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Travel through Australia's amazing Top End, Red Centre, Oodnadatta Track and famou Great Ocean Road.
Embark on a Northern Territory adventure, from Darwin to Melbourne, taking in the region's biggest and best-known drawcards along the way. Get a taste of the tropics in Kakadu National Park, visit Arnhem Land, Litchfield and Katherine. Witness Uluru during a stunning sunrise, wander through the majestic canyons of Kata Tjuta and admire the views from Kings Canyon. Drive the famous Oodnadatta Track, and the famous Great Ocean Road. A region of exceptional landscapes and intriguing cultural attractions, this top to tail exploration of our country is a trip that will leave you with a profound appreciation of Australia's raw and rugged natural beauty.
- Start
- Darwin, Australia
- Finish
- Melbourne, Australia
- Destinations
- Northern Territory, Kakadu, Uluru, Outback, South Australia, Victoria, Great Ocean Road
- Style
- Basix
- Theme
- Explorer, Overland
- Code
- POOAC
- Physical rating
- Ages
- Min 18
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 24
Why you'll love this trip
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This amazing trip covers two states and one territory, and includes the highlights of Australia's Top End, Red Centre, Flinders Ranges, Grampians and the Great Ocean Road as well as capital and regional cities Darwin, Alice Springs, Adelaide and Melbourne.
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Discover the wonders of Kakadu National Park. Get adventurous on a 4WD tour to the spectacular Jim Jim Falls and see the ancient Aboriginal rock art of Ubirr as well as Katherine Gorge
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Get up early and see the sun rise over Uluru
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Check out one of the strangest towns in Australia - built underground
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See some beautifully remote places in the Flinders Ranges
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Enjoy the flexibility of a private vehicle, the local knowledge of a passionate guide and the magic of camping under the great southern sky
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Drive the world famous Great Ocean Road
Is this trip right for you?
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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.
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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.
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This trip is BASIX and we use mixed gender multishare accommodation. This means, the minimum age for the trip is 18 years old.
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Temperatures in the Top End be extreme. 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.
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Itinerary
We leave Darwin bright and early and head to the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park. Firstly, we make our way to see the stunning rock art at Ubirr before climbing to the top of a lookout to see the sprawling Nardab Floodplain. Next stop, head to the border of Kakadu and Arnhem Land to experience a Guluyumbi cruise along the East Alligator River. Travelling with a Bininj guide, understand more about the cultural importance of the East Alligator River to the region’s traditional custodians. Once the cruise wraps up, jump in a vehicle and cross straight into Arnhem Land for an unforgettable afternoon of exploration at an indigenous art complex known as Mawurndaddja. This complex has a spectacular series of galleries with rock art spanning from the present time to many thousands of years of age. Your guide will explain the importance of this art, the methods used to perform this expressionism and the anthropological system used to date the art as you are guided through the site. Spend the afternoon exploring this historic ancient site before heading back to Kakadu and settling into this evening’s campsite.
Note: Total driving time is about six hours (approximately 350kms) Total walking time is approximately one and a half hours (including stops for informative talks)
Accommodation
- Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Guluyambi Cultural Cruise
- Mawurndaddja rock art and occupation complex
- Ubirr Rock
Meals Included
- Lunch
- Dinner
Note: Total driving time is about four hours (approximately 120kms)
Total walking time is approximately two and a half hours
Accommodation
- Camping (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Jim Jim Falls Walk
- Twin Falls Walk
- Twin Falls Gorge River shuttle
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Note: Total driving time is about five and a half hours (approximately 340kms)
Total walking time is approximately one and a half hours
Accommodation
- Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Maguk (Barramundi Gorge)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Note: Total driving time is about four and a half hours (approximately 350kms)
Total walking time is approximately three and a half hours
Accommodation
- Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Edith Falls
Optional Activities
- Katherine Gorge Scenic Cruise - AUD94
- Katherine Gorge Canoe from - AUD45
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Note: Total driving time is about three and a half hours (approximately 250kms)
Total walking time is approximately one hour
Accommodation
- Hostel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Buley Rockholes
- Florence Falls
- Litchfield National Park
- Wangi Falls
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Special Information
This is a combination trip, made up of two of our most popular trips. Some travellers will be leaving today and others heading on to Alice Springs in the morning where the makeup of your group and guide will change.Should any of the attractions of the standard itinerary not be open as a result of National Park decisions surrounding accessibility and safety, activities will be substituted. Please see 'climate and seasonal information'.
