20 Day Darwin to Melbourne Tour Package including 2 Day Kangaroo Island Tour & Barossa Valley Day Tour

All about the 20 Day Darwin to Melbourne Tour Package including 2 Day Kangaroo Island Tour & Barossa Valley Day Tour

20 Day Darwin to Melbourne Tour Package including 2 Day Kangaroo Island Tour & Barossa Valley Day Tour Itinerary - 20 days

1. Day 1 Darwin to Kakadu National Park
   The first stop on your adventure is the Mary River Wetlands, renowned for the 250 bird species that can be found here and the highest concentration of saltwater crocodiles in the Southern Hemisphere. To get the best understanding of the area you will take an informative private two-hour cruise (included) along the Mary River where you can spot ‘crocs’ and other wildlife.
   
   Your introduction to Kakadu National Park is at the South Alligator River where you will also have lunch. The Bowali Visitor Centre is a good place to purchase Aboriginal arts and crafts before your late afternoon arrival at Ubirr. At Ubirr you can view a wide range of Aboriginal rock art which will be interpreted by your guide. Here you will learn about the Rainbow Serpent and climb the Nadab Lookout for excellent views over the surrounding floodplain and beyond into Arnhem Land. Tonight enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at our private campsite at Cooinda. (L,D)
2. Day 2 Kakadu National Park to Litchfield National Park
   You will spend the whole morning at Gunlom Falls* where you can swim at the bottom of the waterfall and climb to the top of the falls. Relax in a natural infinity pool with a grand view of the Arnhem Land escarpment, take a dip in the sandy middle pool and swim under a waterfall in the rear pool. You will see why this picture postcard spot is such a favourite for all who visit. There’s a chance for a final swim after lunch in the lower plunge pool before leaving the national park to travel via Batchelor to an overnight campsite near Litchfield National Park. (BLD)
3. Day 3 Litchfield National Park to Darwin
   Today is spent exploring the waterfalls, spring-fed streams and rugged sandstone escarpments of Litchfield National Park. Highlights include the large magnetic and cathedral termite mounds and swimming in and hiking at Wangi Falls (seasonal). Go for a final swim in the waterfalls at Buley Rockhole before your early evening arrival back in Darwin. Overnight dorm or Budget ensuite (Twin/Single) accommodation in Darwin is included. (BL)
4. Day 4 Darwin to Katherine (via Nitmiluk National Park)
   You will be collected from your Darwin accommodation at approximately 6.00am and then our adventure through the ‘Territory’ to Alice Springs begins. The afternoon is spent at Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park which is owned by the Jawoyn Aboriginal people. Ancient sandstone has been carved away by the Katherine River to create a deep and picturesque gorge. You may like to take a boat cruise or paddle a canoe (seasonal) through the peaceful water (both optional and additional cost) before retiring to our campsite nearby. (L,D)
5. Day 5 Katherine to Banka Banka (via Mataranka)
   A great start to the day, is a soak in the Mataranka Thermal Pools, a lush oasis fringed by paperbark trees. No trip to the ‘Territory’ is complete without a visit to the Daly Waters Pub, an important watering hole for explorers and drovers in days gone by and now a great spot for a cold beer, a bit of history and a ‘fair dinkum outback experience’! Our day winds to a close at historic Banka Banka Cattle Station where we camp for the night. (B,L,D)
6. Day 6 Banka Banka to Alice Springs
   We pass through Tennant Creek and then further along the track are the Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu) which are a collection of gigantic granite boulders magically balanced on top of one another. Later in the day we cross the Tropic of Capricorn (only 20% of the Northern Territory lays south of this point) then a short time later we arrive into Alice Springs. Overnight accommodation included, dinner at own expense. (B,L)
7. Day 7 Alice Springs
   A day of leisure to either relax or explore the Red Centre township of Alice Springs. All activities and meals are at your own expense. Accommodation is included.
8. Day 8 Alice Springs to Kings Canyon
   Leaving Alice Springs our first destination is Kings Creek Station, where most of Australia’s live camels are exported from, and where you will camp for the night. Enjoy the walk around the rim of Watarrka (Kings Canyon) to access the lookout points and enjoy the views of the gorge, sandstone walls and the immense size of the canyon. On the walk you will get to see the renowned water hole known as the Garden of Eden. In the afternoon you can go for a swim in the pool or do one of the optional extra activities (Camel Safaris, Helicopter Flights and Quad Safaris) that are available at Kings Creek Station. (LD)
9. Day 9 Kings Canyon to Uluru
   After a drive to ‘The Rock’, at Uluru you can do a walk around the base of Uluru and there’s time to learn about the local Aboriginal people at the Cultural Centre. Lunch is prepared back at the campground and then you will have the rest of the day to enjoy the timeless wonder of Uluru. (BLD)
10. Day 10 Uluru and Kata Tjuta
    Get up in time for the magnificent Uluru sunrise and breakfast before doing a hike at Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). Walk the majestic Valley of the Winds which cuts through the uniquely domed rock formations. After lunch, return to your campsite and relax in the afternoon before seeing another Uluru sunset. (BLD)
11. Day 11 Uluru to Coober Pedy
    After an early start we drive to Coober Pedy, on the way you will see striking desert landscapes including the sandstone formation known as the Breakaways. Coober Pedy is where most of the world’s supply of beautiful opals come from. The landscape here is like you’ve landed on Mars. After a visit to Josephine’s Kangaroo Orphanage and dinner you will sleep underground like the locals do in bunkhouse accommodation. (BLD)
12. Day 12 Coober Pedy to Wilmington
    Enjoy a morning in Coober Pedy including a tour of the town and an opal mine. You can also have a go at “noodling” for opals, visit an opal shop or any of the other underground attractions. In the afternoon continue to travel south to the Flinders Ranges where you’ll sleep among the red gum trees of Stony Creek Bush Camp. (BLD)
13. Day 13 Wilmington to Adelaide
    Start the day with a hike up Dutchman’s Stern for grand views of the ocean and surrounding ranges and plains. In the afternoon enjoy a refreshing stop at a winery in the Clare Valley before arriving in Adelaide at around 6pm. Accommodation is included. (BL)
14. Day 14 Adelaide to Kangaroo Island
    Sit back and enjoy the fabulous coastal drive towards Kangaroo Island via the Fleurieu Peninsula. At Cape Jervis you will take the ferry across Backstairs Passage to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island.
    
