Australia North to South – Darwin to Melbourne
16 days from Darwin to Melbourne
From $ 2079
Duration16 days
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You’ve got just over two weeks in Australia, so what are you going to see? Everything! Travelling south from Darwin, tour Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks — the old stomping grounds of Crocodile Dundee — and check out some of the most diverse wildlife around. From there head to Katherine Gorge and decide if all the pictures you’ve seen have done it any justice (they haven’t!). Make your way towards the Red Centre and the magic of Uluru, followed by a stop in Coober Pedy, the neat underground town. Round it all off by taking in the scenery on your way to Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 16 days
    Service level: Basic
  • Starts in: Darwin
    Physical Grading: Average
  • Ends in: Melbourne
    Ages: 18+
Australia North to South – Darwin to Melbourne - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Darwin

Start place: Darwin

Arrive at any time.

End place: Darwin

Day 2: Darwin/Litchfield National Park

Start place: Darwin

Set off early from Darwin and head to Litchfield National Park. Visit the Florence Falls, the Buley Rockhole and see the spectacular giant termite mounds. Later, go on a wetland nature cruise to try and spot crocs. Stretch out in a swag (padded canvas bedroll) and sleep under the stars. The itinerary for this day varies depending on seasonal/weekly weather. We will visit slightly different attractions depending on the weather conditions.

End place: Litchfield National Park

Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Litchfield National Park/Kakadu National Park

Start place: Litchfield National Park

Embark early on a full day of exploring. Travel to our overnight camp near Kakadu NP, where swags or tents await. End the day with a group barbecue.
Explore the waterfalls, swimming holes and trails of Kakadu National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage site.

End place: Kakadu National Park

Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Kakadu National Park/Katherine Gorge

Start place: Kakadu National Park

Spend the morning exploring Kakadu NP. Finish the day with a drive to beautiful Katherine Gorge, stopping at Edith Falls on the way.

End place: Katherine Gorge

Meals: B, D
Day 5: Katherine/Daly Waters

Start place: Katherine

Enjoy a free morning. Opt to walk the stunning Katherine Gorge or get adventurous with a flat-bottomed boat or helicopter flight over the gorge. Stop off at nearby hot springs, then travel to the small town of Daly Waters. Hit up the local watering hole for a true Outback experience. We end the day in Daly Waters, a small Outback town. It may seem quiet at first glance, but end the day at the famous local pub for a true Outback experience.

End place: Daly Waters

Meals: B, L
Day 6: Daly Waters/Alice Springs

Start place: Daly Waters

Take in the vastness of the Northern Territory and travel south to Alice Springs via the Devils Marbles - giant red granite boulders that are a sacred site to Aboriginals.

End place: Alice Springs

Meals: B, L
Day 7: Alice Springs

Start place: Alice Springs

Enjoy a free day to relax and explore Alice Springs.

End place: Alice Springs

Day 8: Alice Springs/Uluru

Start place: Alice Springs

Depart early for the Red Centre. Travel to Kings Canyon and embark on an optional walk, weather permitting, through the gorges and valleys of Watarrka National Park.

Continue on to the Yulara campground for the night.
Depart early and travel to the Red Centre. Hike the awe-inspiring Kings Canyon (seasonal) before continuing on to Uluru. During the summer (late October - early March), due to high temperatures we'll be visiting the Ochre Pits and Ellery Creek Big Hole in the West MacDonnell Ranges instead of Kings Creek. During the winter, if the temperature is forecasted to be 35°C or above we will also be following the summer itinerary.

End place: Uluru

Day 9: Uluru

Start place: Uluru

Visit the Aboriginal Cultural Centre to get a better understanding of the area before embarking on the Mala Walk around part of the base of Uluru (Ayers Rock). Learn the significance behind this iconic destination for the local people.

Experience the colourful sunset at Uluru while enjoying a glass of bubbly. Marvel at the night sky while bunking down in a swag (canvas bedroll) for the night.
Visit an Aboriginal culture centre and enjoy the informative Mala Walk at Uluru. Catch the sunset over Uluru with a glass of bubbly in hand. Camp under the stars of the night sky—the only way to really experience the Outback.

