Spectacular Northern Territory

DAY 1 – Friday 24^th July’20 BERRI (D)

Welcome aboard for our Northern Territory Adventure.  Today we travel along the Murray Valley Highway, with morning tea at Echuca and lunch at Swan Hill.  We travel through the Mallee Region and Hattah National Park to Red Cliffs.  After our afternoon tea we continue along the Sturt Highway, crossing the South Australian border, as we make our way to Berri for our Overnight Stay at the Berri Resort Motel

DAY 2 - Saturday 25th Jul    BERRI-PORT AUGUSTA (B,D)

Today we see more of the Murray Riverland enroute to Morgan and the copper-mining town of Burra, see the historic buildings built by Cornish craftsmen.  Then across the lower Flinders Ranges to Port Augusta, where we visit the exciting Wadlata Outback Centre.  We settle in for our Overnight Stay at the Standpipe Golf Motor Inn.  

DAY 3  -  Sunday 26^th COOBER PEDY  (B,D)

Our journey inland then begins as we join the Stuart Highway, heading north past the great salt pans to Pimba, a small settlement near Woomera. We enjoy our morning tea stop at the Woomera Information Centre, then continue through Glendambo to the fascinating town of Coober Pedy.  We settle in for our Overnight Stay at the Desert Cave Motel.

An exciting day awaits as we enjoy a local guided tour of Coober Pedy.  We visit an underground home and church as we discover life in a true opal town.  We also learn how opal is transformed into fashionable jewellery, seeing an opal cutter at work and browse through the beautiful opal displays.  We continue north across the vast Gibber Plains to Marla as we travel the Stuart Highway stopping at the Northern Territory border for some camera shots. We continue on to Erldunda where we settle in for our Overnight Stay at the Desert Oaks Motel. 

DAY 5 -Tuesday 28^th KATA TJUTA - ULURU SUNSET -YULARA  (B,D)                   

A relaxing start today as we join the Lasseter Highway, travelling through Ebenezer and Curtain Springs, stopping to view Mt. Conner which rises almost 300 metres above the plain.  On arriving at the Ayers Rock Resort, we settle in to our rooms. Then we travel out to Kata Tjuta ( Olgas ), a cluster of 36 conglomerate domes standing higher than Uluru (Ayers Rock) itself.  On return we enjoy an Uluru   ( Ayers Rock )  sunset, a truly  magical sight.

We enjoy our Overnight Stay at the Outback Pioneer, Yulara.

DAY 6  -  Wednesday 29^th  DISCOVER ULURU  -  KINGS CANYON (B,D)

This morning we visit Uluru ( Ayers Rock),  the worlds greatest monolith.  We tour around the base with its many interesting caves and Aboriginal Rock Paintings.  We also visit Mutitjulu ( Maggie Springs) and the Cultural Centre.  This afternoon we farewell Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, heading north through remote desert terrain following the intriguing George Gill Ranges to Kings Canyon, located in the Watarrka National Park - a magnificent geological formation and a photographer’s delight. We settle in for our Overnight Stay at the Kings Canyon Resort, Kings Canyon.   

DAY 7 –  Thursday 30^th KINGS CANYON  -  ALICE SPRINGS  (B,D)

This morning after a hearty breakfast we venture in to Kings Canyon for an exhilarating walk through the Canyon floor and gaze in awe at the skyline and majestic red sandstone walls.  Leaving Kings Canyon we travel east to Finke River, then on to Camels Australia, where we enjoy a ride and learn the habits of these unique desert creatures. We continue onto “The Alice” for our Three Night Stay at The Diplomat Motel.  Tonight we welcome the Top End and Alice Springs-Darwin passengers who have flown in to join our tour. 

