Australia / Top End & Outback Packages / Departing Top End / Red Centre
13 Days

13 Day Darwin to Melbourne - Outback Package

Darwin

Inclusions

  • 3 day/2 night Alice Springs to Darwin Adventure with Wayoutback
  • 2 nights in Alice Springs at Haven
  • 6 day/5 night Alice Springs to Adelaide Adventure with Groovy Grape
  • 1 night Adelaide in YHA
  • 3 day/2 night Great Ocean Road Adventure with Groovy Grape
  • 9 breakfasts, 12 lunches, and 9 dinners

Itinerary

Day 1 - Begin 3 day/2 night Darwin to Alice Springs Adventure

Your adventure through the‘Territory’ to Alice Springs begins. The afternoon is spent at Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park 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). It’s a little further on to our overnight camp near Mataranka. (Lunch, Dinner)

Day 2 - 3 day/2 night Darwin to Alice Springs Adventure

A great start to the day, is a soak in the Mataranka Thermal Pools, a lush oasis fringed by paperbark trees. 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, a bit of history and a‘fair dinkum outback experience’! Our day winds to a close at historic Banka Banka Cattle Station where we camp for the night. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3 - 3 day/2 night Darwin to Alice Springs Adventure / Overnight Alice Springs

We pass through Tennant Creek and then 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. Later in the day we cross the Tropic of Capricorn (only 20% of the Northern Territory lies south of this point) then a short time later we arrive into Alice Springs where art galleries and pioneering history abounds. On arrival in Alice Springs, you will check into a great hostel for 2 nights. (Lunch)

Day 4 - Free day - Alice Springs

Free day to relax and explore Alice Springs. 

Day 5 - 6 day/5 night Alice Springs to Adelaide Adventure

We depart Alice Springs and head towards Kings Creek Station, Australia’s largest exporter of wild camels and our camp site for tonight. We hike Watarrka (Kings Canyon) to experience the fantastic views of the gorge, huge sandstone walls and an immense canyon floor. Here we trek through the Garden of Eden and take a dip in the waterhole to cool down. There is time for you to swim in the pool or take up on any of the optional extra activities they have on offer. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6 - 6 day/5 night Alice Springs to Adelaide Adventure

Today we head for Uluru. Nothing really prepares you for The Rock– it’s awesome! After lunch we visit the Cultural Centre to learn about the Aboriginal people of the region and walk around the base of Uluru. We end our first day with a spectacular sunset over Uluru. Tonight we camp at the Ayers Rock Resort Campground in comfy swags under the desert stars, our home for the next two nights. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7 - 6 day/5 night Alice Springs to Adelaide Adventure

A fantastic Uluru sunrise and breakfast before we head to sunrise and breakfast at The Rock, before we hike Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and the majestic Valley of the Winds with its incredibly ancient rock formations before returning to the campsite for relaxing afternoon and another Uluru sunset. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8 - 6 day/5 night Alice Springs to Adelaide Adventure

Today we cruise to Coober Pedy, opal capital of the world. Incredible changing landscape, kangaroos, emus, eagles and road trains all unfold before us and a view of the striking sandstone colours of the Breakaways on the way. On arrival we visit the local kangaroo orphanage and later enjoy dinner, lots of stories and an overnight stay in an underground bunkhouse. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) 

Day 9 - 6 day/5 night Alice Springs to Adelaide Adventure

We spend the morning in Coober Pedy and take a tour of the town and an opal mine. We also have the opportunity to“noodle” for opals, visit an opal shop or any of the other underground attractions. We continue our journey south in the afternoon as we travel on down to the foothills of the Flinders Ranges where we sleep among the red gum trees of Stony Creek Bush camp. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10 - 6 day/5 night Alice Springs to Adelaide Adventure / Overnight Adelaide

This morning we hike Dutchman’s Stern for stunning views of the Spencer Gulf and surrounding ranges and plains. We stop at a winery in the Clare Valley before cruising to Adelaide arriving at around 6pm. You will check into a central hostel for 1 night. (Breakfast, Lunch)
 

Day 11 - 3 day/2 night Great Ocean Road Tour

Departing Adelaide we cruise through the Adelaide Hills with a mid morning stop at a country bakery to grab a bite to eat. We eat lunch before we marvel at Mt. Arapiles then onto the Grampians National Park. Here we hike to the bottom of Mc Kenzie Falls and see breathtaking views from The Balconies. In the late afternoon, see the kangaroos and other wildlife come out to play. We stay overnight in the heart of the Grampians National Park in hostel accommodation. (Lunch, Dinner)

Day 12 - 3 day/2 night Great Ocean Road Tour

Visit the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre and spend a great morning hiking the beautiful Grampians. We enjoy lunch at Tower Hill Reserve, the site of a dormant volcano, wetland, lake and home to lots of wildlife. We head south to the Great Ocean Road and Bay of Martyrs, London Bridge and Loch Ard Gorge, part of the fantastic coastal scenery in this area, finishing the day with a sunset at the spectacular Twelve Apostles. Overnight is in hostel accommodation on the Great Ocean Road. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 13 - 3 day/2 night Great Ocean Road Tour / trip ends

After breakfast, we soak up the beauty of the Otway National Park. Walk through some of the oldest temperate rainforest in the world. Marvel at the historical section of the Ocean Road carved by returned WWI servicemen. It provides one of the most spectacular coastal roads that you will ever see. Explore the artistic seaside villages of Apollo Bay and Lorne. Anglesea, Bells Beach and Torquay (home of Rip Curl and Quicksilver) are all part of the famous surf coast with time to check out the local waves. We stop at the Split Point Lighthouse featured in the Round the Twist television series, before heading through Geelong to arrive in Melbourne at approximately 7pm. (Breakfast, Lunch) 

 


Extras

This tour is a combination of four separate tours with overnight accommodation included between them - please note that guides and other travellers may change on each tour.

Please note that Melbourne accommodation is not included in this trip. If you want us to help you with this, just let us know!

Optional activities:

  • Rock Climbing in the Grampians
  • Helicopter ride at the 12 Apostles

Accommodation upgrades are available: singles, twins or doubles
 
Sleeping bags are not included for the Camping nights. Although you can hire them, we recommend you buy your own in advance as it works out cheaper over the multiple tours.
 
Some meals are not included.


Pay In Instalments

Be aware that at any time, the price of this package can fluctuate based on seasonality and availability. By simply placing a $100 deposit for this package, it will remain available to you at the current price and you are protected from fluctuating fares. You then have the option to pay off in instalments and decide on your travel dates.


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13 Day Darwin To Melbourne - Outback Package