14 day Adelaide to Darwin Overland tour

About this tour: Travel through Australia's amazing Red Centre, Oodnadatta Track and famou Great Ocean Road.
See the Red Centre and the Top End on an Outback adventure through Australia’s heart, spending 15 days travelling from Adelaide to Darwin. From the orange-rock spires of Warren Gorge, the underground mining town of Coober Pedy, the towering domes of Kata Tjuta, the traditional rock art in Ubirr, the swimming holes of World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park to the towering rock walls of Katherine Gorge, you’ll get an insightful top-to-tail Australian adventure. Along the way, learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legends and customs during the Top Didj cultural experience and discover the history of the First Peoples of Australia at Anbangbang. This trip will leave you with a profound appreciation of Australia's First Nations significance and rugged natural beauty.

Valid: 08 April 2020 – 21 October 2020

Trip Code:
• POAAD - Adelaide to Darwin Overland

Price: AUD $3510 (per adult in a twin share room) Original
• Additional services: AUD $270 Single Tent
• All prices are in Australian Dollars (includes 10% GST) based on per person


• Tour easy to fill in quote form • Email us with request • Telephone us • All Tour Links
Days: 14
Start: Adelaide, Australia
Finish: Darwin, Australia
Depart: Selected Wednesdays
Destinations: Northern Territory, Uluru, Outback, South Australia, Victoria, Great Ocean Road
Style: Orginal
Theme: Overland
Included activities • Wilpena Pound • Anna Creek Station • Coober Pedy Mine tour • Josephine’s Gallery and Kangaroo Orphanage • Dingo Fence • Uluru & Kata Tjuta National Park Entrance • Uluru Base Walk • Uluru Cultural Centre • Kata Tjuta Maruku Arts cultural experience • Watarrka National Park Entry Fees • Kings Canyon Rim Walk • Guluyambi Cultural Cruise • Mawurndaddja rock art and occupation complex • Jim Jim Falls Walk • Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) • Edith Falls • Buley Rockholes • Florence Falls Litchfield National Park • Wangi Falls
Physical Rating: 2 out of 5
Ages: Min 8
Transport: All Terrain vehicle
Group size: Min 1, Max 24
Meals: 9 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 9 dinners
Basix Accommodation: Hotel (5 nights), Underground shared bunkhouse (1 night), Permanent furnished tented camp (7 nights)


Trip Itinerary:

Day 1: Adelaide - Flinders Ranges
• Welcome to South Australia, where your adventure begins. You’ll be picked up from the YHA Adelaide at 8.30 am and head to the culinary epicentre of the State’s capital, the ‘Adelaide Central Market’. We’ll meander through the markets to collect some local produce that we can enjoy it a little later in the day. Next, visit Australia’s Aboriginal Cultural Institute, Tandanya. The First Nation precinct provides a wonderful opportunity to experience both traditional and contemporary aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. Leave South Australia’s capital behind and head north to the Clare Valley, home to some of the country’s best wines. Perhaps purchase a bottle (or two!) and pair it with your delicious lunch. After lunch enjoy expansive views of the Flinders Ranges as you drive towards Wilpena Pound, a natural amphitheatre of rocky mountains. Experience the sunset at Wilpena Pound before settling into your accommodation for the night. Included Activities •Wilpena Pound Meals Included •Lunch •Dinner Special Information The total driving time today is approximately 6 hours. You’ll be picked up from the YHA Adelaide at 8.30 am, so please arrive at least ten minutes before.

Day 2: Quorn
• It’s an early (but worthwhile) start this morning as you enjoy a short and leisurely walk along one of the many tracks in Flinders National Park. Spanning a massive 450 km, you won’t be able cover it all, but your guide will choose the best trail for your group, depending on the time of year. Travel to the site of the Yourambulla Caves where you’ll have the opportunity to view some local First Nation rock art before stopping for lunch at Quorn. Spend the afternoon enjoying a couple of walks: Warren Gorge provides stunning ochre rock faces that complement the blue skies. Keep your eyes peeled for the very well camouflaged local rock wallabies. Tonight, you’ll stay in the quintessential South Australian town of Quorn. Meals Included •Breakfast •Lunch •Dinner Special Information The total driving time today is approximately 3.5 hours.



