14 DAY ADELAIDE TO DARWIN

Tour Details

Operator

JUST CRUISIN 4WD TOURS

Destinations

Darwin, Ayers Rock (Uluru), Alice Springs, Adelaide, Flinders Ranges, Arkaroola, Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), Coober Pedy, West MacDonnell Ranges, Kings Canyon, Wilpena Pound, Adelaide River, Kakadu National Park, Katherine Gorge and Ubirr

Departs From

Darwin and Adelaide

Tour Description

JUST CRUISIN 14 DAY DARWIN TO ADELAIDE TOUR:

(PLEASE NOTE THIS ITINERARY MAY BE REVERSED

DAY 1: After breakfast we have a look around Darwin before we head to Kakadu National Park. En-route to Kakadu National Park we join The Adelaide River Queen for a jumping crocodile cruise. After our cruise we follow The Arnhem Highway, passing some termite mounds, to Ubirr. At Ubirr we view aboriginal paintings and sweeping views of the surrounding Kakadu wetlands. Bowali Visitor Centre is our next stop before heading to Nourlangie Rock art sites. A 1.5 kilometre walk will take you past an ancient aboriginal shelter and several art sites. Cooinda Lodge and Yellow Waters are our last stop for the day. Yellow Waters is a pristine environment which supports a truly wonderful variety of wildlife including crocodiles. Overnight Cooinda Lodge.

DAY 2: After breakfast we follow The Kakadu Highway back to Stuart (Explorer) Highway. On our way to Katherine we visit Edith Falls for a relaxing swim (optional). Katherine is our next stop before heading to Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge). At Katherine we visit Katherine hot springs on the banks of The Katherine River. This shady spring fed thermal creek is an ideal swimming area. Upon arrival at Katherine Gorge we visit the Nitmiluk visitor centre where we experience the aboriginal culture and discover more about this unique environment. We now have a choice of a 2 hour cruise or a canoeing adventure in Katherine Gorge. Overnight Nitmiluk.

DAY 3: Today we head to Tennant Creek via the Stuart (Explorer) Highway. We visit the historic town of Mataranka (Land of the Never Never) The town is in the heart of Never Never country because it is said that those that live in the area can never never leave. We also visit Mataranka thermal pool. The thermal pool is a constant 34 degrees celcius and flows from Rainbow Springs at an amazing 30.5 million litres a day. It’s now back onto Stuart Highway visiting Daly Waters for lunch. Tennant Creek is our overnight stop.

DAY 4: Alice Springs is today’s destination arriving late afternoon.

DAY 5: We spend the morning exploring Alice Springs before heading to Kings Canyon via the Western MacDonnell Ranges arriving late afternoon. Overnight Kings Canyon Resort.

DAY 6: After breakfast we head to Kings Canyon. Here, a breath-taking walk around the rim of the canyon allows you to gaze down in awe at the sandstone chasm plunging 270 metres to the canyon floor. OR we can venture down into the chasm and discover luxuriant cycads around the permanent waterhole in the exotic Garden of Eden. We can also discover traditional and contemporary Aboriginal Culture with Lilla Aboriginal Tours on a journey through an area of sacred caves and paintings, learn about traditional medicine and bush tucker and try your hand at spear and boomerang throwing. Overnight Kings Canyon Resort.

DAY 7 & 8: We spend the next 2 days in Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park. This gives us plenty of time to appreciate the Aboriginal culture and environment on a 2-hour tour with an Aboriginal guide. We can also enjoy a walk around the base of Uluru/Ayers Rock. A number of optional tours are available from Yalara. These include: Harley Davidson Tour of Uluru/Ayers Rock, Camel rides to Uluru/Ayers Rock, Helicopter flights over the Rock and Olgas, many more are available. (Optional tours at own expense)

DAY 9: Today we head to Coober Pedy in the heart of South Australia’s vast outback; it is an opal wonderland. The town takes its name from the Aboriginal word Kupa (uninitiated man or white man) and Piti (hole). We also visit the Breakaway’s Reserve and Moon Plain. We spend tonight in an underground motel

