Itinerary

Day 1: Alice Springs to Kings Canyon and Uluru

Journey deep into the remote Red Centre as we head towards Kings Canyon. There's a lot to explore here and we check out the Amphitheatre, Lost City, the lush and ancient Garden of Eden and the sheer outcrops of the North and South Walls. After a bite to eat, we'll pass Mt Connor and Curtin Springs cattle station on the way to Uluru. Tonight, you'll be glad to curl up in your swag (Aussie bedroll) after dinner as millions of stars fill the sky. (LD)

Day 2: Uluru and Kata Tjuta

sunrise over UIuru is magical! It's an early start to catch it. While the morning's fresh (and your legs are too!) take a walk around Uluru's base or climb to the top if you choose however, the Anangu traditional owners prefer it if you don't. Gain a further insight into the land, its stories and the people who inhabit it at the Cultural Centre, where you'll also have the opportunity to invest in original arts and crafts by Indigenous artists. After refuelling with some lunch, we head to fascinating Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) to discover the secrets of this ancient landform and their spiritual significance to the Anangu. A glass of Australia sparkling wine is perfect while the desert sun sets over Uluru. Dinner is a traditional camp oven cook-up back at our permanent camp. (BLD)

Day 3: Uluru to Coober Pedy

We get away early this morning as we cross the Northern Territory/South Australian border on the way to Coober Pedy. Time to go underground! Learn about this unique place with a mine tour, including an opal cutting demonstration. If we've got time, try your luck at noodling  for opals yourself! Tonight we sleep in an underground bunkhouse. (BLD)

Day 4: Coober Pedy to Rawnsley Park

Today we keep heading south along the Stuart Highway, travelling past the rocket-launching town Woomera on the way to lunch at Port Augusta. We reach Rawnsley Park, a sheep station set against the spectacular range of Wilpena Pound in the late afternoon and spend the night here in bunkhouse accommodation. (BLD)

Day 5: Wilpena Pound to Parachilna

Challenge yourself this morning as we get an early start to tackle Mount Ohlssen-Bagge, where sweeping views of Wilpena Pound, the Flinders Ranges, the desert and Lake Torrens will be spread out before you. You'll be ready for some lunch before we drive through the stunning Parachilna Gorge (weather permitting) on our way to Parachilna. Get ready for tonight's BBQ dinner ? it doesn't get more Aussie than this! We stay in dorm accommodation in Parachilna. (BLD)

Day 6: Parachilna to Adelaide

Check out some interesting Aboriginal rock art this morning with a short walk to Yourambulla Caves, before lunch in the quaint historic railway town, Quorn. Ruggedly beautiful Alligator Gorge, renowned for its distinct flora and fauna, is a great place to stretch your legs on an interpretive walk (seasonal). From here, our journey continues through the picturesque Clare Valley before arriving in Adelaide. Overnight dorm accommodation included. (BL)

Day 7: Adelaide

A FREE day to explore the sights of Adelaide. Overnight dorm accommodation included. (Meals at own expense)

Day 8: Adelaide to Grampians

NP Travelling through the picturesque Adelaide Hills, we cross Australia's king of rivers, the mighty Murray, and pass through some little South Australian country towns on our way to the Grampians National Park. Get your legs working this afternoon with hikes at Hollow Mountain and the amazing MacKenzie Falls. We'll be rewarded with breathtaking sunset views from The Balconies and Reeds Lookout before we settle in at our overnight Grampians accommodation. (D)

Day 9: Grampians NP via the Great Ocean Rd to Princetown

Hiking to the Pinnacle is a challenge, but on the way you'll experience breathtaking views of the national park. Next we head south to the coast and Warrnambool, where you'll have the chance to spot whales (seasonal). There's a lot to explore along the famous Great Ocean Road, renowned for its beauty. Discover the Bay of Islands, Bay of Martyrs, London Bridge and Lock Ard Gorge before sunset over the Twelve Apostles ? gorgeous! Stay overnight in the coastal township of Princetown. (BD)

Day 10: Princetown to Melbourne

Climb down the Gibson Steps to the beach to get a different angle of the Twelve Apostles, and then we'll spend some time at the Otway Fly, a 25 metre high elevated tree top walk. Continuing on, we pass through the magnificent cool temperate rainforests of the Otway National Park. We'll stop for lunch (own expense) at the coastal town of Apollo Bay. Hugging the coastline, we pass through Lorne, before our next stop where we'll search for koalas. We'll check out the world famous Bells Beach before taking a shopping break at the surfing town Torquay, home of surf labels Quiksilver and Rip Curl. With some bargains in your bags, we make our way into Melbourne and arrive in the early evening. (B)