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This itinerary is valid for all 2019 departures. To view the itinerary for departures beginning in May 2020, click here.
Arrive at any time.
It’s time to experience Darwin nightlife! Get ready to hang out, have fun, meet some cool locals, and get to know who you’ll be travelling with. Hangout and mingle at the rooftop hostel bar where you’ll be staying before making your way to a backpackers nightclub/bar with a lively atmosphere to enjoy as the night gets into full swing.
Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Set off early from Darwin and head to Litchfield National Park. Visit the Florence Falls, the Buley Rockhole and see the spectacular giant termite mounds. Later, go on a wetland nature cruise to try and spot crocs. Stretch out in a swag (padded canvas bedroll) and sleep under the stars.
The itinerary for this day varies depending on seasonal/weekly weather. We will visit slightly different attractions depending on the weather conditions.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Hike trails to see the Buley Rockhole and Florence Falls. Bring a bathing suit to take a quick dip to cool off. Head to the Buley Rockhole, past forests of Eucalyptus trees, and marvel at the magnetic termite mounds, aligned in a north-south direction.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Enjoy a scenic cruise on the Corroboree Billabong. Learn about the wetlands and their inhabitants from 30 species of birds to the infamous crocodiles. This area is home to the largest concentration of saltwater crocodiles in the world. Bring your camera, insect repellent and get ready for a thrill.
Explore the waterfalls, swimming holes and trails of Kakadu National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Embark early on a full day of exploring. Travel to our overnight camp near Kakadu NP, where swags or tents await. End the day with a group barbecue.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Ubirr is home to one of Kakadu's most famous rock art galleries. See rock paintings depicting fish, turtles and other local wildlife created by Aborigine ancestors thousands of years ago. The view from Ubirr is incredible and you might recognize this spot from the film "Crocodile Dundee."
Visit Gunlom Falls and the large natural swimming pool at their base. Follow a short but steep path to the top of the falls to find more pools to swim in. From up top, take in the amazing, sweeping views over southern Kakadu. Due to weather conditions, Gunlom Falls is only accessible during the dry season (April to Oct).
See different artifacts and learn about the history of the Indigenous people in the region at the cultural centre within Kakadu NP. Take time to shop for local, authentic Indigenous products before leaving.
Named after the Bowali Creek that runs through Kakadu NP, the visitor centre highlights some of the different sights and animals we may come across while exploring the park.
Spend the morning exploring Kakadu NP. Finish the day with a drive to beautiful Katherine Gorge, stopping at Edith Falls on the way.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Enjoy a free morning. Opt to walk the stunning Katherine Gorge or get adventurous with a flat-bottomed boat or helicopter flight over the gorge. Stop off at nearby hot springs, then travel to the small town of Daly Waters. Hit up the local watering hole for a true Outback experience.
We end the day in Daly Waters, a small Outback town. It may seem quiet at first glance, but end the day at the famous local pub for a true Outback experience.
Stop for a dip in the thermal pools in Mataranka. Fed by a natural spring, the crystal clear waters are constantly around 34 degrees Celcius and are perfect for relaxing after a day on the road.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Get up close to Australia's sandstone and riverside landscapes as you paddle towards Katherine Gorge.
Take a short self-guided walk along Katherine Gorge to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the area. Stop at the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre learn more about the cultural and spiritual significance of the area for the Jawoyn.
Hop aboard a flat-bottomed boat and enjoy the view from Katherine River. With cliffs on either side of the river (try and spot the Indigenous rock art paintings) and freshwater and and saltwater crocodiles along the banks and in the water (depends on the season which one!), there's something to see wherever you look.
Enjoy a bird's eye view of Katherine Gorge with an optional helicopter flight.
Take in the vastness of the Northern Territory and travel south to Alice Springs via the Devils Marbles - giant red granite boulders that are a sacred site to the Indigenous people in the area.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Spend your free day journeying through the heart of Australia. Simply enjoy the delights of this Outback town from quirky bars to lively cafes, and restaurants with stunning views; there’s plenty to choose from.
What are you waiting for? Get out and explore.
Get a glimpse of authentic Aussie flora and fauna at the Alice Springs Desert Park. This open-air park highlights the creatures of the Outback in re-created natural habitats. If you've been itching to spot some rare and elusive wildlife, like the bilby, now's your chance!
Book an early morning hot air balloon flight and see the Outback from a perspective like no other.
You may be a seasoned pro at group travel by now, but there will likely be some new travellers joining the group. Sit in on the welcome meeting to meet the newest members of your group and learn about the next leg of your tour.
