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.
Tour Description
Saying
a fond farewell to Sydney, we set out on the coast road
through Taree. We stop at a koala breeding park and sanctuary
before heading onto our first night's accommodation at
Coffs Harbour. Continue up
the coast to Byron Bay and walk out to Australia's most
easterly point. Look out for dolphins playing in the surf.
The sun and sand will wash away the strains of everyday
life!
Our next stop is one of
the tours highlights - Moreton Island. After a short
ferry crossing to Moreton Island we'll spend two full
days exploring one of the world's largest sand island
by 4WD vehicles and staying in a fisherman's cottage.
Explore old shipwrecks, wonder on deserted beaches, sand
toboggan on the dunes and swim in crystal clear lagoons.
Enjoy the coast before crossing
the Tropic of Capricorn at Rockhampton and entering the
tropical zone. Arriving in Airlie Beach we have come to
the gateway of our expedition to the Whitsunday Island
Group, some of the most picturesque sailing in the world.
With suntan lotion and swimming costume in hand its
time to embark on an island cruise. The choice is yours
between a day on a fast Maxi sailing yacht or to catch
a launch to discover the underwater observatory and several
of the island resorts. In the evening you can check out
a live band & the local nightlife.
Heading further north along
the coast we spend two nights relaxing at Mission Beach.
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. For a more leisurely day simply
lounge on Mission Beach and work on your suntan. The choice
is yours.
We make our way to Cairns
for our included full-day sailing cruise to the Outer
Barrier Reef. Try scuba diving, (no experience needed),
hand feed the fish or snorkel among the vibrant coral
in the warm tropical waters. A day you will remember for
the rest of your life. We then travel west over the Great
Dividing Range passing through small quiet outback country
towns like Julia Creek.
Travel through some vastly changing landscapes
en route to the mining town of Mt Isa. We depart Queensland
through Camooweal and into the exciting Northern Territory
to see just how flat this remarkable country is. Meet
the locals at the renowned Daly Waters Pub for a refreshing
drink, then take a refreshing dip in the turquoise waters
of Mataranka's thermal pool, nestled amongst tall shady
palms.
Heading North, join us on a cruise up
two of the spectacular gorge systems of Katherine Gorge
before visiting the famous Magnetic termite mounds in
Litchfield National Park. There is time for a morning
swim at Florence Falls before arriving this afternoon
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.
Back on the road, we head to the "World
Heritage Listed" Kakadu National Park, one of Australia's
most beautiful wilderness areas. and explore Nourlangie
& Ubirr Rock to see Aboriginal art thousands of years
old. We'll take you to the impressive visitor's centre
and the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre to learn
about the aborigines that have inhabited this area for
over 30'000 years. The included Yellow Water Billabong
Cruise gives us a chance to spot crocodiles, birds, snakes,
dingos and all sorts of wildlife in the lively mangrove
swamps and wetlands.
The road south leads us past the Daly
Waters Pub again. Visit the gold mining town of Tennant
Creek before arriving at the eerie Devils Marbles in time
for sunset. There are several short hikes around the area
& some stunning photographs to be taken.
Next, there are two full days to spend
exploring Alice Springs. Maybe take a hot air balloon
flight, complete with champagne breakfast, consider a
day tour through the Western MacDonnell ranges, where
you can see Simpson's Gap, the Ochre Pits or even hike
around Ormiston Gorge. Why not eat out in one of the great
restaurants or maybe have pizza tonight?
Experience aboriginal life on an included
cultural tour before we visit a working camel farm where
you can catch a camel ride over stunning sand hills. We
hit the track south to Kings Canyon and marvel at the
sheer canyon walls. Hike and photograph the "Lost
City" and "Garden of Eden".
We'll the drive further outback to one
of the worlds' largest monoliths, Uluru (Ayers Rock) as
the sun sets. We'll hike and photograph the base of Uluru,
learning some of the Aboriginal legends that surround
this sacred area, spend time at the unique visitor's centre.
Watch the sunrise at Uluru before we
join the haunting Valley of the Winds walk around Kata
Tjuta (the Olgas), giant dome shaped boulders looming
out of the flat desert. Sadly we must head back to Alice
Springs and the end of this unforgettable adventure.
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