Day 3: Coober Pedy
• Leave Quorn in the rear-view mirror and head to Coober Pedy, the ‘Opal capital of the world’. Due to extremely hot temperatures in the area most of the town is constructed underground, with residents living in homes carved into the hillsides. Upon arrival take a guided tour of the town, an underground house and the opal mine (with opal cutting demonstration). The rest of the afternoon is free to explore. You may even like to try your hand at 'noodling' (fossicking) for opals. End the day with some rescued joeys at Josephine’s Gallery and Kangaroo Orphanage. Tonight, stay in a multi-share underground bunkhouse in Coober Pedy. Accommodation • Underground Multishare (1 night) Included Activities •Anna Creek Station •Coober Pedy Mine tour •Josephine’s Gallery and Kangaroo Orphanage Meals Included •Breakfast •Lunch •Dinner Special Information Total driving time today is approximately 6 hours.



Day 4: Coober Pedy to Yulara
• We’ll be honest, there’s a fair bit of driving today. From Coober Pedy travel past the Dingo Fence and Breakaways Reserve, and into the Northern Territory. Be prepared to ‘hold-on’ as your guide hits the indictor on the vehicle for the first time, leaving the Stuart Highway and turning left onto the Lassetter Highway towards Uluru. Make sure you have your Ipod fully charged and your neck cushion handy! Accommodation • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night) Included Activities •Dingo Fence Meals Included •Breakfast •Lunch •Dinner Special Information Today driving time will be about 8 hours.



Day 5: Yulara/Uluru
• Rise early this morning and be rewarded with a glorious Uluru sunrise. While the day is still fresh, enjoy a walk around the base of this incredible sandstone formation, which is of great spiritual significance to the Anangu people. Walk to the cave paintings near Mutitjulu Waterhole at the base of Uluru where you will be in the hands of an Anangu guide who will share the stories of this unique landscape. This exclusive experience will give you an insight to the meaning behind Anangu art and traditional culture. The on-site Cultural Centre also houses an extensive collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and crafts for you to browse. Head back to camp for lunch. Accommodation • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night) Included Activities •Uluru & Kata Tjuta National Park Entrance •Uluru Base Walk •Uluru Cultural Centre •Kata Tjuta •Maruku Arts cultural experience Meals Included •Breakfast •Lunch •Dinner Special Information There isn't much driving today, about an hour in total between destinations. You will walk approximately 5 km.




Day 6: Yulara - Kings Canyon
• Today, explore one of the Red Centre's greatest treasures, Kata Tjuta, a group of domed red rocks rising spectacularly out of the desert. Like Uluru, they’re sacred to the Anangu people and are believed to be 500 million years old. Return to camp for lunch before travelling to Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon). Spend the night in an exclusive campsite inside the park. Accommodation • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night) Included Activities •Watarrka National Park Entry Fees Meals Included •Breakfast •Lunch •Dinner Special Information Driving time is about 6 hours today, and you will walk approximately 2 km.


Day 7: Kings Canyon - Alice Springs
• With its 300-metre high sandstone walls, hidden waterholes, fern forests, chasms, canyons and caverns, Watarrka National Park is central Australia’s answer to an oasis. The highlight attractions here are the Garden of Eden, the Amphitheatre and the Lost City – all sites you’ll get to visit on the Rim Walk. Following lunch, it’s back on the road for the onward drive to Alice Springs, where you'll stay the night before heading to Darwin tomorrow. Accommodation • Hotel (1 night) Included Activities •Kings Canyon Rim Walk Meals Included •Breakfast •Lunch Special Information Driving time today is approximately 5 hours back to Alice Springs, and the Rim Walk is approximately 6km. For the Kings Canyon Rim Walk it is a requirement that you have a minimum of 3 litres of water with you. Please consider bringing your own refillable water bottles.



Day 8: Alice Springs - free day
• This morning, transfer to the airport for your Qantas flight bound for Darwin (flight time approximately 2 hours), skipping the 1500 km and almost 24 hours if you went by road! Once arrived, catch the Darwin Airport shuttle service to your hotel where you’ll spend the afternoon and evening, before setting off on your Top End adventure early tomorrow morning. The rest of the evening is free for you to do as you please in Australia’s northernmost state capital. Accommodation • Hotel (1 night) Meals Included There are no meals included on this day. bottles.



Day 9: Alice Springs - Darwin flight
• This morning, transfer to the airport for your Qantas flight bound for Darwin (flight time approximately 2 hours), skipping the 1500 km and almost 24 hours if you went by road! Once arrived, catch the Darwin Airport shuttle service to your hotel where you’ll spend the afternoon and evening, before setting off on your Top End adventure early tomorrow morning. The rest of the evening is free for you to do as you please in Australia’s northernmost state capital. Accommodation • Hotel (1 night) Meals Included There are no meals included on this day.

