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ITINERARY:
Day 1 -
Sydney to Thredbo Alpine Village* (via Canberra)
Our first stop today is the capital city of Australia - Canberra
- where the Prime Minister hangs out. See for yourself how
a custom-made capital city is built as you take in the view
from Mt. Ainslie, take a tour of Parliament House, check out
a few embassies and see other city highlights. We travel via
Cooma, learning about the historically important Snowy Hydro-Electric
Scheme on our way to Thredbo. *In ski season (Jun-Sep) we
stay in Jindabyne and during winter, have time to play in
the snow at the ski resort of Perisher/Smiggins (optional
toboggan hire or snow tube at own expense). (B)
Day 2 -
Thredbo to Lakes Entrance via Snowy River Country
Grab your hiking boots and cameras, this morning we're going
to the "Roof of Australia". There's a chairlift (own expense,
but we get a great deal!) express up the mountain! You can
walk to the summit of Australia's highest mountain, Mt Kosciuszko,
or to the viewing point. After lunch, it's a spectacular drive
along Barry Way, watching the Snowy River wind along below
us. Tonight we stay in the coastal town of Lakes Entrance,
the Gateway to the Gippsland Lakes and Australia's longest
beach - Ninety Mile Beach. (BD)
Day 3 -
Lakes Entrance to Wilsons Promontory NP and Melbourne
We travel to mainland Australia's most southerly point, Wilsons
Promontory National Park. Walk along gleaming beaches, hike
along amazing granite rock formations and learn about coastal
flora and native wildlife. You might even see emus and wombats!
We travel to Melbourne through pastoral landscapes in South
Gippsland. (B)
Day 4 -
Melbourne via Great Ocean Rd to Princetown
We stop in Torquay to shop at Quiksilver and Rip Curl before
we continue to world famous Bells Beach. Winding along the
Great Ocean Road we take a break to search for some koalas
and then pass through the seaside town of Lorne on our way
to Apollo Bay. Next we visit the Otway Fly tree top walk (included)
then watch the sun set over the Twelve Apostles. (D)
Day 5 -
Princetown to Grampians NP
Walk down the Gibson Steps to the beach to get a different
angle of the Twelve Apostles or there's time for a helicopter
ride (at own expense). Next is Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge,
the Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands. Watch for whales (seasonal)
as we pass through Warrnambool, then head inland to the Grampians
National Park. Hikes include the Pinnacle, The Balconies and
Reeds lookout. You'll sleep well tonight at our private accommodation.
(BD)
Day 6 -
Halls Gap to Adelaide
There's hikes at Hollow Mountain and the amazing MacKenzie
Falls, before we farewell The Grampians and travel via Horsham
into South Australia. See rare White Western Grey Kangaroos
at Bordertown, then cross the Murray River before arriving
into Adelaide. Overnight dorm accommodation included. (B)
Day 7 -
Adelaide
A FREE day to explore the sights of Adelaide. Overnight dorm
accommodation included. (Meals at own expense)
Day 8 -
Adelaide to Quorn
Leaving the city behind, we travel through the Clare Valley
then on to the frontier town of Melrose where we take a short
walk across a swinging bridge and enjoy panoramic views from
the Mt Remarkable lookout. Soon after we arrive in Quorn,
the quaint and historical railway township nestled at the
entrance to the Richman Valley. Eat a hearty lunch, because
this afternoon we hike to the summit of Dutchman's Stern for
stunning 360° views of Quorn, Spencer Gulf and the Flinders
Ranges! We return to Quorn where we stay two nights in private
accommodation at the historical "Mill". Get ready for tonight's
BBQ dinner - it doesn't get any more Aussie than this! (LD)
Day 9 -
Flinders Ranges & Wilpena Pound
The Flinders Ranges has been recognised as one of Australia's
National Landscapes and today you'll get to experience and
explore this magical region! Wilpena Pound is a natural amphitheatre
located in a huge stone crater and you will spend the morning
hiking and exploring its wonder! After lunch, it's a short
walk to Yourambulla Caves to view Aboriginal rock paintings.
