Flexible Itineraries
The itinerary shown is intended as a guide only indicating
a typical itinerary & series of activities. While our
intention is to adhere to the published day by day route,
the itinerary, distance travelled, type of accommodation
and available activities may vary due to group input, weather,
road conditions & local restrictions. Early or late
season treks can be affected by extreme weather.
Much of this trek will be planned on
the road to take in the best that Australia has to offer,
so flexibility is the main ingredient.
Tour Description
The first few days finds
us taking the south coast road down to Victoria. Then a
two-night stop in the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne where
you’ll have plenty of time to appreciate this attractive
city and sample a diverse range of international cuisine.
Leaving Melbourne, we head west on the
Great Ocean Road, one of the most scenic coastal stretches
in the world, famed for dramatic rock formations, such as
the Twelve Apostles and the amazing Shipwreck Coast. Explore
Adelaide before we cross the mighty Nullarbor Plain. Maybe
spot whales, dolphins or even wild camels on this desolate
stretch of highway. Along the way we’ll go hiking in
Mt Remarkable National Park, spotting wild kangaroos and
emus at a fantastic lookout over the surrounding gulf country
before heading back to our semi bush camp.
Follow the Southern Ocean to Albany. We
will hike in the tree tops at the "Valley of the Giants"
before climbing the famous Bicentennial Tree. From the Karri
forests we will then take time to explore some of the great
caves found in this area. We watch the Indian and Southern
Ocean convergence before a glass of wine as we tour the
Margaret River winery area.
Relax in Perth for a couple of nights before
heading North through market gardens and vineyards to join
up with Highway 1 on our way to Nambung National Park and
the fascinating Pinnacles. Maybe go sand boarding before
we hike in Kalbarri National Park. Here we take time to
view Natures Window, the Loop and discover the wonders of
the Z-Bend Gorge. At Z-Bend Gorge it is an exhilarating
150 metre descent into the heart of the gorge – well
worth the effort – where there is time to explore and
swim in the tranquil fresh water pools. For the adventurous
there is even an opportunity to try your hand at abseiling.
We make our way down to the beach and the
world famous Monkey Mia bottlenose dolphins – its a
unique experience and there are some fantastic photo opportunities.
Almost as famous as the dolphins are Monkey Mia’s pelicans.
Check them out during the dolphin feeding. Next, we head
to Coral Bay to soak up the sun, relax and swim the crystal
clear waters, or gaze at the beautiful colours and shapes
of the coral reefs at Ningaloo Reef. You can go snorkeling,
cruise on the glass bottom boat, take a quad bike tour or
even a joy flight over the reef .
We then head inland towards the oasis that
is Karijini National Park. We will take on extra provisions
in the iron ore mining town of Tom Price before setting
up our camp overlooking the magnificent Hamersley Range.
You will see why we have allowed the next two days to explore
and bask in the magnificence of this National Park area
and it’s Gorges. The Hamersly Ranges were formed over
2,500 million years ago and are some of the most unusual
landforms on earth. From cascading waterfalls found deep
in the gorges to fresh still pools ideal for swimming, we
experience it all. Some of the gorges are so narrow that
you can touch both sides at once.
After loading our vehicle we head back
into civilization and the old pearling town of Broome. Catch
a camel ride on the beach or a movie in the out door picture
theatre. From here we continue northeast, take a boat ride
on Geike Gorge before we join our 4WD for a 2 day tour through
the Bungle Bungle Ranges.
Visit Mini Palms, Echidna Chasm, Cathedral
Gorge and walk along Piccaninny Creek before we must head
back to Turkey Creek. See the Ord River Dam system that
irrigates this north west corner of the state, hike in Hidden
Valley and relax in Kununurra before crossing the border
into the Northern Territory. Next stop Litchfield National
Park with its' magnetic termite mounds before returning
back to civilisation in Darwin with a real bed in the multi
million-dollar YHA. We normally go out for a meal and perhaps
a fling at a nightclub for those in a party mood. Then a
free day to take in the sights of this frontier city. See
the museums, the historic early settlement, take a trip
on the "Tour Tub!", an open top bus trip of the
city or just chill out by the pool.
A chance for last minute shopping before
we head out on the road to the "World Heritage Listed"
Kakadu National Park, one of Australia’s most beautiful
areas of wilderness. We’ll take you to Nourlangie Rock
to see Aboriginal rock art thousands of years old before
watching the sunset where the aborigines have lived for
over 40,000 years or take a criuse on the Yellow Water Billabong
where you can spot the many crocodiles, birds, snakes, dingos
and more that are abundant in Kakadu.
