Itinerary
- Day 1
Darwin
You'll land in Darwin and start getting into the culture of Australia's Northern Territory right away. Head to Aboriginal Bush Traders for a tasting of local native foods, then walk through some Indigenous art galleries. Later, a short walking tour takes you past Parliament House, Government House, and several well-preserved historical buildings that tell Darwin's story. It's a good introduction to the city and its past, around 200-250 characters.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Darwin)
Included Activities
- Aboriginal Bush Traders - tasting of native flavours and Indigenous art exploration
- Walking tour of Darwin's historic landmarks - Parliament House, Government House, historical administration building
Landmarks Parliament House Government House 
- Day 2
Darwin to Kakadu National Park
Starting early from Darwin, you'll get on the Corroboree Billabong Wetland Cruise and glide through the water looking for crocodiles and birds. From there, you head into Kakadu National Park, which covers 20,000 square kilometres and has waterfalls, rainforests, and unique wildlife. Before the day ends, you'll check out the Murrawaddi Art Gallery to see Indigenous art and learn about traditional stories. It's a long day but you see a lot of country.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel)
Included Activities
- Corroboree Billabong Wetland Cruise - spotting crocodiles and birdlife
- Kakadu National Park exploration - waterfalls, rainforests, wetlands, wildlife
- Murrawaddi Art Gallery visit - Indigenous artworks and traditional stories
Landmarks Corroboree Billabong Kakadu National Park Murrawaddi Art Gallery 
- Day 3
Kakadu National Park
This morning involves a tour of Burrungkuy Rock Art where your guide shares stories about the site. You'll have free time for lunch after that. Later in the afternoon, the Guluyambi Cultural Cruise along the East Alligator River starts, with Aboriginal guides explaining traditional customs and pointing out wildlife. There's also an optional scenic flight available if you want to pay extra, which gives you a different view of the park.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel)
Included Activities
- Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Rock Art tour with Driver Guide
- Guluyambi Cultural Cruise on East Alligator River with Aboriginal guides - wildlife and traditional customs insights
Optional Activities
- Kakadu scenic flight at sunrise (own expense)
Landmarks Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Rock Art East Alligator River - Day 4
Kakadu to Katherine
You leave Kakadu and drive towards Katherine, stopping at Pine Creek to explore the old mining heritage from the 1800s gold rush era. You'll see heritage buildings and old mining sites scattered around. As the sun goes down, you arrive at Cicada Lodge in Nitmiluk National Park, set in the Northern Territory bush with nice views and quiet surroundings for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Cicada Lodge)
Included Activities
- Pine Creek heritage exploration - bush buildings and mining sites from gold rush era
Landmarks Pine Creek Nitmiluk National Park 
- Day 5
Katherine
After breakfast, head to Katherine Hot Springs mid-morning for a soak in the natural pools surrounded by lush vegetation. Then you have free time in Katherine town for lunch and to walk around. In the afternoon, the Sunset Dinner Cruise heads out along Nitmiluk Gorge, where you see tall cliffs and ancient rock formations as the light changes. Back to Cicada Lodge by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Sunset Dinner Cruise on Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Cicada Lodge)
Included Activities
- Katherine Hot Springs - refreshing mid-morning soak
- Sunset Dinner Cruise on Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge - cliffs and ancient rock formations
Landmarks Katherine Hot Springs Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge - Day 6
Katherine to Darwin
Following breakfast at the lodge, travel to Leliyn Falls in Nitmiluk National Park for a swim in the natural pools and waterfalls. The water's refreshing and the setting's nice. Then you head back down the Stuart Highway towards Darwin, spending the drive thinking back on everything you've seen across the Top End and the cultural experiences from the past few days.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Darwin)
Included Activities
- Leliyn (Edith) Falls visit - swim in cascading waterfalls and natural pools (seasonal)
Landmarks Leliyn (Edith) Falls - Day 7
Darwin to Alice Springs
A morning flight gets you from Darwin to Alice Springs. Your driver guide meets you and gives you a tour of this remote town. You'll visit the Overland Telegraph Station to learn about regional history. Then comes an exclusive session with Chef Rayleen Brown about Aboriginal native foods, followed by a tasting of bush tucker flavours grown and used locally in the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters)
