Embark on an unforgettable 20-day journey from Melbourne to Darwin with Real Aussie Adventures, and experience the diverse wonders of the Australian outback. This epic adventure takes you from the iconic Great Ocean Road to the lush landscapes of the Flinders Ranges, the heart of the Red Centre, and the captivating Top End in Darwin.
Your adventure begins with a scenic drive along the Great Ocean Road, a route known for its breathtaking ocean views and the famous Twelve Apostles. Witness wild koalas and explore rainforests in the Great Otway National Park. Next, visit the Grampians, home to the iconic Pinnacle lookout and charming Halls Gap.
As you journey towards Adelaide, stop at Tower Hill Conservation Wildlife Reserve and immerse yourself in Aboriginal history. Enjoy wine tastings at renowned wineries in the Barossa Valley. Continue to Flinders Ranges, an ancient landscape filled with rugged beauty. Hike at Alligator Gorge and visit Arkaroo Rock, an essential site for the local Adnyamathanha people.
Delve into the heart of the outback with a drive along the iconic Oodnadatta Track. Pass surreal desert landscapes and Lake Eyre, Australia’s largest salt lake. Spend the night in William Creek, a tiny outback settlement with a rich history.
Explore Coober Pedy, Australia’s opal capital, and learn about the precious stones at Umoona Opal Mine & Museum. Stop by Josephine’s Gallery & Kangaroo Orphanage, housing orphaned kangaroos in an area the size of Germany.
Experience Kings Canyon’s enchanting rim walk with its towering sandstone walls, hidden waterholes, and magnificent gardens. Witness the impressive Uluru at sunrise and embark on a guided base walk, learning about its cultural significance.
Connect with Anangu culture and create your own artwork during a dot painting workshop. Relax in Alice Springs, and explore its unique attractions.
Board the Greyhound for a journey to Darwin, where you’ll have a free evening to enjoy the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets.
Venture into the wild with a day at Corroboree Billabong Wetland Cruise and a visit to Ubirr rock, showcasing ancient Aboriginal rock art. Explore Kakadu’s waterfalls, lush forests, and remarkable termite mounds. Then, discover the natural oasis of Litchfield National Park, complete with refreshing rock pools and waterfalls.
This 20-day tour provides an immersive experience in Australia’s natural beauty, rich culture, and unique landscapes. Travelers can expect an adventure of a lifetime, guided by experts who ensure a seamless journey through the stunning landscapes and vibrant cultures of the Australian outback.
Travel from bottom to top through the heart of Australia.
Welcome to the adventure of a lifetime! Join us on a 20-day Melbourne to Darwin tour that’ll have you saying ‘G’day’ to stunning landscapes, friendly locals, and unforgettable memories.
You’re just a few clicks away from an awesome Aussie adventure!
Start your 3-Day adventure by exploring the world-famous Great Ocean Road with its stunning ocean views
and surf beaches. Spot wild koalas along the way with a stop in the quaint seaside town of Apollo Bay for
lunch, followed by a guided rainforest walk in the Great Otway National Park rainforest. Later, we visited the amazing shipwreck coast famous for the Twelve Apostles rock formation and Loch Ard Gorge. Overnight in Warrnambool.
Driving Distance: 360km.
Accommodation
Warrnambool Backpackers Shared Dorm (with shared bathroom)
Meals
Dinner
During the second day, you will have the opportunity to visit Tower Hill Conservation Wildlife Reserve, an
extinct volcano that is rich in Aboriginal history and has a vast amount of wildlife, such as emus and
kangaroos. From here we head north into the Grampians. In the afternoon we will take you up to the iconic
Pinnacle lookout, which offers a panoramic view of the Grampians National Park for a delightful afternoon hike. Finish the day with a traditional Aussie BBQ at our overnight stay in Halls Gap.
Driving Distance: 190km.
Hike Distance: 4.5km.
