Family holiday to Australia: Outback & reef

Itinerary in brief:

• 3 nights Darwin
• 3 nights Kakadu Tour
• 1 night Darwin
• 3 nights Red Centre Tour
• 1 night Alice Springs
• 6 nights Port Douglas

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included:  International flight

Day 2: Arrive Darwin                      

On arrival into Darwin Airport, you will be collected and taken by private transfer to your hotel in Darwin City. Your apartment hotel offers plenty of space for the whole family and located only a 10-minute walk from Darwin waterfront.   

Included:  Private transfer & hotel

Day 3: Darwin

You have a whole day today to explore the city. Head down to the waterfront and cool off in the wave pool before heading to one of Darwin's many family-friendly restaurants for dinner.

Included Hotel

Day 4: Darwin          

We have included an afternoon tour today out to the Adelaide River, home to 1600 crocodiles and the location of the famous Jumping Crocodiles! Cruising along you will get to witness these pre-historic creatures up close as you learn more about their history and habitat. Learn more about the wetland ecosystem at the visitor centre and see it for yourself at the Fogg Dam Nature Reserve before heading back to Darwin for the evening.

Included:  Afternoon Jumping Crocs Tour, Hotel

Day 5: Darwin to Kakadu National Park       

Start your adventure by departing from Darwin and head out to the Wetlands Region for a Crocodile & Wildlife Cruise on the Mary River Wetlands, a great opportunity to spot a huge range of Top End birdlife, not to mention some fresh and salty apex predators… crocodiles!

You'll journey on to Kakadu National Park visiting the Bowali Visitor Centre which offers a beautiful introduction to the Park’s landscape and wildlife. After some relaxation at camp, we journey north to *Cahills Crossing on the border of Kakadu and Arnhem Land. We will visit one of the best-preserved collections of Aboriginal Rock Art in the world at Ubirr rock upon sunset. This incredibly significant site showcases many styles of Rock Art and allows us to climb up high for a sunset that will blow you away looking out over the Nadab Floodplain. After a big day, we head back to our cozy camp and prepare dinner together, enjoying an evening with our fellow travellers.

Included:  Transport, all activities, lunch, dinner

Day 6: Kakadu National Park        

We rise and make our way South to Kakadu National Park.

Today we’ll spend the day soaking up the spectacular natural beauty of the area, hiking through lush monsoon rainforests, swimming in pristine plunge pools and waterfalls surrounded by steep escarpments and rocky cliffs.

We generally visit Twin Falls or Jim Jim Falls when seasonally accessible, alternatively, we will stop in at Barramundi Gorge (Maguk) or other waterfalls such as Yurmikmik (Motor Car Falls). There are many factors affecting accessibility although your guide will ensure you get the best experience possible.

Time permitting, we stop at Nourlangie Rock, another indigenous rock art site where archaeologists have uncovered works dating back over 20,000 years old. We explore the evolving social, cultural and environmental changes to the area over time before making our way back to camp for a hearty dinner and a well-earned rest.

Included: all meals, transport & all activities

Day 7: Kakadu National Park to Darwin   

Travelling south through Pine Creek, a small pioneering town in the Katherine region outside of Kakadu National Park, famous for its discovery of gold in the 1970’s. We stop for a quick refreshment break at the Adelaide River before our journey leads us to Litchfield National Park.

We spend the afternoon immersed in Litchfield’s natural oasis of waterfalls, spring-fed streams and rugged sandstone escarpments. We’ll spend time in any combination of Buley Rockholes, Wangi Falls or Florence Falls for a refreshing soak in picturesque rock holes and waterfalls.

Discover the uniquely impressive Magnetic and Cathedral Termite Mounds before making our way back to Darwin, arriving back to your accommodation at approximately 7:00pm. Your hotel is located near the airport tonight, after a busy few days, an early night will be well needed!

Included: Breakfast, lunch, all activities, transport & hotel    

Day 8: Darwin to Uluru (Ayers Rock)

This morning, you will make your own way to the airport for your domestic flight to Uluru (Ayers Rock).

You’ll be collected from the airport to join the group for your three day Red Centre Safari. We head to the Red Centre’s indigenous interpretive cultural centre where we have a chance to learn about the cultural, ecological, historical and geological significance of this very special national park.

