Ayers Rock and Kakadu

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Day-by-Day Itinerary
Tour Inclusions
 Departure Dates

 

 

This Itinerary effective Apr. 1, 2002. Tours prior follow different route. Please inquire for details .

Day 1 Sat./ Sydney, Griffith (D)

Passengers from Sydney depart All Seasons Menzies Hotel at 8.00 a.m. (Free pick-up from APT Tour Hotels). Our scenic drive today takes us east through the rich Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area surrounding the city of Griffith.
Accommodation: Griffith, Griffith Motor Inn.

Day 2 Sun. / Barossa Valley, Adelaide (B)

Continue west through Mildura and along the Murray River. See rolling vineyards and an array of wineries as we travel through the famous wine-producing region of the Barossa Valley to the city of Adelaide, capital of South Australia. 14 Day passengers fly from Melbourne to Adelaide (airfare included) and join tour on arrival.
Accommodation: Novotel Adelaide on Hindley.

Wine Country

Day 3 Mon. / Port Augusta, Salt Lakes (BD)

As we continue north we visit the VVadiata Outback Centre where you can enjoy a series of displays detailing the unique Australian 'Outback' its plants and its animals. We continue past massive salt lakes to Coober Pedy via Woomera, formerly a launch site for British experimental rockets.
Accommodation: Coober Pedy, Desert Cove Hotel for 2 night an award-winning hotel with some underground rooms carved out of opal-bearing sandstone.

Day 4 Tue. / Coober Pedy (BD)

Today enjoy a full day exploring Coober Pedy, the world's largest opal producing center. Opals were discovered here in 1915 and today there are thousands of mines in the area. Sightseeing includes a tour of an underground home, church and Umoona Opal Mine, with an opportunity to fossick for opals. We also visit the remarkable lunar landscapes of the Breakaways.

Day 5 Wed. / Ayers Rock, Red Centre (B)

We cross the border into the Northern Territory and continue through the arid landscapes into Australia’s famous Red Centre, arriving at Ayers Rock Resort. 11 Day passengers fly to Ayers Rock arriving before 4.00 p.m. Transfer to hotel and join tour. Late this afternoon travel out into the desert where pre-dinner drinks are served as you watch the rays of the sun strike the scarred surface of Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Accommodation: Ayers Rock Resort, Sails in the Desert Hotel for 2 nights.

Day 6 Thur./ Explore Ayers Rock and The 'Sounds of Silence' Desert Dinner(BD)

This morning you can choose to climb to the top of Uluru (Ayers Rock), or watch the sunrise and visit the waterhole at Mutitjulu. Later in the morning, join the guided Mala Walk and base tour viewing art sites, caves and sacred sites. As an alternative this morning you can take the optional 'Liru Walk' with Aboriginal guides and learn of the cultural significance of this region (must be pre-booked, additional US$40). Later this afternoon we travel to Kata Tjuta (Olgas) and take a walk between the massive domes into Olga Gorge. This evening, wander into the desert where a didgeridoo welcome awaits, then enjoy a gourmet dinner of Australian delicacies served under the stars of the night sky at the 'Sounds of Silence’ desert dinner.

Day 7 Fri. / Freedom Touring at Kings Canyon (BD)

We arrive in Watarrka National Park, the home of Kings Canyon. You have the option to climb to the rim for views of the rock faces and surrounds, continuing through the rock formation of the 'Lost City' down into the lush 'Garden of Eden' . Alternatively, you can take the more gentle walk along the shaded canyon floor enjoying the plant life and views of the canyon walls. Tonight is our 75th Anniversary Dinner.
Accommodation: Kings Canyon Resort, Range View rooms.

Day 8 Sat. / West MacDonnells, Alice Springs (B)

By special permit we journey through Aboriginal land and scenic desert landscapes to the West MacDonnell National Park. Visit the gorges of Glen Helen and Ormiston then continue to Alice Springs.
Accommodation: Alice Springs Resort for 2 nights.

Day 9 Sun./ Freedom of Choice Touring (BD)

Today is all about choice. Choose a tour of the West MacDonnell Ranges visiting Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm. Alternatively you can visit the unique Alice Springs Desert Park to learn about the region's plants and animals, or, choose a round of golf at the Alice Springs Golf Club. Tonight is our Dine Around Dinner where you choose from a selection of the town's finest restaurants.

Day 10 Mon./ Bond Springs Ranch (BD)

Visit the School of the Air and see how children of the 'Outback' receive their education via radio. We drive north to Bond Springs Ranch to see the workings of a cattle station. Travel to the round boulders known as the Devils Marbles where there's time to explore this curious landscape before continuing to Tennant Creek.
Accommodation: Bluestone Motor Inn

Day 11 Tue. / Mataranka Thermal Pool (BD)

Travel through tiny scattered settlements to arrive in Mataranka, famous for its natural thermal pool, boasting a constant temperature of 93° F.
Accommodation: Katherine, Paraway Motel

Day 12 Wed. / Nitmiluk National Park, Kakadu (BD)

Enter Nitmiluk National Park with its spectacular gorges, 13 in all, formed by the Katherine River cutting its way through the Arnhem Land plateau. Enjoy a cruise between the sheer cliffs of Katherine Gorge with a guide providing details on the plantsand wildlife that live within the gorge. This afternoon, enter World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park.
Accommodation: Jabiru, Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn for 2 nights.

Day 13 Thur. / East Alligator River Cruise (B)

Join local Aboriginal guides for a cruise along the majestic East Alligator River, stopping on Arnhem Land to learn about Aboriginal culture, mythology, and their traditional way of life (subject to road conditions). Later this afternoon, visit Ubirr, rich in ancient Aboriginal rock paintings, then call into the Bowaii Visitor Centre.
Arnhem Land Adventure Option ,ask for details at time of booking.

Day 14 Fri. Jumping Crocodile Cruise, Darwin (BD)

Take in the beauty of the Adelaide River on our guided wildlife cruise. See a variety of bird life and man-eating saltwater crocodiles. We then tour the fascinating landscapes of Litchfield National Park. Inspect the fascinating termite mounds, enjoy a swim in the clear pools at Wangi Falls then visit the double waterfall forming Florence Falls. Travel into Darwin and this evening, enjoy a traditional Australian barbecue dinner by the pool.
Accommodation: Darwin, Novotel Atrium Darwin.

Day 15 Sat. / Darwin City Tour (B)

Following breakfast, enjoy a tour of Darwin. See the Chinese Temple, East Point, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory and fine examples of colonial architecture. Afternoon transfers to airport for flights departing after 12:00 pm.
Nhulunbuy, East Arnhem Land Option, ask for details at time of booking.

Touring Inclusions

Ayers Rock and KakaduSightseeing Highlights

Accommodation Highlights

Finest Dining-24 Meals Included

Feature Benefits

Tour No DNSD
Departure Dates

(15 Days from Sydney)

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