Learn all about the Royal Flying Doctor Service and its role in the lives of Australians. Find a replica of the 1920s bush planes first used by the service, and uncover the stories of pilots, engineers, doctors and nurses who brought much-needed medical care to people who live in remote inland communities.
Depart early and travel to the Red Centre. Hike the awe-inspiring Kings Canyon (seasonal) before continuing on to Uluru.
Depart early for the Red Centre. Travel to Kings Canyon and embark on an optional walk, weather permitting, through the gorges and valleys of Watarrka National Park.
Continue on to the Yulara campground for the night.
From late October - early March, if the temperature is forecasted to be 35°C or above we will be following the summer itinerary and visiting the West MacDonnell Ranges instead of Kings Canyon.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
HIke through beautiful Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park on this walk that visits the natural amphitheatre, the North and South walls, and the Garden of Eden.
Visit an Indigenous culture centre and enjoy the informative Mala Walk at Uluru. Catch the sunset over Uluru with a glass of bubbly in hand. Camp under the stars of the night sky—the only way to really experience the Outback.
Visit the Indigenous Cultural Centre to get a better understanding of the area before embarking on the Mala Walk around part of the base of Uluru (Ayers Rock). Learn the significance behind this iconic destination for the local people.
Experience the colourful sunset at Uluru while enjoying a glass of bubbly. Marvel at the night sky while bunking down in a swag (canvas bedroll) for the night.
Take a guided walk along the northwest side of Uluru to learn about the history of the area, hear the stories of the Anangu people and gaze upon these awe-inspiring uplifted sandstone rock formations.
Learn about Indigenous Australian culture in the area to get a better perspective of the history, beliefs and present-day life of the Anangu people. Discover the wild world of bush tucker (indigenous food), find out which plants are used in bush medicine, and hear creation stories.
Enjoy a glass of bubbly, and watch the setting sun transform Uluru into a glowing monolith bathed in deep reds and oranges. Capture the moment with your camera but also take a moment to soak in the serenity of the scene just with your own eyes. Magic!
Enjoy a tour of the night sky, learning how Indigenous people of Australia used the stars for mythology and seasonal predictions while getting a chance to stargaze through telescopes and binoculars. The Outback is one of the best places to stargaze, with low humidity and surrounding light - take a peek and see whats out there!
Walk through the Valley of the Winds to explore the beautiful, red, domed rocks that comprise the site. Visit two separate lookouts for great views over the area.
See some of the highlights of the red centre from a bird's-eye view. Take to the air and choose between a 15-minute loop around Uluru, or opt to also see Kata Tjuta on a 25-minute flight.
Travel to the town of Coober Pedy, the world's opal mining capital. After a guided tour of a mine, escape the heat like the locals by spending the night underground.
Travel across the Outback to the unique opal mining town of Coober Pedy, where people live underground to avoid the heat. A guided mine tour gives insight to the mining process and then importance of opal to the area.
This is one of a few long travel days on this itinerary. The vast expanses of the Outback make long drives necessary to travel between towns – so strap in and enjoy the desert scenery, get to know a fellow traveller, and chill out on this epic Outback roadtrip!
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Learn about opals and Coober Pedy's mining history on a tour of an old opal mine. See examples of both hand-dug and machine-dug underground homes, which are a popular way to escape the heat.
Admire the Outback while travelling to the Flinders Ranges for the night.
Prepare for an early morning start for the travel day to Flinders Ranges.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Explore the Flinders Ranges before travelling to Adelaide. Enjoy a local food experience in the Clare Valley along the way.
Travel through the Clare Valley, stopping to enjoy a local food experience featuring South Australia's best regional produce. Arrive in Adelaide, known as the "city of churches'.
South Australia is a region renowned for its local produce, which makes it the perfect place to sample local delicacies such as cheeses, olives, pickles, chutneys, jams and other baked goods. Try a few of these tasty treats and learn more about the food culture in this unique part of the world!
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Get ready to stuff your face in the food and wine capital of Australia; Adelaide. Wander the clean laneways and sample your way from place to place as the sun warms your skin. With an emerging art scene, natural beauty, interesting attractions, and incredible restaurants, Adelaide has tons to see and do. Get out and discover the hub of South Australia!
There's plenty to see and do in Adelaide, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like hitting the beach, going on a haunted tour of the Old Adelaide Gaol, and visiting local wineries. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
There are very few places in the world that you can swim with dolphins in the wild, so don’t miss the opportunity to get close to these majestic creatures. Watch them interact and play around you while you swim in their natural habitat. Available mid-Sept to late-April.