Accommodation
Grampians Eco YHA Shared Accommodation (with shared bathroom) or similar
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
On the last day of our journey, we will start early in the morning to hike to the base of Mackenzie Falls, and
then we will explore some other famous sites, such as The Balconies/Reeds Lookout and Boroka Lookout,
which are among the most famous in the area. Following lunch, we head west away from the coastline and
rugged mountains towards Adelaide, passing Dimboola Pink Lake and Nhill before crossing the South
Australian border into Bordertown and arriving in Adelaide around 7:30pm.
Driving Distance: 520km.
Hike Distance: 2km.
Accommodation
YHA Adelaide Central or similar
Meals
Breakfast
This morning you will head off on your first tour to the Barossa Valley with Taste the Barossa.
This is a great day out, firstly visiting the worlds’ largest rocking horse and wildlife park in Gumeracha.
Your first winery stop for the day will be an interactive tasting at Jacobs Creek, one of the best known wineries in the world. We then experience a second wine tasting and same great home-made pizza for lunch at Lambert Estate Vineyard.
After lunch you will take in majestic views of the region from the Menglers Hill Lookout before stopping at your third and final structured wine tasting at Wolf Blass Wines as you return to Adelaide in the late afternoon with a new bunch of mates.
Accommodation
YHA Adelaide Central or similar
Meals
Lunch
Your eight-day outback adventure begins early morning in Adelaide, where your Storyteller Guide will greet you.
After a caffeine stop at the coastal town of Port Wakefield, arrive in the Southern Flinders Ranges for a morning hike at Alligator Gorge. Located in Mount Remarkable National Park, this is the perfect way to start the tour.
After lunch, have a quick stroll around Quorn, famous for the Pichi Richi Railway.
Arrive at Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and embark on a hike at Arkaroo Rock, a significant cultural site for the local Adnyamathanha people.
This afternoon, experience a Welcome to Country in the Adnyamathanha people’s language at Wilpena Pound Resort.
Feeling connected to Country and nature, arrive at Skytrek Willow Springs Station. This 70,000-acre working sheep station features secluded bush camping and is our base while we unearth the Flinders Ranges.
After a tasty dinner prepared by your Guide, kick back and enjoy front-row seats to one of the most spectacular light shows on Earth.
The Flinders Ranges is famed as having some of the Southern Hemisphere’s clearest skies. Roll out your swag under a blanket of stars twinkling over the ancient landscape.
The driving distance today is approximately 510km.
Accommodation
Swag camping at Skytrek Willow Springs Station
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
The fossils discovered in the Flinders Ranges are so old that geologists had to revise the geologic timeline of Earth’s history, identifying a new era called the Ediacaran period.
After breakfast, we will unearth more of this amazing park as we pull on our hiking boots for a morning hike through tall river red gums and past waterholes, culminating with breathtaking views over the surrounding wilderness.
Regeneration is in our DNA, so today, we will meet with a Park Ranger to learn about conservation efforts within Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. We can also give back by participating in some meaningful conservation work.
After lunch, we’ll take a magical scenic drive at Brachina Gorge.
Quench your thirst with a well-deserved drink at an iconic country pub before returning to camp to relax and have dinner.
Driving time today is approximately 3 hours.