Learn about the hardships of sheep farming in the mid 1800's
as you view the ruins of Kanyaka Homestead. As we travel back
to Quorn, there's an opportunity to spot for the shy and elusive
Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby on a quiet stroll through peaceful
Warren Gorge. Overnight at the Quorn "Mill". (BLD)
Day 10 -
Quorn to Coober Pedy
It's time to go underground! We journey north through Port
Augusta and the small town of Glendambo (population 30!) and
visit ancient salt lakes which are the remnants of an inland
sea. We arrive in plenty of time to check out the sites of
Cooper Pedy on a town tour which includes an opal cutting
demonstration and mine tour with the opportunity to try your
luck 'noodling' for opals! Our bunkhouse for tonight is -
you guessed it - underground. (BLD)
Day 11 -
Coober Pedy to Uluru
Driving through the rugged desert country, we reach Yulara
in time for infamous Uluru (Ayers Rock) sunset. Tonight, lend
a hand as we cook dinner at our permanent campsite then consider
the option to sleep under the outback stars in a traditional
'Aussie swag'. (BLD)
Day 12 -
Uluru to Kata Tjuta & Kings Canyon
Sunrise over Uluru is magical and it's an early start to catch
it! While the morning's fresh (and your legs are too!) take
a walk around Uluru's base (unguided), or climb to the top
if you choose - however, the Anangu traditional owners prefer
it if you don't, before we take a guided interpretive walk
at Mala. After visiting Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) we head to
Kings Canyon, where we camp for the night. (BLD)
Day 13 -
Kings Canyon to Alice Springs
There's a lot to explore at Kings Canyon, including the Lost
City, the lush and ancient Garden of Eden and the sheer outcrops
of the North and South Walls. After lunch, relax and enjoy
the harsh desert scenery as we travel to Alice Springs. (BL)
Days 14
- Alice Springs
Enjoy a FREE DAY to explore Alice Springs. Overnight accommodation
included. (Meals at own expense).
Days 15
- Alice Springs
Enjoy a FREE DAY to explore Alice Springs. Overnight accommodation
included. (Meals at own expense).
Day 16 -
Alice Springs to Banka Banka
We pass by 23° 26? 22? south of the equator (otherwise known
as the Tropic of Capricorn) before stopping at Ti Tree for
the chance to buy original works of art by Indigenous artists.
Learn about the early struggles of bush telecommunications
at Barrow Creek's historic Telegraph Station - it'll make
your mobile phone seem like the space age! Precariously balanced
on their rocky perch are the Devils Marbles, a site sacred
to its traditional owners. Last stop for today is our camp
at Banka Banka Cattle Station and if the weather's good, you
can take a dip in the pretty waterhole. (LD)
Day 17 -
Banka Banka to Katherine Gorge
No visit to the Top End would be complete without a visit
to the famed Daly Waters pub, a quintessential outback roadhouse
and 'watering hole' for travellers from far and wide. The
tiny town is also home to Australia's first international
airport (but you wouldn't guess it!). Mataranka lies in the
heart of the 'never-never', and you'll feel a million miles
from anywhere as you soak in the steamy thermal springs. As
the day draws to a close, we reach our overnight camp at stunning
Katherine Gorge. (BLD)
Day 18
- Katherine Gorge to Darwin
The gorge is all yours this morning, with a half day to spend
canoeing or cruising (at own expense) the spectacular waters.
Want to see more? Jump aboard a helicopter flight (at own
expense) which will take you high above the vast gorge system.
We'll head to Darwin after a bite to eat, with stops at idyllic
Edith Falls and the 'croc-filled' Adelaide River (both a town
and a river). Overnight dorm accommodation included. (BL)
Day 19 - Darwin
to Mary River
A refreshing start to your day: the waterfalls of Litchfield
National Park, followed by the spectacular Mary River Wetlands.
Birds aren't the only wildlife abundant around here; keep
your eyes out for lurking crocodiles on our private river
cruise! A secluded campsite at Point Stuart Wilderness Lodge
is where we'll stay tonight. (LD)
Day 20 -
Mary River to Kakadu
Discover ancient Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr, our first stop
this morning. Clamber to the top of a rocky lookout for fabulous
views over the Nardab floodplain. Next it's on to Maguk (Barramundi
Gorge), where a hike is rewarded with a reviving swim in the
plunge pools. Tonight we stay at our permanent camp within
Kakadu NP. (BLD)
Day 21 -
Kakadu to Darwin
Get ready for some 4WD action today on our way to Jim Jim
Falls! Once we get there, we'll hike to the base of the falls
before continuing on to Twin Falls. Feel the beauty of the
stunning gorge and powerful falls from the National Park operated
boat and boardwalk experience. The impressive scenery will
continue to amaze you as we journey back to Darwin in the
afternoon. (BL)
Finish in Sydney
- Home of the Sydney Opera House
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Note: Upgrade
accommodation is budget style (except the Desert Cave which
is 4 star) and may be located on different premises (not necessarily
underground) to hostel accommodation. Package includes 14
nights accom. and 6 nights camping. Package is a combination
of individual tours, therefore you may travel with a different
guide and passengers during each section. Additional nights
in Melbourne and Adelaide can be arranged at time of booking
(extra expense). Twin room not available in Melbourne (double
will be supplied) and triple bookings will receive 2 x double
rooms. Tropical Summer Program applies December to May.
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