    Once on Kangaroo Island your island experience begins with the panoramic views from the top of Prospect Hill.
    
    Over the next two days you will experience wildlife and wilderness including up close encounters with sea lions on a beach walk at Seal Bay, sand-boarding at Little Sahara, kayaking down the Harriet River, snorkelling and swimming at beautiful North Coast beaches and bush quad biking at sunset (optional extra).
    
    Your overnight accommodation is at a farmhouse at Flinders Chase surrounded by koalas, kangaroos, possums and the occasional echidna. After dinner, which might be an Aussie BBQ or alternative, spend your night storytelling, wildlife spotting and playing the didgeridoo (L,D).
15. Day 15 Kangaroo Island to Adelaide
    In the morning we explore Flinders Chase National Park, the largest on the island, with a short hike. Flinders Chase is home to vast tracts of untamed wilderness, the elusive platypus and other wildlife which you might see.
    
    Today we visit Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch, where you can view a colony of New Zealand Fur Seals.
    
    Late in the afternoon you will return to the ferry at Penneshaw for the return crossing to Cape Jervis and the drive back to Adelaide, usually arriving at about 8.30pm. Accommodation is included (B,L)
16. Day 16 Barossa Valley
    Travel through the Adelaide Hills to the most famous wine making region in Australia – the Barossa Valley. On the way to your first wine tasting, you will stop at the world’s largest Rocking Horse and the amazing Whispering Wall.
    
    Jacob’s Creek Winery is one of the most well known in Australia and at their Visitor’s Centre you will have the opportunity to learn about the history of the winery, and enjoy an educational wine tasting presentation.
    
    At the small, family-owned winery, Kies, the wines here are only sold at their cellar door. At their rustic winery cottage you can taste a selection of their wines.
    
    A hearty Aussie barbeque lunch of marinated kangaroo, steak, sausages, chicken and salads will be prepared by your guide.
    
    After lunch you will get to tour the cellars and taste the wine at the pretty Richmond Grove winery, situated on the edge of the North Para River.
    
    After a quick stop at the Menglers’s Hill Lookout for a view across the valley, the fourth and final winery you will visit is the historic Seppeltsfield winery.
    
    You will return to Adelaide by about 5pm. Accommodation is included (L)
17. Day 17 Explore Adelaide
    Today you have a free day in Adelaide to explore or relax. Have a look around the city or take this day to do your washing and catch up on your travel blog. Short train ride in Adelaide takes you to Glenelg for some beach time. Or you can walk around the city and spot the famous churches. Accommodation in Adelaide is included but no meals or activities today.
18. Day 18 Adelaide to Grampians National Park
    Leaving Adelaide sit back and enjoy the landscapes through the Adelaide Hills on the way to lunch at Mt. Arapiles. At the Grampians National Park you will spend the afternoon hiking to the bottom of MacKenzie Falls and enjoy the views from The Balconies lookout point. Later in the day, you might see kangaroos and other wildlife come out to play. Tonight you will stay in the heart of the Grampians National Park in hostel accommodation. (LD)
19. Day 19 Grampians National Park to Twelve Apostles
    This morning you will visit the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre before doing some more hiking in the beautiful Grampians. Enjoy lunch at Tower Hill Reserve, the site of a dormant volcano, wetland, lake and home to lots of wildlife. Travelling along the Great Ocean Road highlights include the iconic Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge and the Bay of Martyrs not to mention the spectacular coastal scenery in the area, finishing the day with a sunset at the Twelve Apostles rock formation. Overnight you will stay in hostel accommodation on the Great Ocean Road. (BLD)
    
20. Day 20 Great Ocean Road to Melbourne
    At the Otway National Park, take a walk through some ancient temperate (cool) rainforest. Parts of the Great Ocean Road were carved by returned WWI servicemen; their legacy has created one of the most spectacular coastal roads you will ever see. Further along the Great Ocean Road are the beachside towns of Apollo Bay and Lorne. The famous surf coast includes visits to Anglesea, Bells Beach and Torquay (home of surf wear brands Rip Curl and Quiksilver). Your final stop is at the Split Point Lighthouse featured in the Round the Twist television series, before heading through Geelong to arrive in Melbourne at approximately 7pm. (BL)

Real Aussie Says:

Our main piece of advice would to be bring a fly net with you for the Uluru and Kings Canyon portion of the tour, as you will be more comfortable during the hikes if your face is covered. You can easily buy one of these at a roadhouse on one of our stops along the way. Real Aussie Adventures is about adventure and getting involved. We don’t define by age but our trips are quite active. We get travellers from all over the world, people travelling by themselves, couples and groups.

Please contact us with any questions

Departure information

Starts

Wednesday except 6 and 13 December, 14 and 29 March

 6.30am from central Darwin accommodation

Ends

Melbourne

This trip can also be run in reverse

20 Day Melbourne to Darwin Tour Package including 2 Day Kangaroo Island Tour & Barossa Valley Day Tour