Accommodation
Swag camping at Skytrek Willow Springs Station
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we are getting off the beaten path and travelling along a section of one of Australia’s most iconic unsealed roads, the iconic Oodnadatta Track. Drive through eerie and moonlike desert scenery as the landscape uncovers highlights like Lake Eyre (Australia’s largest salt lake) and the Mutonia Sculpture Park. Travel through Anna Creek Station, the world’s largest working cattle station. Covering an area of six million acres, it is equivalent to the size of Belgium! Come late afternoon, arrive in the tiny outback settlement of William Creek. In the middle of nowhere, on the way to somewhere, this quirky town with a population of ten is an icon of the South Australian Outback. After dinner, you might like to enjoy a cold drink in the heritage-listed William Creek Hotel, which opened in 1887. Then curl up in your swag under the stars in the campground. The total driving today is approximately 500km. *Note: The Oodnadatta Track is an unsealed dirt road, and the conditions of the track depend heavily on the weather. If the road is deemed unsafe to drive on, or there is a possibility that sections of the road will close after we have commenced driving on the track, your Guide reserves the right to alter the itinerary and take a different route. Accommodation Swag camping at William Creek Meals Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, journey to the famous underground town of Coober Pedy. The opal capital of Australia features a sun-baked lunar landscape, fascinating history and a unique way of life. Visit the town’s main attraction, Umoona Opal Mine & Museum. Go ‘noodling’ or fossicking and learn about these precious stones during an opal-cutting demonstration. Afterwards, visit Josephine’s Gallery & Kangaroo Orphanage. Established in 2008 to take in orphaned kangaroos from the far north of South Australia, it is about the size of Germany! The gallery here is a world-class Aboriginal Art Gallery with an extensive range of Aboriginal artefacts and significant works by many of Australia’s best-known Indigenous artists. The rest of the day is yours to do whatever you please, and there is plenty to explore. Stay in a unique underground bunkhouse tonight and grab dinner at one of the many underground eateries. Today, the driving distance is approximately 170km. Accommodation Umoona Opal Mine – underground bunk, multi-share Meals Breakfast
Today we have some distance to cover. Travel north, past the Dingo Fence and the Aboriginal Heritage site, The Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park, where you will be mesmerised by the scenery of the Moon Plains. Then, crossing into the Northern Territory, travel onwards to Watarrka National Park, the site of Kings Canyon. Come late afternoon, arrive at our campsite at the Kings Creek Station. Relax, soak up the serenity, and, on warmer days, enjoy a swim in the pool. Have your camera ready for a stunning desert sunset from the sunset viewing platform before dinner at the Station restaurant eatery and settling in for the night. Today, we drive approximately 770km. Accommodation Swag camping at Kings Creek Station Meals Breakfast
It’s an early start this morning for the spellbinding Kings Canyon Rim Walk, which is guaranteed to be one of the most magical experiences of your life.
With its 300-metre-high sandstone walls, hidden waterholes, fern forests, chasms, canyons and caverns, Watarrka National Park is central Australia’s answer to an oasis.
Take in the 360-degree views and journey through Priscilla’s Crack, made famous by the classic Australian movie Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
From there, see the sandstone domes known as the Lost City and the lush greenery and watering hole of the aptly named Garden of Eden.
After lunch, rest your legs on the drive to our final destination, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
Late this afternoon, watch an unforgettable sunset over Uluru before retreating to camp for dinner.
Then, roll out your swag upon the red Earth and under billions of stars after dinner at camp.
Driving today is approximately 350km.
Accommodation
Swag camping at Ayers Rock Resort Campground
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rising early, breathe deep and soak up the serenity of a sunrise over Uluru.
As the sunlight plays with the landscape, the rock formations change colour before your eyes.
Next, it’s time to get close to this natural wonder. At 348 metres high and some 550 million years old, feel a powerful presence the moment you set eyes on it.
A guided 10km Uluru base walk is your best opportunity to connect with Uluru and learn its stories. Relax beside tranquil waterholes, take a break under a magnificent Sheoak tree and peer into hidden caves.
Afterwards, stop for lunch and visit the Cultural Centre to deepen your understanding of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. You can learn about Anangu culture and the park’s natural environment through exhibits and free presentations with Anangu and park rangers.
This afternoon experience a fun and inspiring dot painting workshop with a talented local Anangu artist and interpreter.
During this wonderful 1.5-hour authentic experience, you will learn about ancient symbols used in Anangu art and teachings and will be taught some introductory Pitjantjatjara words (the local language spoken by Anangu). Use this knowledge to create your own artwork to take home and treasure forever.
This afternoon, return to camp for some free time. Relax by the pool or enjoy some of the activities at Ayers Rock Resort, such as a didgeridoo performance, a guided garden walk or discovering artifacts at the museum.
Enjoy a tasty dinner at camp tonight.
