Melbourne – Wedderburn – Sea Lake – Ouyen – Loxton – Burra – Coober Pedy – Alice Springs – West MacDonnell Ranges- Mereenie Track – Angas Downs – Kings Canyon – Uluru Express Home via Adelaide – 10 Days – (MM DSS 03 10 16 V1)
Melbourne – Wedderburn – Sea Lake – Ouyen – Loxton –
Burra – Coober Pedy – Alice Springs – West MacDonnell Ranges- Mereenie Track – Angas Downs – Kings Canyon – Uluru
Express Home via Adelaide – 10 Days
Melbourne to DarwinDay1
This tour must depart Sundays or Thursdays to coincide with Mindil Market.
Assemble at Melbourne Airport for your departure to Darwin. On arrival meet your tour crew and transfer to your overnight accommodation at Free Spirit Resort. Evening visit to the very popular Mindil Market a classic visit and start to your tour. Lots of fun!
- Meals:
- By own arrangement
- Accommodation:
- Free Spirit Resort – twin share tents
Darwin via Arnhem Highway To Kakadu Crossing the Mary RiverDay2
Your journey today takes you towards Arnhem Land with stops on the way to see wetlands, newly established farming and the home of the jumping crocodile at Adelaide River. Afternoon cruise on the East Alligator River which forms the border between Kakadu and Arnhem Land. The Guluyambi Cruise is an award winning, Indigenous owned and highly rated cruise. See Aboriginals throw spears to catch fish and be up front with crocodiles (alternate cruise option could be on Day 3 Yellow Waters Billabong Cruise). Set up camp at Jabiru camp site or alternate Kakadu Lodge/Camp site.
* Kakadu National Park entry fee school to apply for exemption – http://www.environment.gov.au/node/33367.
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Accommodation:
- Jabiru camp site or alternate Kakadu Lodge/Camp site
A Day Exploring Kakadu National ParkDay3
Kakadu is a living cultural landscape, discover the diversity of the region learn the story of the rainbow serpent, visit sacred art sites Ubirr and Nourlangie, understand the six seasons of Kakadu, visit Warradjan Cultural Centre and Bowali Visitors Centre.
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Accommodation:
- Jabiru camp site or alternate Kakadu Lodge/Camp site
Kakadu to Mataranka via KatherineDay4
This morning exit the National Park via the southern route travelling through Katherine Township en route to Nitmiluk National Park. Take the Three Gorge Boat Cruise on the Katherine River with spectacular scenery, the Katherine River is known to have risen 20 metres in an overnight storm, a rugged and wild wilderness from the tablelands and the escarpment of Arnhem Land. Travel onto Mataranka for our overnight stay. On arrival set up camp and enjoy time in the thermal pool.
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Accommodation:
- Mataranka Camping Ground – tents
Mataranka to Alice Springs via the Stuart HighwayDay5
A big day travelling along the Stuart Highway. Visit the quaint and iconic Daly Waters Pub, a watering hole for stockmen for over 100 years. Other settlements that you will pass through include Elliott, Renner Springs, and Tennant Creek. Stop for photographs at the Devils Marbles – an Aboriginal sacred site – see the giant boulders that lay scattered across the ground. On through Wauchope eventually arriving at “The Alice” for our overnight camp at the Big 4 Park. Takeaway meal for dinner.
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Accommodation:
- Big4 MacDonnell Range Holiday Park – tents
A Day In Alice SpringsDay6
A day to discover Alice Springs on a self guided walking tour to the Royal Flying Doctor Base, Rex’s Reptile Show, Anzac Hill, a popular art gallery, the Todd Mall tourist precinct.
Transfer to and from the popular Alice Springs Desert Park. Meet your Indigenous Guide who will take you on a short tour of the park. Visit the nocturnal house to see the marla and bilbies and see the feeding of the Birds of Prey. There is also the Imax film on creation from an indigenous and western perspective. A time to relax in town or at camp. Lunch by own arrangement.
The day will conclude with an evening visit from our Indigenous colleagues Damian and Uncle Arthur with a didgeridoo lesson and a talk on their local culture. A truly interesting and enjoyable evening.
