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Days
9
Price from
1515GBP
Map of Uluru and Arnhem Land Camping Adventure including Australia

The rugged Aussie Outback has never been so accessible.

Embark on a nine-day Northern Territory adventure from Alice Springs to Darwin, showcasing the region’s biggest and best drawcards. Check out Uluru at a stunning sunrise, wander through the mighty canyons of Kata Tjuta and soak up all the views from Kings Canyon. After an included flight to Darwin, continue onwards to enjoy exclusive access to Arnhem Land and get a taste of the tropics in Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks, as well as the awesome Katherine Gorge. This fast-paced adventure will take you to the real Australia, giving you a deeper understanding of First Nations cultures and an appreciation of northern Australia’s rugged natural beauty.

Start
Alice Springs, Australia
Finish
Darwin, Australia
Destinations
Northern Territory, Uluru, Outback, Kakadu
Style
Basix
Theme
Explorer
Code
POBUA
Physical rating
Ages
Min 8
Group size
Min 1, Max 24

Why you'll love this trip

  • See rocky red cliffs, monsoon forests, plunging waterfalls and some of the Top End’s best landscapes with visits to Kakadu, Nitmiluk and Litchfield national parks.

  • Learn about the cultural importance of these spectacular landscapes through the eyes of experienced and knowledgeable leaders, including a local Bininj Guluyambi guide.

  • Sleep under the stars in an Aussie swag in the Red Centre, and witness the changing dawn colours of Uluru on an unforgettable sunrise viewing and breakfast with your small group.

  • With a local group leader, they’ll know all of the most scenic trails to hike and the best waterholes for swimming. Kings Canyon? Jim Jim Falls? Bluey Rockholes? They’ve got you covered.

  • Skip over 1500 kilometres – almost 24 hours – of straight driving between Alice Springs and Darwin and fly with Qantas between your Red Centre and Top End adventures.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is a basic trip, covering the highlights of Australia's Red Centre and Top End in a short amount of time.

  • 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 uses multishare hostel accommodation that may be in mixed-gender dorm rooms.

  • Temperatures in the Red Centre and Top End can 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.

  • The Top End & Kakadu portion of this trip has a strict luggage limit of 10 kg. Excess luggage can not be carried however, it can be stored at Darwin accommodation.

Aboriginal rock art in the Northern Territory
Girls swimming at Edith Falls in the Northern Territory
Visitors to Kings Canyon, Northern Territory
People around a campfire in Yulara, Northern Territory
australia_nt_kakadu_entrance_group
Group walking through Jim Jim Falls in the Northern Territory
Leader explaining local customs at Uluru

Itinerary
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Meet your group and guide in bright and early and hit the road for Australia’s legendary Outback. Stop at an Outback roadhouse for an optional breakfast (at your own expense), then it’s back on the road for the drive to Yulara, stopping off along the way for views of Mt Connor and various salt lakes. After lunch, jump back in the vehicle and travel into Uluru National Park. Grab a coffee and check out the Cultural Centre, then walk over to the main attraction – Uluru. Depending on how active you’re feeling, you can choose to do an optional ten-kilometre walk around the base of Uluru. No two angles of the sacred monolith are the same and its sheer size will leave you gobsmacked. If you'd rather do a shorter walk, follow the ‘Mala Walk’ signs for a stroll to the Mutitjulu Waterhole. In the evening, watch a spectacular Uluru sunset while enjoying some tasty snacks. Once the sun has gone down, drive to tonight’s campsite for a hot shower and hearty dinner. Roll out your swag (protected bedroll) and get comfortable under the stars.
Included Activities
  • Uluru Base Walk
  • Uluru sunset drinks
  • Uluru Cultural Centre
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
You must be packed and ready to go from the Alice Springs joining point at 5.45 am this morning. Please see the ‘Joining point’ section of the Essential Trip Information for details.

Total driving time today is about 5.5 hours (approximately 450 km)
Total walking time will be approximately 2–3 hours, depending on which option you choose in the afternoon.

Rise early for an included breakfast and memorable Uluru sunrise. Next head to Kata-Tjuta (The Olgas) for a guided six-kilometre walk through the legendary Valley of the Winds. The walk can be challenging, but you’re rewarded with a spectacular perspective on mind-blowing rock formations. Return to camp for lunch. In the afternoon, drive to a remote bush camp in Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) and freshen up with a hot shower. Tonight’s dinner will be an authentic Outback barbecue.
Included Activities
  • Valley of the Winds walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Total driving time today is around 4 hours (approximately 300 km).
Total walking time is approximately 2.5 hours.

After breakfast, drive to Kings Canyon for a guided six-kilometre hike along the Canyon Rim. This varied landscape of chasms, canyons and cliffs is one of the most spectacular and surprising in the Outback. Enter a natural amphitheatre, discover the Lost City, cool off under the shade of the Garden of Eden’s leafy palm trees and admire panoramic views from the North and South Walls. After lunch, make tracks back to Alice Springs with a few leg-stretches on the way, before pulling into Alice in the early evening.
Included Activities
  • Kings Canyon Rim Walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Total driving time today is around 6 hours (approximately 500 km).
Total walking time is approximately 3 hours.

