Itinerary for: Outback Wonders 2010 (NSSDB105)
- Clare Valley
- Flinders Ranges
- Wilpena Pound
- Fraser Island
- Coober Pedy
- Ayers Rock
- The Olgas
- Kings Canyon
- Battery Hill Tennant Creek
- Simpsons Gap
- Katherine Gorge
- Kakadu
- Yellow Water Billabong
- Crocosaurus Cove
Day 1:
We fly over the international date line on our way to Sydney, Australia.
Day 2:
On arrival in Sydney you will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Hotel: The Grace Hotel
Day 3:
Depart Sydney and travel along the Hume Highway via Goulburn and the Riverina to Hay. Enjoy a Welcome Drink this evening with our Tour Director. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Comfort Inn
Day 4:
Travel via vast Hay plains and Mildura, located on the mighty Murray River. We cross the South Australian border and travel through the vineyards of the Riverland District to Adelaide. Clients joining this afternoon in Adelaide (Tour Codes: NZZA & NZZD) will be transferred from Adelaide Airport. (Breakfast)
Hotel: Stamford Plaza
Day 5:
See the sights of Adelaide on an orientation tour before we make our way north and sample some local wines at Sevenhill Cellars, the oldest existing winery in the beautiful Clare Valley. Later travel
through the spectacular Flinders Ranges and into Wilpena Pound, a remarkable natural amphitheatre covering nearly 8,000 hectares. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Wilpena Pound Resort
Day 6:
Enjoy time to explore Wilpena Pound, before we travel through picturesque Pitchi Richi Pass to Port Augusta where we will visit the Wadlata Outback Centre. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Majestic Oasis Apartments
Day 7:
Visit Woomera before travelling to isolated Coober Pedy, the opal capital! Visit an underground church and home. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Desert Cave Hotel
Day 8:
This morning we cross the border into the Northern Territory and continue to Uluõu – Kata Tjuúa National Park. Later enjoy a complimentary glass of sparkling wine as you watch sunset at Uluõu. Upgrade to a guaranteed Rock View Room at Desert Gardens Hotel for £52 per person twin share for two nights (subject to availability). Clients joining this afternoon in Ayers Rock (Tour Code: NUD) will be transferred from Ayers Rock Airport (flights to arrive prior to 1.30pm). (Breakfast)
Hotel: Desert Gardens Hotel
Day 9:
You may wish to join a tour to view sunrise at Uluõu. Enjoy a guided walk into Muúitjulu Waterhole and stop at the Uluõu – Kata Tjuúa Cultural Centre. Visit Kata Tjuúa and walk into Waïpa Gorge. Enjoy sunset with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine, followed by a delicious barbecue
Highlight Dinner under the stars. (Breakfast / Highlight dinner)
Day 10:
Travel to Kings Canyon today. For the energetic, a guided climb to the canyon rim will be rewarded with magnificent views of Watarrka National Park. Or you may prefer to explore the boulder-strewn canyon floor, an easier walk. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Kings Canyon Resort
Day 11:
We travel through to Alice Springs. See the sights of Alice Springs, including the Royal Flying Doctor Service, School of the Air and the historic Telegraph Station. We stop for panoramic views of Alice Springs from the top of Anzac Hill. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Chifley Alice Springs Resort
Day 12:
Spend time with a local Aboriginal guide. You will learn of life and survival of the Arrente People, including bush food, the search for water and kinship. Visit the Alice Springs Desert Park. Learn about Australia’s unique desert marsupials and reptiles. Visit the Nocturnal House and Nature Theatre. We travel to Simpsons Gap, one of the most prominent waterholes in the West MacDonnell Ranges, with its striking gorges and river red-gum scenery. (Breakfast)
Day 13:
Clients departing this morning in Alice Springs (Tour Code: NZZA) will be transferred to Alice Springs Airport. Travelling north we arrive at Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles). There is time to walk around these precariously balanced boulders. On arrival in Tennant Creek we join a local guide for a tour of the historic Battery Hill Precinct. Tour a mine and experience the life of an early miner. Tonight enjoy a delicious barbecue Highlight Dinner at the Battery Mine Centre. (Breakfast / Highlight dinner)
Hotel: Eldorado Motor Inn
Day 14:
Travel across vast outback stations. Visit the historic Daly Waters Hotel, before continuing into ‘Never Never’ country. Stop at the tropical oasis of Mataranka for a relaxing dip in the thermal springs or stroll through the Elsey Homestead replica. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Paraway Motel
Day 15:
Join our local guide on an early morning cruise through Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park and then continue deep into Kakadu National Park. Later we cruise on the famous Yellow Water Billabong. We should see a variety of birdlife and with luck, we may also see the feared estuarine crocodile basking in the muddy shallows. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn
Day 16:
We stop at Bowali Visitor Centre. The displays here will take you on a journey through Kakadu’s varied habitats and landscapes. Travel to Ubirr and climb to the top of this rocky outcrop for rewarding views. This afternoon travel to Darwin and enjoy a sightseeing tour of this tropical city on arrival. (Breakfast)
Hotel: Mantra Pandanas
Day 17:
We travel to Litchfield National Park to see Florence, Tolmer and Wangi Falls and the mysterious Magnetic Termite Mounds. Enjoy a Highlight Dinner this evening during our visit to Crocosaurus Cove. Enter the world of the awesome Northern Territory saltwater crocodile. See the largest display in the world of Australian reptiles, a two-storey fresh water aquarium, a turtle sanctuary, as well as local Aboriginal art and culture displays. (Breakfast / Highlight dinner)
Day 18:
Your tour concludes this morning after breakfast. You will be transferred to Darwin Airport for your return flight home. (Breakfast)