- Florence Falls
- Wangi Falls
- Bluey Rockholes
We'll arrange your air tickets and issue them a couple of weeks prior to your departure.
On arrival in Alice springs please look for your transfer vehicle (operated by Alice Wanderer - green and yellow bus) to transfer you into Alice Springs.
The rest of the day is free to explore.
Accommodation
- Hostel (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Your Darwin transfer (operated by Darwin City Airport Shuttle Service) will depart approx 2 hours prior to your flight. In case of any issues or to confirm time please call. +61 8 8947 3979Your Alice Springs transfer (operated by Alice Wanderer - green and yellow bus) will transfer you to the Alice Springs YHA. In case of any issues please call
1800 722 111 (free call) or +61 8 89522111
Note: Total driving time today is around four and a half hours. Total walking time is approximately one hour.
Accommodation
- Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Uluru & Kata Tjuta National Park Entrance
Meals Included
- Lunch
- Dinner
Note: Total driving time today is around three and a half hours. Total walking time is approximately two hours.
Accommodation
- Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Uluru Cultural Centre
- Maruku Arts interactive Indigenous experience
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Note: Total driving time today is around three hours. Total walking time is approximately two and half hours hour.
Accommodation
- Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Kings Canyon Rim Walk
- Erldunda Emu Farm
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Upon arrival, take a guided tour of the town, underground opal mine and museum. End the day hanging out with some rescued joeys at Josephine’s Gallery and Kangaroo Orphanage. Tonight stay in a multi-share underground bunkhouse in Coober Pedy.
Note: Total driving time today is around four and a half hours. Total walking time is approximately half an hour.
Accommodation
- Underground Multishare (1 night)
Included Activities
- Josephine’s Gallery and Kangaroo Orphanage
- Underground Mine & Opal Tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Note: Total driving time today is around two hours. Total walking time is approximately half an hour.
Accommodation
- Dormitory (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Note: Total driving time today is around six hours. Total walking time is approximately half an hour.
Included Activities
- Oodnadatta Track
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Note: Total driving time today is around three and a half hours. Total walking time is approximately two hours.
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodation
- Hostel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Accommodation
- Hostel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Note: Total driving time today is about seven and a half hours (approximately 550kms)
Total walking time will be about two and a half hours (approximately 3.5kms)
Included Activities
- Mackenzie Falls - Grampians
- Reeds Lookout (The Balconies) & Boroka Lookout
Meals Included
- Dinner
Note: Total driving time today is about seven and a half hours (approximately 550kms)
Total walking time will be about two hours (approximately 2kms)
Included Activities
- 12 Apostles & London Bridge
- Koala spotting - Great Ocean Road
- Loch Ard Gorge
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
12 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 12 dinnersTransport
All Terrain vehicle, Minibus, Private vehicleAccommodation
Dormitory (2 nights), Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night), Camping (with shared facilities) (2 nights), Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (3 nights), Permanent, furnished tented camp (with shared facilities) (3 nights), Underground Multishare (1 night) Hostel multishare (4 nights)Included activities
- Guluyambi Cultural Cruise
- Mawurndaddja rock art and occupation complex
- Ubirr Rock
- Jim Jim Falls Walk
- Twin Falls Walk
- Twin Falls Gorge River shuttle
- Maguk (Barramundi Gorge)
- Edith Falls
- Buley Rockholes
- Florence Falls
- Litchfield National Park
- Wangi Falls
- Uluru & Kata Tjuta National Park Entrance
- Uluru Cultural Centre
- Maruku Arts interactive Indigenous experience
- Kings Canyon Rim Walk
- Erldunda Emu Farm
- Josephine’s Gallery and Kangaroo Orphanage
- Underground Mine & Opal Tour
- Oodnadatta Track
- Mackenzie Falls - Grampians
- Reeds Lookout (The Balconies) & Boroka Lookout
- 12 Apostles & London Bridge
- Koala spotting - Great Ocean Road
- Loch Ard Gorge
Dates & availability
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There are currently no scheduled departures on our Darwin to Melbourne Overland (Basix) trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.
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Important notes
1. Tour commences in Darwin on day 1 at 6:50am and finishes in Melbourne day 17 at approx 6pm. Onward travel should be booked the following day
2. This trip requires a sleeping bag
3. Please note that this trip is a combination of a few of our most popular trips. As such the make up of your group and your guide will change along the way.