13 Day Kakadu & Red Centre

Highlights:

Uluru & Kata Tjuta National Park Entrance – Uluru Cultural Centre – Maruku Arts cultural experience – Kings Canyon Rim Walk

This 3-day small group tour is your chance to meet the outback on your own terms. No set itinerary, no rushing around to pre-established timeframes – just you, your small group, and a well-versed local leader exploring the Red Centre at your own pace. Get to all the big-name attractions – Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and Kings Canyon.

Your tour starts in Alice Springs early morning, where your Australian Outback adventure begins.

This afternoon we set out to boulder-strewn landscape of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). Wandering through the site’s gullies and crevices, you’ll learn a little about the area’s geological and ecological significance from your guide. The perfect end to a remarkable day is awaiting you back at camp, as you enjoy a delicious spread of food with your group. If the weather permits, sit outside under the stars.

Today, driving time is approximately one hour or 4.5hrs for Alice Springs pick up

Walking is approximately one hour.

Accommodation – Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities)

Included Activities

• Uluru & Kata Tjuta National Park Entrance

• Wake early to catch an unforgettable Uluru sunrise, then get a closer look at this massive sandstone monolith on an unguided walk around its base. After your stroll, walk to the cave paintings near Mutitjulu Waterhole, where you will be met by an Anangu guide. Your guide will shed insight into the ancient rock etchings and the stories they tell, as well as the traditions of the land’s Traditional Owners.
• Next, visit the nearby Cultural Central to browse its extensive collection of Aboriginal arts and crafts. After a local lunch, set off on a three-hour drive to your exclusive campsite within Watarrka National Park. (Kings Canyon). Get acquainted with your surroundings, enjoy an on-site dinner and settle in for the night
• Accommodation – Permanent Tented Camp (shared facilities)
• Included Activities
• Uluru Cultural Centre & Maruku Arts cultural experience
• Special Information
• Total driving time: about 3.5 hours
• Today walking time: about 2 hours (or up to 4 hours if you do the full 8.5km / 5.3mi base walk.)

After breakfast, get your hiking shoes on and head out to explore the impressive formations of Kings Canyon. You’ll be left breathless by the sheer beauty of the canyon, as you trek through the Amphitheatre, the Lost City, the lush and ancient Garden of Eden and the North and South Walls. Lunch is a welcome prospect, before you make your way back to Alice Springs. On arrival, you’re free to leave and carry on your travels.
Included Activities
• Kings Canyon Rim Walk
For the Kings Canyon Rim Walk it is a requirement that you have a minimum of 3 litres of water with you. Please consider bringing your own refillable water bottles.
Special Information
Today driving time: about 5 hours
Today walking time: about 3 hours Tonight, is overnight in Alice Springs Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters or similar

You’ll visit:

Simpsons Gap

Standley Chasm

Ochre Pits

Ormiston Gorge

Ellery Creek Bighole

Flynn Memorial

Optional swim at Ellery Creek Bighole (summer only)

All activities are considered very safe for all age groups. They do not require a high level of fitness or agility.

7:45AM

Your guide will collect you from outside your Alice Springs accommodation.

You’ll see spectacular outback scenery and have ample photo opportunities as we travel along the magnificent West MacDonnell Ranges, stopping at historic sites.

MORNING

Enjoy beautiful walks at Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm (for morning tea), and the Ochre Pits.

LUNCHTIME / EARLY AFTERNOON

Our next stop is at Ormiston Gorge for a sit-down buffet lunch. On our way back to Alice Springs, we stop to spend time at Ellery Creek Big Hole. This waterhole is one of Central Australia’s most pristine, so don’t forget your swimmers in the warmer months!

LATE AFTERNOON / EVENING

The panoramic landscapes of the West MacDonnell Ranges are extraordinary for their immensity and the spectacular array of sunburnt oranges, maroons and purples on display.

=In the winter months, these mighty ranges light up in brilliant oranges and reds at sunset on the return journey to Alice Springs.

You can expect to be back at your accommodation at approximately 5:30 pm.

Today is a free day to enjoy Alice Springs

Overnight Alice Springs Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters or similar for one night’s accommodation

Today Fly from Alice Springs to Darwin  (additional Cost)

On arrival in Darwin make your way to the “Hotel H” Darwin or Similar for one night’s accommodation.

Begin your 5 day tour of the Top End

Start your adventure by departing from Darwin and head out to the floodplains of the Mary River to join

Corroboree Billabong Wetland Cruises. Here we have ample opportunity to spot a huge range of Top End Bird life and not to mention some fresh and salty apex predators… crocodiles!

