Adventure Tours » 14 Day Darwin Melbourne Explorer

Adventure Tours » 14 Day Darwin < > Melbourne Explorer

The 14 day Darwin to Melbourne package takes you from the lush Top End, through the Red Centre and heart of Australia to the coastal town of Adelaide before stopping in the Grampians National Park and sweeping along the Great Ocean Road through to Melbourne.

HIGHLIGHTS [PDME14]

INCLUDED
Experienced tour guide, meals as indicated, accommodation transfers, 7 nights camping fees & equipment & 10 nights dorm accommodation (or upgrade to: 6 nights camping and 11 nights ensuite accommodation), Aboriginal culture interpretive walk, Opal Mine tour, entry to Otway Fly Tree Top Walk.

TO BRING
Sturdy walking shoes (ankle high), swimming gear, hat & sunscreen, towel & toiletries, water bottle, torch, insect repellent, camera & film, pillow, sleeping bag (can be hired for $20).

Please Note:
Safaris must be reconfirmed by 4.00pm the day before travel. Itineraries may vary and/or attractions be substituted due to seasonal & extreme weather conditions, Traditional Owner and national park requirements.

Tour Icons
Moderate Fitness	Maximum 24 people	4 Nights Camping 10 Nights Dorm Share	15kg luggage (10kg in Kakadu)	Tour also runs reverse in 17 Days

ITINERARY [PDME14]

Day 1 – Darwin to Litchfield National Park

DEFAULT PICK UP: Adventure Tours Australia Shop, 52 Mitchell St Darwin, 06:50am

Leaving cosmopolitan Darwin, we journey south to beautiful Litchfield National Park, where we experience the stunning waterfalls that flow all year round. Take a refreshing swim and enjoy lunch before we travel into Wulna Country and receive a Cul Cul or unique ‘Welcome to Country’ by the traditional owners of the land, the Limilngan – Wulna people. Experience the local Aboriginal culture including bush tucker talks, playing the didgeridoo, basket weaving, and spear throwing.* We finish the day in the spectacular Mary River Wetlands, where the exotic birds are not the only wildlife to see. Keep a watch for lurking crocodiles on an afternoon river cruise! Climb into your sleeping bag for a well-earned rest at our secluded Mary River camping spot. (LD)

Day 2 – Mary River to Kakadu National Park

Today we head to Kakadu National Park, a World Heritage list for its stunning natural features and for being the centre of the world’s oldest living culture. Discover ancient Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr before climbing to the top of a rocky lookout for fabulous views over the Nardab floodplain. Next, we head to Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) where a hike is rewarded with a reviving swim in the plunge pools. Tonight we stay at our permanent camp in Kakadu National Park. (BLD)

Day 3 – Kakadu National Park to Darwin

Get ready for some 4WD action today as we make our way to Jim Jim Falls, the crown of Kakadu! Once we get there, we’ll hike to the base of this 200m natural wonder, before continuing to Twin Falls. Feel the beauty of the stunning gorge and powerful falls from a national park-operated boat and boardwalk experience. We stop in at Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre this afternoon to learn more about local Indigenous culture. The scenery will continue to amaze you as we journey back to Darwin in the afternoon. Overnight accommodation is included. (BL)

Day 4 – Darwin to Daly Waters

PICK UP: Adventure Tours Australia Shop, 52 Mitchell St Darwin, 06:50 am.

We depart from Darwin early and make our way to Nitmiluk National Park. Our first stop is the beautiful Edith Falls for a swim before heading to Katherine Gorge where your guide will take you on a short return walk to Baruwei lookout. You can get a postcard shot of the gorge and learn about this stunning area and its significance to the local Jawoyn Aboriginal people. Once we finish exploring the gorge we continue our journey south to Daly Waters arriving in time for dinner and a beer at the historic Daly Waters Hotel – the territory’s oldest pub (own expense). Overnight in our camp at Daly Waters.

Day 5 – Daly Waters to Alice Springs

We continue our journey south passing through Tennant Creek and onto Karlu Karlu (Devil’s Marbles) where we have some time to explore the well-known marble-shaped boulders, a site sacred to its traditional owners. There is also one last photo stop as we cross the Tropic of Capricorn before finishing in the heart of the Red Centre, Alice Springs.

