15 or 16 DAY ADELAIDE / DARWIN / ADELAIDE
Featuring The Legendary Ghan
NOTE: the itinerary is reversible depending on availability of THE GHAN
Day One and Two
Depart Adelaide Sunday evening for Darwin on The Ghan, arriving in Darwin Tuesday afternoon. Overnight Darwin.
Day Three
After breakfast we have a look around Darwin before we head to Kakadu National Park. Enroute to Kakadu National Park we join The Adelaide River Queen for a jumping crocodile cruise. After our cruise we follow The Arnhem Highway, passing some termite mounds, to Ubirr. At Ubirr we view aboriginal paintings and sweeping views of the surrounding Kakadu wetlands.
Bowali Visitor Centre is our next stop before heading to Nourlangie Rock art sites. A 1.5 kilometre walk will take you past an ancient aboriginal shelter and several art sites. Cooinda Lodge and Yellow Waters are our last stop for the day. Yellow Waters is a pristine environment which supports a truly wonderful variety of wildlife including crocodiles. Overnight Cooinda Lodge.
Day Four
After breakfast we follow The Kakadu Highway back to Stuart (Explorer) Highway. On our way to Katherine we visit Edith Falls for a relaxing swim (optional). Katherine is our next stop before heading to Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge). At Katherine we visit Katherine hot springs on the banks of The Katherine River. This shady spring fed thermal creek is an ideal swimming area.
Upon arrival at Katherine Gorge we visit the Nitmiluk visitor centre where we experience the aboriginal culture and discover more about this unique environment. We now have a choice of a 2 hour cruise or a canoeing adventure in Katherine Gorge. Overnight Nitmiluk.
Day Five
Today we head to Tennant Creek via the Stuart (Explorer) Highway. We visit the historic town of Mataranka (Land of the Never Never) The town is in the heart of Never Never country because it is said that those that live in the area can never never leave.
We also visit Mataranka thermal pool. The thermal pool a constant 34 degrees celcius and flows from Rainbow Springs at an amazing 30.5 million litres a day. It's now back onto Stuart Highway visiting Daly Waters for lunch. Tennant Creek is our overnight stop.
Day Six
Alice Springs is today's destination arriving late afternoon.
Day Seven
We spend the morning exploring Alice Springs before heading to Kings Canyon via the Western MacDonnell Ranges arriving late afternoon. Overnight Kings Creek Station.
Day Eight
After breakfast we head to Kings Canyon. Here, a breath-taking walk around the rim of the canyon allows you to gaze down in awe at the sandstone chasm plunging 270 metres to the canyon floor. OR we can venture down into the chasm and discover luxuriant cycads around the permanent waterhole in the exotic Garden of Eden. We can also discover traditional and contemporary Aboriginal Culture with Lilla Aboriginal Tours on a journey through an area of sacred caves and paintings, learn about traditional medicine and bush tucker and try your hand at spear and boomerang throwing. Overnight Kings Creek Station.
Day Nine and Ten
We spend the next 2 days in Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park. This gives us plenty of time to appreciate the Aboriginal culture and environment on a 2-hour tour with an Aboriginal guide. We can also enjoy a walk around the base of Uluru/Ayers Rock. A number of optional tours are available from Yalara. These include: Harley Davidson Tour of Uluru/Ayers Rock, Camel rides to Uluru/Ayers Rock, Helicopter flights over the Rock and Olgas, many more are available. (Optional tours at own expense)
Day Eleven
Today we head to Coober Pedy in the heart of South Australia's vast outback; it is an opal wonderland. The town takes its name from the Aboriginal word Kupa (uninitiated man or white man) and Piti (hole). We also visit the Breakaway's Reserve and Moon Plain. We spend tonight in an underground motel.
Day Twelve
After breakfast we spend some time visiting mines and interpretive centres which offer a great insight into the town and its mining operations. There are more than 30 opal shops in Coober Pedy if you like to purchase some opal.
After lunch we head to William Creek via the Oodnadatta Track. William Creek is the world's most isolated pub where you can indulge in a well-deserved Australian beer. The most important claim to fame for William Creek is that it is the smallest town in Australia and that it is located on the worlds largest cattle station (Anna Creek Station) which is 32500 square kilometres. A walk along the old Ghan Railway line to the bridge at Breakfast Time Creek can also be enjoyed. Overnight William Creek Hotel.
