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

Say a fond farewell to Sydney on our first as we head to Australia’s largest city, Canberra, the nations’ capital. Take a tour through Parliament House, visit the National Art Gallery, War Memorial & Lake Burley Griffen or take a look at the nation's capital from one of the many lookouts around the city.

We head down to the south coast and the Lakes Entrance before arriving at Melbourne, Australia’s most cosmopolitan city. You’ll have plenty of time to appreciate this attractive city where you can sample a diverse range of international cuisine or catch a traditional Aussie rules football game.

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. We continue over the Victorian/South Australian border and visit the volcanic Blue Lake in Mount Gambier. We’ll camp near Coorong National Park where you’ll see an abundance of pelicans and other wildlife. Next we’ll take you through South Australia’s wine growing region, the McLaren Vale, to try some of the local vintage.

After stopping in South Australia’s capital, Adelaide, come 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. Marvel at the changing scenery on the Stuart Highway as we head into the true outback interior and Coober Pedy. Take an opal mine tour - a great opportunity to purchase opals from the miners themselves. Tonight we will sleep underground in a dugout motel after a night out with the locals.

You will really appreciate how big and flat this country is as we cross the border into the Northern Territory and head towards Uluru (Ayers Rock). Our first view of the mighty monolith will be at sunset, so you can witness the changing shades of red of this awe inspiring natural splendour. The following day we will hike around the base of Uluru, learning some of the aboriginal legends that abound in this World Heritage Area. We’ll also visit the excellent cultural centre before heading to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), a series of large dome shaped rocks. The third natural wonder in this area is King’s Canyon. We’ll hike the challenging Rim Trail, seeing the Garden of Eden, a chasm filled with palm trees and take in some stunning views across the Canyon.

We'll head to Alice Springs via Kings Creek Station where there is an opportunity for you to take a quad bike or camel ride. We have a free day to take time out 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. There's the chance to hit the town in the evening for a meal out and maybe one of the local clubs or bars.

Heading North again, stopping at the Devil’s Marbles for some great photos and a hike before arriving at our "bush camp" for the night. We’ll then spend a night at Manyallaluk, an Aboriginal camp where you will learn more about this ancient culture. Learn how to throw a spear or even "make fire" using two sticks. Find out how the aboriginals existed for thousands of years in harmony with their surroundings. The aboriginals themselves teach these ancient skills. They will take us on a hike to learn more about "Bush Tucker". An excellent opportunity to purchase didgeridoos, paintings and woven baskets from the people who make them, and all the money stays in the community.

Next stop is Katherine Gorge, where you can take a cruise up two of the magnificent natural gorges carved by the Katherine river. For our final night we’ll camp by a crystal clear waterfall
in Litchfield National Park. Time for a swim then a walk down to the base of Florence Falls. Learn about the magnetic termite mounds before heading to the city of 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.

We leave Darwin and Australia’s Top End to explore the "World Heritage Listed" Kakadu National Park, one of Australia’s most beautiful areas of wilderness. Come and explore 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 maybe 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. Heading south we arrive at the tranquil Mataranka Hot Springs for a soak in the palm shaded thermal pools.

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 on the Tully River or sea kayaking. Alternatively take the daily boat service out to Dunk Island and hike the rainforests looking for the elusive cassowary (similat to an emu) or even muster the courage to go tandem sky-diving. 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

Leaving the coast behind, we head for our real working cattle station for a taste of Australian country life. Try horseback riding, 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.

Picking up our 4WD vehicle we take a barge out to 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 stop at the Gold Coast. Take a surfing lesson at Surfer’s Paradise where you can take a surfing lesson and view Australia's most easterly point and light-house at Byron Bay. You might spot some dolphins playing in the surf or a whale if the season is right.

There is still time to try river kayaking or, mountain biking at Barrington Tops before arriving in Sydney around 7:00 pm and the end of our tour.

 

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