Ocean to Outback

Day 1: Depart Canada

Your flight departs today, you ‘lose’ a day as you cross the international dateline on your flight.

Day 3: Arrive Sydney, Australia

G’Day, welcome to Australia. After arrival, make your way to your hotel and the remainder of your day in Sydney is at your leisure.

Days 4-7: Sydney

You have plenty of time in Sydney to choose your adventure. Explore the famous sights in this city and surrounding region such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, The Blue Mountains National Park or perhaps the Hunter Valley wine region.  Ask us if you would like us to arrange sightseeing and transfers while in Sydney (additional expense).

Day 8: Sydney to Uluru (Ayers Rock) & Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)

Fly from Sydney to Ayers Rock in the Red Centre today to start your outback adventure in the heart of Australia. Your day is at leisure before joining an excursion to Kata Tjuta to witness a desert sunset, while enjoying canapés with Australian wine, one of the most popular experiences in central Australia. Discover the geological and cultural history of the area, unique flora and views of the central valley of the Kata Tjuta domes (The Olgas).

Day 9: Uluru, Walpa Gorge & Kata Tjuta

You will rise early today to travel to Talinguru Nyakunytjaku to watch the first rays of sun light up the desert while enjoying a warming cup of tea or coffee. After sunrise, travel to the mystical 36 domes of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) to see panoramic views of the south side of the domes before visiting Walpa Gorge. Explore the gorge and the unusual conglomerate rock formations. The 1.3km walking trail through follows the natural creek between two of the tallest domes of Kata Tjuta.

Note: Walpa Gorge Walk – Grade 3, Moderate level of fitness required – there are uneven surfaces on this walk, you can return to the coach at any time if needed. A moderate level of fitness is required to complete the Walpa Gorge Walk

Return to Ayers Rock Resort to relax before exploring Uluru this afternoon. Visit the cultural centre to explore galleries, travel to the base of Uluru and hear the Aboriginal Tjukurpa (creation) stories that breathe life into this giant formation. Feel the spirit of the land as you walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole with ancient Rock Art and sacred sites along the way.

Note: Uluru – Mutitjulu Waterhole – Low level of fitness required – this is a gentle walk that takes approximately 1-hour.

Tonight’s magical sunset viewing is over Uluru (Ayers Rock) while you relax with a sparkling wine and witness the incredible changing colours as the sun sets below the horizon. After sunset, enjoy a BBQ dinner amongst red sand dunes and trees in the middle of the desert including a tour of the night sky.

Meals included: Dinner

Day 10: Uluru to Kings Canyon

Leave Uluru today, travelling through spectacular desert scenery, Curtin Springs Station, Atila (Mt. Conner) and Kings Creek Station. At Kings Canyon, make the rocky climb to the rim of the canyon for incredible views of Watarrka National Park at sunrise and follow the rim of the canyon stopping to look down into the canyon gorge at look-out points. Time permitting, you may choose to descend into the green oasis of the ‘Garden of Eden’.

Note: Kings Canyon Rim walk – High level of fitness required – This 6km hike will not be suitable for all tarvellers, the first 30-minute incline is considered ‘Difficult’. The whole circuit takes approximately 3 hours to complete and is rocky and steep in parts. It is recommended for those with a good level of fitness. Kings Canyon Creek Bed walk (alternative option) – Low level of fitness required – You may wish to take the easier, shorter walk to explore the boulder strewn canyon floor.

Tonight you will enjoy a spectacular sunset at Kings Canyon.

Day 11: Kings Canyon to Alice Springs

This morning is at your leisure in Alice Springs before your coach to transfer to Alice Springs. Travel through the desert and along the Stuart Highway before arriving in Alice Springs after 7:00pm.

Day 12: Alice Springs to Darwin

Depart the Red Centre today and fly from Alice Springs north to Darwin in the tropical Top End of Australia.  After arrival, the rest of your day is at your leisure.

