Northern Territory Explorer

Uluru
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It’s hard to comprehend how vast (and diverse) the Northern Territory is until you’ve cruised through its gorges, discovered wonderment in national parks, eased into thermal springs and discovered ancient Aboriginal history. This epic Northern Territory tour from Darwin takes in sights from Uluru to Kakadu, Alice Springs to Katherine Gorge. Expect cruises, sunrises and sunsets, Aboriginal rock art, classic outback pubs – and a few surprises.

Departure dates

From 14/08/2024 to 24/08/2024

What's included

Highlights.
Life in the Northern Territory moves at a leisurely pace.
Choose your own leisurely adventure during your free time in Uluru.
Have your camera poised: we’re taking you from the wilds of Kakadu to the escarpments of Nitmiluk Gorge and epic landscapes of Uluru.
Visiting Aboriginal-owned and -operated Pudukal Aboriginal Cultural Experience helps ensure the world’s oldest culture thrives into the future.
Sunrise over Uluru has this incredible ability to make you forget everything else around you and just focus on the now.
Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver that are accredited with Kakadu and Uluru National Parks 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Kakadu and Uluru National Parks Comfortable accommodation with easy access to city centres National Park entrance fees for Kakadu, Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Nitmiluk National Parks Boat cruises in Kakadu at Yellow Water Billabong and Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge Uluru Guided touring and sunset drinks and nibbles Entrance fees for an Indigenous Guided Tour of Alice Springs Desert Park, Telegraph Station and School of the AirSunglasses, sunscreen and hat Water bottle Warm layers in cooler months Camera Comfortable walking shoesFlights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price.
Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 3.
00pm into Darwin AirportDay 11 – flights to depart anytime from Ayers Rock AirportLow level of fitness required.
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• Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver that are accredited with Kakadu and Uluru National Parks • 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Kakadu and Uluru National Parks • Comfortable accommodation with easy access to city centres • National Park entrance fees for Kakadu, Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Nitmiluk National Parks • Boat cruises in Kakadu at Yellow Water Billabong and Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge • Uluru Guided touring and sunset drinks and nibbles • Entrance fees for an Indigenous Guided Tour of Alice Springs Desert Park, Telegraph Station and School of the Air.
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Itinerary / more information

