13 Day Adelaide to Darwin Tour

Adelaide to Darwin

13 Day Adelaide t0 Darwin Itinerary

Day 1 – Adelaide to Southern Flinders Ranges

On the morning of day 1 of your adventure, we pick you up in Adelaide. You will head through the picturesque vineyards of the Clare Valley wine region. Then the outback adventure really beings as we travel through the historic town of Melrose, gateway to the Flinders Ranges. You will enjoy an easy stroll through the awesome Alligator Gorge, which is sometimes bursting with wildflowers. Your first night will be spent in the heart of the Southern Flinders Ranges. (LD)

Day 2 – Flinders Ranges to Coober Pedy

Along the way to Coober Pedy – the Opal Capital of the World – you’ll notice the incredible changing landscapes. Wildlife, such as kangaroos, emus and eagles will scatter as road trains thunder across a landscape that resembles Mars or the Moon. On a tour of an underground Opal Mine and Museum, you’ll learn about the history of Coober Pedy. A highlight for some is visiting Josephine’s Kangaroo Orphanage, where you can meet the rescued kangaroos and baby joeys and admire (or buy) Aboriginal art and didgeridoos. Tonight, we sleep like the locals do – underground, in bunkhouse accommodation (dorm option). (BLD)

Day 3 – Coober Pedy to Kings Canyon

It’s a big day driving up the Stuart Highway, with several pit stops en route. Our mission today is to reach the majestic Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) where we’ll camp for the night on an authentic station. (BLD)

Day 4 – Kings Canyon

We get up early to explore Watarrka (Kings Canyon), where you’ll need to stop to admire and photograph the massive sandstone walls, vast canyon floor and stunning gorges. On the Canyon Rim Walk (3-4 hours), you’ll experience the beautiful Garden of Eden and learn more about the local Aboriginal culture. After lunch, we begin our journey into Uluru. Nothing will prepare you for the sight of The Rock. We quickly set up camp before learning about the local Aboriginal History at the Uluru Kata Tjuta Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Soon after we’ll be experiencing our first awe-inspiring Uluru sunset, taking time to absorb the beauty and majesty of this place. (BLD)

Day 5 – Uluru

We start the day at dawn taking a (3 ½ hour) walk around the base of Uluru. Hiking through acacia woodlands and grassy clay pans, you’ll spot wildlife at waterholes, marvel at Uluru’s geological wonders and learn more about Aboriginal interpretations from your culturally accredited Groovy guide. Later, we relax back at our campground or join one of our Adrenalin Plus options. (BLD)

Day 6 – Uluru to Alice Springs

After devouring yet another scrumptious breakfast we’ll experience a glorious sunrise over Kata Tjuta, before we hike to lookouts around Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and visit the majestic Valley of the Winds with its ancient rock formations and extraordinary views. After lunch, we’ll hit the road to Alice Springs, arriving approximately at 6:30 pm. Spend the night in Alice Springs going out for dinner and sleep in the hostel in town tonight. (BL)

Day 7 – Alice Springs

Day of leisure to either relax or explore the Red Centre township of Alice Springs. All activities and meals are at your own expense. Hostel accommodation is included.

Day 8 – Alice Springs to Banka Banka Station

You will be collected from your Alice Springs accommodation at approximately 6.00am and then our adventure through the ‘Territory’ to Darwin begins. Just north of Alice Springs is the Tropic of Capricorn (80% of the Northern Territory lays north of this point). 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. Our day winds to a close just north of Tennant Creek at historic Banka Banka Cattle Station where we camp for the night. (LD)

Day 9 – Banka Banka to Mataranka

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’! Later in the day you can take a soak in the Mataranka Thermal Pools, a lush oasis fringed by paperbark trees before journeying to Katherine and our overnight camp. (BLD)

Day 10 – Katherine to Darwin

Your guide will wake you early this morning for the short drive to the 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). In the afternoon, relax and watch the changing landscape as we travel to cosmopolitan Darwin. Overnight hostel accommodation included, dinner at own expense. (BL)

Day 11 – Darwin to Kakadu National Park

You will be collected from your Darwin accommodation at approximately 6.00am as we travel to the Mary River Wetlands for our cruise. This region is home to over 250 bird species and has the highest concentration of saltwater crocodiles in the Southern Hemisphere. Search for the mighty crocs who rule this waterway, buffalo, birds and other wildlife. Our entrance to Kakadu National Park is at the South Alligator River, a picturesque location for a picnic lunch. There’s the opportunity to purchase Aboriginal arts and crafts at the Bowali Visitor Centre before our late afternoon arrival at Ubirr. Here you will view a wide range of ancient Aboriginal art which will be interpreted by your guide. Learn the story of the Rainbow Serpent and climb the Nadab Lookout for panoramic views over the floodplain and beyond into Arnhem Land. As the day draws to a close we head to our private campsite for dinner and our overnight stay (L,D).

