Itinerary
- Day 1
Darwin
After landing in Darwin, you'll pick up your rental car and head to your accommodation for the first couple nights. Get settled in and start getting your bearings for the days ahead.
- Day 2
Darwin
Spend the day checking out Darwin on your own schedule. The Darwin Waterfront has a big swimming lagoon and plenty of restaurants where you can grab a meal. The city's Aboriginal culture comes through in the galleries, museums and street art scattered throughout, so there's quite a bit to see if you're interested.
Optional Activities
- Visit Darwin Waterfront with swimming lagoon
- Explore Aboriginal art galleries and museums
- Discover street art and cultural streetscapes
- Dining at waterfront restaurants
Landmarks Darwin Waterfront - Day 3
Darwin to Kakadu National Park
Drive out on the Arnhem Highway into Kakadu National Park to see the tropical landscape and wildlife in this unique swamp environment. Stop at either Nourlangie or Ubirr Rock to look at indigenous rock paintings. You'll stay overnight in Jabiru, which puts you close to the Bowali Visitor Center if you want to stop there.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Drive to Kakadu National Park via Arnhem Highway
Optional Activities
- Visit Nourlangie Rock paintings
- Visit Ubirr Rock paintings
- Explore Bowali Visitor Center
- Experience tropical flora and fauna
Landmarks Kakadu National Park Nourlangie Rock Ubirr Rock Bowali Visitor Center 
- Day 4
Kakadu National Park
Explore the national park at your own pace. It's huge, covering around 20,000 square kilometers, so there are lots of spots worth checking out. The Yellow Waters Cruise is a popular option if you want to get out on the billabong and see birdlife and possibly crocodiles from the water.
Optional Activities
- Yellow Waters Cruise on the Billabong from Cooinda
- Explore national park excursion destinations
- Wildlife viewing - birdlife and crocodiles
Landmarks Yellow Waters Billabong - Day 5
Kakadu National Park to Katherine
Continue driving to Katherine, where the tropical landscape meets the outback. If you're interested, there's an optional boat trip through Katherine Gorge that's quite nice for seeing the dramatic rock formations and canyon walls.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Boat trip through Katherine Gorge
Landmarks Katherine Gorge 
- Day 6
Katherine to Mataranka
It's a short drive from Katherine to Mataranka, a small town known mainly for its thermal springs. You'll have free time to soak in the warm water and relax. There's also a gallery in town featuring local Aboriginal art if you want to walk around and see what's available.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit Mataranka thermal springs
- Explore Aboriginal art gallery
Landmarks Mataranka Thermal Springs - Day 7
Mataranka to Tennant Creek
Start the morning at a replica of Elsey Station to learn about how hard and isolated life was for early settlers out here. Then drive south along the Stuart Highway toward Tennant Creek through cattle country and mining areas. You'll see some interesting rock formations and get a feel for Aboriginal culture in the region.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit Elsey Station replica
- Explore outback landscape and rock formations
Landmarks Elsey Station - Day 8
Tennant Creek to Alice Springs
Stop at Karlu Karlu, which you might know as Devil's Marbles, huge granite boulders that hold deep spiritual meaning for Aboriginal people. After that, continue on to Alice Springs, which sits in the heart of the Red Centre and serves as the main hub for the region.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Karlu Karlu (Devil's Marbles)
Landmarks Karlu Karlu (Devil's Marbles) - Day 9
Alice Springs
Wander through Alice Springs and check out Todd Mall for souvenir shops and art galleries selling Aboriginal crafts. Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service to understand how medical care works in these remote regions. Alice Springs Desert Park gives you a good overview of the local ecosystems if you want to learn more about the area.
Optional Activities
- Stroll Todd Mall for souvenir and art shopping
- Visit Royal Flying Doctor Service
- Explore Alice Springs Desert Park
Landmarks Todd Mall Royal Flying Doctor Service Alice Springs Desert Park - Day 10
Alice Springs to Kings Canyon
Drive toward Kings Canyon and watch the landscape change as you go. You can stop at Glen Helen Gorge to see the tall sandstone walls and views of Mount Sonder. If you've got a 4WD vehicle, the Mereenie Loop Road is an option to get to Kings Canyon, though it adds time to the journey.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Stop at Glen Helen Gorge
- View Mount Sonder
- Take Mereenie Loop Road (4WD required)
Landmarks Glen Helen Gorge Mount Sonder Kings Canyon - Day 11
Kings Canyon
Get an early start for the hike up Kings Canyon. You'll see rock formations like Lost City and The Garden of Eden along the way. The ancient red walls climb about 100 meters above Kings Creek, and the whole area has rugged mountain ranges, rock holes and gorges that support all kinds of plant and animal life.