We journey on to Kakadu National Park where our home for the next two nights in Jabiru awaits, the Bowali Visitor Center offers a beautiful introduction to the Park’s landscape and wildlife and we take time to soak it in, before checking into our local accommodation.

After some relaxation and time to catch a glimpse of the elusive Tingo we journey north to Cahills Crossing on the border of Kakadu and Arnhem Land, here we see crocodiles lining up along the East Alligator River where they and the locals hope to catch some barramundi!

We then take you to one of the best-preserved collections of Aboriginal Rock Art in the world at Ubirr Sunset, this incredibly significant site showcases many styles of Rock Art and allows us to climb up high for a sunset that will blow you away looking out over the Nadab Floodplain. We head home back to Jabiru for a delicious dinner and our comfortable indoor accommodation.

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Anbinik Kakadu Resort Twin Share Rooms (with shared bathroom) or similar

Driving Distance: approx. 420km

Hike Distance: approx. 2km + 2km

Jim Jim and Twin Falls are probably two of the most famous and stunning locations within Kakadu,

depending on seasonal factors and cultural observations we will visit one of these amazing waterfalls

situated at the bottom of an adventurous 4WD road.

Please be aware, access to the falls is seasonal conditions permitting. But not before we partake in an exclusive aboriginal cultural experience On Country. Picnic lunches provided, we then hike out to the falls and enjoy plenty of time to cool off surrounded by thick monsoon forest.

We head back home with a stop first at the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Center where you have time to delve into the culture of Kakadu and gain deeper insight into how the World Heritage Listed Park is

managed.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Anbinik Kakadu Resort Twin Share Rooms (with shared bathroom) or similar

Driving Distance: approx. 250km

Hike Distance: approx. 4km

This morning starts bright and early as we take you to one of the best sunrise spots in the park, the

Nawurlandja Lookout before cooking a delicious breakfast at Anabangbang Billabong.

We then discover Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Rock which houses fantastic Aboriginal Rock Art of the Bininj which we view at the Anabangbang Gallery before heading up for incredible views of Kakadu’s Escarpment from Kunwarddewardde Lookout.

Another 4WD track awaits us as we travel south and enjoy a picnic lunch at the plunge pool of Maguk, one of the most picturesque and pristine waterfalls in Kakadu. After our 2km walk and lunch we head towards tonight’s accommodation in Pine Creek to relax and enjoy the local hospitality.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Pine Creek Motel Twin Share Rooms (with ensuite) or similar

Driving Distance: approx. 270km

Hike Distance: approx. 1km + 2km + 2km

Today’s epic adventure takes us to one of two amazing waterfalls for exploration and swimming.

Depending on the time of year and access conditions we will either be visiting Edith Falls or Butterfly Gorge, both offer relaxation in picture perfect Top End surroundings with clear water and a welcome chance to cool off!

We then begin the journey back up towards Darwin along the Stuart Hwy, stopping at Adelaide River, a town steeped in history, we visit the heritage listed Adelaide River War Cemetery to learn of the World War II impact in this part of Australia.

After this the vibrant Mindil Markets await as we return to Darwin just in time for you to grab some delicious local food while you watch the sunset on an action packed 4 days.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Overnight: Darwin Hotel Twin Share Rooms (with ensuite) or similar

Driving Distance: approx. 360km

Hike Distance: approx. 2km

Allow us to show you one of our favourite places on earth… Litchfield National Park. We leave Darwin and make our way towards the world class Litchfield National Park surrounded by thick pockets of tropical rainforest; it offers cool respite from the Top End heat.

Stopping along the way you’ll have an opportunity to jump on the famous Jumping Crocodile Cruise

(optional extra) on the Adelaide River, alternatively we visit the Fogg Dam Conservation Centre.

The traditional lands of the Limilngan-Wulna people (who are active in the reserve’s management) are one of the most spectacular places to explore the diverse wildlife of the Top End, home to numerous species of birds, turtles, water pythons and of course the iconic Saltwater Crocodile.

We’ll visit some incredible monolithic Magnetic Termite Mounds and then have an opportunity to cool off in one of Litchfield’s beautiful natural plunge pools like Buley Rockholes or Wangi Falls

Visit a thundering waterfall like Florence Falls or Tolmer Falls and marvel at the sheer beauty carved out

amongst the rocky escarpment.

Fully relaxed and rejuvenated after a day in the stunning tropical national park we make our way back to Darwin.

Meals included: none (opportunity to purchase lunch on tour, in Batchelor or BYO as we will have eski onboard.)

Driving Distance: approx. 317km

Hike Distance: approx. 1km / 2km

Overnight: Darwin Hotel Twin Share Rooms (with ensuite) or similar

Make your way to the Airport for your departure.