17 Day Melbourne to Darwin 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

Departing 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 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 lets you do some koala spotting and listen to the abundant birdlife 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. We embark on a walk in the National Park and take in some of the breathtaking views before making our way to McKenzie Falls where we hike to view these stunning falls. Leaving the Grampians behind, we stop for lunch in Horsham before crossing the famed mighty Murray River and making the last leg in to Adelaide. (BL)

Day 3 and 4 – Adelaide

Make the most of two days to relax and explore South Australia’s capital city 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

Leaving 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 travel through the picturesque Clare Valley and stop for some morning tea at Sevenhill Cellars, the oldest winery in the valley - there’s even time to sample some of their award winning wine! We lunch in the historic town of Melrose before visiting Mount Remarkable National Park for 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 to Quorn

Experience some of the beauty and magic that the Flinders Ranges has to offer. Keep your eyes peeled 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 – Quorn 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 iconic Uluru (Ayers Rock) where we stop for a bite to eat. Kata Tjuta’s 36 domes will fascinate you and you will discover some of the secrets of this ancient landform on the Valley of the Winds hike. Relax and wind down after another exciting day 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 the outback stars. (BLD)

Day 10 – Uluru to Kings Canyon

Rise early and be treated to 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 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. Make the most of your 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. (BLD)

Day 11 – Kings Canyon to Alice Springs

Grab your hiking shoes as we head out to explore the impressive and towering rock formations that make up Kings Canyon. You’ll be left breathless by the sheer size and beauty of the canyon as we trek through the Amphitheatre, the Lost City, the lush and ancient Garden of Eden and the North and South Walls. We enjoy lunch before making our way back to Alice Springs. Overnight dorm accommodation included. (BL)

Day 12 – Alice Springs

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

Day 13 – Alice Springs to Devils Marbles

PICK UP DAY 13: Haven Backpacker Resort, 11:00am

Leaving Alice we pass by the Tropic of Capricorn and make our way to Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) where we have some time to explore the well known marble shaped granite boulders, a site sacred to its traditional owners. Continuing north we make a stop at Tennant Creek giving you the perfect opportunity to purchase some dinner and stretch your legs, before we make the overnight journey to Katherine. 

Day 14 – Katherine Gorge to Darwin

A short early morning stop in Katherine gives you the chance to purchase breakfast, before we arrive at Nitmiluk National Park home to stunning Katherine Gorge. Here you will have the chance to take an optional 2 hour cruise through the first 2 gorges (at own expense and seasonal April - November). Early morning is the perfect time to experience and photograph the gorge in all its glory. If the cruise is not for you, our guide will lead a short return walk to Baruwei Lookout allowing you to get 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 drive the last leg into Darwin. Arriving around 1pm, you will have the afternoon free to explore the Northern Territory’s capital city. 

Day 15 – Darwin to Litchfield National Park

PICK UP DAY 15: Adventure Tours Australia Shop, 52 Mitchell St Darwin, 06:50am

A refreshing start to the next leg of your adventure checking out the flora, fauna and refreshing waterfalls of Litchfield National Park. 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 16 – Mary River to Kakadu

This morning we travel into the heart of World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park. Admire ancient Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr, then clamber up to a rocky lookout for fabulous views over the Nardab floodplain. Next it’s on to Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) where a hike is rewarded with a reviving swim in the plunge pools. Tonight we stay at our permanent camp within Kakadu National Park. (BLD)

Day 17 – Kakadu to Darwin

Get ready for some 4WD action today on our way to Kakadu’s most iconic site, Jim Jim Falls! Once we get there, we’ll hike to the base of the falls before continuing on to Twin Falls. Feel the beauty of the stunning gorge and powerful falls from your national park operated boat and boardwalk experience. Stop in at the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre this afternoon to learn more about local Indigenous culture and customs. The impressive scenery will continue to amaze you as we journey back to cosmopolitan Darwin in the afternoon. (BL)