16 Day Darwin to Melbourne Explorer

Itinerary: day by day

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, World Heritage listed 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 included. (BL)

Day 4 – Darwin

Enjoy a free day to relax and explore Darwin (overnight dorm accommodation included, meals and activities at own expense).

Day 5 – Darwin - Katherine Gorge – Daly Waters 

PICK UP DAY 5: Adventure Tours Australia Shop, 52 Mitchell St Darwin, 06:30am

We depart Darwin early, and we make our way to Nitmiluk National Park, home of magnificent Katherine Gorge. Here you will have the chance to take an optional cruise through the first 2 gorges (own expense and seasonal). If you are not interested in the cruise, you also have the option of canoeing through the first gorge (own expense and seasonal), or taking a guided walk to Baruwei lookout. Grab a nice 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, arriving in time for dinner and a beer at the historic Daly Waters Hotel, the territory’s oldest pub (own expense). The journey down towards Alice Springs continues overnight.

Day 6 – Alice Springs

In the early hours of the morning, we make a stop at Tennant Creek so that you can stretch your legs and grab some refreshments before we continue on to Alice Springs. There is also one last photo stop as we cross the Tropic of Capricorn. We arrive into Alice Springs around 8am, so you’ll have the rest of the day free to explore the heart of the Red Centre (overnight dorm accommodation included, meals and activities at own expense).

Day 7 – Alice Springs to Kata Tjuta and Uluru

PICK UP DAY 7: Haven Backpacker Resort, 06:10am

Kick off the next leg of your adventure on top of a camel! Our first stop this morning is an authentic outback camel farm where you can choose to ride atop one of these desert giants (at own expense). From here it is off to Uluru (Ayers Rock) for lunch. The 36 domes of Kata Tjuta will fascinate you, as you get up close to the majestic features of this ancient geological formation during a Valley of the Winds hike. You will be mesmerised as the desert sun 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 a glorious Uluru sunrise. While the morning’s fresh (and your legs are too!) 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. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to purchase Aboriginal arts and crafts at the Cultural Centre before we travel to our exclusive campsite within Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) where we sleep for the night. (BLD)

Day 9 – Kings Canyon to Alice Springs

Get your hiking shoes on today as we head out to explore the impressive formations and towering rock faces of Kings Canyon. You will be left breathless by the sheer size and beauty of the canyon as we trek through the Amphitheatre, discover the Lost City, the lush and ancient Garden of Eden and the North and South Walls. Enjoy a well deserved lunch before we make our way back to Alice Springs (overnight accommodation included, dinner at own expense). (BL)

Day 10 – Alice Springs

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

Day 11 – Alice Springs to Coober Pedy

PICK UP DAY 11: Haven Backpacker Resort, 07:30am

An early departure this morning as we make our way to Coober Pedy, crossing the Northern Territory/South Australian border. We take a break at the outback town of Marla, where you have a chance to purchase some lunch and stretch your legs. Our 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 where we enjoy a guided tour. You will also have a chance to purchase some of the stunning opal jewellery produced from the mine. Tonight we stay in a unique underground bunkhouse in Coober Pedy.

Day 12 – Coober Pedy to 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. We’re on the home stretch now! Leaving the vast open outback plains behind us, we make our way into South Australia’s capital city Adelaide. (B)

Day 13 – 14 Adelaide

Enjoy two free days in Adelaide to explore the city, catch the tram to the beachside city of Glenelg or perhaps venture out of town to Kangaroo Island or the Barossa Valley on one of our day tours (overnight dorm accommodation included, meals and activities at own expense).

Day 15 – Adelaide to Grampians National Park

PICK UP DAY 15: Adelaide Central YHA (135 Waymouth St), 07:00am

We journey through the beautiful Adelaide Hills and cross the mighty Murray River before travelling across the Victorian border and onto Horsham where we break for lunch. Grampians National Park is a rugged ancient landscape and a place of great significance for the local Indigenous people. We make the most of our afternoon to explore the region and visit McKenzie Falls where we hike to view the stunning falls. We then enjoy a short nature walk to take in the full beauty of the Grampians and its truly spectacular landscapes. Enjoy dinner before we overnight in the Grampians. (LD)

Day 16 – Grampians National Park via Great Ocean Road to Melbourne

Up early this morning we make our way to Australian National Heritage listed and world renowned Great Ocean Road. After a quick morning tea stop in the friendly town of Port Campbell, (own expense) we explore Port Campbell National Park including a visit to Loch Ard Gorge and the magnificent Twelve Apostles rock formation where we stop for lunch. We pass Apollo Bay before taking a break to stretch our legs in the seaside town of Lorne. A short stop at Kennett River allows you to do some koala spotting before taking on that last part of the Great Ocean Road. Make the most of a great photo opportunity at the famed surf location, Bells Beach, before we make our final journey into cosmopolitan Melbourne. (BL)