Experience the ever changing landscapes as you travel from the East
Coast to the Red Centre. From the Snowy River high country, via the
Great Ocean Road, and through Adelaide and on to the centre of
Australia's desert landscapes.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Sydney to Snowy Mountains (via Canberra)
Our first
stop today is the capital city of Australia – Canberra – where the Prime
Minister hangs out. A tour through Parliament house and a visit to the
Australian War Memorial before we enjoy views from the city's high point
and drive by some of the Foreign Embassy's, there is more to Canberra
than you think! After lunch in the central retail area, we tackle the
Monaro plains, learn of the hardships and international relations formed
with the areas super sized engineering feats of the Snowy Hydro Scheme.
We are then bound for our overnight stop in the heart of the Snowy
Mountains. (D)
Day 2 – Snowy Mountains to Gippsland Lakes
Just
when you thought we were at the top, there is just a little further to
go (weather permitting), up to the highest point in Australia - Mt
Kosciuszko. At 2228 metres it is an easy grade hike from the top of the
Crakenback Express chairlift, or you may choose only the shorter walk to
the lookout point. In winter (Jun – Sep) we visit the Ski Resort of
Perisher for some fun in the snow. As we turn Southbound the journey
'wow factor' is heightened again with our afternoon drive conquering the
famous Snowy River country and crossing the border into Victoria. This
evening, back at sea level we enjoy a night on the edge of a coastal
lake. (BD)
Day 3 – Gippsland Lakes to Melbourne (via Wilsons Promontory)
With
Bass Strait by our side, we skirt the north eastern coast of Victoria
as we make tracks for the Southern most National Park of the Australian
mainland – Wilsons Promontory. You may be able to take your Aussie 'Coat
of Arms' photo with a chance of seeing Kangaroos and Emus together on
the vast grasslands. A hike up and along the granite outcrops will lead
us to an area to take in the awesome views of the surrounding coastline.
With the bright lights and lively buzz of Melbourne in our sights we
dodge the trams and navigate the city streets for our central drop off.
(B)
Day 4 – Melbourne
Enjoy a FREE day in Melbourne to relax or explore the city. Overnight dorm accommodation included. (Meals at own expense)
Day 5 - Melbourne via Great Ocean Rd to Port Campbell
We
pass Geelong and check out the surfing town of Torquay then to the
renowned surfing location of Bells Beach and Lorne before arriving in
the coastal township of Apollo Bay. At Kennett River we spot for koalas
and watch and listen to the abundant birdlife. After lunch we hit the
cool temperate rainforest of the Otway National Park, where we spend
time at the Otway Fly Tree Top Walk (included). Rejoining the Great
Ocean Road we will visit the amazing Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.
Late afternoon we arrive into the township of Port Campbell, a
colourful seaside village sheltered by cliffs and pines. (D)
Day 6 – Port Campbell to Grampians National Park
Before
leaving the coast and trailing towards the end of the Great Ocean Road,
we explore some of the other geological phenomena along this remarkable
stretch of coastline. Discover The Arch, London Bridge and the Bay of
Martyrs, just to name a few. Our destination this afternoon is the
Grampians National Park, one of Victoria's most popular holiday
destinations. We embark on a hike in the National Park to take in the
breathtaking rocky views. This area is rich in Aboriginal culture set in
a rugged ancient landscape. (BD)
Day 7 - Halls Gap to Adelaide
This
morning we visit the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre to learn of the
local dreamtime stories. Test your local artistic skills as we create
our very own personalised souvenirs. Leaving via Halls Gap, we say
farewell to the 'Grampians'. Crossing the mighty Murray River, passing
through the Adelaide Hills we arrive into Adelaide, South Australia's
capital. (BL)
Day 8 – Adelaide
Enjoy a FREE day in Adelaide to relax or explore the city. Overnight dorm accommodation included. (B)
Day 9 – Adelaide to Quorn
Leaving
Adelaide we travel through the Clare Valley as we make our way towards
the stunning Flinders Ranges. On our journey we enjoy a lunch break at a
local Clare Valley Winery, with some tastings thrown in. We have the
opportunity to then gain a bird's eye view from the top of Mt Remarkable
as we look out over this beautiful region. We check into our private
accommodation at the historical 'Mill' before enjoying a classic pub
dinner & drink with the locals! This great Aussie Atmosphere sets
our scene for this evening. (D)
Day 10 – Flinders Ranges & Wilpena Pound
This
morning we enter the National Park where adventure, spirituality and
tranquillity co-exist in one majestic destination. We set out on a hike
for some spectacular views of the "Flinders Ranges", named one of
Australia's outstanding national landscapes. See the natural
amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound - a lost world, located inside a giant
stone crater. On our return to Quorn we visit the Yourambulla Caves for a
glimpse at some local Aboriginal rock paintings and the stories that go
with them. This evening enjoy a casual BBQ dinner. Overnight at the
Quorn "Mill". (BLD)
Day 11 – Quorn to Coober Pedy
Leaving
Quorn we travel through Port Augusta, then head north into the open
landscapes and join the Stuart Highway (one of the longest highways in
the world). Passing several salt lakes, you can capture a great photo
opportunity of the vastness of Central Australia before we arrive in the
"Opal Capital of the World", Coober Pedy. A diverse township renowned
for its many underground attractions! On arrival we enjoy a town tour
which includes a visit to an underground mine & museum. Our
accommodation for tonight is – you guessed it – underground. (BLD)
Day 12 – Coober Pedy to Marla
Before
departing Coober Pedy we visit an outdoor public opal fossicking site,
with the opportunity to try your luck 'noodling' for opals! From here we
go north up the Stuart Highway and into the rugged country of
Australia's inland and a visit to 'The Breakaways' with amazing views
that go on and on and on! Tonight our remote base is a little further up
at Marla. (BLD)
Day 13 – Marla to Uluru
From Marla, we
cross the Northern Territory border and arrive at the Uluru – Kata Tjuta
National Park. Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) will fascinate you, and you will
discover some of the secrets of this ancient landform during the Valley
of the Winds hike. You'll be mesmerised as the desert sun sets over
Uluru, and as the night grows darker, curl up in your swag (Aussie
bedroll) under millions of stars. (BLD)
Day 14 – Uluru to Kings Canyon
It's
an early start this morning, but you'll be rewarded with a glorious
Uluru sunrise. While the morning's fresh (and your legs are too!) enjoy
an unguided walk around the base of Uluru. You will then deepen your
understanding of the land and the Mala people as you take a cultural
interpretive walk with an Aboriginal guide (and interpreter).
Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to purchase Aboriginal arts
and crafts at the Cultural Centre before we travel to our exclusive
campsite within the Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) where we sleep
for the night. (BLD)
Day 15 – Kings Canyon to Alice Springs
Get
your hiking shoes on today as we head out to explore the impressive
formations of Kings Canyon. You'll be left breathless by the sheer
beauty of the canyon as we trek through the Amphitheatre, the Lost City,
the lush and ancient Garden of Eden and the North and South Walls.
Lunch is a welcome prospect, before we make our way to Alice Springs.
(BL)
B = Breakfast | L = Lunch | D = Dinner