this ancient landform during the Valley of the Winds hike.
You'll be mesmerised as the desert sun sets over Uluru, and
as the night grows darker, curl up in your swag (Aussie bedroll)
under millions of stars. (BLD)
Day 13 -
Uluru to Kings Canyon
It's an early start this morning, but you'll be rewarded with
a glorious Uluru sunrise. While the morning's fresh (and your
legs are too!) enjoy an unguided walk around the base of Uluru.
You will then deepen your understanding of the land and the
Mala people as you take a cultural interpretive walk with
an Aboriginal guide (and interpreter). Explore the many caves
of the Mala people, learning how they lived and prepared for
ceremonies. Your Aboriginal guide will also share the sensitive
story of the Mala people who lived at Uluru with their friend
the Itjaritjari (marsupial mole). There is also a visit to
sacred Kantju Gorge, a quiet water hole at the base of a dramatic
rock face. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to purchase
Aboriginal arts and crafts at the Cultural Centre before we
travel to our exclusive campsite within the Watarrka National
Park (Kings Canyon) where we sleep for the night. (BLD)
Days 14
- Kings Canyon to Alice Springs
Get your hiking shoes on today as we head out to explore the
impressive formations of Kings Canyon. You'll be left breathless
by the sheer beauty of the canyon as we trek through the Amphitheatre,
the Lost City, the lush and ancient Garden of Eden and the
North and South Walls. Lunch is a welcome prospect, before
we make our way to Alice Springs. Overnight dorm accommodation
included. (BL)
Days 15
- Alice Springs
Enjoy a FREE DAY to explore Alice Springs. Overnight accommodation
included. (Meals at own expense)
Day 16 -
Alice Springs to Tennant Creek
We pass by the Tropic of Capricorn then stop at the Barrow
Creek Pub, home to a telegraph station - catch a glimpse of
what outback telecommunication used to be like! Precariously
balanced on their rocky perch are the Devils Marbles, a site
sacred to its traditional owners. Last stop for today is our
private campsite near Tennant Creek where we camp for the
night. (LD)
Day 17 -
Tennant Creek to Katherine Gorge
No visit to the Top End would be complete without a visit
to the famed Daly Waters pub, a quintessential outback roadhouse
and 'watering hole' for travellers from far and wide. Mataranka
lies in the heart of the 'never-never', and you'll feel a
million miles from anywhere as you soak in the steamy thermal
springs. As the day draws to a close, we reach our overnight
camp at stunning Katherine Gorge. (BLD)
Day 18
- Katherine Gorge to Darwin
The gorge is all yours this morning, with time to spend canoeing
or cruising (at own expense and seasonal) the spectacular
waters. Want to see more? Jump aboard a helicopter flight
(at own expense) which will take you high above the vast gorge
system. We'll head to Darwin after a stop at idyllic Edith
Falls. Overnight dorm accommodation in Darwin included. (BL)
Overnight dorm accommodation included.
Day 19 -
Darwin to Mary River
A refreshing start to your day checking out the waterfalls
of Litchfield National Park. Travel west into Woolna Country
and receive a Cul Cul or unique 'Welcome to Country' by the
traditional owners of the land the Limilngan - Wulna people.
Experience the local Aboriginal Culture, cooking your own
bush tucker, playing the didgeridoo, basket weaving and spear
throwing. To finish the day we head to the spectacular Mary
River Wetlands, where birds aren't the only wildlife abundant
around here; keep your eyes out for lurking crocodiles on
our private river cruise! A secluded campsite at Point Stuart
Wilderness Lodge is where we'll stay tonight. (LD)
Day 20 -
Mary River to Kakadu
Discover ancient Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr, our first stop
this morning. Clamber to the top of a rocky lookout for fabulous
views over the Nardab floodplain. Next it's on to Maguk (Barramundi
Gorge), where a hike is rewarded with a reviving swim in the
plunge pools. Tonight we stay at our permanent camp within
Kakadu NP. (BLD)
Day 21 -
Kakadu to Darwin
Get ready for some 4WD action today on our way to Jim Jim
Falls! Once we get there, we'll hike to the base of the falls
before continuing on to Twin Falls. Feel the beauty of the
stunning gorge and powerful falls from the National Park operated
boat and boardwalk experience. The impressive scenery will
continue to amaze you as we journey back to Darwin in the
afternoon. (BL)
Finish in Sydney
- Home of the Sydney Opera House
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