  • Day 1 Get to know the steamy NT capital at your own pace - you'll fast find that the characters here are almost as colourful as the sunsets. You'll enjoy the latter over drinks and dinner with your Travel Director and fellow adventure-seekers. A tasty entr?e to your 11-day odyssey.
  • Day 2 Today is about getting your Darwin bearings on a city tour revealing the events that have shaped the city over the decades, from wars to natural disasters. You'll be a Darwin expert after visiting attractions like East Point Military Reserve and the MAGNT (Museum and Art Gallery Northern Territory). The afternoon is at your leisure. If you're at a loss for ideas, we can point you in the direction of the Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility, perhaps, or the Mindil Beach Sunset Market, loaded with 200+ stalls. Grab a bite and watch the day end with your feet in the sand.
  • Day 3 Aboriginal culture is strong in this part of Australia, and its kept alive by Traditional Landowners on this morning's tour. 100% Aboriginal owned and operated family business, Pudakul offers cultural and nature-based cultural experiences from the Adelaide River Flood Plains on Aboriginal owned land Limilngan-Wulna. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER(R) Experience, dive deep into First Nations heritage, highlighting art, music and bush tucker. Your next deep dive is into the heart of Kakadu, a World Heritage listed national park that is one of Australia's most important living ecosystems.
  • Day 4 Kakadu is vast, spanning almost 20,000 square kilometres. The best way to gain appreciation for just how immense it really is from the air on an optional, but highly recommended morning flight (own expense). Now that you have your bearings, take to the land to discover ancient Aboriginal rock art and cruise the wildlife-packed Yellow Water Billabong to search for enormous saltwater crocs - your eagle-eyed local cruise guide knows where to look.
  • Day 5 From one glorious national park to another... today's backdrop is the escarpments of Nitmiluk National Park, carved out over millions of years. Cruising through Nitmiluk Gorge is a humbling experience even before you know the region's history. Hear the ancient story of the cicada, embodying the spiritual connection between the Jawoyn people and their land.
  • Day 6 If the Elsey Homestead looks familiar, that's because it starred in the 1982 Aussie drama We of the Never Never. Today it's better known for its Mataranka thermal hot springs. Pop on your swimsuit and have a soothing soak, the magical setting surrounded by palms. The only thing more refreshing is a cold beverage at the Daly Waters Pub, self-declared as Australia's 'original outback pub'. You can imagine the kind of swagger the locals bring. Visitors are encouraged to leave their mark as well; a memento, perhaps, something of their own.
  • Day 7 The Stuart Highway is long (2,700 kilometres), very straight and very flat. Which makes the appearance of Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) on the horizon all the more dramatic. These granite boulders pock the countryside. But they're not just a pretty sight - they're a sacred place for the Aboriginal community reflecting cultural beliefs and serving as a sacred site for ceremonies and storytelling. Get the lay of the land atop Alice Springs' Anzac Hill. From this vantage, the East and West MacDonnell Ranges appear to stretch to the horizon.
  • Day 8 Visit the Alice Springs Desert Park, home to a vast range of plants and wildlife native to the area. You can really experience the beauty and diversity of this incredible landscape. The Arrernte people, traditional owners of the park, are also on hand to share their local wisdom and knowledge. Save some energy for this afternoon's visit to the historic Telegraph Station - the reason the town was formed - and School of the Air, to gain an insight into outback and remote learning.
  • Day 9 From the moment you wake up until the last of day disappears, spiritual Aboriginal culture is all around during today's exploring. Get set to be in awe over stories about the creation of Uluru, the world's largest monolith. It's particularly pretty at sunset when the fading rays change the desert's colour with every sip of your sparkling wine and nibbles. Choose to extend your evening under the stars with an optional BBQ dinner (own expense).
  • Day 10 There aren't many things worth getting up in the dark for. Sunrise over Uluru is one. It's a magical time of day, the shifting light casting the countryside aglow. Exploring the base on an Uluru tour, you'll begin to understand why this part of the country is so special to the Anangu, who have called the region home for millennia. Go at your own pace this afternoon. We wouldn't blame you for taking a dip in the resort pool to cool off. But if you want to see Uluru in another different light, opt to chopper around it on a scenic helicopter flight (own expense). You'll have plenty of stories to tell over your Farewell Dinner.
  • Day 11 Another reason to rise early: to catch the Field of Light art installation by artist Bruce Munro that blankets the desert floor (own expense). Your spirit will glow just as brightly as you bid farewell to this epic Northern Territory tour.
  • Prices quoted valid for sale until 21 July 2024 unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
  • Price is per person and subject to availability. Accommodation (if included) is based on twin share unless otherwise stated.
  • Airfare (including internal flights) is not included unless otherwise stated and, if included, is economy class unless otherwise stated.
  • Local payments, "trip kittys" or food funds may apply and may be payable direct to the supplier on arrival or to your travel agent prior to your departure. Where applicable, these payments are included in the total price quoted.
  • Gratuities are not included unless otherwise stated.
  • Additional conditions and travel restrictions may apply. Please enquire for further details.
  • Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes, levies and government charges current at time of publication.
  • Additional levies, government charges and other applicable fees may apply and are beyond our control.
  • Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply depending on date of travel.
  • Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.
  • Prices shown are for payments made by cash in store or Bpay.
  • These prices are a guide to the best price. Prices are correct as at 16 July 2024 and are subject to change without notice, due to matters outside our control, such as adverse currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, taxes and airfare increases. Please enquire for further details.

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