With the anticipation and excitement growing we make a short drive towards the base of Uluru as we begin to comprehend the sheer size and magnificence of the giant monolith, getting up close and personal to explore further.  Walking to Mutitjulu waterhole we discover sacred rock art sites in family caves and hear the creation stories of Kuniya and Liru as we continue our base walk towards Kuniya Piti.  From here we drive around sacred sites towards Kantju Gorge where we envisage the highest waterfall in Central Australia, (truly a spectacle to behold, even more so when raining) an elder’s cave and the world’s oldest pantry. 

After exploring the world’s most impressive rock up close and personal, we retreat for panoramic views to witness one of the most incredible sunsets on the planet, all whilst having dinner cooked for you, to feed those hungry eyes and allow you to get to know your fellow travellers.

Included: Private transfer, domestic flight, lunch, dinner, activities, transport        

Day 9: Uluru to Kings Canyon         

Another early start today as you watch the spectacular sunrise in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. You thought Uluru was special and just when you think it couldn’t get any more majestic, we approach the stunning silhouette of Kata Tjuta.  Here we set off on a hike through the Valley of the Winds or Walpa Gorge marvelling at the mighty conglomerate rock formations. After exploring Kata Tjuta, we make our way towards Kings Canyon region just in time to experience a glorious outback sunset followed by a hearty meal around the campfire.

Included:  All meals, activities, transport

Day 10: Kings Canyon to MacDonnell Ranges       

We head off early to explore the mighty Kings Canyon (Watarrka) venturing into the ancient landscape and sacred grounds of the Ulpanyali and Lilla people. Arriving at the jewel in the crown at the centre of Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) we find ourselves surrounded by towering 100 metre cliff faces, views of sandstone chasms and jaw dropping backdrops that will make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. Grab your water, hat and sturdy shoes as we set off on foot to explore (the most seasonally applicable part of) the canyon in more detail.

Rest up in the bus as we head back up north, passing through Alice Springs and heading out towards the West MacDonnell Ranges for an evening of stargazing at our bush camp.

Included:  Breakfast, lunch, activities, transport & hotel

Day 11: MacDonnell Ranges to Alice Springs

Known traditionally as Angkerle Atwatye, meaning “Gap of Water”, Standley Chasm is a 3-metre-wide, 80-metre-high gorge amongst the West MacDonnell Ranges. At dawn we hope to spot the native wildlife as we enjoy breakfast and look forward to the day ahead. Tracking west you are welcome to enjoy a dip in Ellery Creek Bighole, known traditionally as Udepata, surrounded by tall red cliffs and sandy Ellery Creek.

Onwards to where massive geological forces created the towering red walls of Ormiston Gorge. Spend time here admiring nature and its finest before we begin our leisurely journey back towards Alice Springs, with our final stop at another amazing feature of the Tjoritja West MacDonnell region, Simpsons Gap, where several dreaming trails and stories cross. Featuring a permanent waterhole this is also a great place to spot resident wildlife.

Now we’ve had our fix of the best of central Australia’s natural icons, we deliver you back to Alice Springs.

Day 12: Alice Springs to Port Douglas      

You will be picked up from your accommodation and escorted by private transfer to Alice Springs airport for your domestic flight to Cairns. You’ll collect your car on arrival before driving to the town of Port Douglas, your home for the next six nights.

Included:  Private departure, car hire & hotel      

Day 13-18: Port Douglas    

You now have several days to explore the tropical north of Australia.

Take a day trip into the Daintree Rainforest and enjoy guided walks or ride the famous Kuranda Skyrail, a cableway that takes you gliding just metres above the rainforest canopy. Head out onto the Great Barrier Reef and snorkel with the tropical fish, or relax on Four Mile beach enjoying the sunshine and stunning views.           

We've included a Ngadiku Dreamtime Gorge Walk. This tour is conducted by the local Indigenous people; you will be guided along private, gentle tracks, past culturally significant sites and over gushing rainforest streams. You'll begin with a traditional 'smoking' ceremony, to cleanse and ward off bad spirits. After this, your guide will lead you through the lush rainforest, explaining about traditional plant use, bush food sources and ochre painting. At the end of the walk, you'll enjoy a traditional bush tea and damper, the perfect end to your aboriginal journey.  

Included:  Hotel, Car Hire & Day Tour

Day 19: Depart Port Douglas         

Drive to the airport to catch your international flight home.

Included:  Car Hire

Day 20: Arrive UK    

You will arrive back into the UK today to complete your holiday.               

Included:  International flight