17 Day Melbourne To Darwin Tour Package

All about the 17 Day Melbourne To Darwin Tour Package

17 Day Melbourne To Darwin Tour Package Itinerary - 17 days

• Day 1 Melbourne to Twelve Apostles
  The first stops out of Melbourne are the famous surf coast icons, Torquay (home of surf wear brands Rip Curl and Quiksilver), Bells Beach and Anglesea. Further along the Great Ocean Road are the towns of Apollo Bay and Lorne where you can swim, explore or just relax with a cup of coffee. 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.
  
  At the Otway National Park, it’s time for lunch and a walk through some ancient temperate (cool) rainforest. What better way to finish the day than with a sunset at the Twelve Apostles rock formation. Tonight you will stay in hostel accommodation on the Great Ocean Road. (LD)
• Day 2 Great Ocean Road to Grampians National Park
  The highlights today on the Great Ocean Road include Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge and the Bay of Martyrs not to mention the spectacular coastal scenery in the area. After lunch you will leave the coast and head inland to the Grampians National Park.
  
  Here 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. (BLD)
• Day 3 Grampians National Park to Adelaide
  This morning you will visit the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre before doing some more hiking in the beautiful Grampians. On the way to Adelaide you will stop at Mt. Arapiles for lunch. In the afternoon sit back and enjoy the landscapes and drive to Adelaide where you will arrive at approximately 7.00pm. (BL)
• Day 4 Adelaide
  A free day to relax or explore the city of Adelaide. Activities and meals are at additional cost. Overnight accommodation is included.
• Day 5 Adelaide to Southern Flinders Ranges
  We start our adventure traveling through the vineyards of the Clare Valley wine region, but soon enough we’re heading into the rugged Outback through the historic town of Melrose, gateway to the Flinders Ranges. We enjoy an easy stroll through the awesome Alligator Gorge, which is sometimes bursting with wildflowers. We’ll then settle in the heart of the Southern Flinders Ranges for the night. (LD)
• Day 6 Flinders Ranges to Coober Pedy
  Along the way to Coober Pedy – the Opal Capital of the World – you’ll notice the incredible changing landscapes. Wildlife, such as kangaroos, emus and eagles will scatter as road trains thunder across a landscape that resembles Mars or the Moon. On a tour of an underground Opal Mine and Museum, you’ll learn about the history of Coober Pedy. A highlight for some is visiting Josephine’s Kangaroo Orphanage, where you can meet the rescued kangaroos and baby joeys and admire (or buy) Aboriginal art and didgeridoos. Tonight, we sleep like the locals do – underground, in bunkhouse accommodation (dorm option). (BLD)
• Day 7 Coober Pedy to Kings Canyon
  It’s a big day driving up the Stuart Highway, with several pit stops en route. Our mission today is to reach the majestic Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) where we’ll camp for the night on an authentic station. (BLD)
• Day 8 Kings Canyon to Uluru
  We get up early to explore Watarrka (Kings Canyon), where you’ll need to stop to admire and photograph the massive sandstone walls, vast canyon floor and stunning gorges. On the Canyon Rim Walk (3-4 hours), you’ll experience the beautiful Garden of Eden and learn more about the local Aboriginal culture. After lunch, we begin our journey into Uluru. Nothing will prepare you for the sight of The Rock. We quickly set up camp before learning about the local Aboriginal History at the Uluru Kata Tjuta Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Soon after we’ll be experiencing our first awe-inspiring Uluru sunset, taking time to absorb the beauty and majesty of this place. (BLD)
• Day 9 Uluru
  We start the day at dawn taking a (3 ½ hour) walk around the base of Uluru. Hiking through acacia woodlands and grassy clay pans, you’ll spot wildlife at waterholes, marvel at Uluru’s geological wonders and learn more about Aboriginal interpretations from your culturally accredited Groovy guide. Later, we relax back at our campground or join one of our Adrenalin Plus options. (BLD)
• Day 10 Uluru to Alice Springs
  After devouring yet another scrumptious breakfast we’ll experience a glorious sunrise over Kata Tjuta, before we hike to lookouts around Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and visit the majestic Valley of the Winds with its ancient rock formations and extraordinary views. After lunch, we’ll hit the road to Alice Springs, arriving approximately at 6:30 pm. (BL)
• Day 11 Alice Springs
  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.
• Day 12 Alice Springs to Banka Banka station
  Your adventure through the ‘Territory’ to Darwin begins by crossing the Tropic of Capricorn just north of Alice Springs. The huge granite boulders known as the Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu) make for great photos. Tonight you will camp north of Tennant Creek at historic Banka Banka Cattle Station. (LD)
• Day 13 Banka Banka to Mataranka region
  On the drive up the Stuart Highway, the Daly Waters Pub is a great spot to take a break and have a cold beer. Historically, it has been an important watering hole for explorers and cattle drovers. End the day with a soak in the Mataranka Thermal Pools, a lush oasis fringed by paperbark trees, where you will camp nearby. (BLD)
• Day 14 Katherine to Darwin
  It’s an early start this morning for the short drive to 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).
  
  In the afternoon, relax and watch the changing landscape as you travel to cosmopolitan Darwin. Overnight accommodation in Darwin is included. (BL)
• Day 15 Darwin to Kakadu National Park
  The first stop today is the Mary River Wetlands which are 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 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 a private campsite at Cooinda. (LD)
• Day 16 Kakadu National Park to Litchfield National Park
  This morning the jewels of Kakadu National Park await. After breakfast and departing camp we travel off road to the majestic Twin and Jim Jim Falls* for a day of adventure and exploration. Travelling into Twin Falls by 4WD track, a boat shuttle and finally a rocky track and boardwalk we will be rewarded by the beauty of this remote waterfall deep within Kakadu National Park. Afterwards we stay off the beaten track where a walk through monsoon forests and over boulders lead us to Jim Jim Falls. Surrounded by 150 metre cliffs, we spend some time soaking up the natural beauty of this majestic location. This afternoon we depart Kakadu National Park and travel towards Litchfield National Park where we will stop along the way at our private campsite. Tonight, enjoy a hearty meal with your fellow adventurers.
  
  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)
• Day 17 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. (BL)

Real Aussie Says:

Driving distance from Melbourne to Darwin is over 4000km. So plenty of time on the bus on this tour to take in the outback of Australia and get to know your fellow travel mates. As we make lots of stops, walks and hikes it doesn't feel long sitting on the tour bus. 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 travelers from all over the world, people traveling by themselves, couples and groups.

Please contact us with any questions

Departure information

Starts

Fridays from Melbourne city and St Kilda from 6.30am

Ends

Darwin

This trip can also be run in reverse

16 Day Darwin to Melbourne Tour Package