itinerary
Day 1. Welcome to Adelaide
On arrival today, 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: Stamford Plaza Adelaide. Included Meals: Dinner with wine
Day 2. Adelaide – Wilpena Pound
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: Wilpena Pound Resort. Included Meals: Breakfast and dinner with wine
Day 3. Wilpena Pound – Port Augusta
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: Majestic Oasis Apartments. Included Meals: Breakfast and dinner with wine
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. Hotel: Desert Cave Hotel. Included Meals: Breakfast and dinner with wine
Day 5. Coober Pedy – Ayers Rock (Uluru)
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: Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort, 2 nights. Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Uluru Sunrise – Kata Tjuṯa (the Olgas)
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. Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 7. Uluru – Kings Canyon
Consider an optional experience and rise early to visit the soul-stirring art installation in the desert, the Field of Light, 50,000 frosted glass spheres of light in colours of ochre, deep violet, blue and white. 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: Kings Canyon Resort. Included Meals: Breakfast and dinner with wine
Day 8. Kings Canyon – Alice Springs
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: Mercure Alice Springs Resort, 2 nights. Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Alice Springs
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. Included Meals: Breakfast and Be My Guest dinner
Day 10. Alice Springs – Tennant Creek
Visit the legendary School of the Air, then travel north, stopping at Wycliffe Well, where you need to keep your eye out for a UFO! Your next stop is just as intriguing – Karlu Karlu, an outcrop of precariously-balanced granite boulders. You’ll stay tonight in the former gold-mining town of Tennant Creek. Hotel: Bluestone Motor Inn. Included Meals: Breakfast and dinner with wine
Day 11. Tennant Creek – Katherine
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: Paraway Motel. Included Meals: Breakfast and dinner with wine
Day 12. Katherine – Kakadu National Park
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: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, Jabiru. Included Meals: Breakfast and dinner with wine
Day 13. Kakadu – Darwin
Visit Ubirr, one of Kakadu’s renowned Aboriginal rock art sites, then walk to nearby Nadab Lookout, for views over the surrounding wetlands. After an orientation on arrival in Darwin, the evening is free for you to explore. Hotel: Mantra on the Esplanade, 2 nights. Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 14: Litchfield National Park
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. Included Meals: Breakfast and Farewell dinner
Day 15. Farewell from Darwin
Bid a fond farewell to your fellow travellers when your holiday comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Included Meals: Breakfast
*Itinerary is subject to change
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