Day 13: Darwin to Kakadu

Cruise the Adelaide River, home to over 1600 crocodiles! See these prehistoric creatures up close, then travel into World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park, covering over 20,000 sq kms. The landscapes vary including a combination of mangrove fringed coastal areas, expansive flood plains, lowland hills, open woodland and forest habitats. This is home to a myriad of animals, hundreds of bird species and thousands of different insects and plants. Visit Marrawuddi Art Gallery and continue to Ubirr, to climb through the ancient Aboriginal rock art galleries believed to be 20,000 years old, to the lookout for a spectacular view over the surrounding wetlands.

Note: Ubirr Walk – Low to moderate level of fitness required – this walk is slightly uneven around the base but quite steep on the way to lookout.

You will also have the opportunity to take an optional 30-min scenic flight (additional expense).

Meals included: Lunch

Day 14: Kakadu to Katherine

Visit the Nourlangie Rock art site that has provided shelter to the indigenous people for thousands of years and evolved into a canvas of Aboriginal rock art paintings that illustrates the traditional owners deep spiritual culture. Visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre for an introduction to the way of life of local The Bininj people who are the traditional custodians of Kakadu. Join a cruise on picturesque Yellow Water Billabong, Kakadu’s most famous wetland that is home to thousands of saltwater crocodiles and up to 60 species of colourful birdlife. This afternoon, travel to the town of Katherine, stopping at Leliyn (Edith Falls) along the way. The Paperbark and Pandanus fringed natural pool at the base of the falls is suitable for swimming throughout most of the year (conditions permitting).

Note: Katherine Gorge walk – Low level of fitness required – Rough, uneven walk required between 1st & 2nd Gorge, approx 800m

Meals included: Lunch

Day 15: Katherine to Darwin

Enjoy a morning cruise through Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. One of the most visited sites in Australia’s Top End, this is a stunning network of thirteen gorges carved from billion-year-old sandstone that are home to many rapids and falls flowing from the Katherine River. The cruise goes to the heart of Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge among freshwater crocodiles, wonderful birdlife and some of the most amazing scenery the Northern Territory has to offer. Visit the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre, the Display Centre and Heritage Museum features large scale models of the region and artefacts handmade by the Jawoyn people. Stop in Pine Creek, a historic gold mining town and Adelaide River War Cemetery, the resting place for many of those killed in the World War II air raids on Darwin, before returning to Darwin.

Day 16: Litchfield National Park

Travel to Litchfield National Park today, part of the ‘Top End’ that includes lush monsoon forests, termite mounds, unusual rock formations, waterfalls and cascades. The park encloses much of the spectacular Tabletop Range, a wide sandstone plateau mostly surrounded by cliffs. During the green season four major waterfalls thunder from the cliffs to tropical rock pools below. During the dry season, the waterfalls flow more gently, making the waterholes the perfect spot for a cool dip.  Travel the Stuart Highway via the township of Batchelor to Litchfield National Park to visit Florence Falls, where you have the opportunity for a scenic and interpretive bush and monsoon vine forest walk and swim.

Travel on to Tolmer Falls for a magnificent view of the water cascading down to the deep waterhole at the base of the falls. Finally, visit Wangi Falls with its large clear pool that is another relaxing spot for a swim.

Note: Florence Falls walk – Good level of fitness is required to complete the walk to Florence Falls plunge pool. There are 160 steps down to the swimming area, or if you choose not to swim there is an alternative viewing platform at top of the falls. Tolmer Falls Walk – Moderate level of fitness required – There may be a steep incline during the walk of 15 mins each way. Wangi Falls walk – Low level of fitness required – An easy 5-minute walk through rainforest

After the day exploring, stop in at Howard Spring Nature Park for the chance to feed Barramundi and Turtles.

Meals included: Lunch

Day 17: Depart Darwin, Australia to Canada

Your Australia adventure comes to an end today, depart on your flights to return to Canada.