Outback to the Top End–Adelaide to Darwin
15 days from Adelaide to Darwin
Duration15 days

You can’t get Down Under through a bus window. If you’re going to get off the tourist track, you’ll have to shake things up a bit — that’s why we’ve turned to private vehicles and boats for this itinerary. Starting in charming Adelaide, cut through the Outback and explore the mysteries of Uluru. Follow your curiosity down the deserted tracks that make Australia so remote and spend 15 days discovering the natural beauty of one of the world’s most awe-inspiring destinations.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 15 days
    Service level: Basic
  • Starts in: Adelaide
    Physical Grading: Average
  • Ends in: Darwin
    Ages: 18+
Outback to the Top End–Adelaide to Darwin - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Adelaide

Start place: Adelaide

There are no planned activities during the day, so check in and 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.
Arrive at any time. Ever wanted to swim with wild dolphins? Now's your chance, by adding the 'Dolphin Swim and Cruise' extra to your tour. Head out from Adelaide and search for these majestic creatures, before hopping into the water and going for a swim as they play around you. Available mid-Sept to May.

PLEASE NOTE: If booking this extra, a pre-night in Adelaide is highly recommended as this activity starts early on Day 1.

End place: Adelaide

Day 2: 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 South Australia's best regional produce. Continue to Flinders Ranges.
Enjoy a local food experience in the Clare Valley, then it's on to Flinders Ranges.
Meals: B
Day 3: Ikara-Flinders Ranges

Start place: Flinders Ranges

Take the day to explore the amazing scenery of Flinders Ranges.
Explore Wilpena Pound, the heart of Flinders Ranges National Park, 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 4: Ikara-Flinders Ranges/Glendambo

Start place: Flinders Ranges

Travel from Flinders Ranges to Glendambo with a stop along the way at the salt lake of Lake Hart.

End place: Glendambo

Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Glendambo/Coober Pedy

Start place: Glendambo

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 6: 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 7: 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 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
Day 8: 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.

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, D
Day 9: 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 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 10: Alice Springs

Start place: Alice Springs

Enjoy a free day to relax and explore Alice Springs.

End place: Alice Springs

Day 11: 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 12: 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 13: 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 14: 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 15: 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 Foodie Moment: Local Food Experience, Clare Valley Your Wellness Moment: Mataranka Hot Springs Visit
  • Underground mine tour
  • Champagne sunset viewing of Uluru
  • Mala Walk and cultural centre visit (Uluru)
  • Hikes at Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and Kings Canyon
  • Wetland nature cruise in crocodile territory
  • Aboriginal art and craft centre visit
  • Guided exploration of Kakadu and Litchfield NPs
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

  • Transport

    Private vehicle, Boat, Walking

  • Accommodation

    Hostels (7 nts), Swag camping (6 nts), Underground hostel (1 nt) All nts multi-share

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