DAY 8 – Friday  31^st WESTERN MACDONNELL-RANGES (B,D)

Today we explore the picturesque Western MacDonnell Ranges.  See the grave of John Flynn, founder of the Flying Doctor Service, as well as Simpsons Gap, a haven for tiny rock wallabies. We then travel onto Ormiston Gorge where we have lunch before we explore this wonderful Gorge which offers visitors all the spectacular geology and landforms of the MacDonnell Ranges. The water and the shelter of the rocks attract an interesting variety of native fauna and flora, including a number of relict plant species. The recent rediscoveries of the Long-tailed Dunnart and the Centreal Rock Rat in the Ormiston Gorge vicinity demonstrate what an important role the Park plays as a fauna refuge. Ormiston Gorge is also home to a major ranger station.

DAY 9  - Saturday  1^st Aug  DESERT- ALICE- TELEGRAPH STATION (B,D)

Today we visit the Award Winning Desert Park which showcases the landscape, animals and plants of Australia’s desert.  See the Bird’s of Prey and Nocternal House and informative film. Return to Alice where we visit the Royal Flying Doctor Base.  We also visit the Telegraph Station Historical Reserve, now a museum and site of the Springs from which "Alice" gets its name. Enjoy the panoramic view from Anzac Hill before we return to the motel. 

DAY 10 – Sunday 2^nd  DEVILS MARBLES  - TENNANT CREEK (B,D)

This morning we bid farewell to our Red Centre passengers. After a leisurely start we continue further North over the 11 Mile Hills, where we have the chance to stand on the Tropic of Capricorn. We stop to see the spectacular Devils Marbles, made up of hundreds of huge, rounded rocks strewn all over the plain.  Hear the stories of the rugged gold and copper mining town’s development as we travel into Tennant Creek for our Overnight Stay at the Blue Stone Motor Inn.

DAY 11-Monday 3^rd MATARANKA -  KATHERINE (B,D)         

As we make our way to the Top End of the Northern Territory, we travel through the tiny, scattered settlements of Renner Springs, Elliot and Daly Waters.  We visit the Elsey Cemetery, made famous by the book "We of the Never Never", and Mataranka Thermal Pools (bring your bathers).  Then continue on to Katherine for our  Overnight Stay at the Pine Tree Motel. 

DAY 12  - Tuesday 4^th   KATHERINE GORGE CRUISE  -  JABIRU  (B,D)          

Today is a real highlight as we enjoy the spectacular Katherine Gorge Cruise, now called "Nitmiluk".  Enjoy a detailed commentary from our guide and see the ancient rock walls ablaze with brilliant colour, dotted with caves and Aboriginal paintings. Today we discover the Kakadu National Park crossing the Mary and South Alligator Rivers, passing giant anthills as we make our way to Nourlangie Rock. We settle in at the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Motel for our Overnight Stay. 

DAY 13 – Wednesday 5^th KAKADU – DARWIN (B,D)

This morning we enjoy a scenic ½ hour flight over Kakadu National Park, taking in Arnhem Land Escarpment, the magestic flood plains, the wetlands and much more, we are giving you a true picture of the diversity and size of this vast area. We visit the National Park Headquarters, see a display of flora and fauna unique to this area. This afternoon we make our way to  Darwin – Australia’s most Northern Capital.  

We enjoy the Next Two Nights at the lovely Adina Vibe Motel Darwin. 

DAY 14 – Thursday 6^th Explore  Darwin – Sunset Dinner Cruise (B,D)

Today we explore Darwin taking in all its highlights.  See Fannie Bay and visit the Darwin Museum, a unique complex showing the life and history of the Northern Territory.  We inspect the World War II gun emplacements at East Point and enjoy the beautiful Botanic Gardens. This afternoon is at your leisure to shop, spend time with friends or simply relax. This evening a memorable way to end our tour, with a Sunset Dinner Cruise on Fannie Bay, departing Darwin Harbor.  

DAY 15  -Friday 7^th RETURN FLIGHT – MELBOURNE – HOME  (B)

We transfer to the Darwin Airport for our return flight to Melbourne. Upon arrival at Tullamarine you will be met by our coach and we make our way home  at the conclusion of a truly memorable Northern Territory Tour.

$6,295 - Per Person Twin Share 
$1,850- Single Supplement