10 Day Red Centre & Top End Wanderer Safari

After picking you up from your accommodation in Alice Springs bright and early at approximately 6.00am, we complete ticketing and introductions and then hit the road for an Outback tour of a lifetime. (For those commencing the tour at Uluru we will collect you from the Outback Pioneer Hotel or airport).

Our Red Centre tour begins by heading south to Erldunda travelling through the Waterhouse and James Ranges with a stop at the Camel Farm for refreshments and a camel ride if you're keen (own expense). Stop at Mount Ebenezer Roadhouse to view and shop for Aboriginal art. On the way to Uluru we stop to view Atila (Mount Connor), a mesa tableland and the first significant rock formation of our Outback tour.

After a stop for lunch and our arrival at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, we head to the Cultural Centre to learn about the local Aboriginal law and religion (Tjukurpa) before a short, guided walk at the base of Uluru. Those choosing to climb will have the opportunity to do so, weather permitting. (Note: Uluru is a sacred site and Anangu, the indigenous custodians, respectfully ask visitors not to climb it).

Of course no Uluru tour would be complete without experiencing the famous changing colours of Uluru at sunset, complete with sparkling wine and nibbles. It's a great time to kick back and contemplate the day and the vastness of the desert.

From a lookout close to our campsite, experience an Uluru sunrise before heading off to Kata Tjuta for a leisurely 7km walk through the "Valley of the Winds". After a stop at the Resort for fuel and refreshments, we travel to Kings Creek Cattle Station to stay at a remote private camp, complete with bush toilet and shower. With nobody else for miles, this camp has stunning views out over the George Gill Ranges and gives you a real feel for the Outback. Swap stories with the tour group over a dinner around the campfire before spending another night out under the stars.

Travel to Watarrka (Kings Canyon) for a mind-blowing 6km walk through the towering walls, crevices and plateaus of Watarrka. We'll visit the Amphitheatre, Lost City and the tranquil 'Garden of Eden'.

Later, travel back to Alice Springs on a typical outback dirt road. We'll drop you back to your accommodation in the early evening. Later on, take the opportunity to meet up with the tour group for a final night on the town in Alice Springs. This Outback tour has shown you the best of Central Australia - a Red Centre travel experience you'll never forget.

** It might be a free day - on day four instead of Day 7.

You will be collected from your Alice Springs accommodation at approximately 6.00am and then our adventure through the 'Territory' to Darwin begins. Just north of Alice Springs is the Tropic of Capricorn (80% of the Northern Territory lays north of this point). Further along the track are the Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu) which are a collection of gigantic granite boulders magically balanced on top of one another. Our day winds to a close just north of Tennant Creek at historic Banka Banka Cattle Station where we camp for the night.

No trip to the 'Territory' is complete without a visit to the Daly Waters Pub, an important watering hole for explorers and drovers in days gone by and now a great spot for a cold beer, a bit of history and a 'fair dinkum outback experience'! Later in the day you can take a soak in the Mataranka Thermal Pools, a lush oasis fringed by paperbark trees before journeying to Katherine and our overnight camp.

Your guide will wake you early this morning before a short drive to the Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park which is owned by the Jawoyn Aboriginal people. Ancient sandstone has been carved away by the Katherine River to create a deep and picturesque gorge. You may like to take a boat cruise or paddle a canoe (seasonal) through the peaceful waters (both optional and additional cost). In the afternoon, relax and watch the changing landscape as we travel to cosmopolitan Darwin.

Wet season itinerary is applicable for 8 to 10 day ( please check it if you are travelling on a wet season - Nov to Apr)

You will be collected from your Darwin accommodation at approximately 7.00am for the short journey to Litchfield National Park. Explore the waterfalls, spring-fed streams and rugged sandstone escarpments of Litchfield National Park. Discover intriguing cathedral and magnetic termite mounds, swim, hike and explore Florence and Wangi Falls* and enjoy a picnic lunch.

After lunch we leave the highway behind and hit the dirt travelling along the Marrakai Road before joining the Old Jim Jim Road taking us deep into Kakadu National Park. Travelling past billabongs and traversing water crossings brings ample opportunity for wildlife spotting. Arrive at our private campsite complete with comfortable permanent tents at Cooinda where we spend the night enjoying dinner and some stargazing.

Awake for breakfast this morning before joining an iconic Yellow Waters Cruise. A must do activity within Kakadu National Park, the award winning Yellow Waters cruise is Aboriginal owned and centres around a spectacular billabong system that is home to some remarkable and diverse wildlife. Spotting crocodiles is only one of the many wildlife viewing opportunities on this unique water system.

Departing camp we travel to nearby Nourlangie Rock. Here you can see how local Aboriginal people lived in this area through changing times. Environmental and social changes are reflected in the rock art and in the ground, where archaeologists have uncovered over 20,000 years of Aboriginal occupation.

After lunch visit the Bowali Visitor Centre, a Gun-djeihmi name for the local area and creek on land owned by the Mirarr clan. See the audio-visual presentations and Marrawuddi Gallery showcasing Aboriginal art by artists from within Kakadu and the wider region.

Later this afternoon we arrive at the culturally significant Aboriginal art site of Ubirr, located within the East Alligator region of the Park. Here you can view a wide range of ancient Aboriginal art which will be interpreted by your guide. Learn the story of the Rainbow Serpent and climb the Nadab Lookout for panoramic views over the floodplain and beyond into Arnhem Land. After learning about the area, it's time to pick out a quiet spot to sit while we watch the sun set over the Kakadu escarpment before making the short journey to our private and permanent campsite for the night.

Today the jewels of Kakadu National Park await. Departing early we travel to Twin and Jim Jim Falls. Explore Twin Falls Gorge which is accessed by 4-wheel drive track, a boat shuttle service and a rocky walking track and boardwalk. Once there relax on the sandy banks and admire the falls. There's more 4-wheel driving as we make our way to Jim Jim Falls where a walk through monsoon forest and over boulders takes us to the waterfall and plunge pool which are surrounded by 150 metre cliffs.

Spend the afternoon taking in the sheer beauty of your spectacular surrounds before we make our way back to Darwin and your accommodation after three magical days of adventure and wildlife, rich in cultural history and natural beauty.