Day 6 – Alice Springs

Enjoy a free day to relax and explore Alice Springs (overnight dorm accommodation included; meals and activities at your own expense).

Day 7 – Alice Springs to Kata Tjuta and Uluru

PICK UP: Haven Backpacker Resort, 06:10 am

Our first stop is an authentic outback camel farm where you can choose to take a ride and experience the best in desert transport (at your own expense). From here it is off to Uluru (Ayers Rock) for lunch. Explore the 36domes of Kata Tjuta as you get up close to this ancient geological formation during a Valley of the Winds hike. Fall in love with the desert sun as it sets over Uluru. Tonight you can sleep in a permanent tent or curl up in a swag (Aussie bedroll) and enjoy a night under the stars. (LD)

Day 8 – Uluru to Kings Canyon

An early start is rewarded with the sunrise over Uluru. While the morning’s fresh enjoy an unguided walk around the base of Uluru. You will then deepen your understanding of the land and the Mala people as you embark on a cultural interpretive walk with an Aboriginal guide (and interpreter).* It is a unique opportunity to share experiences, connect with and learn about the oldest culture on earth. Afterward, you will have the opportunity to see more Aboriginal arts and crafts at the Cultural Centre before we travel to our exclusive campsite within the Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) where we sleep for the night. (BLD)

Day 9 – Kings Canyon to Erldunda

Get your hiking shoes on today as we head out to explore the formations and towering rock faces of KingsCanyon. You will be left breathless by the size and beauty of the canyon, as we trek through the Amphitheatre and discover the Lost City, the lush and ancient Garden of Eden, and the North and South Walls. We stop for lunch before we make our way back to our campsite for the night, Erldunda. (BLD)

Day 10 – Erldunda to Adelaide

We depart early this morning as we make our way to Coober Pedy, crossing the Northern Territory/South Australian border. We take a break in the outback town of Marla, where we have a chance to purchase some lunch (own expense) and stretch our legs. The next stop is Coober Pedy, ‘the Opal Capital of the World’.Upon arrival, your guide will give you a tour of this unique town, before visiting an underground mine and museum for a guided tour. You will also have a chance to purchase some of the opal jewelry produced from the mine. Tonight we stay overnight in a unique underground bunkhouse in Coober Pedy.

Day 11 – Coober Pedy – Adelaide

After breakfast, we continue the journey South along the Stuart Highway and stop at some of the salt lakes of Central Australia for an interesting photo opportunity. We pass by the ‘rocket launching’ town of Woomera— part of a former military test site. Next, we make our way to Port Augusta where we stop to enjoy lunch(own expense). We’re on the home stretch now leaving the vast open outback plains behind us and making our way into South Australia’s capital city Adelaide. (B)

Day 12 – Adelaide

Make the most of a day to relax and explore South Australia’s capital city Adelaide (overnight dorm accommodation included; meals and activities at your own expense). If you’re looking for something exciting to do outside the city, why not try their Kangaroo Island Highlights Day Tour or a Barossa Valley wine tour?

Day 13 – Adelaide to Grampians National Park

PICK UP: Adelaide Central YHA (135 Waymouth St), 07:00 am

Our journey takes us through the Adelaide Hills across the mighty Murray River before traveling past the Victorian border and on through Horsham. We make our way into the Grampians National Park, a beautiful area and a place of great significance for the local Indigenous people. We gain a good insight into their local customs with a stop at the Brambuck Cultural Centre. We then make the most of our afternoon to explore the region with a hike to either McKenzie or Silverband Falls. We then enjoy a short nature walk to take in the full beauty of the Grampians. Enjoy dinner (at your own expense) with your new friends before we overnight in Halls Gap. (L)

Day 14 – Grampians National Park via Great Ocean Road to Melbourne

After an early start this morning we make our way to the Australian National Heritage listed and world-renowned Great Ocean Road. Enjoy the fantastic coastal views from the road. We explore Port Campbell National Park including a visit to London Bridge, Loch Ard Gorge, and the iconic Twelve Apostles rock formation. We pass through the beach towns of Apollo Bay and Lorne before a short stop at Kennett River to do some koala spotting. From here we take on the last part of the Great Ocean Road. Make the most of a great photo opportunity at the famed Aussie surf location before we make our final journey into cosmopolitan Melbourne. (B)