Special Information
Your Alice Springs transfer (operated by Alice Wanderer - green and yellow bus) will depart approx 2.5 hours prior to your scheduled flight time from your accommodation. In case of any issues or to check departure time please call 1800 1800 722 111 (free call) or +61 8 89522111
On arrival in Darwin, please look for the Darwin City airport shuttle (green bus) to transfer you to The Cavenagh - 12 Cavenagh St, Darwin. In case of any issues please call. +61 8 8947 3979




Day 10: Darwin - free day
• After breakfast this morning, head to onto the water on a wildlife cruise in the Mary River Wetlands, a network of waterways home to crocodiles and native bird species. Kakadu National Park and discover ancient Aboriginal rock art in Ubirr. Your guide will lead an interpretive cultural walk through the numerous rock galleries, before you climb to the top of a lookout for views over the Nardab floodplain. Tonight, relax by the pool at the Kakadu campground and enjoy a group dinner. Accommodation • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night) Meals Included There are no meals included on this day.




Day 11: Darwin - Mary River via Litchfield National Park
• Welcome to the Northern Territory! Your adventure begins in the tropical city of Darwin. Set off from Darwin and head south to Lichfield National Park, a huge sandstone plateau with dozens of waterfalls. Explore Florence Falls, Wangi Falls and the Buley Rockholes. After a picnic lunch, stroll through steamy rainforests and cool off with a dip in one of Litchfield's picturesque swimming holes. Enjoy some relaxed time at the campsite and a meal before climbing into bed at the secluded Mary River campsite. Accommodation • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night) Included Activities •Litchfield National Park Meals Included •Lunch •Dinner Special Information Total driving time: approximately 5.5 hours (approximately 400 km) Total walking time: approximately 45 minutes Please note that all tents are twin-share and come with a proper bed.


Day 12: Kakadu National Park - Ubirr and Barrimundi Gorge
• After breakfast this morning, head to onto the water on a wildlife cruise in the Mary River Wetlands, a network of waterways home to crocodiles and native bird species. Kakadu National Park and discover ancient Aboriginal rock art in Ubirr. Your guide will lead an interpretive cultural walk through the numerous rock galleries, before you climb to the top of a lookout for views over the Nardab floodplain. Tonight, relax by the pool at the Kakadu campground and enjoy a group dinner. Accommodation • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night) Included Activities •Ubirr Rock •Kakadu National Park Fee •Mary River cruise Meals Included •Breakfast •Lunch •Dinner Special Information Total driving time: approximately 6.5 hours (approximately 550 km) Total walking time: approximately 2 hours




Day 13: Kakadu National Park - Nitmiluk National Park
• This morning you have the option to take a scenic flight over Kakadu (at your own expense). The flight takes in views over the Arnhem Land escarpment, vast flood plains and billabongs. Later spend time exploring Kakadu’s other major Aboriginal rock art site – Nourlangie (Burrunggui), while your guide provides a glimpse into how the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live. After lunch head south and stop to visit the historic gold-mining centre of Pine Creek. Stop for a quick dip at Maguk or Gunlom Falls, before continuing on to Katherine, where you'll settle in for the night at a private campsite near Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge). Accommodation • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night) Included Activities •Bowali Visitor Centre •Pine Creek Gold-Mining Centre •Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) Optional Activities •Flight (Fixed Wing Aircraft) over - Kakadu - from - AUD150 Meals Included •Breakfast •Lunch •Dinner Special Information Total driving time: approximately 5.5 hours (approximately 400 km) Total walking time: approximately 1 hour





Day 14: Nitmiluk National Park
• Depending on the season, head out on a morning cruise along the inky waters of Katherine Gorge, or canoe between red rock walls that are up to 70 metres high (both of these activities are optional and at your own expense). This 23 million-year-old landscape was formed by the Katherine River, which flows from Arnhem Land out to the Timor Sea. After lunch we head to the beautiful Edith falls for one last refreshing swim in the huge plunge pool before we hit the road back to Darwin, where your adventure comes to an end on arrival. Included Activities •Edith Falls •Top Didj Indigenous Experience Optional Activities •Katherine Gorge Scenic Cruise - AUD95 Meals Included •Breakfast •Lunch Special Information Total driving time: approximately 5 hours (approximately 400 km) Total walking time: approximately 1 hour

Why you'll love this trip
• Get back to basics with this classic overland adventure. • See the highlights and national parks of Australia's Great Ocean Road and Grampians, Flinders Ranges and Red Centre in rugged, authentic style • Get up early and see the sun rise over Uluru Check out one of the strangest towns in Australia - built underground • See some beautifully remote places in the Flinders Ranges • Drive the world famous Great Ocean Road • Enjoy the flexibility of a private vehicle, the local knowledge of a passionate guide and the magic of camping under the great southern sky