- Meals:
- Breakfast and Dinner
- Accommodation:
- Big4 MacDonnell Range Holiday Park – tents
Alice Springs to Kings Canyon – Watarrka National ParkDay7
First stop on the Stuart Highway is at Stuarts Well where the opportunity exists for a camel ride at own expense. Visit Mt Ebenezer Roadhouse, a community owned facility where you can view excellent Indigenous Art and Craft Exhibition. Stop to photograph desert oaks forest, travel to your overnight accommodation at Kings Creek Station. In the afternoon travel to Watarrka National Park and spend the afternoon walking around the rim of Australia’s largest canyon, Kings Canyon, a magnificent wilderness site. Return to Kings Creek and enjoy an evening around a campfire.
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Accommodation:
- Kings Creek Station – tents
Journey to Uluru Kata Tjuta National ParkDay8
Today journey to Uluru, a highlight of Central Australia. Stop on the way to view and photograph Atilla (Mt Conner), another unusual rock formation and sacred site sometimes confused with Uluru; Lake Amadeus, a huge salt lake and then Curtin Springs Station, a 416,400 hectares working cattle station and roadhouse. Arrive at Ayers Rock Resort Campground to set up camp and travel into the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park to attend your Ranger Briefing at the Cultural Centre. At sunset, time permitting, drive around Uluru and stop to photograph the fantastic colour changes over Uluru at sunset.
* Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park entry ticket – http://www.environment.gov.au/node/33655
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Accommodation:
- Ayers Rock Campground – tents
An Amazing Experience Discovering Uluru and Kata TjutaDay9
A day to explore Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Wake up early to travel into the National Park to see Uluru from the new sunrise viewing platform whilst enjoying a light breakfast as the sun rises. Walk, explore and learn about the legends and mythology of Uluru including the Mala Walk and Kuniya Walk. This afternoon embark on the Valley of the Winds walk at Kata Tjuta which is approx. 3 hours duration and return to the viewing lookout to witness both Uluru and Kata Tjuta for a spectacular sunset.
- Meals:
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Accommodation:
- Ayers Rock Campground – tents
Express Journey To Coober PedyDay10
After breakfast, if time allows you may go to Yulara Town Centre and Tourist Information Centre for some last minute souvenir shopping. Transport is via free Resort Shuttle Bus. Return to camp at 9.30am to pack up the now dry tents and be on your way to Coober Pedy. Join the Stuart Highway and travel south past the town of Kulgera and onto South Australia. Short break at the small town of Marla. Lunch stop en route own arrangement. The destination is Coober Pedy – arrival approx. 7.00 pm Stops en route will be minimal for morning tea, lunch and afternoon breaks. Overnight in the dormitory bunks. Pizza for dinner at own expense.
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Accommodation:
- The Opal Cave – multi share dorm
Express Travel via Adelaide To MelbourneDay11
Depart Coober Pedy at 7.00am and travel to Adelaide with comfort stops en route. Lunch stop en route own arrangement. Dinner stop in Adelaide at your own expense. Depart Adelaide approx. 9.00 pm. Evening comfort stops en route. Your journey overnight will take you across Mt Lofty Ranges through the town of Murray Bridge and onto Victoria.
- Meals:
- Breakfast
- Accommodation:
- Nil
Morning Arrival at your schoolDay12
Arrive at your school between 7.00 – 8.00 am approx.
- Meals:
- Nil
- Accommodation:
- Nil
Tour cost includes:
- Pre departure information one month prior to departure.
- The provision of a suitable touring vehicle to fit the needs and size of the group.
- The services of an experienced and accredited driver/guide.
- The provision of a Tour Manager responsible for tour operations and catering safari style.
- The provision of all accommodation twin-share pyramid tents with inbuilt vinyl floors and comfortable mattresses for all.
- Coober Pedy accommodation is underground bunkhouse dorm, multi share.
- The provision of cooked breakfasts and light breakfasts, salad and sandwich lunches with fruit, cake and juice and 3 course evening meals. Meals as per itinerary note: provided days 5 and 10 are takeaway type meals to meet the needs of the itinerary.
- The payment of all accommodation, visits, attractions and entry fees as per itinerary.
Not included:
- Morning, afternoon tea and evening supper.
- Transport from home to departure point, Melbourne Airport.
- Airfare for students and staff from Melbourne to Darwin.
- The provision of an individual dilly bag with personal knife, fork and spoon, cup, bowl and plate.
- Linen (bring your own sleeping bag, liner and small pillow)
- Towels and items of a personal nature.
- Kakadu National Park entry fee school to apply for exemption – contact Austour.
- Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park entry fee, school to apply for exemption – contact Austour.
Travel Insurance – contact Austour for a quote and rebate.
Please contact our reservation team regarding enquiries and bookings.