Arrive in Australia’s northernmost city of Darwin for the start of your outback adventure. Nearly destroyed by a cyclone in 1974, this laid-back tropical outpost was rebuilt into a vibrant compact city, retaining its unique ‘no worries’ Aussie atmosphere.

Your chosen Darwin hotel

Enjoy a day of relaxation with time to explore Darwin from your central hotel. There are open-air cafés and restaurants around the new marina, well-tended botanical gardens and fascinating crocodile parks to visit.

Your chosen Darwin hotel

Today, there is a full day guided tour of the lush and beautiful Kakadu National Park. This air-conditioned coach excursion will give you a true insight into Australia’s tropical ‘Top End’, made famous in the Crocodile Dundee films.

The tour includes a cruise on the Yellow Water Billabong, a visit to an Aboriginal culture centre and a walk around the Nourlangie rock art site, one of the best in existence.

Your chosen Kakadu hotel

The escorted tour portion of your holiday begins today with an orientation tour to meet locals (there are some characters), discover the city’s architecture and learn about the events that have shaped life, from Cyclone Tracy to WWII when the Northern Territory capital was bombed. Now it’s time to watch the day disappear and meet your fellow adventure seekers for a Welcome Dinner.

Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront

Dinner with Wine

As you begin your travels south, yet more reminders of the impact of WWII line the banks of the Adelaide River, where the headquarters of a military base once stood. Then nature takes over at Nitmiluk National Park bordering Kakadu. This is Jawoyn land, and a place where you’ll feel your spirit soar. Particularly when you’re cruising through dramatic Nitmiluk Gorge, your boat the only sound in this enormous chasm. There’s no time to catch your breath – you’re off to the Katherine Outback Experience, where you’ll be entertained with songs, stories, and dinner under the stars.

Contour Hotel Katherine

Breakfast, Dinner

Say goodbye to the NT and hello to WA, your introduction to the state the unexpected delights of Kununurra. It’s in the middle of nowhere, and only exists because of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme. Before it was a twinkle on the map, farming pioneers came here to establish vast cattle stations. The life of one family is chronicled at the Durack Homestead Museum, which you’ll visit before enjoying yet another sunset, this time cruising the Ord River and Lake Argyle. Some experiences burn into your memory.

Kununurra Country Club Resort

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Today is one of decisions: A scenic flight over (or 4WD tour of) the Bungle Bungles (both own expense). Or a wander with your Travel Director through Mirima National Park. In between, explore the Waringarri Aboriginal Art Centre on a guided tour.

Kununurra Country Club Resort

Breakfast

It’s not every day that you get to go behind the scenes of a rum distillery with the family that owns it. Discover how Hoochery Distillery makes its lip-smacking, award-winning rums and whiskys. Try a tasting paddle to get your heart started (own expense) and then sit down to morning tea. Get a taste of the Gibb River Road before arriving at El Questro Wilderness Park. Your safari-style tents for the night are surrounded by an oasis of pandanus palms.

Emma Gorge Resort, Tented Cabin with private facilities

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

The best way to wake up? With the sun streaming through your tent, wildlife all around. The Kimberley’s sounds follow you across the mighty Pentecost River, a mecca for those who love a spot of barramundi fishing. Arriving at Chamberlain Gorge, an enormous fresh waterhole, your cruise chariot awaits. Jump aboard to feel very small indeed, your boat dwarfed by soaring 65-metre escarpments. When it’s time to cool down, take an afternoon dip in the resort pool.

Emma Gorge Resort, Tented Cabin with private facilities

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

When you arrive in Halls Creek you’ll visit the Yarliyil Art Gallery, an Aboriginal owned enterprise which has more than 100 artist members who practice art in a wide range of styles and mediums. Equally important to Aboriginal communities is the Great Sandy Desert, on the edge of which is Halls Creek. This place is small in population, but big in personality.

Kimberley Hotel

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

The Kimberley boasts a geological history that is nothing short of spectacular. On this experience, explore the Mimbi Caves with an Indigenous guide to observe the delicate limestone formations, brilliantly vivid colours and crystal-clear freshwater pools that remain from the Devonian Great Barrier Reef that formed over 350 million years ago. Discover ancient rock paintings before listening to songs and hearing the Gooniyandi Dreaming story, while enjoying billy tea and damper. Travel through the Kimberley towards the remote township of Fitzroy Crossing.

Fitzroy River Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Wine

Among the most multicultural cities in Australia, Broome became a base for fortune-seekers the world over during its ‘pearl rush’. The pristine waters here grow great oysters, and the resulting pearls are prized by lovers of all things that gleam. A city tour will give you your bearings. Then it’s time to settle in for Broome’s other attraction: its sunsets. Follow locals to the sand or find a perch in a beachside bar to salute the end of another spectacular day in13 WA.

Cable Beach Club Resort

Breakfast

A day of decisions. Head north to feel the full force of nature on a scenic flight over the magical Horizontal Falls (own expense). Or simply enjoy Broome’s tropical climes, strolling along 22-kilometre Cable Beach, and browsing the pearl boutiques in town. It’s hard to resist a purchase; even harder when you go straight to the source at a pearl farm, to see how they’re harvested (own expense). This evening, join your Travel Director for dinner.

Cable Beach Club Resort

Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

After breakfast in Broome, say farewell to your fellow tour guests as you transfer to the airport for your flight over the awesome outback scenery of Western Australia to the state capital of Perth, to explore at your own pace.

During your three night stay in Perth, why not be sure to indulge in one (or more) of the following?

• Cruise along the Swan River
• Take a trip to famous Rottnest Island
• Watch the sunset at Cottesloe Beach
• Visit the old port of Fremantle
• Explore the spectacular Botanic Gardens

Your chosen Perth hotel

Enjoy a final bit of sightseeing and souvenir shopping in Perth before being transferred to the airport for your flight home – ask your FREEDOM Consultant to investigate the new, direct non-stop Perth to London flight.