18 Day Darwin to Melbourne Including Kangaroo Island tour

You will be collected from your Darwin accommodation at approximately 6.30am where our Top End adventure begins as we travel to the Mary River Wetlands for our exclusive two hour cruise where the local wallaby population greets us on arrival. This region is home to over 250 bird species and has the highest concentration of saltwater crocodiles in the Southern Hemisphere.

Search for the mighty crocs who rule this waterway, buffalo, birds and other wildlife away from the masses, just you and your group. Our entrance to Kakadu National Park is at the South Alligator River, a picturesque location for a picnic lunch. There's the opportunity to purchase Aboriginal arts and crafts at the Bowali Visitor Centre before our late afternoon arrival at Ubirr. Here you will 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. As the day draws to a close we head to our private campsite at Cooinda for dinner and our overnight stay.

Mary River Wetlands, Kakadu National Park, Private Crocodile and Wildlife cruise

Meal - (Lunch / Dinner)

Our journey is towards the southern end of Kakadu where we spend the whole morning at Gunlom Falls*. There's a large plunge pool at the base of the waterfall to enjoy, however the climb to the top of the falls is a must! Relax in a natural infinity pool with a postcard backdrop of the Arnhem Land escarpment, take a dip in the sandy middle pool and swim under a waterfall in the rear pool. So many choices. Crocodile Dundee loved this magical place and you will too! After lunch and a final swim in the lower plunge pool we exit the national park and travel via Batchelor to our overnight campsite near Litchfield National Park.

Meal - (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Today is spent exploring the waterfalls, spring-fed streams and rugged sandstone escarpments of Litchfield National Park. Marvel at the intriguing magnetic and cathedral termite mounds and swim, hike and explore Florence and Wangi Falls*. Discover the many rock holes and cascading waterfalls of Buley Rockhole before our early evening arrival back in Darwin. Overnight dorm or Budget Ensuite (Twin/Single) accommodation is included.

Litchfield National Park, Termite mounds, Florence Falls,Wangi Falls, Buley Rockhole

Meal - (Breakfast / Lunch )

You will be collected from your Darwin accommodation at approximately 6.00 am when our adventure through the 'Territory' to Alice Springs begins. The afternoon is spent at 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 water (both optional and additional cost). It's a little further on to our overnight camp near Mataranka.

Meal - (Lunch / Dinner)

A great start to the day, is a soak in the Mataranka Thermal Pools, a lush oasis fringed by paperbark trees. 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'! Our day winds to a close at historic Banka Banka Cattle Station where we camp for the night.

Meal - (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

We pass through Tennant Creek and then 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. Later in the day we cross the Tropic of Capricorn (only 20% of the Northern Territory lies south of this point) then a short time later we arrive into Alice Springs where art galleries and pioneering history abounds.

You may spend the day in sightseeing the Alice Springs city or there are plenty of attractions to explore in Alice Sprigs at your own. We can also arrange west Mcdonell ranges guided Day tour on request. (Accommodation only meals at your own expenses)

We depart Alice Springs and head towards Kings Creek Station, Australia's largest exporter of wild camels and our camp site for tonight. We hike Watarrka (Kings Canyon) to experience the fantastic views of the gorge, huge sandstone walls and an immense canyon floor. Here we trek through the Garden of Eden and take a dip in the waterhole to cool down. There is time for you to swim in the pool or take up on any of the optional extra activities they have on offer. (L,D)

Today we head for Uluru. Nothing really prepares you for The Rock - it's awesome! After lunch we visit the Cultural Centre to learn about the Aboriginal people of the region and walk around the base of Uluru. We end our first day with a spectacular sunset over Uluru. Tonight we camp at the Ayers Rock Resort Campground in comfy swags under the desert stars, our home for the next two nights. (B,L,D)

A fantastic Uluru sunrise and breakfast before we head to sunrise and breakfast at The Rock, before we hike Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and the majestic Valley of the Winds with its incredibly ancient rock formations before returning to the campsite for relaxing afternoon and another Uluru sunset. (B,L,D)

Today we cruise to Coober Pedy, opal capital of the world. Incredible changing landscape, kangaroos, emus, eagles and road trains all unfold before us and a view of the striking sandstone colours of the Breakaways on the way. On arrival we visit the local kangaroo orphanage and later enjoy dinner, lots of stories and an overnight stay in an underground bunkhouse. (B,L,D)