Dreamy days and new locations call for one-of-a-kind experiences. Book the Barossa Valley Food & Wine tour for an intimate experience in the valley. The tour includes a full-day of sampling some of the Barossa’s finest wines and gourmet food. You will also have the chance to visit the new Barossa Valley Chocolate Company, the famous Maggie Beer’s Farm shop, and two award winning cellar doors.
Remote, wild, and stunning, Kangaroo Island is the perfect mixture of all things Aussie. Hop over to the island for a day exploring the coastline and creatures that call it home. Prepare for a full day (up to 16 hours) that will leave you enchanted and in love with this slice of paradise just off the mainland.
Skip sleeping in this morning and travel inland to Grampians National Park. Trek through lush forest, view the craggy sandstone Wonderland range in the distance, and examine impressive indigenous rock art. Home to some pretty amazing scenic lookouts this national park will grant you with many photo opportunities so make sure those cameras are charged before heading into the thick of it all. Walk to the stunning Balconies for expansive views of the Victoria Valley below, then stop at one of the largest waterfalls in Victoria; Mackenzie Falls and watch the water cascading down cliff faces as it creates rainbows in the air. Close your eyes, breathe in the fresh air, and find peace in the moment.
Depart early and travel inland to Grampians NP, known for its sandstone mountain range and impressive rock art. Walk to the stunning Balconies and visit MacKenzie Falls.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Set off from the Reed Lookout overlooking Victoria Valley, and enjoy a short walk with beautiful scenery to the Balconies, formerly called the Jaws of Death. Check out the gorgeous view, but be careful not to lean too far over the edge!
MacKenzie Falls is the only waterway in the region that flows year-round and it is also the most visited waterfall in the Grampians; take a short walk and check out the falls out from a viewing platform. In Spring, see wonderful wildflowers in bloom along the path.
Open your eyes to the smells and sounds of the lush forest of Grampians NP and lace up those hiking boots for an early morning walk within the park. Are you feeling historical? Visit an Indigenous Cultural Centre where you can choose to throw a boomerang, sample local delicacies like emu or kangaroo, and walk through gardens planted with native herbs and plants to help you learn about the history of Australia’s Indigenous peoples. Then drive along the iconic Great Ocean Road, viewing sites like the collapsed London Arch on the way to Port Campbell.
Walk past lookouts, sandstone ridges and other various rock formations. Be rewarded with sweeping views of the natural landscape.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Stop by the rock formation named the London Arch, formerly the London Bridge, until part of the arch collapsed in 1990. This brief stop on the Great Ocean Road showcases the art of nature -- the erosion of limestone and the beautiful rock formations it creates.
Dive into ‘Dreamtime’ and experience the stories, food, and art of Australia’s Indigenous peoples. Go on a guided walk through gardens planted with native herbs and plants, get up close to some rock art, and opt to pay to throw a boomerang’ before heading to Bushfoods cafe to sample some local delicacies like kangaroo pie -- anyone still hungry?
No need to say goodbye to the Great Ocean Road just yet! Continue travelling along the road with the group making visits to Loch Ard Gorge and the 12 Apostles along the way. It’s no wonder that the 12 Apostles are the star of the show on the Great Ocean Road. They are the kind of landmark that somehow finds a way to be more stunning in person than in photos.
Gaze in wonder at smooth pearlescent bays surrounded by clear, blue water, flanked by yellow-washed cliff faces, and feel the wind whipping through your hair. Then travel past world-famous surf beaches before walking through the rainforest one last time in Great Otway National Park. After soaking up all the nature you can, continue to the hip city of Melbourne in the evening.
Tour ends on arrival to Melbourne.
Tour ends upon arrival in Melbourne in the afternoon. Consider booking post-tour accommodation in Melbourne to explore the city.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Located along the Great Ocean Road, beautiful Loch Ard Gorge shows the process of erosion in action. See offshore stacks and blowholes, and watch short tailed shearwaters soar over the nearby island. This location is a perfect backdrop for a group photo. Get snapping!
Stop at a scenic lookout point along the Great Ocean Road and capture the beautiful views over the ocean and the Twelve Apostles. Now with only seven formations still standing, these iconic attractions were once limestone caves which eroded to become arches and eventually stacks up to 45m (147 ft) in height.
Take in the beautiful greenery of the Great Otway National Park on a leisurely walk with your CEO.
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.