Next stop is Katherine Gorge, where you
can take a cruise up two of the magnificent natural gorges
carved by the Katherine river before heading to the Aboriginal
buffalo station of Manyallaluk. We join the locals to try
some "Bush Tucker", and learn how to throw a spear
or even "make fire". Find out how the aboriginals
existed for thousands of years in harmony with their surroundings.
The aborigines themselves teach the ancient skills. Also
a great opportunity to purchase didgeridoos, paintings &
woven baskets from the people who make them. We have time
for another relaxing swim at Mataranka Hot Springs after
setting up camp.
The road south leads us past the Daly Waters
Pub before arriving at the eerie Devils Marbles in time
for sunset. Come and hike the rim trail at Kings Canyon.
Marvel at the sheer canyon walls and hit the rim trail for
a hike over the Lost City and the Garden of Eden before
arriving at Ayers Rock Resort. Plenty of time this evening
for that world famous picture of Uluru (Ayers Rock) at sunset.
Next day we’ll take you on a guided
walk around the base of one of the worlds' largest monoliths,
Uluru/Ayers Rock, and reveal some of the Aboriginal legends
that abound in this World Heritage Area Then explore the
Olgas before viewing the sunset over these surreal domes.
Then we have a break in Alice Springs. "The Alice"
is home to some of the world's best hot air ballooning,
complete with a champagne breakfast. Consider taking an
optional day trip through the Western MacDonnell Ranges
where you can see Simpson's Gap, the Ochre Pits or even
hike around Ormiston Gorg; visit the Desert Park, go shopping
or just hang out at the pool.
The next few days
will be a real outback adventure as we cross the remote
landscapes of North Eastern Queensland. You’ll get
a real feel for the vastness and emptiness of much of Australia’s
interior. We set up bush camps along the way, pass through
mining towns, stop at characteristic outback pubs for refreshments
and at hot springs for a swim. We travel through some vastly
changing landscape where we can join the "Flying Doctor
Museum" tour in Conclurry and then meet Russell in
Mount Surprise and interact in his unique reptile show.
Crossing the Atherton
Table lands we'll head into Cairns where a full day on our
multi-million dollar sailing boat awaits. We’ll cruise
to the Outer Barrier Reef where you can snorkel or dive
some of the best sites and marvel at the vast array of marine
life living in the most extensive reef system in the world.
A day you will remember for the rest of your life.
Mission Beach is our next destination.
For those with a strong sense of adventure there is adrenaline
pumping white water rafting or sea kayaking. Alternatively
take the daily boat service out to Dunk Island and try the
unsurpassed rainforest hikes or even muster the courage
to go tandem sky-diving. There are also some great rainforest
walks, where you might spot a cassowary. For a more leisurely
day simply lounge on Mission Beach and work on your suntan.
Our next stop is Airlie Beach, from where
you can access the beautiful paradise that is the Whitsunday
Islands and some of the most picturesque sailing in the
world. The choice today is yours. Choose between a full
day on a fast Maxi sailing yacht, take a cruise to a millionaire's
resort, catch a launch to discover the underwater observatory,
sky-dive, jet-ski or just lie by the pool! In the evening
you can check out a live band & the local nightlife
Come and relax at our private cattle station
where you can horse back ride, join a 4WD tour of the station
or maybe even grab a farm motorbikes and help out with the
day to day chores on this 2,600 acre property and enjoy
some traditional Australian country hospitality.
Continue south along
the coast to Scarborough we’ll pick up our 4WD vehicle
for our 2 day tour of Moreton Island where the world’s
highest sand dunes await you. With miles of deserted white
beaches and inland forests dotted with crystal clear lakes,
this is the highlight of the trip for many. We’ll hike
some of the trails, visit the Tangalooma Wrecks and maybe
view dolphins, fish or pods of whales in season. You can
also explore the shipwrecks and swim in the Blue Lagoon
– a naturally formed “perched lake.” As good
as Fraser Island without the crowds.
Back on the mainland we head South and
have an optional stop at Australia Zoo before arriving at
Surfer’s Paradise, playground of the rich and entertainment
capital of Queensland. Take a surfing lesson or for more
thrills, try one of Surfers’ theme parks. There are
also plenty of bars and nightclubs keeping this 24 hour
party city going!
The next day we head
the morning in laid back Byron Bay, Australia’s most
Easterly point. Explore this alternative community of surfers,
hippies and travellers with its beautiful beaches, wholefood
cafes and arts and crafts stalls. After a final night
at Coffs Harbour we’ll continue heading south down
the coast before arriving into Sydney where we began over
10 weeks ago and the end of our "All of Oz" adventure.
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Tours
around Australia available from Let's Trek small group adventure
tours. Travel all the way around this country from Sydney
to Perth and back via Ayers Rock Kakadu, South Australia
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