Day Thirteen
Our destination today is Marree via the Oodnadatta Track. This a land of contrasts, there's red gibber plains stretching to the horizon, mound springs (we visit Bubbler Springs and Blanche Cup Springs) which create bush oases and wetlands, red gum lined creeks and vast areas of grey salt bush spiky Spinifex. At Coward Springs you have a chance of a relaxing soak in a hot pool. Remnants of the old Ghan Railway are abundant along the Oodnadatta Track. Overnight Marree
Day Fourteen (optional)
Today's destination is Iga Warta, where we spend some time learning about the Adnymathanha culture and environment. listening to stories and music of the Adnymathanha people. Our first stop is the ghost town of Farina, which was set up in 1882 as a farming centre and railhead for wool and cattle. From Farina we head to Lyndhurst where we visit the spectacular red and brown ochre cliffs. From the ochre cliffs we head to Iga Warta to participate in a bush tucker walk and/or Aboriginal art walk (own expense). This evening after dinner we sit around a campfire sampling traditional damper with quandong jam, Overnight Iga Warta (bungalow or camping).
Day Fifteen
After breakfast we head to Wilpena Resort via Blinman, where we can see remnants of the original township built in 1859. We also visit the Blinman Hotel (built in 1865 and still trading) for a well-deserved ice cold Aussie beer. At Wilpena we have a peaceful bushwalk to Wangarra Lookouts and the Hill Homestead. After our walk we visit Sacred Canyon and Arkaroo Rock which are major Aboriginal Art sites (time permitting). Overnight Wilpena Resort.
Day Sixteen
Depart Wilpena Pound Resort 9:00AM for Adelaidevia the geological trail through the Bunyeroo Gorge andBrachina Gorge, (This gorge traces the geological history of the area for hundreds of million years), Hawker, Port Pirie, Port Germein and Port Augusta (the crossroads of Australia). From Hawker we visit Kanyaka ruins and Death Rock. If you are feeling energetic perhaps we can climb up to see the Yourambulla Caves, where we view Aboriginal rock painting.
At Port Augusta we explore the Flinders Ranges and Outback in Wadlata Outback Centre's Tunnel of Time. We discover its origins, the Aboriginal Dreaming, European settlement and much more. After lunch we head towards Adelaide, arriving approximately 6:00PM at your accommodation.
Includes:
- Accommodation (twin share)/camping,
- Travel in first class comfort on the legendary Ghan,
- Breakfasts, all evening meals, some lunches, morning & afternoon teas,
- Pick up/drop off at your accommodation.
Excludes:
- All other meals, unless specified in itinerary.
- Admission to attractions, unless specified in itinerary.
- Mobile phone calls, souvenirs, optional tours and personal items.
25 DAY ADELAIDE TO DARWIN TO ADELAIDE
Day One and Two
Depart Adelaide 8:00AM for Yorke Peninsula arriving at Point Pearce Aboriginal Lands. Here we experience some Aboriginal culture and environment with the Narrunga People.
Day Three
Depart Yorke Peninsula 8:00AM for Wilpena Pound Resort via Port Pirie, Port Germein and Port Augusta (the crossroads of Australia). At Port Augusta we explore the Flinders Ranges and Outback in Wadlata Outback Centre's Tunnel of Time. We discover its origins, the Aboriginal Dreaming, European settlement and much more. After lunch we head towards Wilpena Pound via Quorn and Hawker. From Hawker we visit Kanyaka ruins and Death Rock. If you are feeling energetic perhaps we can climb up to see the Yourambulla Caves, where we view Aboriginal rock painting. We spend tonight at Wilpena Resort.
Day Four & Five
After breakfast we have a peaceful bushwalk to Wangarra Lookouts and the Hill Homestead. After our walk we visit Sacred Canyon which is a major Aboriginal Art sites. We then travel the geological trail through the Brachina Gorge. This gorge traces the geological history of the area for hundreds of million years. Our next stop is the Prairie Hotel at Parachilna where we taste some Feral food (emu and kangaroo). After morning tea we head to Iga Warta ( the place of the native orange), where we spend some time learning about the Adnymathanha culture and environment. Iga Warta is an Aboriginal owned and managed environmental and cultural interpretive centre. Overnight Iga Warta (camping).
Day Six
Our destination today is William Creek via the Oodnadatta Track. Our first stop is Lyndhurst where we visit the spectacular red and brown ochre cliffs. The ochre pits provided ceremonial colour for the aborigines. The deep, wide pit-like an open cut mine is a glowing spectrum of colour.From the ochre cliffs head to the ghost town of Farina, which was set up in 1882 as a farming centre and railhead for wool and cattle. From Farina ruins we head to Marree where we visit the Arabunna Aboriginal Centre.
After lunch we continue along the Oodnadatta Track. This a land of contrasts, there's red gibber plains stretching to the horizon, mound springs (we visit Bubbler Springs and Blanche Cup Springs) which create bush oases and wetlands, red gum lined creeks and vast areas of grey salt bush spiky Spinifex. At Coward Springs you have a chance of a relaxing soak in a hot pool. Remnants of the old Ghan Railway are abundant along the Oodnadatta Track.
