7 Day Top End to Outback Adventure

DEFAULT PICK UP: Melaleuca on Mitchell, 52 Mitchell St Darwin, 06:50am

Welcome to Darwin, where your adventure begins. Leaving Darwin, 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. Learn about their culture and enjoy bush tucker talks, didgeridoo demonstrations and basket weaving. Next stop is the Mary River wetlands system, which is home to the highest concentration of saltwater crocodiles in the southern hemisphere. Get close (but not too close) to the 'salties' and other wild creatures on a unique billabong cruise. In the afternoon, head to World-Heritage listed Kakadu National Park. Your first stop here is Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) where a hike is rewarded with a reviving swim in the plunge pools. Spend the night at a permanent campsite at Kakadu.

Meals - (LD)

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* Note: Should any of the attractions of the standard itinerary not be open as a result of National Park decisions surrounding accessibility and safety, the activities will be substituted. The standard attractions will be visited immediately as they begin to reopen. The opening and closing of 'dry season' activities varies from year to year.

** TOP END TROPICAL SUMMER ITINERARY (may apply in shoulder months; May, October)

Day one Wildlife Cruise | Mamukala | Ubirr or Nouralangie |Overnight camp in Kakadu. (LD)

Day two Gubara Pools | Nawurlandja lookout | Bowali Visitors Centre | Camp in Mary River Region (BLD)

Day three Florence Falls | Bluey Rockholes | Wangi Falls | Return to Darwin (BL)

Seasonal itinerary changes

*** TOP END TROPICAL SUMMER ITINERARY (may apply in shoulder months; May, October)

Day 1 - Wildlife Cruise | Mamukala | Ubirr or Nouralangie |Overnight camp in Kakadu. (LD)

Day 2 - Gubara Pools | Nawurlandja lookout | Bowali Visitors Centre | Camp in Mary River Region (BLD)

Day 3 - Florence Falls | Bluey Rockholes | Wangi Falls | Return to Darwin (BL)

Today is a long day of driving. Get ready for some 4WD action as you make your way to Jim Jim Falls, the crown of Kakadu. Once there, take in stunning views of this natural wonder and enjoy some time for a swim or a rest on the sandy beach. After lunch, discover the ancient Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr. Your guide will lead an interpretive cultural walk through the different rock art galleries, before you climb to the top of a rocky lookout for fabulous views over the Nardab floodplain. Tonight, camp in twin-share permanent tents in the Mary River region.

Meals - (BLD)

Filled with waterholes and waterfalls, Litchfield National Park is well deserving of all its hype. Exploring Litchfield is the perfect way to complete this trip. Today visit Florence Falls, Wangi Falls and the Buley Rockholes. After a picnic lunch, stroll through steamy rainforests and cool off with a dip in one of Litchfield's picturesque swimming holes. As with all good things, this Top End adventure must come to an end. Hit the road and head back to Darwin. After you've arrived, you might like to head out for a night on the town with your new friends. Total driving time today is around four hours, and accommodation is at the Melaleuca on Mitchell.

Meals - (BL)

Today, skip the 1,500km of driving which is about 24 hours by road, and fly from Alice Springs to Darwin with Qantas airlines. Qantas was Australia's first commercial airline, and stands for "Queensland and Northern Territory Ariel Services" and is now one of the worlds best International airlines.We'll arrange your air tickets and issue them a couple of weeks prior to your departure. When you are in Alice Springs on night 3 of your trip, please call the transfer company in Alice Springs and Darwin to confirm your flight time and they'll advise what time you'll be picked up from your Alice Springs hotel, and that somebody will be waiting to meet you in Darwin. Tonight, you'll be staying at Alice Lodge Backapackers.

(no meals included)

DEFAULT PICK UP (begin Alice Springs): Alice Lodge Backpackers at 06:00am

From busy Alice Springs, set off to experience the wonder of ancient Uluru. Our first stop is an authentic outback camel farm and there is the option to go for a short ride on one of these desert animals (at own expense). Continue on to the permanent campsite at Yulara and enjoy a tasty lunch before exploring the 36 domes of Kata Tjuta. Finally, as the sun begins to disappear below the horizon, grab a glass of sparkling wine and watch the rock's rich colours change against the backdrop of a blazing Red Centre sunset. The perfect end to a remarkable day is awaiting you back at camp - our famous 1,000 star dinner. With the red earth at your feet and an infinite sprawl of stars overhead, sit down to a candlelit spread of locally sourced food and wines, and soak up the vastness of outback skies during a hosted dinner you'll never forget.

Meals - (LD)

An early start is rewarded with a beautiful Uluru sunrise. 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 on a cultural interpretive walk with an Aboriginal guide (and interpreter)^ It is a unique opportunity to share experiences and to connect with and learn about the oldest culture on earth. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to purchase 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.

Meals - (BLD)

There's a lot to explore at Kings Canyon as we check out the Amphitheatre, Lost City, the lush and ancient Garden of Eden and the sheer outcrops of the North and South walls. After lunch, we head back to Alice Springs where we settle in for the evening at our hotel. You may like to enjoy dinner in Alice Springs with your group tonight (own expense).

Meals - (BL)