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.
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
You’ll be issued your flight boarding passes a couple of weeks prior to departure; however please check your flight details with your booking agent, as well as your group leader in Alice Springs. On arrival in Darwin, please look for the Darwin City airport shuttle to transfer you to The Cavenagh at 12 Cavenagh St, Darwin.

Leave Darwin in the early morning and travel to Wulna Country where you will be greeted by a Cul Cul or ‘Welcome to Country’ from the Limilngan-Wulna peoples. Learn about their culture as your hosts treat you to bush tucker talks and didgeridoo and basket weaving demonstrations. Then, it’s on to the border of Kakadu and Arnhem Land for 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 Owners and hear about local customs. Once the cruise wraps up, jump in a vehicle and cross straight into Arnhem Land for an unforgettable afternoon of exploration. Start by unveiling more art at a 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. Spend the afternoon exploring this historic ancient site, then head back into Kakadu for an overnight stay.
Accommodation
  • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Guluyambi Cultural Cruise
  • Mawurndaddja rock art and occupation complex
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Total driving time: about six hours (approximately 350 km)
Total walking time: about one and a half hours (including stops for informative talks)

After fuelling up with an early breakfast, head to Jim Jim Falls, Kakadu's most iconic natural attraction. Take a challenging walk through monsoon forest and over boulders, then recharge with a cooling dip in the clear waters beneath the falls. After lunch head to Anbangbang, another incredible site that features ancient art on what was originally Warramal land. Sadly, there are no surviving Warramal people, so the care of the site is maintained by the neighbouring Mirarr and Djok communities. This afternoon, you have the option of taking a scenic flight over Kakadu or visiting the Bowli Cultural Centre.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Jim Jim Falls Walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Total driving time: about 4 hours (approximately 120 km)
Total walking time: about 2.5

After breakfast, head to either Gunlom Falls or Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) for a swim in another pristine waterhole. Maguk flows down the steep walls of rugged gorge into a beautiful natural plunge pool, while the steep climb to the Gunlom Falls plunge pool is rewarded with sweeping views of Kakadu and the welcome shade of gum trees. Neither option will disappoint. After a relaxing morning, it’s time to hit the road. Stop in the old gold-mining town of Pine Creek for lunch before continuing for another 3 hours to your private campsite on the doorstep of Nitmiluk National Park. Once comfortable, have dinner with the group before settling in under the stars for the night.
Accommodation
  • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Maguk (Barramundi Gorge)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Total driving time: about 5.5 hours (approximately 340 km)
Total walking time: about 1.5 hours

Spend the day exploring the deep Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge and greater Nitmiluk National Park, a wonderland of colours, ancient rock art, waterfalls and wildlife. While here, you can explore on foot or choose to take a cruise or rental a kayak to get a closer look. Keep in mind that these optional activities are seasonal and at your own expense. In the afternoon, travel to Edith Falls, a hidden oasis of clear, cool waters surrounded by bronze boulders. After a quick swim in the huge rock pools, continue to tonight’s camp located at the edge of Litchfield National Park, where dinner awaits.
Accommodation
  • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Edith Falls
Optional Activities
  • Katherine Gorge Scenic Cruise - AUD95
  • Katherine Gorge Canoe from - AUD82
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Total driving time: about 4.5 hours (approximately 350 km)
Total walking time: about 3.5 hours

After breakfast, head to Litchfield National Park. A bit of a local secret, Litchfield is awash with tropical rainforest, gorgeous waterfalls and crystal-clear waterholes. Visit Florence Falls, Wangi Falls or Bluey Rockholes, then tuck into a picnic lunch. Enjoy a stroll through the steamy rainforests and refreshing dip in one of the park’s gorgeous swimming holes. In the afternoon, make the 2-hour drive back to Darwin.
Included Activities
  • Buley Rockholes
  • Florence Falls
  • Litchfield National Park
  • Wangi Falls
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Litchfield National Park occasionally closes attractions if they are considered unsafe to access. If Florence Falls, Wangi Falls or Bluey Rockholes are closed, activities will be substituted. Please see our 'Climate and seasonal information’ section in the ‘Essential trip information’ for more.

Total driving time: about 3.5 hours (approximately 250 km)
Total walking time: about 1 hour

Meals

6 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 6 dinners

Transport

All Terrain vehicle, Private vehicle

Accommodation

Camping (with shared facilities) (1 night), Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (2 nights), Permanent, furnished tented camp (with shared facilities) (3 nights), Hostel (2 nights)

Included activities

  • Uluru Base Walk
  • Uluru sunset drinks
  • Uluru Cultural Centre
  • Valley of the Winds walk
  • 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

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Important notes

1. Tour commences in Alice Springs on Day 1 at 6:05am and finishes in Darwin on Day 9 at approximately 6 pm. Onward travel should be booked the following day (many flights also leave Darwin quite late in the evening)
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 10 kg. 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.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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