11 Day Melbourne to Alice Springs Explorer

Itinerary: day by day

Day 1 – Melbourne via Great Ocean Road to Halls Gap

DEFAULT PICK UP: Melbourne Central YHA (corner Flinders and Spencer Sts), 06:00am

Leaving Melbourne we pass Geelong and travel through the surfing town of Torquay, stopping for a quick photo opportunity at the renowned surfing location of Bells Beach. We then begin our journey along one of Australia’s most scenic drives, the Great Ocean Road enjoying the stunning scenery of this famous coastline. A short stop at Kennett River allows some time for koala spotting, before we break for morning tea (own expense) in Apollo Bay. Rejoining the Great Ocean Road we stop to admire the amazing Twelve Apostles, before enjoying a bite to eat. After lunch we explore Loch Ard Gorge before passing through the township of Port Campbell and making our way to the Grampians. Enjoy dinner with your new friends before we overnight in the Grampians. (LD)

Day 2 – Grampians National Park to Adelaide

Grampians National Park, one of Victoria’s most popular holiday destinations, is an area rich in Aboriginal culture set in a beautiful and rugged ancient landscape. Make the most of the national park’s beauty during a walk to take in some of the breathtaking views, before we hike to stunning McKenzie Falls. Leaving the Grampians behind, we stop for lunch in Horsham before crossing the famed mighty Murray River and making the last part of our journey into Adelaide. (BL)

Day 3 and 4 – Adelaide

Make the most of two days to relax and explore Adelaide (overnight dorm accommodation included; meals and activities at own expense). If you’re looking for something exciting to do outside the city, why not try our Kangaroo Island Highlights Day Tour? (Tour Code KICC).

Day 5 – Adelaide to Flinders Ranges

PICK UP DAY 5: Adelaide Central YHA (135 Waymouth St), 06:30am

Departing Adelaide nice and early, our first stop is Barossa Reservoir’s famous Whispering Wall, where you will be fascinated by its unique acoustic qualities. We then journey through the picturesque Clare Valley and stop for some morning tea and wine tasting at Sevenhill Cellars, the oldest winery in the valley. After a stop in the historic town of Melrose for lunch, we enter Mount Remarkable National Park and enjoy an afternoon bush walk. Finish the day by watching a spectacular sunset across South Australia’s western plains and the breathtaking Central Flinders Ranges. (LD)

Day 6 – Flinders Ranges

Today we experience just some of the magic and stunning scenery that the Flinders Ranges has to offer. Keep an eye out for emus and kangaroos as we take a scenic drive through beautiful Parachilna Gorge. You’ll get an amazing view of the Flinders Ranges National Park from the top of Stokes Hill Lookout before hiking into the natural amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound. Take a break for lunch before learning about the fascinating history of the area with a visit to the Aboriginal artwork at Arkaroo Rock and the ruins of Kanyaka Station. Tonight we enjoy dinner at an outback pub. (BLD)

Day 7 – Flinders Ranges to Coober Pedy

We travel through Pichi Richi Pass and head towards Port Augusta, known as ‘the Crossroads of Australia’. Marvel at the enormous salt flats of the Woomera Prohibited Area and learn about the area’s incredible history as a military test site. We stop along the way to explore the surface of a salt lake and take advantage of an excellent photo opportunity. From here we make one more brief stop at the sheep-farming town of Glendambo before arriving at Coober Pedy, ‘Opal Capital of the World’. We take some time to explore this remarkable underground town before grabbing a bite to eat and settling in for the night in a purpose built underground bunkhouse. (BLD)

Day 8 – Coober Pedy to Erldunda

Explore an underground home to see how the locals survive in the harsh desert environment of Coober Pedy, followed by a tour of the Umoona Opal Mine to learn more about the discovery and mining of precious opal, Australia’s national gemstone. Next we visit an outdoor opal noodling spot where you can try your hand at fossicking for some gemstones of your own. Get up close to some local wildlife and learn about rescued Joey’s at Josephine’s Gallery and Kangaroo Orphanage, before leaving Coober Pedy and heading out across the Moon Plain. We pass the Dingo Fence, the longest fence in the world and take in views of the awe-inspiring Breakaways Scenic Reserve before arriving at our overnight campsite at Erldunda. (BLD)

Day 9 – Erldunda to Kata Tjuta and Uluru

This morning we journey towards Uluru (Ayers Rock) where we stop for a bite to eat. Kata Tjuta will fascinate you and you will discover some of the secrets of this ancient landform on the Valley of the Winds hike. Relax, wind down after a busy day in the outback and take in a beautiful desert sunset over Uluru. As the night grows darker, curl up in your permanent tent or enjoy the option of a swag (Aussie bedroll) under millions of stars. (BLD)

Day 10 – Uluru to Kings Canyon

It’s an early start this morning but you’ll be rewarded with a stunning Uluru sunrise. While the morning’s fresh (and your legs are too!) enjoy an unguided walk around the base of the Rock. Deepen your understanding of the land and the Mala people as you take a cultural interpretive walk with an Aboriginal guide (and interpreter).* It is a truly unique opportunity to share experiences, connect with and learn about the oldest culture on earth. Afterwards, you can purchase Aboriginal arts and crafts when we stop in at the Cultural Centre, before making tracks to our exclusive campsite within the Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) where we sleep for the night. (BLD)

Day 11 – Kings Canyon to Alice Springs

You’ll need your hiking shoes on today as we head out to explore the remarkable formations that make up Kings Canyon. The sheer beauty and size of the canyon will leave you breathless as we trek through the Amphitheatre, the Lost City, the lush Garden of Eden and the North and South Walls. Enjoy lunch before we make our way to the heart of the Red Centre - Alice Springs. (BL)