Today we only drive around 60km.
You may walk up to 10km today if you do the full Uluru base-walk. However, shorter Uluru walks are available.
Accommodation
Swag camping at Ayers Rock Resort Campground
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
An early start this morning is rewarded with a spellbinding Kata Tjuta sunrise.
Translating to the Pitjantjatjara word for ‘Many Heads’, the 36 domes of Kata Tjuta are a defining feature of the Red Centre landscape both topographically and spiritually.
Rising 546 metres above the surrounding plain, its tip is the highest point for miles, while the site’s ridges and ravines are closely connected with numerous Indigenous creation-time stories. Many of these stories are kept secret from outsiders, but you’ll learn a little about the local Anangu culture and appreciate the beauty of their land on a rewarding hike.
After returning to Yulara, you will be catching an included bus transfer to Alice Springs, arriving around 7pm.
Accommodation
YHA Alice Springs or similar
Meals
Breakfast
Alice Springs has a range of attractions within a short distance from town. Why not visit the Araluen Cultural Precinct, School of the Air, Old Telegraph Station, Desert Wildlife Park, Anzac Hill, the Western Macdonnell Ranges or soar above the desert in a hot air balloon.
Alice also has a range of quirky bars or cafes, so there are plenty of options for food and drink.
Accommodation
YHA Alice Springs or similar
Meals
None
Free morning to explore more of the local activities available.
This afternoon you will be jumping on the Greyhound for a journey up the middle of the Northern Territory, to get to Darwin.
The Greyhound will depart at approximately 5:30pm (subject to change), and arrive the following afternoon in Darwin at approximately 3:05pm
Accommodation
Overland Greyhound Bus
Meals
None
Arriving at Darwin in the afternoon, you will get your first taste of the tropics.
During certain months of the dry season, the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets are on Sunday evenings.
There are many stalls with a variety of food choices, local art, souvenirs, and entertainment. A wonderful way to spend your first night in the Top End!
Accommodation
Melaleuca on Mitchell or similar
Meals
None
A free day in Darwin to explore the city at your own pace. There are many activities to be had if you wish, including the main attractions of Crocosaurus Cove and the Cyclone Tracy exhibit at the Darwin Museum. Those in search of greater adventure can look to book optional activities (at own expense) that include Jet Skiing, Go Karts and a whole lot more. Accommodation Melaleuca on Mitchell or similar Meals None
Start your adventure by departing from Darwin and head out to the Mary River Wetlands region onboard Corroboree Billabong Wetland Cruise, a great opportunity to spot a huge range of Top End birdlife, not to mention some apex predators… crocodiles! We journey on to Kakadu National Park visiting the Bowali Visitor Centre which offers a beautiful introduction to the Park’s landscape and wildlife. After some relaxation at camp, we journey north to Cahills Crossing on the border of Kakadu and Arnhem Land. We will visit one of the best-preserved collections of Aboriginal Rock Art in the world at Ubirr rock upon sunset. This incredibly significant site showcases many styles of Rock Art and allows us to climb up high for a sunset that will blow you away looking out over the Nadab Floodplain. After a big day, we head back to our cozy private camp and prepare dinner together, enjoying an evening with our fellow travellers. Driving Distance: 420km Hike Distance and Grading: 1km loop Grade 3, flat pathways, and a gradual climb up a rock face to the vantage point on top. Requires a minimum moderate fitness and mobility. Accommodation Jabiru Campground – Permanent Tents (communal bathroom facilities) Meals Lunch, Dinner
We rise and shine early and make our way south in Kakadu National Park. Today we’ll spend the day soaking up the spectacular natural beauty of the area, hiking through lush monsoon rainforests, swimming in pristine plunge pools and waterfalls surrounded by steep escarpments and rocky cliffs. We aim to visit one or more of the available waterfalls depending on group physical ability to complete the hike(s). This can include any of the following: Motor Car Falls, Moline Rockhole, Maguk (Barramundi Gorge), or Jim Jim Falls. There are many factors affecting accessibility although your guide will ensure you get the best experience possible. Time permitting, we stop at Burrungkuy (Nourlangie Rock), another indigenous rock art site where archaeologists have uncovered works dating back over 20,000 years old. We explore the evolving social, cultural and environmental changes to the area over time before making our way back to camp for a hearty dinner and a well-earned rest. Driving Distance: 150km Hike Distance and Grading: 1.5km – 4km Grade 6 Accommodation Jabiru Campground – Permanent Tents (communal bathroom facilities) Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
An exciting day awaits as we head out of Kakadu National Park and travel towards Litchfield National Park.
