Central Australian Discovery

This adventure is jam-packed with moments that you’ll want to re-live again and again. Moments like soaring over the mysterious Lost City on a scenic flight and dining overlooking Uluru as darkness falls and the Field of Light comes to life.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Darwin

Be met on arrival in Darwin and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure before a relaxed welcome dinner.

Day 2: Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, Katherine

Head towards the remote township of Katherine and enjoy a Signature Experience. Later, discover the music, stories and ways of the local Jawoyn people.

Day 3: Katherine, Lorella Springs Wilderness Park

Today, travel to Lorella Springs Wilderness Park, a one million-acre working castle station that stretches all the way to the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Day 4: Lorella Springs Wilderness Park, Lost City, Barkly

Today, we will explore this coastal wilderness sanctuary, driving through a variety of landscapes and a scenic flight. This 4000-square-kilometre park contains coastal floodplains, salt flats and mangroves, escarpment country and dense forest.Leave the oasis of Lorella Springs to journey along Nathan River Road towards Ryan’s Bend. Along the way, take a break to Savour a leisurely lunch at the iconic Heartbreak Hotel before continuing your route to Barkly Homestead, your evening destination.

Day 5: Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles), Alice Springs

Venture to Alice Springs via Tennant Creek. Along the way, stop at Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles). A living cultural landscape, nearly the entire reserve is a registered sacred site.

Day 6: Alice Springs, West MacDonnell Ranges

Explore Simpsons Gap, which pierces the West MacDonnell Ranges. This sacred area is an important spiritual site to the Arrarnta Indigenous people, where several Dreamtime stories have said to take place. Continue to the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park, whose landscapes played a significant role in the stories of Western Arrernte Indigenous culture. At Angkerle (Standley Chasm), follow a creek where spring-fed pools attract a variety of unique birdlife. Afterwards, visit Ormiston Gorge, home to a variety of unique species. Later, take the afternoon to unwind.

Day 7: Mereenie Loop Road, Kings Canyon

Travel to Hermannsberg and visit the Namatjira School of Art, where you can view authentic art pieces. Afterwards, travel to Gosses Bluff crater, before heading off-road along the Mereenie Loop Road. Take in the outback scenes as you travel to Kings Canyon.

Day 8: Kings Canyon, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Journey into the heart of Watarrka National Park today, where unspoiled bush and red rock canyons create an amazing experience. The Luritja people have called Watarrka National Park home for more than 20,000 years. After lunch, head inside Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Visit Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), consisting of 36 domes that form deep valleys and steep-sided gorges. Explore Walpa Gorge before arriving at Ayers Rock Resort.

Day 9: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

At sunrise, embark on a base tour of Uluru, learning stories from the Dreamtime while you explore this icon.

Day 10: Coober Pedy

Cross into South Australia and arrive in the outback town of Coober Pedy. Visit the Umoona Opal Mine, where you’ll get an insight into Indigenous and European settlement in the area, as well as learning about how opals are mined.

Day 11: Oodnadatta Track, Marree

Today you will journey along the Oodnadatta Track, pausing at William Creek for lunch. Perhaps board a scenic flight over the awe-inspiring Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre. Take to the skies and gain a true appreciation of this natural wonder from above (own expense). Afterwards, drive to the edge of Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre and look out over the seemingly endless salt flats. Later, arrive at the small town of Marree.

Day 12: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

On the way to Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, stop for lunch at Parachilna’s famous Prairie Hotel. Arrive at the national park, which is a cultural site renowned for its 800-million-year-old landscapes. Explore Wilpena Pound, cradled within a natural amphitheatre of mountains. Continue to your accommodation, set amongst river red gums and native pines.

Day 13: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

A full day has been set aside for you to explore Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park in more depth. Visit Brachina Gorge and keep an eye out for the endangered yellow-footed rock-wallaby as you traverse the gorge’s ancient layers. Spend the afternoon at leisure, or perhaps take an optional scenic flight over Wilpena Pound (own expense).

Day 14: Clare Valley, Adelaide

Farewell Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park as you make your way through the wine-growing district of the Clare Valley. Here, enjoy lunch at The Watervale Hotel. Arrive in Adelaide and toast the end of your journey during a farewell dinner.

Day 15: Depart Adelaide

After breakfast, farewell your new-found friends and be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.