Is this trip right for you?
• You'll spend some nights of the trip sleeping in outback camping grounds. While conditions can be basic and facilities are minimal, this is all part of the adventure.• You'll also need to pitch in with preparing meals and cleaning.• This is part of the experience of travelling in a group. • This trip requires a moderate level of fitness as it involves a lot of walking, allowing you to truly enjoy the surrounding nature. • Some hikes are longer and more challenging than others. • Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing. • This trip is BASIX and we use mixed gender multishare accommodation. • This means, the minimum age for the trip is 18 • During the day the weather can be hot (and the Australian sun is strong) so please bring appropriate clothing, use sun protection and drink plenty of water. • In the evenings temperatures really drop, so ensure you have base layers and warm clothing.

Important trips notes for the following tours and safaris
Click here for trip notes on Tour Style | Staying | Meals | Fitness | Pickup | ETicket | Luggage | Access | Travel Insurance

Other important trips notes for the following tour and safari
While always clean, cheerful and well located, Basix lodgings are fairly no-frills and for those travelling on a budget. Original-style trips offer a higher standard of comfort to relax in after a big day’s adventuring.

What's Included in tour:
• Meals 9 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 9 dinners
• All Terrain vehicle
• Accommodation: Hotel (5 nights), Underground shared bunkhouse (1 night), Permanent furnished tented camp (7 nights)
• Included activities • Wilpena Pound • Anna Creek Station • Coober Pedy Mine tour • Josephine’s Gallery and Kangaroo Orphanage • Dingo Fence • Uluru & Kata Tjuta National Park Entrance • Uluru Base Walk • Uluru Cultural Centre • Kata Tjuta • Maruku Arts cultural experience • Watarrka National Park Entry Fees • Kings Canyon Rim Walk • Litchfield National Park • Ubirr Rock • Kakadu National Park Fee • Mary River cruise • Bowali Visitor Centre • Pine Creek Gold-Mining Centre • Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) • Edith Falls • Top Didj Indigenous Experience

What to bring on tour:
• Booked and paid E-Ticket, Sturdy walking shoes, hat and sunscreen, toiletries, warm clothing in winter, water bottle (2 litre capacity), torch, insect repellent/net, camera and batteries or charger.
• Power pack for charging without electricity

Basix Accommodation:
• Accommodation: Hotel (5 nights), Underground shared bunkhouse (1 night), Permanent furnished tented camp (7 nights)

• This trip is BASIX and we use mixed gender multishare accommodation.
• Basix Accommodation Depending on the region you’re travelling in, Basix trips stay in either shared permanent tents at established campsites –some powered, some not – or in dorm-share accommodation. Sleeping bags are required on Basix trips – bring your own or purchase from us in advance – and some regions also feature the option of sleeping under the stars in a swag (a waterproof canvas bedroll, with a built in mattress).


Tour Important Notes
1. Tour commences in Adelaide on day 1 at 6am and finishes in Darwin day 13 at approx 6pm
2. For the Kings Canyon Rim Walk it is a requirement that you have a minimum of 3 litres of water with you. Please consider bringing your own refillable water bottles.
3. The Top End & Kakadu portion of this trip has a strict luggage limit of 10kg. Excess luggage can not be carried however, it can be stored at Darwin accommodation.
4. This trip requires a sleeping bag
5. This is a combination trip, made up of two of our most popular trips.

Oodnadatta Track:
• The Oodnadatta Track is an unsealed dirt road, and conditions of the track depend heavily on weather. In the case that the road is deemed unsafe to drive on, or there is a possibility that sections of the track will close after we have commenced driving on the track, our Operations team reserves the right to alter the itinerary and take a different route. If, for safety reasons, the decision is made not to travel on the track, days 2 and 3 will be a variation of the below: Day 2 – Parachina Gorge | Hawker | Flinders Ranges Hike | overnight Quorn multishare (BLD) Day 3 – Port Augusta | Coober Pedy via Stuart Highway | Josephine’s Gallery | Coober Pedy town and underground tour, noodling for opals, opal cutting demonstration | overnight underground bunkhouse multishare (BLD)

Multishare Accommodation:
• For Basix travellers, when not camping the standard accommodation is multishare, and may be in mixed-sex dorms. The minimum age for this trip is 18.

Finish Times:
• Our trips generally finish early evening. We recommend booking one night post accommodation in your end city and planning onward travel for the following day. We cannot accept responsibility for missed onward travel if we are delayed for some reason on the last day of travel.

Participating Camping:
• To participate in this trip you must be prepared to assist with preparing meals, cleaning dishes, collecting firewood, setting up and packing up camp every day, in all conditions.

