AAT Kings Outback Adventure

• Experience sunrise over Uluru on a two-night stay
• Experience Earth Sanctuary with the Falzon family
• Explore outback towns of Coober Pedy and Tennant Creek
• Enjoy handcrafted experiences touring Nitmiluk & Kakadu

• Quality accommodation
• Travel by luxury coach
• Experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
• Airport transfers
• Selected meals

Day 1 Welcome to Adelaide

On arrival today, explore the major sights of the city. Later, join a local food expert for a guided tour of the vibrant Adelaide Central Market. Relax this evening at a Welcome Reception and dinner.

Day 2 Adelaide – Wilpena Pound

Drive through the rolling hills of the Clare Valley for a wine-tasting at Sevenhill Cellars, the region’s oldest winery. Later, travel through the Flinders Ranges to Wilpena Pound.

Day 3 Wilpena Pound – Port Augusta

Take a walk with your Travel Director to the faithfully-restored Hills Homestead and Wangarra Lookout, which affords panoramic views over Wilpena Pound. Journey through the historic town of Quorn to Port Augusta. Visit Wadlata Outback Centre before dining at a local restaurant.

Day 4 Port Augusta – Coober Pedy

Visit a former rocket-testing site at Woomera before travelling through salt-lake country to isolated Coober Pedy, regarded by many as the opal capital of the world. View an opal demonstration with a local expert, who’ll then lead you through some of the town’s iconic underground buildings.

Day 5 Coober Pedy – Uluru

Cross the border into the Northern Territory and continue to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Sparkling wine is served this evening as you witness the sunset over Australia’s most renowned natural landmark.

Day 6 Uluru Sunrise – Kata Tjuta

Rise early to experience a majestic Uluru sunrise. After a tour of the base of Uluru, take a guided walk to the Mutitjulu Waterhole where your Travel Director will explain the significance of the ancient Aboriginal rock paintings you’ll encounter. This afternoon’s journey takes you to Kata Tjuta, thirty-six magnificent domes of red-hued sedimentary rock.

Day 7 Uluru – Kings Canyon

Travel through a stark red desert landscape to awe-inspiring Kings Canyon. The 6-kilometre walk around the rim of the canyon will reward you with marvellous views of Watarrka National Park. A shorter, more relaxed walk takes you along the sandy creek bed, and leads to a lookout point affording excellent views of the towering canyon walls.

Day 8 Kings Canyon – Alice Springs

Travelling past vast cattle properties, you’ll develop a true appreciation for the magnitude of the Australian outback. On arrival in Alice Springs visit the historic Telegraph Station and learn how it relayed message between Darwin and Adelaide for 60 years.

Day 9 Alice Springs

Join a local Aboriginal guide at Alice Springs Desert Park to learn about the culture and traditions of the Arrernte People. Then visit the headquarters of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. This evening, join the Falzon family at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre for a Be My Guest barbecue dinner. Hear from brothers, Tom and Danny, about the sustainable lifestyle they have established.

Day 10 Alice Springs – Tennant Creek

Visit the legendary School of the Air, then travel north, stopping to view Karlu Karlu, an intriguing outcrop of precariously-balanced granite boulders. You’ll stay tonight in the former gold-mining town of Tennant Creek.

Day 11 Tennant Creek – Katherine

Call in to the quirky Daly Waters Pub before continuing to Mataranka, where a swim in the warm, crystal-clear waters of the thermal springs is a must-do. Journey on to Katherine.

Day 12 Katherine – Kakadu

Travel to Nitmiluk National Park and take a tranquil cruise along the spectacular Katherine Gorge. Then journey deep into Kakadu for a cruise on Yellow Water Billabong, famed for its birdlife and estuarine crocodiles.

Day 13 Kakadu – Darwin Included Choice

Visit Ubirr, one of Kakadu’s renowned Aboriginal rock art sites, then walk to nearby Nadab Lookout, for views over the surrounding wetlands. This afternoon in Darwin, choose an Included Choice sightseeing experience. Visit the colourful Mindil Beach Sunset Market where we’ll treat you to dinner or visit Crocosaurus Cove to explore at your leisure.

Day 14 Litchfield National Park

Travel to Litchfield National Park, pausing to examine the park’s amazing termite mounds. Stop to view Florence Falls, then venture on to Wangi Falls to swim in the large waterhole before heading back to Darwin. Join your Travel Director for a Darwin Harbour Farewell Dinner Cruise.

Day 15 Farewell from Darwin

• Stamford Plaza Adelaide – overlooking either Adelaide’s historic parklands or the CBD, the superior rooms offer recently refurbished decor, with a selection of bedding configurations, large work desks, excellent lighting, flat screen colour televisions, broadband internet, a variety of cable channels and in-house movies.
• Wilpena Pound Resort is spectacularly located within the Flinders Ranges National Park, South Australia. Enjoy a haven of outback hospitality, stop and stay awhile as you soak up the incredible beauty of one of the earth’s oldest landscapes.
• Majestic Oasis Apartments is perfectly positioned overlooking the waters of the Upper Spencer Gulf in sunny Port Augusta, only 3 hours drive North of Adelaide in South Australia. The property comprises 75 self-contained serviced apartments.
• The Desert Cave Hotel allows you to experience dug-out style living, underground shops, bar and opal display areas – all within sandstone surrounds in the heart of Coober Pedy.
• Voyages Desert Gardens Hotel is centrally located to all resort and touring facilities and offers a range of accommodation, from shaded poolside rooms to deluxe rooms overlooking the desert.
• Retreat to the luxury of Kings Canyon Resort after an active day of hiking through the rugged terrain of Watarrka National Park. The sensitively designed property is located in Watarrka National Park, just nine kilometres from Kings Canyon.
• Situated on the banks of the famous Todd River, Mercure Alice Springs Resort offers spectacular views of the towering River Red Gum.
• The Bluestone Motor Inn is the perfect base from which to explore the diverse nature and culture of the Australian outback.
• The Paraway Motel is within walking distance to the town centre. Set in tropical gardens with a shaded pool, Paraway Motel is a great place to relax while on holiday or travelling for work.
• Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel – relax in the recently refurbished rooms, unwind in your private courtyard, by the shaded outdoor pool or take in the landscaped interior garden view from the balcony.
• Mantra on the Esplanade offers guests an unrivalled location near Darwin Harbour and the convenience of close proximity to Darwin’s CBD.

What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
• Water bottle
• Camera
• Jacket in cooler months

Flight Information

Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 12.30pm into Adelaide Airport
Day 15 – flights to depart anytime from Darwin Airport

Fitness Requirements

• Moderate level of fitness required for walks at Wilpena Pound, Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon
• Walking on uneven surfaces is required to complete the walks, though there are alternate options available