Included Activities
- Overland Telegraph Station visit - regional history
- Chef Rayleen Brown experience - Aboriginal native foods knowledge and bush tucker tasting
Landmarks Overland Telegraph Station - Day 8
Alice Springs to Kings Canyon
Driving from Alice Springs towards Kings Canyon, you stop at Erldunda roadhouse, which sits where two major highways meet. Continue on to Kings Canyon Resort in Watarrka National Park where accommodations are modern and comfortable. As evening arrives, you'll have the 'Under a Desert Moon' five-course dinner under the stars, featuring local produce and fine Australian wines that pair well with the experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Under a Desert Moon - five-course dinner under the stars with locally sourced produce and fine Australian wines)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kings Canyon Resort)
Included Activities
- Erldunda roadhouse stop - 'Centre of the Centre' at junction of Stuart and Lasseter Highways
Landmarks Watarrka National Park Erldunda 
- Day 9
Kings Canyon - Uluru
You'll start early with a 6km sunrise rim walk at Kings Canyon, passing the 'Lost City' sandstone domes and heading down to the 'Garden of Eden'. There's a gentler creek bed walk option if you prefer. After that, you'll head to the Wanmarra Community at Karrke for an Aboriginal Cultural Experience where you'll learn how the Luritja and Pertame peoples connect spiritually to the land, plus information about bush food and medicine. The journey continues across desert landscapes to Curtin Springs Station before you arrive at Uluru. You'll spend time at the Cultural Centre learning about Anangu culture and their creation stories.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sails in the Desert Hotel)
Included Activities
- 6km sunrise Rim Walk at Kings Canyon past sandstone domes of 'Lost City' and down to 'Garden of Eden'
- Canyon creek bed walk following Luritja people's footsteps
- Visit to Wanmarra Community at Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience
- Learn about Luritja and Pertame peoples' spiritual connection to the land
- Discover bush food and medicine used for spirituality and healing
- Journey across desert landscapes to Curtin Springs Station
- Explore Uluru Cultural Centre
- Learn about Anangu culture and creation stories of Uluru
Landmarks Kings Canyon Uluru Uluru Cultural Centre Curtin Springs Station 
- Day 10
Uluru - Kata Tjuta
You can catch the sunrise Field of Light experience if you book it separately, or sleep in and take it easy. During the morning, you'll explore Kata Tjuta and walk through Walpa Gorge with its dramatic landscapes. You'll have free time for lunch, then join a tour at the base of Uluru to understand the sacred site's cultural significance. Before evening winds down, you'll watch Uluru's colours shift during sunset while having drinks. There's an optional Uluru Barbecue Dinner available if you book and pay separately, or you can relax on your own for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sails in the Desert Hotel)
Included Activities
- Explore Kata Tjuta
- Wander through Walpa Gorge
- Tour at the base of Uluru learning cultural significance of the sacred site
- Sunset drinks at Uluru
Optional Activities
- Sunrise Field of Light experience by artist Bruce Munro (own expense)
- Uluru Barbecue Dinner (own expense, requires pre-booking)
Landmarks Kata Tjuta Walpa Gorge Uluru Field of Light - Day 11
Uluru to Alice Springs
Driving through the vast Outback, you might spot camels, cattle, and Atila in the distance. Pass through Erldunda and stop at Stuart Wells, an real Outback roadhouse with character. Before getting back to Alice Springs, detour to the West MacDonnell Ranges to see Simpsons Gap and the landscape around it. Later that evening, relax at your hotel and have a celebratory dinner reflecting on the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Celebratory dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters)
Included Activities
- Outback travel - desert landscapes, wildlife spotting (camels, cattle, Atila/Mt. Conner)
- Stuart Wells roadhouse break - authentic Outback experience
- Simpsons Gap exploration in West MacDonnell Ranges
Landmarks Atila (Mt. Conner) Stuart Wells Simpsons Gap West MacDonnell Ranges - Day 12
Alice Springs
Your trip ends today. If you want, there's an optional hot air balloon ride available at your own expense that takes you over the Outback scenery this morning before your departure. Otherwise, it's time to head to the airport and leave Australia, taking memories of the Northern Territory and Outback with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hot air balloon ride over Outback landscapes (own expense)
