8 Day Outback & Ghan Luxury from Alice Springs to Darwin

Alice Springs Tour

Your Central Australian adventure starts off today by exploring the modern face of the historic pioneer town of Alice Springs, famous for Afghan cameleers, gold-diggers, flying doctor base, school of the air, The Ghan train and the Aboriginal Arrernte people who have lived here for 20,000 years. Enjoy our 4.5 hour luxury coach tour with great informative commentary from our experienced local guide. Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Historic Telegraph Station, School of the Air, Anzac Hill and Alice Springs Reptile Centre. You will also get a great orientation of thriving Alice Springs, touring through the town and seeing the other main attractions such as the Cultural Precinct, National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame, Road Transport Hall of Fame, Old Ghan Train Museum, Olive Pink Botanic Gardens and Todd Mall. Enjoy some free time. Perhaps explore some more of Alice Springs or just relax in your hotel, taking advantage of the great facilities.

Accommodation: Aurora Hotel or similar, Alice Springs

Meals included: breakfast

Uluru and Kata Tjuta Tour

Immerse yourself in the Australian Outback on this full-day excursion to Kata Tjuta and Uluru. Walk alongside enormous ochre-coloured rock formations that jut out dramatically from the otherwise flat terrain, learn about Aboriginal culture, and enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner at sunset.  Your adventure begins when you are picked up at your hotel and transported to Erldunda, where you can see many fascinating Emus as you enjoy breakfast. Head to Kata Tjuta, as the 36 massive domed formations come into view, overtaking the surrounding desert landscape. A hike into the Walpa Gorge awaits as you embrace the reddish rocks while taking in views of the wide-open plains surrounding them.  Make a stop at the Aboriginal Cultural Centre to learn about the Pitjantjatjara people. The centre is located at a sacred site and was built with 90,000 mud bricks with the help of the local Anangu people. Next, journey to the base of Uluru, an overwhelming sandstone formation that dominates the area. Follow your guide on a Mala Walk that leads you around the northwest side of Uluru, where you can find many examples of Anangu rock art, and experience the sheer vertical walls of the boulder.  Stop at the Mutitjulu Waterhole at the end of another walk around the opposite side of Uluru, as you listen to stories of the local aboriginal people. Your exploratory journey concludes with a glass of bubbly and a delicious Aussie barbecue as the sun sets over Uluru, basking the giant rock in a warm glow. Today explore and discover Alice Springs at your own pace.

Accommodation: Aurora Hotel or similar, Alice Springs

Meals included: breakfast and dinner

The Ghan (depart Alice Springs)

Transfer by taxi to the Ghan railway station to continue your journey to Darwin. The train races through the gold mining town of Tennant Creek as you’re eating breakfast. It stops at the historic pioneering township of Katherine, where numerous excursion options await. You could enjoy a leisurely cruise in Nitmiluk National Park’s Katherine Gorge, and admire towering sandstone cliffs and crocodiles basking in the sun. Alternatively, head out to Katherine Outback Experience, owned by multiple Golden Guitar winner Tom Curtain. This fantastic show celebrates life on the land through real horse-starting and working dog demonstrations entwined with live music and humorous bush tales. Optional upgrades include a scenic helicopter flight over the 13 gorges of Nitmiluk National Park or a 90-minute fixed-wing scenic flight over both Kakadu and Nitmiluk national parks. Back on board, enjoy a late lunch as the rainforest of the Northern Territory outback rushes by the window. Pass through the old gold mining town of Pine Creek and Adelaide River, once a World War II military Headquarters.

Accommodation: On the Ghan in a Gold Service^ cabin

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Darwin

When you arrive into Darwin you can sense the cosmopolitan and thriving atmosphere of this historic tropical north Australian city. Transfer by taxi from the Ghan railway station to your hotel. You can relax and use the rest of the day to explore your hotel and its facilities, perhaps take a stroll around the neighbourhood and central Darwin.

Accommodation: Frontier Hotel or similar, Darwin

Meals included: breakfast

Darwin Tour

The tropical northern city of Darwin is located on a massive and spectacular harbour on the Timor Sea. It has a multicultural population of 129,062 people, that is a melting pot of cultures from more than 50 countries, who pride themselves on their unique and friendly laid-back lifestyle. Darwin has year round balmy weather and has many popular attractions including Aquascene, Burnett House, Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Charles Darwin National Park, Cullen Bay Marina, Darwin Convention Centre, Deckchair Cinema, East Point Reserve & Lake Alexander, Fannie Bay Gaol, George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, Indo Pacific Marine, Lyons Cottage, Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, Museum & Art Gallery of the NT, Northern Territory Parliament House, USS Peary Memorial and the fascinating World War II Oil Storage Tunnels. There is plenty to see and do in our magnificent and vibrant Top End.

Accommodation: Frontier Hotel or similar, Darwin

Meals included: breakfast

Kakadu National Park Day Tour

Today Take in the serenity and beauty of Kakadu National Park's diverse nature. Marvel at the tapestry of sandstone escarpments, take a cruise on the Yellow Water Billabong, spot crocodiles and native bird life, and immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture. Your tour starts with a hotel pick-up in the early hours. Head east to the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Be amazed by the vast, pristine wetlands and lush scenery. The park is surrounded by mangrove-fringed coastal areas, expansive flood plains, lowland hills and open woodland.  Take a guided walk to Nourlangie Rock and view ancient Aboriginal rock art. Afterwards, enjoy a tropical buffet lunch with cold meats, salad and fruit. Next, head off for a guided cruise on the Yellow Water Billabong and see crocodiles launching themselves out of the water. For your last stop, visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre and learn about the traditions of the Aboriginal people in Kakadu before returning to Darwin.

Accommodation: Frontier Hotel or similar, Darwin

Meals included: breakfast and lunch

Depart from Darwin

Your tour comes to an end in the morning. Please catch a taxi to Darwin airport for your onward flights.

Meals included: breakfast