Your outback adventure starts in Darwin, the gateway to Australia, where you have two nights at a centrally located hotel or apartment to relax after your flight and explore the city.

Darwin is compact and the town centre and lively Waterfront area are easy to explore on foot. From April to October, nearby Mindil Beach comes alive every Thursday and Sunday with over 200 unique craft and food vendors as tourists and locals gather to witness the renowned Northern Territory sunset over the Timor Sea. Sample some of the territory’s unique food delicacies including crocodile, emu and fresh barramundi whilst listening to the haunting sounds of the digeridoo being performed within the Market.

Collect your car this morning and drive east towards Kakadu National Park. Suggest a stop at Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre, and then perhaps Adelaide River for an optional Jumping Crocodile cruise. The scenery on the way is dramatic and colourful with bird life, wet lands and high escarpments. A visit to the Bowali Visitor Centre is a must to learn more about this unique environment.

Kakadu National Park  features rock formations, powerful waterways, towering cliffs, spectacular waterfalls and quiet, peaceful streams and lagoons, as well as its diverse wildlife, and unique plant life, together with some of the country’s best Aboriginal art galleries, in a truly magnificent area. The value of Kakadu’s treasures is also reflected in the park’s World Heritage listing, awarded for both cultural and natural significance.

Darwin > Kakadu National Park | 254 kms

Anbinik Kakadu Resort

You have a full day at leisure to explore Kakadu. This morning opt to take an optional Yellow Waters Cruises from Cooinda or visit the Aboriginal rock art at Nourlangie and Ubirr rocks.

Ubirr, 40 minutes from Jabiru, is reached by sealed road with a 1km easy walking circuit trail which leads from the car park. There are various art styles here, including the stick-like Mimi figures, some estimated to be up to 20,000 years old, but the more recent, dramatic, x-ray style is the most striking. Whilst at Ubirr, climb to the top of the rocky escarpment for splendid views out over the Kakadu countryside. You will also get a panoramic vista over the nearby billabongs of the Arnhem wetlands and the huge Arnhem Land escarpment, which lies across the East Alligator River.

Anbinik Kakadu Resort

Drive south through Kakadu National Park to Pine Creek, an old 1880s mining town.

There are numerous historic buildings still standing, including the Old Playford Club Hotel, the Repeater Station, the Bakery and the Railway Siding Complex.

Carry on to Katherine, perhaps with a short detour and swim at Edith Falls. The delightful outback town of Katherine began as a Telegraph Station in the early 1870s and there is an excellent town museum illustrating the history of the region.

Kakadu National Park > Katherine | 302 kms

Nitmiluk Accommodation

The highlight here is undoubtedly Katherine Gorge, located in the Nitmiluk National Park. The main entrance to the National Park is 32 kilometres from Katherine. Over millions of years, torrential summer rains in Arnhem Land during the wet season have caused the waters of the Katherine River to cut thirteen spectacular serpentine gorges. Cut into ancient rock, the canyon walls climb steeply above cool blue water, and there is abundant bird, fish and animal life, including the fresh water crocodile.

Today, take the included 2 hour gorge cruise. Katherine Gorge is a system of 13 gorges all joining by rapids. The best way to see the Gorge is from the water, there are also scenic flights and plenty of marked walking tracks

Nitmiluk Accommodation

Litchfield National Park is the Top End’s most accessible natural attraction and offers safe swimming and spectacular waterfalls all year round. The main attractions in Litchfield National Park, including Buley Rockhole, Wangi, Tolmer and Florence Falls are all linked by quality sealed roads. There is swimming in specified areas, photography, wildlife observation and bushwalks ranging from a 20 minute stroll to extended walks. Your overnight stay is outside Litchfield at the beautifully scenic Lake Bennett. (Approximate distance for today includes touring through Litchfield National Park).

