Travel from Adelaide to Darwin along the popular Explorers Way taking in the magnificent sights of the Flinders Ranges, Coober Pedy, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Kakadu National Park and many more on the way.
Highlights:
This afternoon explore the sights of Adelaide then join a local food expert for a guided tour of 140 year old Adelaide Central Market. Enjoy the hustle and bustle, sample the culinary delights, meet the traders and share the history and secrets of this colourful marketplace. Relax with your Travel Director and fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception and dinner.
Hotel: Stamford Plaza, Adelaide
Meals: Dinner
Today travel to the Clare Valley for a wine tasting at Jesuit owned Sevenhill Cellars, the oldest existing winery in the region. Explore the picturesque grounds including St Aloysius Church and take a stroll through the vines before stopping in Clare at lunchtime. Later, travel through the spectacular Flinders Ranges to Wilpena Pound, a remarkable natural amphitheatre covering nearly 8,000 hectares. Pass the intriguing ruins of deserted pastoral leases and keep an eye out for mobs of emu on the plains as dusk draws near.
Hotel: Wilpena Pound Resort, Flinders Ranges
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Take a spectacular walk with your Travel Director to Hills Homestead and Wangarra Lookout for incredible views of Wilpena Pound. You’ll likely see wild emus and kangaroos grazing along the riverbank. Journey through Pitchi Richi Pass, and historic Quorn on your way to Port Augusta. Visit Wadlata Outback Centre then venture out for a delicious dinner.
Hotel: Majestic Oasis Apartments, Port Augusta
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Visit Woomera, then travel through salt lake country watching as the landscape changes as you near isolated Coober Pedy, Australia’s opal capital! Visit an underground church and home with a local guide and view an opal demonstration.
Hotel: Desert Cave Hotel, Coober Pedy
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Cross the border into the Northern Territory and continue to Uluṟu – Kata Tjuṯa National Park. Enter the dual world heritage listed National Park to enjoy gourmet canapés and wine at the Uluru sunset viewing area, ‘Sunset Strip’. As the sun sets over the western horizon, the evening sky brings out the many shades of colour for which Uluṟu is renowned.
Hotel: Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort
Meals: Breakfast
See the Red Centre set alight by the morning’s first rays of sunlight. After sunrise tour the base of Uluṟu. You may like to take a self-guided stroll around the 11km base of ‘The Rock’ or enjoy a guided walk with your Travel Director to Mutitjulu Waterhole. You’ll view Aboriginal rock paintings as your Travel Director interprets their meaning and significance. You’ll also learn about the flora, fauna and cultural traditions of traditional owners, the Anangu. Visit Uluṟu – Kata Tjuṯa Cultural Centre where there is time to purchase some locally made Aboriginal art and learn more about the Western Desert region. This afternoon visit the spectacular domes of Kata Tjuṯa (the Olgas) and walk through Walpa Gorge, following the natural creek-bed between two of the main domes. Take in a magnificent outback sunset at Kata Tjuṯa while you enjoy sparkling wine and nibbles.
Hotel: Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort
Meals: Breakfast
Travel to Kings Canyon Resort. You’re off on a 6km rim walk exploration of Kings Canyon, which will reward you with marvellous views of Watarrka National Park, where you’ll be able to see as far as the horizon and get a real feel for the grand scale of this natural wonder. An easier walk along the boulder-strewn canyon floor is also available.
Hotel: Kings Canyon Resort, Kings Canyon
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Today we journey to Alice Springs. Travel across vast cattle properties and get a feel for just how expansive the Outback is. In Alice Springs visit the historic Telegraph Station, established in 1872. It first served as one of 12 stations positioned along the Overland Telegraph Line that stretches 3000km to relay messages between Adelaide and Darwin. It later served as a school for Aboriginal Children, known as ‘The Bungalow’. Top off the day at Anzac Hill for panoramic views over Alice Springs.
Hotel: Mercure Alice Springs Resort, Alice Springs
Meals: Breakfast
Learn about the life and survival of the Arrernte People, including the search for water, bush food, and kinship, from a local Aboriginal guide at Alice Springs Desert Park. Visit the Nocturnal House and enjoy a captivating Birds of Prey presentation. Continue to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and learn how the facility brings first class health services to people living in the bush. This evening You’re Invited by Joe, Dan, Tommy and Ben Falzon for a home cooked gourmet BBQ dinner at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre. Join them as they share stories of ecology, culture and astronomy and even lead you on a sing-a-long accompanied by the didgeridoo and guitar. It will be a night to remember!
Hotel: Mercure Alice Springs Resort, Alice Springs
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Your first stop is School of the Air. Witness a live class room lesson broadcast over 1.3 million square kilometres, to children living in remote locations that would otherwise have no access to public education. Later, travel north towards Tennant Creek stopping at interesting Wycliffe Well on the way to visit Karlu-Karlu (Devils Marbles). You’ll have plenty of time to walk around the precariously balanced boulders. End the day at Tennant Creek, an old gold mining town along the Stuart Highway.
Hotel: Bluestone Motor Inn, Tennant Creek
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Today you’ll travel north and visit eccentric Daly Waters Historic Pub for a cooling ale at lunchtime. Continue to Mataranka, ‘Land of the Never Never’. At Mataranka you can visit a replica of the original Elsey Homestead, used in the filming of ‘We of the Never Never’, an autobiographical film about Jeannie Gunn’s life in the Outback. Or, you may take the palm lined walkway for a swim in the famous thermal springs – a bit of a must do! Travel on to Katherine for the night.
Hotel: Paraway Motel, Katherine
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Join your local guide on a serene early morning cruise through Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park. Discover the cultural significance of this ancient waterway to the traditional landowners, the Jawoyn, and keep an eye out for the resident crocodiles. Continue to Kakadu National Park via Pine Creek. We recommend treating yourself to a mango smoothie along the way! Travel deep into Kakadu for a cruise on the famous Yellow Water Billabong. You should see a stunning variety of birdlife such as sea eagles, brolgas and with any luck, fascinating little kingfishers. You’ll also see feared estuarine crocodiles basking in the muddy shallows. This afternoon you’ll have the opportunity to take an optional flight over Kakadu and Arnhem Land.
Hotel: Mercure Crocodile Kakadu, Jabiru
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
This morning visit Ubirr and view Aboriginal rock art dating back some 20,000 years. Climb to the top of this rocky outcrop for spectacular views over the flood plains and escarpment country. You may recognise the location from the famous Australian film, Crocodile Dundee! This afternoon on arrival in Darwin, you can choose from a range of Included Choice sightseeing experiences. You could take the opportunity to visit the colourful Mindil Beach Sunset Markets for a spectacular sunset over the Timor Sea where we’ll treat you to dinner, visit Crocosaurus Cove at your leisure or even sit back and relax at Darwin’s famous Deckchair Cinema.
Hotel: Mantra Esplanade, Darwin
Meals: Breakfast
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.
Hotel: Mantra Esplanade, Darwin
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Bid Farewell to your fellow travellers after breakfast when your hotel comes to an end.
Meals: Breakfast
*EARLY BIRD OFFER*
Save up to £415 on 2020/2021 departures when you book by 31st January 2020
*Early Bird Offer* Save up to 10% on departures between April 2020 and March 2021 when booked by 31st January 2020. Valid on new bookings only. Subject to availability, seasonal variations may apply. Price quoted includes discount.
All prices are per person, based on 2 sharing a double or twin room and include meals shown. Seasonal supplements may apply. Call Freedom Destinations to confirm departure dates and availability.
Tour operates April – September
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