End place: Uluru

Meals: B, D
Day 10: Uluru/Coober Pedy

Start place: Uluru

Travel across the Outback to the unique opal mining town of Coober Pedy, where people live underground to avoid the heat. A guided mine tour gives insight to the mining process and then importance of opal to the area.
Travel to the town of Coober Pedy, the world's opal mining capital. After a guided tour of a mine, escape the heat like the locals by spending the night underground. This is one of a few long travel days on this itinerary. The vast expanses of the Outback make long drives necessary to travel between towns – so strap in and enjoy the desert scenery, get to know a fellow traveller, and chill out on this epic Outback roadtrip!

End place: Coober Pedy

Meals: B
Day 11: Coober Pedy/Flinders Ranges

Start place: Coober Pedy

Prepare for an early morning start for the travel day to Flinders Ranges.
Admire the Outback while travelling to the Flinders Ranges for the night.

End place: Flinders Ranges

Meals: B, D
Day 12: Flinders Ranges/Adelaide

Start place: Flinders Ranges

Travel through the Clare Valley wine area, making a stop for a wine tasting and demonstration to learn about the development of the vineyards in the area. Arrive in Adelaide, known as the "city of churches'.
Explore the Flinders Ranges before travelling to Adelaide. Enjoy a wine tasting in the Clare Valley along the way.

End place: Adelaide

Meals: B
Day 13: Adelaide

Start place: Adelaide

With an emerging art scene, natural beauty and attractions, and incredible restaurants, Adelaide has tons to see and do. Get out and discover the hub of South Australia!
Enjoy a free day to discover Adelaide. Opt to go on a dolphin-spotting cruise (seasonal), or check out more wineries.

End place: Adelaide

Day 14: Adelaide/Halls Gap

Start place: Adelaide

Depart early and travel inland to Grampians NP, known for its sandstone mountain range and impressive rock art. Walk to the stunning Balconies and visit MacKenzie Falls.
Set off early and travel inland to Grampians National Park, known for its sandstone mountain range and impressive rock art. Trek through the forest, lush with vegetation and wildlife.

End place: Halls Gap

Meals: B
Day 15: Halls Gap/Port Campbell

Start place: Halls Gap

Enjoy an early morning walk in Grampians NP, lush with vegetation and wildlife. Opt to visit an Aboriginal Cultural Centre to learn about the significance of the area to the indigenous people. Drive along the Great Ocean Road, viewing sites including the collapsed London Arch.
Enjoy an early morning walk in Grampians NP and visit an Aboriginal cultural centre (time permitting). Stop for a visit to the Arch along the Great Ocean Road.

End place: Port Campbell

Meals: B
Day 16: Port Campbell/Melbourne

Start place: Port Campbell

Explore the scenic attractions of the Great Ocean Road including the picturesque Loch Ard Gorge and the 12 Apostles formations. Stop at the Great Otway National Park for an included rainforest walk en route to Melbourne.
Travel along the Great Ocean Road. Visit Loch Ard Gorge and the 12 Apostles, then travel past world-famous surf beaches. Walk through the rainforest in Great Otway National Park. Tour ends upon arrival to Melbourne in the evening. Tour ends upon arrival in Melbourne in the afternoon. Consider booking post-tour accommodation in Melbourne to explore the city.

End place: Melbourne

Meals: B
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Inclusions

Included

  • Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Wellness Moment: Mataranka Hot Springs Visit Your Foodie Moment: Local Food Experience, Clare Valley Your Discover Moment: Adelaide
  • Wetland nature cruise in crocodile territory
  • Visit to an Aboriginal art and craft centre
  • Guided exploration of Kakadu and Litchfield NPs
  • Underground mine tour
  • Champagne sunset viewing of Uluru
  • Mala Walk around Uluru and visit to the cultural centre
  • Hike at Kings Canyon (seasonal)
  • Rainforest walk in Great Otway NP
  • 12 Apostles visit
  • Walks in Grampians NP
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

  • Transport

    Private vehicle, Boat, Walking

  • Accommodation

    Hostels (8 nts), Swag camping (6 nts), Underground hostel (1 nt) All nights multi-share

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