We spend the morning in Coober Pedy and take a tour of the town and an opal mine. We also have the opportunity to "noodle" for opals, visit an opal shop or any of the other underground attractions. We continue our journey south in the afternoon as we travel on down to the foothills of the Flinders Ranges where we sleep among the red gum trees of Stony Creek Bush camp. (B,L,D)

This morning we hike Dutchman's Stern for stunning views of the Spencer Gulf and surrounding ranges and plains. We stop at a winery in the Clare Valley before cruising to Adelaide arriving at around 6pm.(B,L,)

Early morning pick up from your Adelaide or Glenelg hotel for a scenic coach journey to Cape Jervis taking in the picturesque Fleurieu Peninsula with its vineyards, coastal views and rolling hills. On arrival, board the Kangaroo Island ferry for the 45 minute crossing to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island - Ferry (Cruise) options only. On arrival at Penneshaw (or Kingscote Airport), board your luxury coach and your local driver/guide will take you on a tour of South Australia's premier nature-based tourism destination. Your day tour will visit highlights such as Seal Bay Conservation Park where you'll get up close to nature as the wild Australian Sea-lions frolic and laze about on this stunning beach. Enjoy a delicious 2-course lunch at Vivonne Bay Bistro, which is set in a beautiful Australian bushland setting followed by a visit to the Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, where you'll walk among eucalyptus trees looking for koalas lazing about in the trees. Spend the afternoon at Flinders Chase National Park, which is renowned as a sanctuary for native Australian animals including kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and echidnas. The tour will take you to the rugged coastline for a walk on Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch. Remarkable Rocks provide great photographic opportunities where the Admirals Arch board walk takes you down a rugged cliff face to reveal this spectacular rock archway, a natural nursery and safe haven for playful New Zealand fur seals. The tour of the park will take you to the rugged southern coastline for a walk on Remarkable Rocks and Admiral's Arch. Remarkable Rocks provides great photographic opportunities and stunning sea views. Admiral's Arch board walk takes you down a rugged cliff face to reveal this spectacular rock archway, a natural nursery and safe haven for playful New Zealand fur seals that can be seen resting, swimming and playing in the waves or on the rocks. There is also a possibility that you may spot more kangaroos and wallabies as we return to Penneshaw or Kingscote Airport for the return journey to Adelaide.(L)

You may spend the day in sightseeing the Adelaide city or there are plenty of attractions to explore in Alice Sprigs at your own. We can also arrange Barossa Valley winery guided Day tour on request. (Accommodation only meals at your own expenses)

Departing Adelaide we cruise through the Adelaide Hills towards a mid morning stop at Keith Bakery. We have lunch at Mt. Arapiles then on to the Grampians National Park. Discover an Aboriginal art site, hike to the bottom of Mackenzie Falls, and see the breathtaking views from The Balconies. In the late afternoon, take a stroll with the kangaroos and other wildlife. We stay overnight in the heart of the Grampians National Park in hostel accommodation.

, London Bridge and Loch Ard Gorge

Visit Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre, then spend a great morning hiking the beautiful Grampians. After a lunch stop, we head south to the Great Ocean Road. The Bay of Martyrs, London Bridge and Loch Ard Gorge are some of the fantastic coastal scenery in this area. Finish the day with a sunset at the spectacular Twelve Apostles. Overnight is usually in a beach home at Port Campbell in the heart of the National Park.

After an early breakfast, back out to the amazing coastline for some magic opportunities to photograph the Twelve Apostles in the morning light, before the crowds. Take a walk down Gibson's Steps to view the Twelve Apostles from the beach. Soak up the beauty of the Otway National Park. Walk through some of the oldest temperate rainforest in the world. A great place for a lunch stop.

Marvel at the historical section of the Great Ocean Road carved by returned WWI servicemen. It provides one of the most spectacular coastal roads that you will ever see. Apollo Bay and Lorne are great places to swim, explore, or just relax with a cup of coffee. Anglesea, Bells Beach and Torquay (home of Rip Curl and Quicksilver) are all part of the famous surf coast with time to check out the local waves. We then head through Geelong to arrive in Melbourne at approximately 7 PM.