Australia South to North: Melbourne to Darwin
19 days
from Melbourne to Darwin
From
$ 3379
Duration19 days
On the water and on the road? Is there a better way to explore somewhere new than from a few different vantage points? We didn’t think so either. This 19-day tour allows you to experience Australia in true Aussie style. From Melbourne to Darwin, your itinerary will include amazing stuff like rainforest walks in Great Otway National Park, awe-inspiring sunsets at Uluru, and even a wetland nature cruise in croc country.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 19 daysService level: Basic
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Starts in: MelbournePhysical Grading: Average
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Ends in: DarwinAges: 18+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Melbourne
Start place: Melbourne
There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore the city. If you arrive early enough, head into the city to take in the 'cultural capital of Australia'. Get lost in the city's famous laneways, go on the hunt for the perfect flat white (hint: Melbourne loves its coffee shops), catch the tram to St. Kilda, or wander around the über-cool Fitzroy neighbourhood.
Arrive at any time.
Please ensure to arrive before 7pm for an important group welcome meeting where you can meet your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and the other group members.
End place: Melbourne
Day 2: Melbourne/Port Campbell
Start place: Melbourne
Depart early morning for the journey to Port Campbell. Check out the famous surf coast, visiting the towns of Lorne and Apollo Bay en route. Make a stop at Great Otway NP for an included rainforest walk. Explore the scenic attractions of the Great Ocean Road including the picturesque 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.
Travel past world-famous surf beaches along the Great Ocean Road. Enjoy views of the 12 Apostles and walk through the rainforest in Great Otway National Park.
End place: Port Campbell
Meals: B
Day 3: Port Campbell/Halls Gap
Start place: Port Campbell
Start the day visiting more attractions of the Great Ocean Road including The Arch and the now broken London Bridge. Visit Tower Hill State Wildlife Reserve for a chance to see animals endemic to Australia such as koalas, emus and kangaroos. Opt to visit an Aboriginal Cultural Centre to learn about the significance of the area to the indigenous people. End the day with an evening walk in the Grampians NP.
Visit the Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve en route 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 4: Halls Gap/Adelaide
Start place: Halls Gap
Early start to explore more of Grampians NP. Walk to the stunning Jaws of Death Balconies, visit MacKenzie's Falls, and travel onto Adelaide, the capital of South Australia.
Explore Grampians NP. Enjoy waterfalls, lakes and beautiful vistas. Later, travel to Adelaide.
End place: Adelaide
Meals: B
Day 5: Adelaide
Start place: Adelaide
If you're travelling between mid-September to late-April, opt to pre-book the "Dolphin Swim and Cruise" activity on the checkout page, to include this optional on your tour.
Enjoy a free day in Adelaide. Opt to take the tram to Glenelg beach, visit a nearby winery, grab lunch at the Central Market, or spend some time getting lost in the city.
New travellers may join you for the rest of your adventure. You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening, followed by an optional dinner.
End place: Adelaide
Day 6: Adelaide/Ikara-Flinders Ranges
Start place: Adelaide
Hit the road in the morning. Admire scenic views across the Clare Valley and enjoy a local food experience featuring some of South Australia's best regional produce. Travel to the Ikara-Flinders Ranges, an ancient mountain range and your base for two nights.
Meals: B
Day 7: Ikara-Flinders Ranges
Start place: Flinders Ranges
Head to Wilpena Pound for a walk to a natural amphitheatre sacred to the Aboriginal Adnyamathana people. Learn about Aboriginal art and early settler history.
End place: Flinders Ranges
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Ikara-Flinders Ranges/Adelaide
Start place: Flinders Ranges
Journey back to Adelaide via the historic township of Quorn. Stop for a waterside lunch at Port Pirie.
End place: Adelaide
Meals: B
Day 9: Adelaide/Alice Springs
Start place: Adelaide
Board your flight to Alice Springs, gateway to the Red Centre of Australia. Relax this afternoon, or opt to visit the Royal Flying Doctors Museum or hike up ANZAC Hill.
Meals: B
Day 10: Alice Springs/Kings Creek
Opt to get up early for a hot air balloon flight, before departing Alice Springs to journey to Kings Canyon. Spend your first night under the stars in a true Aussie desert swag (padded canvas bedroll).
End place: Kings Creek
Meals: B, D
Day 11: Kings Creek/Uluru
Start place: Kings Creek
Enjoy the morning taking in the scenery or by going on an optional 6km walk through the gorges and valleys of Kings Canyon of Watarrka National Park.
Enjoy a morning walk through the gorges and valleys of Kings Canyon. Drive to Uluru, where Australia's most iconic view awaits. Experience the colourful sunset at Uluru while enjoying a glass of bubbly.
End place: Uluru
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Uluru
Start place: Uluru
This morning, awake before the sun so you can watch it rise over Uluru (Ayers Rock). Then, do the Mala Walk around part of the base of Uluru while learning its significance to the local Aboriginals. Visit the cultural centre to get a better understanding of the area.
Opt to pre-book the "Uluru & Kata Tjuta Helicopter Ride" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Opt to pre-book the "Uluru & Kata Tjuta Helicopter Ride" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Enjoy the Mala Walk at Uluru to learn the importance of the rock to the Aboriginal Australians.
End place: Uluru
Meals: B, L
Day 13: Uluru/Alice Springs
Start place: Uluru
Take in the scenery around Uluru. Travel to the rock formations of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and, temperature permitting, walk through the Valley of the Winds to explore the surrounding area. Travel to Alice Springs, where you will spend the next two nights.
Discover more of the Red Centre with a hike through the beautiful Valley of the Winds in Kata Tjuta, then transfer to Alice Springs.
End place: Alice Springs
Meals: B
Day 14: Alice Springs
Start place: Alice Springs
Enjoy a free day to relax and explore Alice Springs.
End place: Alice Springs
Day 15: Alice Springs/Darwin
Start place: Alice Springs
Board your flight bound for Darwin. Spend the afternoon exploring Australia's northernmost city.
End place: Darwin
Day 16: 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 17: 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 18: 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 19: Katherine Gorge/Darwin
Start place: Katherine Gorge
Enjoy a relaxed start to the day in Katherine Gorge. Opt to go kayaking through the gorge or enjoy a leisurely boat cruise. Make your way back to Darwin, with the tour finishing on arrival.
End place: Darwin
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Adelaide Your Foodie Moment: Local Food Experience, Clare Valley
- Rainforest walk in Great Otway NP
- 12 Apostles visit
- Aboriginal centre visit
- Tower Hill Reserve visit
- Champagne sunset viewing of Uluru
- Mala Walk around Uluru and visit to the culture centre
- Hikes at Grampians NP, Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), and Kings Canyon
- Wetland nature cruise in crocodile territory
- Aboriginal art and craft centre visit
- Exploration of Kakadu and Litchfield NPs
- Internal flight
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Private vehicle, Boat, Walking, Plane -
Accommodation
Hostels (11 nts), Swag camping (7 nts) All nights multi-share