DAY 10: After breakfast we spend some time visiting mines and interpretive centres which offer a great insight into the town and its mining operations. There are more than 30 opal shops in Coober Pedy if you like to purchase some opal. After lunch we head to William Creek via the Oodnadatta Track. William Creek is the world’s most isolated pub where you can indulge in a well-deserved Australian beer. The most important claim to fame for William Creek is that it is the smallest town in Australia and that it is located on the worlds largest cattle station (Anna Creek Station) which is 32500 square kilometres. A walk along the old Ghan Railway line to the bridge at Breakfast Time Creek can also be enjoyed. Overnight William Creek Hotel.

DAY 11: Our destination today is Marree via the Oodnadatta Track. This a land of contrasts, there’s red gibber plains stretching to the horizon, mound springs (we visit Bubbler Springs and Blanche Cup Springs) which create bush oases and wetlands, red gum lined creeks and vast areas of grey salt bush spiky Spinifex. At Coward Springs you have a chance of a relaxing soak in a hot pool. Remnants of the old Ghan Railway are abundant along the Oodnadatta Track. We now head to Marree where we stop for lunch. After lunch our first stop is Lyndhurst where we visit the spectacular red and brown ochre cliffs. Overnight Iga Warta (bungalow)

DAY 12: Today's destination is Iga Warta, where we spend some time learning about the Adnymathanha culture and environment. listening to stories and music of the Adnymathanha people. Our first stop is the ghost town of Farina, which was set up in 1882 as a farming centre and railhead for wool and cattle. From Farina we head to Lyndhurst where we visit the spectacular red and brown ochre cliffs. From the ochre cliffs we head to Iga Warta to participate in a bush tucker walk and/or Aboriginal art walk (own expense). This evening after dinner we sit around a campfire sampling traditional damper with quandong jam, Overnight Iga Warta (bungalow)

DAY 13: After breakfast we head to Wilpena Resort via Blinman, where we can see remnants of the original township built in 1859. We also visit the Blinman Hotel (built in 1865 and still trading) for a well-deserved ice cold Aussie beer. At Wilpena we have a peaceful bushwalk to Wangarra Lookouts and the Hill Homestead. After our walk we visit Sacred Canyon and Arkaroo Rock which are major Aboriginal Art sites (time permitting). Overnight Wilpena Resort.

DAY 14: Depart Wilpena Pound Resort 9:00AM for Adelaide via the geological trail through the Bunyeroo Gorge and Brachina Gorge, (This gorge traces the geological history of the area for hundreds of million years), Hawker, Port Pirie, Port Germein and Port Augusta (the crossroads of Australia). From Hawker we visit Kanyaka ruins and Death Rock. If you are feeling energetic perhaps we can climb up to see the Yourambulla Caves, where we view Aboriginal rock painting. At Port Augusta we explore the Flinders Ranges and Outback in Wadlata Outback Centre’s Tunnel of Time. We discover its origins, the Aboriginal Dreaming, European settlement and much more. After lunch we head towards Adelaide, arriving approximately 6:00PM at your accommodation.


TOUR INCLUDES: Accommodation (twin share) & camping, breakfasts, all evening meals, some lunches, morning & afternoon teas, pick up/drop off at your accommodation.

NOT INCLUDED: Some lunches, optional tours & mobile phone calls, International and domestic airfares.

TOUR CONDITIONS: “JUST CRUISIN” reserve the right to alter or modify itinerary if prevailing weather, road conditions or adverse conditions require such change.

BOOKING CONDITIONS: A deposit of 20% is required to confirm your reservation. Balance is payable 21 days prior to departure.

CANCELLATIONS: Must be made 14 days prior to departure or full deposit is forfeited.

DON’T FORGET: Your camera, good walking shoes and hats. Please limit luggage to a small bag, and most of all don’t forget your sense of adventure. It is suggested that appropriate sickness, accident & personal liability insurance be taken out.