Included Activities
- Kings Canyon circular hike
Landmarks Kings Canyon Lost City (Kings Canyon) The Garden of Eden (Kings Canyon) - Day 12
Kings Canyon to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Drive through red desert with sand dunes and scattered casuarina trees heading to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. This place is considered the spiritual heart of Australia and one of the most important sites in the country.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Landmarks Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park 
- Day 13
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
If you're up early, you can catch the sunrise as Uluru changes colors with the light. Then head to Kata Tjuta, which sits about 40 kilometers away, and walk through the Valley of the Winds. The hike winds through massive rock formations for roughly 3 hours and is quite rewarding.
Optional Activities
- Watch Uluru sunrise
- Visit Kata Tjuta rock formation
- Hike Valley of the Winds at Kata Tjuta
Landmarks Uluru Kata Tjuta Valley of the Winds - Day 14
Uluru-Kata Tjuta to Marla
Head south on the Stuart Highway and cross into South Australia. As you drive, you'll really notice how vast and isolated the outback feels out here. The sense of remoteness becomes pretty clear pretty quickly.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
- Day 15
Marla to Coober Pedy
The landscape changes to low scrub and scattered bloodwood trees along dry riverbeds. You'll likely spot the famous dingo fence at some point, which stretches for 5,600 kilometers across the outback to keep dingoes away from southeastern Australia. Later in the day you'll arrive in Coober Pedy.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- View dingo fence
Landmarks Dingo Fence - Day 16
Coober Pedy
You've got the day free to explore Coober Pedy and see how the opal mining that happens here works. About 85 percent of the world's opals come from this town. Walk through the underground dwellings called dug-outs to understand how people live and work here.
Optional Activities
- Visit underground dug-out buildings
- Learn about opal mining and processing
Landmarks Coober Pedy - Day 17
Coober Pedy to Port Augusta
As you leave the main highway, the landscape starts shifting. Lake Hart might be worth a stop if there's been recent rain, since it's usually dried up but can reflect the sky beautifully when it has water.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Stop at Lake Hart
Landmarks Lake Hart - Day 18
Port Augusta to Flinders Ranges
You can stop in Quorn, a small town worth a brief look. If you're interested in hiking, Warren Gorge, Dutchmen's Stern or Argadells all have short walks available. By late afternoon you'll reach your accommodation in the Flinders Ranges.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Stop in Quorn town
- Hike Warren Gorge
- Hike Dutchmen's Stern
- Hike Argadells
Landmarks Quorn Warren Gorge Dutchmen's Stern Argadells 
- Day 19
Flinders Ranges
This day is yours to explore the Flinders Ranges National Park and the mountain range there. You could wander on your own or join a full-day off-road tour if you want a guided experience. Keep an eye out for kangaroos and emus moving around. When night falls, the starry sky out here is really something to see without needing any special equipment.
Optional Activities
- Explore Flinders Ranges National Park on own
- Full-day off-road vehicle tour
- Wildlife viewing - kangaroos and emus
Landmarks Flinders Ranges National Park - Day 20
Flinders Ranges to Adelaide
Drive to the Barossa Valley, which has won awards for its wines and has over 80 wineries operating in the region. You can bike the 40 kilometer Barossa Trail, visit the Farmers Market, or stop at individual wineries. You'll reach Adelaide in the evening.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Explore Barossa Valley wineries
- Cycle Barossa Trail (40 km)
- Visit Farmers Market
Landmarks Barossa Valley 
- Day 21
Adelaide
Spend time in Adelaide exploring what the city has to offer. Climb Adelaide Oval for views over the city, walk through the famous Central Market, check out the boutiques, or visit any of the museums and galleries scattered around town.
Optional Activities
- Climb Adelaide Oval for city views
- Explore Central Market
- Browse boutiques
- Visit museums and galleries
Landmarks Adelaide Oval Central Market - Day 22
Adelaide
Return your rental car to the agency, or if you'd like to stay longer, arrange any extensions you might be interested in at this point.