Katherine > Litchfield National Park > Lake Bennett | 320 kms

Litchfield Outback Resort

Enjoy more time this morning in Litchfield National Park or relax at Lake Bennett before returning to Darwin via the Stuart Highway. This evening head to the open-air bars and restaurants of Darwin’s Waterfront for the final night in the city.

Lake Bennett > Darwin | 115 kms

This morning fly south from Darwin to Alice Springs, for a two night stay. Established in the 1870s as a telegraph relay station, Alice still retains a sleepy, ‘no worries’ atmosphere. Its visitor centre, Flying Doctor Museum, Reptile Park and Anzac Hill tell the story of early pioneers to the region and there is some fantastic Aboriginal art in the local galleries.

Pick up your car hire and explore the area.

In Alice Springs, we recommend that you visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the School of the Air which both give you a good insight into how life works in Outback Australia. Both are situated in the town centre, from Anzac Hill you get a good view of Alice Springs and the surrounding area.

The Old Telegraph Station is situated 3 kms north from the Town Centre along the Stuart Highway. Just minutes from the city centre is the Alice Springs Desert Park. Discover the landscapes, plants and animals of Australia’s unique desert environment. The park features rare and endangered species, the second largest nocturnal house in the world, walk through aviaries and a virtual reality presentation.

Crowne Plaza Alice Springs

Depart Alice Springs and travel south along the Stuart Highway and on to Kings Canyon. This afternoon, you may wish to take a relaxed walk through the peaceful and shady boulder strewn canyon floor.

Kings Canyon is the deepest gorge in the Red Centre and magnificently beautiful. Waterholes on the canyon floor never completely dry up and foster lush growth, which includes palms of ancient biological origin. A path to the rim of the gorge leads to the Lost City, where the rock has worn away to resemble ruins. High in the canyon is the Garden of Eden, an oasis of waterholes and plant life.

Alice Springs > Kings Canyon | 473 kms

Discovery Park Kings Canyon Resort

This morning, make an early start to avoid the heat of the day and drive in to the Kings Canyon car park to discover the wonders of this ancient geological formation via the rim walk. The walk may take up to 3 hours and is for those with a good level of fitness.

After your walk, return to the highway for your drive to the Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park. Perhaps take a detour en route to explore the domes of Kata-Tjuta (The Olgas) before arriving at Ayers Rock.

Uluru (Ayers Rock) is the world’s largest monolith, measuring over 9kms around the base, and rising 348 metres above the mulga plain. Named “Uluru” by the Aborigines, it is a sacred monument to them, and the base,is covered in Aboriginal carvings and paintings, many of which are thousands of years old.

Kata Tjuta / The Olgas are a dramatic series of 36 dome-like rock formations which stand up to 546 metres high and cover an area of 35 sq km. Like Uluru, they produce an incredible light show at sunset, and to walk amongst them is a memorable experience.

Kings Canyon > Uluru | 302 kms

Drive back to Alice Springs admiring the outback scenery and exploring at your own pace. Spend your last night in the Red Centre watching the sun set over the West MacDonnell Ranges.

Uluru > Alice Springs | 468 kms

Is there a more iconic Australian experience than riding The Ghan? Sit back and relax as this legendary rail journey weaves its way through The Outback; the orange hues of the Red Centre giving way to bushland, then lush tropical landscapes as you traverse the length of the Northern Territory from Alice Springs to Darwin.

You will be well looked throughout, with attentive service, a locally source menu and all too easy to enjoy Australian wine. For your night on board you can choose a Gold or Platinum Cabin – please speak with a Travel Consultant for details.

Your journey includes an off-train excursion, disembarking at Katherine to visit an authentic outback cattle station, where you will hear stories about local life, watch a horse and cattle dog demonstration and enjoy a live music performance of Aussie anthems.

The Ghan pulls into Darwin in the evening, where you have a night in a hotel.

Head to the airport today for your flight home or onto your next destination. Singapore is just 4 hours 45 minutes from Darwin and makes a fascinating two or three night stopover.