We spend the afternoon immersed in Litchfield’s natural oasis of waterfalls, spring-fed streams and rugged sandstone escarpments.
We’ll spend time in any combination of Buley Rockholes, Wangi Falls or Florence Falls for a refreshing soak in picturesque rock holes and waterfalls.
Discover the uniquely impressive Magnetic and Cathedral Termite Mounds before making our way back to Darwin, arriving back to your accommodation at approximately 7:00pm.
Driving Distance: 500km
Hike Distance and Grading: 1 – 2 km Grade 2-3
Accommodation
Melaleuca on Mitchell or similar
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Your itinerary finishes in Darwin today.
Meals
None
During your adventure-packed journey from Melbourne to Darwin, you’ll experience various sleeping arrangements to suit different parts of the tour. Here’s what you can expect:
Hostels:
In some locations, you’ll stay in hostels with shared dormitory-style rooms and shared bathroom facilities. This is a great way to meet other travelers on the tour and enjoy a comfortable and social atmosphere.
Swag Camping:
For a true Aussie outback experience, you’ll have the opportunity to sleep under the stars in a traditional swag. Swags are cozy canvas bedrolls designed for outdoor sleeping. It’s a unique way to immerse yourself in the natural environment and gaze at the clear Southern Hemisphere skies.
Permanent Tents:
In certain locations, you’ll find permanent tents with communal bathroom facilities. These tents offer a more comfortable and sheltered sleeping option while still allowing you to experience the beauty of the outdoors.
Underground Bunkhouses:
The tour also includes stays in unique underground bunkhouses in Coober Pedy. This offers a fascinating and different accommodation experience in an opal-mining town known for its underground living.
Overnight Greyhound Bus:
During a portion of the tour, you’ll travel on the Greyhound bus, and accommodation is not provided on this overnight journey. You’ll sleep on the bus and arrive at your destination the following afternoon.
Melaleuca on Mitchell:
In Darwin, you’ll stay at the Melaleuca on Mitchell or a similar accommodation, offering a comfortable place to relax and unwind.
The variety in sleeping arrangements enhances your adventure and provides a well-rounded experience of Australia’s diverse landscapes. Whether you’re camping under the stars or resting in a hostel, the tour is designed to ensure your comfort and enjoyment.
10 nights multi-share hostel accommodation – 2 nights Great Ocean Road, 2 nights Adelaide, 1 night Coober Pedy (in an underground bunkhouse), 2 nights Alice Springs, 3 nights Darwin.
6 nights swag camping with shared bathroom facilities – hot showers and flushing toilets.
2 nights permanent safari style tented camping with shower and toilet facilities (including top & fitted sheets, mattress and pillow & case provided).
Coach travel between Alice Springs and Darwin (overnight).
Three day fully guided tour from Melbourne to Adelaide, including all transport, activities and 2 nights’ accommodation in basic dorm share with shared facilities.
Full day guided tour including wine tasting in the Barossa Valley.
Eight day fully guided Adventure tour from Adelaide to Uluru (6 nights swag camping, 1-night underground bunkhouse) including all activities and cultural experiences.
Transfer from Yulara to Alice Springs.
Three day fully guided camping tour of Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks including a wildlife cruise.
Meals as indicated in the itinerary – dietary requirements and allergies catered for with prior notification.
All National Park entry and camping fees.
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