Australia South to North–Melbourne to Darwin
19 days from Melbourne to Darwin
From $ 2239
Duration19 days
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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 from land, water and even underground. (Seriously! Just wait until you get to Coober Pedy.) 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

  • Duration: 19 days
    Service level: Basic
  • Starts in: Melbourne
    Physical Grading: Average
  • Ends in: Darwin
    Ages: 18+
Australia South to North–Melbourne to Darwin - Tour Map

Itinerary

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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

There are no planned activities during the day, so enjoy free time to explore the city. Opt to go for a cruise to swim with dolphins (seasonal), take the tram to Glenelg beach, visit a nearby winery, grab lunch at the Central Market, or enjoy time getting lost in the city.
Take advantage of a free day to explore Adelaide.

If you're travelling between mid-September to May, opt to go on a dolphin-spotting cruise. Pre-book the "Dolphin Swim and Cruise" activity on the checkout page to include this optional on your tour. 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/Quorn

Start place: Adelaide

Hit the road in the morning. Admire scenic views across the Clare Valley and enjoy a local food experience featuring South Australia's best regional produce. Travel to the town of Quorn for the night.
Enjoy a local food experience in the Clare Valley, then it's on to Quorn.

End place: Quorn

Meals: B
Day 7: Quorn/Flinders Ranges

Start place: Quorn

Take the day to explore the amazing scenery of 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: Flinders Ranges/William Creek

Start place: Flinders Ranges

We follow the Oodnadatta Track, strewn with ruins of failed early settler activity, along the route of the equally unsuccessful original Ghan Railway route. Visit the dry salt lake of Lake Eyre.
Travel along the Old Ghan Railway route. Marvel at ruins of early settler sites and opt for a scenic flight over the great salt lake of Lake Eyre.

End place: William Creek

Meals: B, L, D
Day 9: William Creek/Coober Pedy

Start place: William Creek

Travel 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 the importance of opal to the area. Overnight like the locals by sleeping in an underground hostel, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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.

End place: Coober Pedy

Meals: B
Day 10: Coober Pedy/Kings Creek

Start place: Coober Pedy

Take in the vastness of the Outback on a driving day, then bed down in a swag (padded canvas bedroll) around a campfire and sleep under the Outback sky.

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 4km walk through the gorges and valleys of Kings Canyon of Watarrka Natoinal 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
Day 12: Uluru

Start place: Uluru

The next morning, awake before sunrise to do the Mala Walk around part of the base of Uluru (Ayers Rock) while learning its significance to the local Aboriginals. Visit the cultural centre to get a better understanding of the area.
Enjoy the Mala Walk at Uluru to learn the importance of the rock to the Aboriginal Australians.

Today, opt to view the spectacular scenery from above when you pre-book the "Uluru & Kata Tjuta Helicopter Ride" optional activity on the checkout page.

End place: Uluru

Meals: B, L, D
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, heat permitting, walk through the Valley of the Winds to explore the surrounding area. Travel to Alice Springs via the homestead of Erldunda and spend the night in a centrally-located hostel in Alice Springs.
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/Daly Waters

Start place: Alice Springs

Take in the vastness of the Northern Territory and travel north via the Devils Marbles - giant red granite boulders that are a sacred site to Aboriginals. Finish the day at Daly Waters and grab a drink at the local Outback pub teeming with character. We spend approx 12 hours on the road today, stopping off in Daly Waters for the night. Make sure to grab a drink or two at the famous local pub in this small Outback town.

End place: Daly Waters

Meals: L
Day 16: Daly Waters/Katherine

Start place: Daly Waters

Continue north, stopping for a visit at the Mataranka Hot Springs before setting up camp in Katherine. Opt to walk the stunning Katherine Gorge or get adventurous with a helicopter flight over the gorge taking in the stunning scenery. Availability of optional activities may change depending on the season.

End place: Katherine

Meals: B, D
Day 17: Katherine/Kakadu National Park

Start place: Katherine

Continue north, stopping at Edith Falls. Explore the waterfalls, swimming holes and trails of Kakadu National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The itinerary for this day varies depending on seasonal/weekly weather. We will visit slightly different attractions depending on the weather conditions.

End place: Kakadu National Park

Meals: B, L, D
Day 18: Kakadu National Park/Litchfield National Park

Start place: Kakadu National Park

Continue exploring Kakadu NP, stopping off at sacred rock art galleries. Head towards Litchfield National Park, stopping for a nature cruise to try and spot crocs. We overnight just outside of Kakadu NP. Depending on weather, sleep in a swag under the stars or a hut if raining.

End place: Litchfield National Park

Meals: B, L
Day 19: Litchfield National Park/Darwin

Start place: Litchfield National Park

Tour Litchfield NP to encounter streams, rock formations and the impressive termite mounds. Tour ends in Darwin upon arrival in the evening.

End place: Darwin

Meals: B, L
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Inclusions

Included

  • Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Adelaide Your Foodie Moment: Local Food Experience, Clare Valley Your Wellness Moment: Mataranka Hot Springs Visit
  • Rainforest walk in Great Otway NP
  • 12 Apostles visit
  • Aboriginal centre visit
  • Tower Hill Reserve visit
  • Underground mine tour
  • 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
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

  • Transport

    Private vehicle, Boat, Walking

  • Accommodation

    Hostels (10 nts), Swag camping (7 nts), Underground hostel (1 nt) All nights multi-share

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