Day 12 – Kakadu National Park

This morning the jewels of Kakadu National Park await. After breakfast and departing camp we travel off road to the majestic Twin and Jim Jim Falls for a day of adventure and exploration. Traveling into Twin Falls by 4WD track, a boat shuttle and finally a rocky track and boardwalk we will be rewarded by the beauty of this remote waterfall deep within Kakadu National Park. Afterward we stay off the beaten track where a walk through monsoon forests and over boulders lead us to Jim Jim Falls. Surrounded by 150 metre cliffs, we spend some time soaking up the natural beauty of this majestic location. This afternoon we depart Kakadu National Park and travel towards Litchfield National Park where we will stop along the way at our private campsite. Tonight, enjoy a hearty meal with your fellow adventurers (BLD).

Day 13 – Litchfield National Park to Darwin

Today is spent exploring the waterfalls, spring-fed streams and rugged sandstone escarpments of Litchfield National Park. Marvel at the intriguing magnetic and cathedral termite mounds and swim, hike and explore Florence and Wangi Falls*. Discover the many rock holes and cascading waterfalls of Buley Rockhole before our early evening arrival back in Darwin. (BL)

What’s included in your 13 Day Tour from Adelaide to Darwin?

• Experienced guides
• Sightseeing
• Meals as indicated(9 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, 9 Dinners)
• Camping fees/equipment
• National park fees
• Camping/Dorm option includes 7 nights camping and 5 nights multi-share accommodation.
• Double/Twin/Single-Hostel camping option includes 6 nights camping and 3 nights accommodation with share facilities and 3 nights ensuite accommodation. Dome tents are included for upgrade passengers.

This package is a combination of safari products and therefore the guide and passengers will differ during each section. Passengers will be staying independently at the accommodation (included) between each of the safaris.

During the wet season Gunlom Falls may not be accessible and during this time we will visit the Yurmikmik region (either Motor Car Falls or Boulder Creek)

Camping/dorm customers will spend 5 nights in a dorm, 3 nights camping in swags only, 2 nights in permanent safari tents and 2 nights in swags and pop-up tents. Camping/twin/double/single customers will spend 5 nights in a private room (4 nights private facilities, 1 night shared facilities), 4 nights camping in swags and dome tents and 3 nights in a permanent safari tent (shared facilities)

Twin/double fare can only be booked by two people travelling together. Single passengers will share a tent with another passenger of the same gender on the last four camping nights

Twin/double/single passengers will need to pay a $30 payment for a sleeping bag to hire directly to their guide on departure. in Alice Springs. Dorm customers will be required to pay the fee to their guide in Adelaide. Passengers are permitted to bring their own sleeping bags. Please specify this at the time of booking.

Passengers are required to pay Kakadu and Kata Tjuta and Uluru National Park fees to their guide on departure.

We can cater for vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free and lactose intolerant passengers. Please understand we are on a camping tour so the food you may usually have may not be readily available. Please contact us when booking if you have any specific dietary needs.

This is a small group tour in an air-conditioned minibus with a guide and up to 24 fellow travelers.

$12.50 Twin Falls boat shuttle fee payable seasonal when we visit Twin Falls.

Meals are included where indicated as B, L, and D for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. So we can keep these trips at a great value and with good group dynamics, we ask everyone to get involved with cooking and the washing up.

Kakadu National Park: Good level of fitness is required for Gunlom Falls and Jim Jim Falls
Uluru: Moderate level of fitness required. The base walk is on flat ground.
Kata Tjuta: Good level of fitness required. Walking on uneven surface required to complete the Valley of the Winds walk
Kings Canyon: Good level of fitness required for the four-hour walk around the canyon’s rim.

Travel insurance is recommended.