Australia - Red Centre & Top End Safari

Your journey deep into the heart of the Red Centre begins as you leave Alice Springs and head south with a first stop at a Camel Farm for a break and a camel ride if you're keen (own expense). Many people don’t realise it but the Australian Outback has thousands of wild camels, which you will come to realise during your journey. We will then continue to Mount Ebenezer Roadhouse where you can view or purchase Aboriginal artefacts. On the way to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, keep your eye out for Atila (Mount Connor).  After lunch you will enter Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park for a visit to the Cultural Centre to learn about local Aboriginal law and religion before a short, guided walk at the base of Uluru. Those choosing to climb will have the opportunity to do so, weather permitting. You will also have time to enjoy your own longer walk around the base should you want to explore further. As the sun disappears into the land for another day enjoy some sparkling wine and nibbles while watching magnificent Uluru go through a vibrant colour change. Afterwards, we will head to our private campsite to enjoy dinner before retiring to our comfortable permanent tents or rolling out the swag for a night under clear southern skies. You will never see stars better than this. Lunch and dinner are included.

Today you'll get up early to view the sunrise over Uluru and Kata Tjuta from near your campsite before driving to Kata Tjuta for a walk through the Valley of the Winds. After a brief stop at the Ayers Rock Resort it’s time to head to Kings Creek Cattle Station to your remote and private campsite, complete with bush toilet and shower and permanent tents. The camp has stunning views out over the George Gill Ranges and gives you a real feel for the outback. Experience a campfire dinner with new friends and another night out under the stars. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. 

This morning you will take a guided walk to see the towering walls, crevices and plateaus of Watarrka (Kings Canyon). Visit the Amphitheatre, Lost City and the tranquil Garden of Eden. You’ll arrive at your Alice Springs accommodation in the early evening where you may decide to meet your new friends later for a meal and drinks. Overnight hotel accommodation included in Alice Springs in a single or twin/double ensuite hotel room. Breakfast and lunch are included.

The day is yours to explore the town of Alice Springs. All activities and meals are at your own expense. Overnight hotel accommodation included in Alice Springs in a single or twin/double ensuite hotel room.

Today you will be collected from your Alice Springs accommodation at approximately 6 am and then our adventure through the Territory to Darwin begins. Just north of Alice Springs is the Tropic of Capricorn (80% of the Northern Territory lays north of this point). Further along the track are the Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu) which are a collection of gigantic granite boulders magically balanced on top of one another. Our day winds to a close just north of Tennant Creek at historic Banka Banka Cattle Station where we camp for the night. Lunch and dinner are included.

No trip to the Territory is complete without a visit to the Daly Waters Pub, an important watering hole for explorers and drovers in days gone by and now a great spot for a cold beer and a bit of history. Later in the day you can take a soak in the Mataranka Thermal Pools, a lush oasis fringed by paperbark trees before journeying to Katherine and our overnight camp. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. 

Your guide will wake you early this morning for the short drive to the Nitmiluk National Park, home of Katherine Gorge, which is owned by the Jawoyn Aboriginal people. Ancient sandstone has been carved away by the Katherine River to create a deep and picturesque gorge. You may like to take a boat cruise or paddle a canoe (seasonal) through the peaceful water (both optional and additional cost). In the afternoon, relax and watch the changing landscape as we travel to cosmopolitan Darwin. Overnight hotel accommodation in a twin/double or single ensuite room in Darwin is included. Breakfast and lunch are included.

Today you will be collected from your Darwin accommodation around 7 am for the short journey to Litchfield National Park. You'll explore the waterfalls, the spring-fed streams and rugged sandstone escarpments of the park. You'll have the unique chance of discovering the intriguing cathedral and magnetic termite mounds and swim, hike and explore Florence and Wangi Falls. After lunch you'll meet your indigenous hosts who will give you an insight into the rich culture and amazing landscape of the Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory. You will learn about the many uses of the native plants for medicinal and nutritional purposes, enjoy the music of the didgeridoo and clapsticks while watching basket-weaving demonstrations. We'll then travel to our private campsite in the Mary River region where the local wallaby population welcomes us on arrival. Relax around the campsite at dinner before retiring to your choice of a swag under the stars, a permanent tent or a hotel room for those seeking creature comforts. Lunch and dinner are included.

Today we will awake early to experience a private 90-minute cruise spotting crocodiles, birds, buffalos and other wildlife. This is a magical experience away from the masses in an area with the highest concentration of saltwater crocodiles in the Southern Hemisphere. Our exploration continues as we travel off-road en-route to Twin and Jim Jim Falls, the icons of Kakadu National Park. Twin Falls Gorge is accessed by 4-wheel drive track, a boat shuttle service and a rocky walking track and boardwalk. Once there, relax on the sandy banks and admire the falls. There’s more 4-wheel driving as we make our way to Jim Jim Falls where a walk through monsoon forest and over boulders takes us to the waterfall and plunge pool which are surrounded by 150 metre cliffs. You will spend the afternoon taking in the sheer beauty of the jewels of Kakadu National Park before travelling to our comfortable campsite within the park for a nice beverage at sundown. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

We will start the morning by taking a short hike to Nawurlandja lookout which rewards you with stunning views of the surrounding escarpments, Nourlangie and Anbangbang Billabong. It’s then onto the culturally significant Ubirr, located within the East Alligator region of the park. Here you will view a wide range of ancient Aboriginal art which will be interpreted by your guide. Learn the story of the Rainbow Serpent and climb the Nadab Lookout for panoramic views over the floodplain and beyond into Arnhem Land. After lunch we visit the Bowali Visitor Centre and the Marrawuddi Gallery which showcases Aboriginal art from Top End artists. On our way back to Darwin we stop at the Mamukala Wetlands which offers a wide variety of birdlife from both the viewing platform and boardwalk before arriving back in Darwin in the late afternoon. Breakfast and lunch are included.