Outback Safari

Tour Highlights

• Explore Uluru-Kata Tjuta N.P., a UNESCO Heritage World Heritage site
• Walk through Walpa Gorge at Kata Tjuta
• Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Alice Springs
• Stay in Kings Canyon, part of Watarrka N.P.
• Explore Simpsons Gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges
• Discover Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles)
• Take a dip in Mataranka Thermal Springs
• Discover a maze of waterways on a cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge
• Explore Kakadu National Park, including the Ubirr Rock Art Site
• Cruise on Yellow Water Billabong in Kakadu National Park

Sample Tour Itinerary (Subject to change):

Day 1: Arrive Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Arrive in Ayers Rock. From the moment you arrive you will be struck by the vibrant outback colours and see the ochre soil spiked with cycads as your plane comes into land. Uluru has been home to the Anangu people for millennia. On this trip you will discover their connection to the land when you arrive in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park at sunset watching the shifting colours transform the desert. Tonight you will have the chance to join an Uluru Barbecue Dinner for tonight (Optional excursion, additional expense).

Day 2: Uluru & Kata Tjuta

Discover Australia’s outback on a visit to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Here you will see the iconic Uluru, half a billion years old, standing 348m high and taller than the Eiffel Tower. Every time you see Uluru it feels and looks different, and being up early for sunrise is worth the effort and will keep you cool to explore the base of Uluru, the world’s largest monolith. Dive even deeper into First Nations traditions at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. Then, travel to Kata Tjuta to wander through the Jurassic domed rock formations into Walpa Gorge, between two of the tallest domes. Return to the resort, where your afternoon is free to spend as you wish.

Day 3: Uluru – Kings Canyon

This morning you have the option to add an excursion to the incredible ‘Field of Light’ before dawn, where 50,000 glowing bulbs transform the desert landscape into a mesmerising spectacle. It’s an unforgettable way to begin your day, energised by the exhibition as well as the sunrise, seeing Uluru from another viewpoint (optional excursion, additional expense).

Depart Uluru today and head towards Kings Canyon. Among Australia’s record-breaking rock formations, few are as striking as Atila (Mt. Conner), its flat-topped silhouette is impossible to forget. Pause at Kings Creek Station, Australia’s largest wild camel exporter, where camel burgers make for a unique outback lunch. Afterwards, continue to Kings Canyon Resort in Watarrka National Park.

Day 4: Kings Canyon – Alice Springs

Start today with the awe-inspiring Kings Canyon Rim Walk, exploring a 440 million year old geological marvel of soaring sandstone domes, rugged escarpments and hidden rock pools that reward every step. Follow the rim as the vast scale of Watarrka (Kings Canyon) unfolds in every direction, revealing ancient landscapes shaped over millennia.

Later, journey through the immense outback, where sprawling cattle stations stretch beyond the horizon. Continue towards Mparntwe (Alice Springs), tracing the dramatic ridgelines of Tjoritja (West MacDonnell Ranges) as they rise from the desert, offering a striking finale to a day defined by scale, colour and raw natural beauty.

Day 5: Alice Springs

Enjoy a scenic drive into Tjoritja (West MacDonnell Ranges), where rugged ranges and ancient rock formations create a striking desert landscape. Explore Simpsons Gap, a picturesque gorge framed by towering cliffs and a permanent waterhole, rich in cultural and natural significance. Return to Mparntwe (Alice Springs) to visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Centre and gain insight into vital medical services supporting remote communities. Next, discover the historic Telegraph Station, part of the 1872 Overland Telegraph Line linking Adelaide to Darwin, then take in sweeping outback views from Anzac Hill.

This afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure, whether relaxing poolside or exploring local galleries, shops and cafes at your own pace.

Day 6: Alice Springs – Tennant Creek

Visit to the School of the Air in Alice Springs, which broadcasts lessons across an incredible 1.3 million square kilometres. If visiting during the school term, you might even observe live educational sessions.

Depart Alice Springs and make your way to Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles), a fascinating collection of boulders formed over millions of years. These unique rock formations vary in size, with some reaching up to 6 metres high. Stroll through the boulders, marvelling at their impressive size and the natural beauty of the area. Continue your journey to Tennant Creek, renowned for its rich gold mining history.

Day 7: Tennant Creek – Katherine

Since the 1930s, the Daly Waters Pub has been a beloved Outback institution, serving up schnitzels, barramundi burgers and hearty steaks. Its walls tell stories, adorned with quirky keepsakes left behind by travellers, from bras to boots. What will you add to the collection? Next, the Land of the Never Never awaits in Mataranka, where you can visit a replica of the Elsey Homestead, featured in the 1982 film We of the Never Never. Or take a peaceful stroll through palm-lined walkways and indulge in a soak at steamy thermal springs, the perfect remedy for weary limbs, before arriving in Katherine.

Day 8: Katherine – Kakadu National Park

Explore the natural beauty of Nitmiluk National Park, cruising along Nitmiluk Gorge that was carved through ancient sandstone alongside steep cliff walls, watching for lush rainforest gullies in giant cracks (and maybe a freshwater crocodile or two on the banks!). The Jawoyn people have called Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge home for millennia, their deep connection to Country reflected in the ancient tale of the cicada, symbolizing their spiritual bond with the land. Journey into Kakadu National Park, where the Yellow Water Billabong cruise unveils untouched wetlands bursting with diverse wildlife and breathtaking scenery. Glide through this tranquil landscape, spotting crocodiles basking in the sun and lush vegetation such as water lilies – a bushtucker food, as you’ll discover from your expert local guide. Keep your eyes peeled for sea eagles, brolgas, and kingfishers, their striking colours adding to the magic of the Top End region – an unforgettable immersion into Australia’s wild outback beauty.

Day 9: Kakadu National Park – Darwin

The vast beauty of Kakadu is best admired from above and this morning you have the chance to add a scenic flight excursion for sweeping views of this immense wilderness, gaining insight into its indigenous significance (optional experience, additional cost).

Today you will uncover the Aboriginal art of Ubirr, where ancient rock galleries tell stories of the land’s deep cultural heritage. Climb to the top for panoramic vistas across floodplains and escarpments – a backdrop made famous in Crocodile Dundee. As night falls, Darwin’s tropical energy takes over. Begin at the Mindil Beach Sunset Market, where a fusion of global flavours awaits, setting the perfect tone for an unforgettable evening.

Day 10: Darwin

Your final full day in Australia’s Outback is free to explore as you choose.  There are many optional experiences you may add such as Litchfield National Park, a spectacular blend of magnetic termite mounds, cascading waterfalls, and refreshing waterholes (seasonal swimming). Alternatively you could venture to the Tiwi Islands, where First Nations guides offer deep insights into Indigenous history and art (all excursions optional, additional expense)

No matter how you spend the day, gather in the evening for a memorable dinner, celebrating the incredible experiences shared along the journey.

Day 11: Depart Darwin

Your tour concludes today. Say farewell and head home.

Ask our Destination Specialists about adding the best flights to your Australia Tour. Looking for something else? We have many other Australia and New Zealand tours to choose from.