Airport Transfers
Alice: Alice Wanderer: Transfer Alice Springs accommodation to Airport 1800 1800 722 111 (free call) or +61 8 89522111 DARWIN: Darwin Airport Link Bus: Transfer Darwin Airport to accommodation Phone: +61474 503 093

This tour in symbol style

Luggage:
• A STRICT luggage limit of 15kg applies (10kg in Kakadu). Please limit to one small to medium sized soft bag or backpack and a small daypack, which can be carried inside the vehicle.

Fitness Level:
• 3 out of 5: Short participatory-level camping trips, walks that’ll get your heart rate up and extended periods in the elements.
Maximum Walks: Hikes up to 6-8kms per day. A reasonable level of fitness is required as there will be some walking to view places of interest. Suitable for soft adventures with a passion for bushwalking and exploring. Passengers must be fit and active.

Itineraries
• Itineraries may vary and/or attractions be substituted for any cause including seasonal conditions, weather extremes, and traditional owner/national park requirements. Note that the opening dates of waterfalls and attractions vary each year and can change on a daily basis in the wet and shoulder seasons. Visit this website to see live updates on which areas of the park will be open: http://kakaduroadreport.wordpress.com/ or contact our Reservations team. Due to National Park rules and road laws, we cannot guarantee the opening attractions at any time. Alternative activities will be substituted at the tour guides' discretion, dependent on local conditions. Please see terms and conditions of travel for full details.

• ^ Adventure Tours /Intrepid guide will lead the cultural walk.

• The Valley of the Winds walk is quite often it is closed due to weather etc. There is another option other than the Walpa gorge walk to do half the Valley of the Winds which still gets to the good viewing point without doing the full walk which is often in the direct sun. (Agent note only-RH)

• From October to March it is likely that you will experience temperatures of over 35 degrees Celsius, and sometimes well into the 40's. Be prepared to endure extra physical stress due to the heat at these times, especially while on walks. These extreme temperatures can also place stress on the air-conditioning units within our vehicles which can make travelling uncomfortable. Your tour guide will assist with regular breaks and information to assist keeping hydrated. In July and August, very cold temperatures can be experienced in the outback, especially overnight. Please come prepared for all extremes.

We have over 500 real outback Australian experiences for you. Our safairs are tours but with much more emphasis on being eco friendly tours, unique adventures with lifetime memories and destination experiences to rivavl natures best. We have been booking tours for our passengers for over 22 years in the Australian travel and tourism industry and have become the leaders in booking agents in Australia. We have been Territorians since 1988 and locally based in Darwin. So if you want real genuine Australian tour advice from a local then contact us or get a outback safari tour quote from us. Or just ring us within Australia: Freecall 1800107371 or Overseas: +61 8 7999 7511 after 10am.

Easy to fill in tour quote form

Our quote and booking forms are SSL secured:

Kakadu and Top End guided small group safaris from Darwin returning Darwin with both camping in permanent tents and private campgrounds.

Arnhem Land and Top End guided small group safaris from Darwin returning Darwin with both camping in permanent tents and private campgrounds.

Uluru guided small group safaris short on time and fly Alice Springs or Darwin included. These safaris have a mix of camping and accommodation.

Kakadu and Uluru guided small group safaris short on time and fly Alice Springs or Darwin included. Mix of camping and accommodation on tour.

Kakadu guided small group safaris short on time and fly Alice Springs or Darwin included. Mix of camping and accommodation on tour.

From Cruises, to Nitmiluk, Bungle Bungles, Camel Expeditions and Wilderness Lodges. 50 new tours every month to Australia 4 Tours.

See our one day tours, trips and experiences. Short on time we can find you a cruise, experience or trip to enjoy the moment.

Take a small group short break accommodated tour from Melbourne to Adelaide. Or Melbourne to Alice Springs or Darwin.

Take a small group short break accommodated tour from Adelaide and include Kangaroo Island or go north to Uluru.

Take a small group of 24 like minded adventure travellers on a short break accommodated tour from Sydney one way.

Take a short break with a small group on this adventure tour from Hobart to the top tourist destinations in Tasmania.

Take a short break on this adventure tour from Brisbane or Cairns one way, highlights like the Great Barrier Reef.

Take a short break adventure tour from Broome and return or oneway

Take a short break adventure tour from Broome and return or oneway

Take a short break adventure tour from Perth and return or oneway

Home Page- to Australia 4 Tours and all our new products for next season now from Wilderness Lodges to Cruises

Personalised private tour and charters for the single traveller, couple, family or a large group accommodated or camping

We have 4wd's with ground or rootop tents and budget and premium RV hire, new 1-3 year old motorhome hire