Overnight William Creek. William Creek is the world's most isolated pub where you can indulge in a well-deserved Australian beer. The most important claim to fame for William Creek is that it is the smallest town in Australia and that it is located on the worlds largest cattle station (Anna Creek Station) which is 32500 square kilometres. A walk along the old Ghan Railway line to the bridge at Breakfast Time Creek can also be enjoyed. Optional flight over Lake Eyre Basin is available at own expense.
Day Seven
Coober Pedy is today's destination. Overnight underground motel.
Day Eight & Nine
Coober Pedy in the heart of South Australia's vast outback is an opal wonderland. We spend some time visiting mines and interpretive centres which a great insight into the town and its mining operations. There are more than 30 opal shops in Coober Pedy if you like to purchase some opal. The town takes its name from the Aboriginal word Kupa (uninitiated man or white man) and Piti (hole). Overnight underground motel. We also visit The Breakaways, Moon Plain and The Dingo Fence.
Day Ten
After breakfast we head to Explorer Highway where we enjoy a sealed road again. On the way to Uluru/Kata Tjuta National Park we visit Mintabie which is an active opal mining town. Noodling for opal on old dumps is a popular pastime.
Day Eleven
After breakfast our destination is Uluru/Ayers Rock via the Stuart Highway/Explorer Highway to Kulgera and Erldunda. From Erldunda we join the Lasseter Highway to Uluru/Kata Tjuta National Park, arriving in time to see the magical sunset. Overnight camp Yalara.
Day Twelve & Thirteen
We spend the next 2 days in Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park. This gives us plenty of time to appreciate the Aboriginal culture and environment on a 2-hour tour with an Aboriginal guide. We can also enjoy a walk around the base of Uluru or for the fit and energetic a climb to the top of this magnificent monolith.
A number of optional tours are available from Yalara. These include: Harley Davidson Tour of Uluru, Camel rides to Uluru, Helicopter flights over the Rock and Kata Tjuta, many more are available. (Optional tours at own expense)
Day Fourteen & Fifteen
After breakfast we head to Kings Canyon. Here, a breath-taking walk around the rim of the canyon allows you to gaze down in awe at the sandstone chasm plunging 270 metres to the canyon floor. OR we can venture down into the chasm and discover luxuriant cycads around the permanent waterhole in the exotic Garden of Eden. We can also discover traditional and contemporary Aboriginal Culture with a tour to Lilla Rockhole, journey through an area of sacred caves and paintings, learn about traditional medicine and bush tucker and try your hand at spear and boomerang throwing (optional tour at own expense). Overnight Kings Creek Station.
Day Sixteen
We travel along the Mereenie Loop Road through Aboriginal land to Alice Springs via the West MacDonnell Ranges. Arrive Alice Springs approximately 6:00PM
Day Seventeen
Free day Alice Springs.
Day Eighteen
Depart Alice Springs and head to the Western Australian town of Halls Creek travelling along The Tanami Track. The Tanami is the epitome of what most of us regard as a desert- a vast, flat and featureless landscape where water is scarce. The notorious track cuts a 1050 kilometre sandy course from Alice Springs to Halls Creek through unforgiving country where many early expeditioners perished trying to conquer the harsh terrain. The track takes us past the rich Tanami and Granites gold mines. Overnight Tilmouth roadhouse to spend a couple of days on an outback station.(to be confirmed)
Day Nineteen
Tilmouth Roadhouse.
Day Twenty
Travel the Tanami Track to Rabbit Flat (where the population once doubled overnight-when twins were born to the owners)
Day Twenty-one
Leave Rabbit Flat for Wolfe Creek meteorite crater(second largest meteorite crater in the world) where we have lunch. We now head to Halls Creek. Overnight Halls Creek or The Bungle Bungles(Purnululu). This spectacular rock formation consists of dome shaped mountains, sheer walls and deep gorges over an area of 500 square kilometres. An optional helicopter flight over the Bungles is recommended as it is very difficult to appreciate this region from the land.
Day Twenty-two
After breakfast. we visit Wyndham and Kunanurra. At Wyndham we visit the five rivers lookout for views of the gulf. Overnight Lake Argyle.
Day Twenty-three
Leave Lake Argyle and head to Katherine where we spend the night at Katherine Gorge.
Day Twenty-four
After breakfast we head to Kakadu (not sure on this yet as it depends on how much time we spend at Tilmouth)
Day Twenty-five
Katherine to Darwin.
Includes:
- Accommodation (twin share)/camping,
- Travel in first class comfort on the legendary Ghan,
- Breakfasts, all evening meals, some lunches, morning & afternoon teas,
- Pick up/drop off at your accommodation.
Excludes:
- Lunches days 3, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 17,
- Evening meals days 11, 12 & 13
- Mobile phone calls, souvenirs, optional tours and personal items.
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