Flexible Itinerary

Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night-stops and highlights. However, as road conditions, weather, local restrictions and group input may vary, no two trips will ever be the same. With the help of your tour leader and fellow trekkers you may modify certain night-stops and highlights to give a truly unique experience. Much of the epic journey will be tailored as we go, so flexibility is the main ingredient of this tour.

Week 1: Sydney – Batemans Bay – Lakes Entrance – Melbourne – Great Ocean Road – Grampians National Park

The first few days of this tour see us journey down the south coast road to Victoria. We then have a two night stop in the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne where you'll have plenty of time to appreciate this attractive city and sample a diverse range of international cuisines. Leaving Melbourne, we head west on the Great Ocean Road, one of the most scenic coastal stretches in the world, famed for dramatic rock formations, such as the Twelve Apostles and the amazing Shipwreck Coast. Spend two days hiking in the magnificent Grampians National Park.

Accommodation: 4 nights budget lodging, 3 nights camping

Week 2: Adelaide – Mt Remarkable National Park – Bush Camp – Nullarbor Plain – Esperance – Albany – Busselton

Explore Adelaide before we cross the mighty Nullarbor Plain. Maybe spot whales, dolphins or even wild camels on this desolate stretch of coastal highway. Along the way we'll go hiking in Mt Remarkable National Park, spotting wild kangaroos and emus at a fantastic lookout over the surrounding gulf country before heading back to camp. Check out the remote coastal towns and vast open spaces of the Nullarbor Plain before meeting back up with the Southern Ocean at Esperance. Come and hike in the tree tops at the "Valley of the Giants" before climbing the famous Bicentennial Tree. From the Karri forests we will then have the opportunity to explore some of the great caves found in this area. We watch the Indian and Southern Ocean convergence before a glass of wine as we tour the Margaret River winery area.

Accommodation: 1 night budget lodging, 5 nights camping, 1 night bush camping

Week 3: Perth – Pinnacles – Kalbarri National Park – Monkey Mia – Coral Bay

Relax in Perth for a couple of nights. We depart Perth and head north through market gardens and vineyards to join up with Highway 1 on our way to Nambung National Park and the fascinating Pinnacles. Maybe go sand boarding before we hike in Kalbarri National Park. Here we take time to view Nature's Window, The Loop and discover the wonders of Z Bend Gorge. Z Bend Gorge is an exhilarating 150 metre descent into the heart of the gorge - well worth the effort - where there is time to explore and swim in the tranquil fresh water pools. For the adventurous there is even an opportunity to try your hand at abseiling. Next stop is Shell Beach and the world famous Monkey Mia bottlenose dolphins - it's a unique experience and there are some fantastic photo opportunities. Almost as famous as the dolphins are Monkey Mia's pelicans. Check them out during the dolphin feeding. Next, we head to Coral Bay to soak up the sun, relax and swim in the crystal clear waters, or gaze at the beautiful colours and shapes of the coral at Ningaloo Reef. You can go snorkelling, cruise in a glass bottom boat, take a quad bike tour or even a joy flight over the reef.

Accommodation: 2 nights budget lodging, 5 nights camping

Week 4: Coral Bay – Exmouth – Giralia – Karijini National Park – 80 Mile Beach

We then head inland towards the oasis that is Karijini National Park. We will take on extra provisions in the iron ore mining town of Tom Price before setting up our camp overlooking the magnificent Hamersley Range. You will see why we have allowed two full days to explore and bask in the magnificence of this National Park area and its Gorges. The Hamersley Range was formed over 2,500 million years ago and has some of the most unusual landforms on earth. From cascading waterfalls found deep in the gorges to fresh still pools ideal for swimming, we experience it all. Some of the gorges are so narrow that you can touch both sides at once.

Accommodation: 5 nights camping, 2 nights bush camping

Week 5: Broome – Fitzroy Crossing – Turkey Creek – Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles) – Kununurra

We head back into civilisation to the old pearling town of Broome. Catch a camel ride on the beach or a movie in the outdoor picture theatre. From here we continue northeast, take a boat ride on Geikie Gorge before we join our 4WD for a two day tour through Purnululu National Park. Visit Mini Palms, Echidna Chasm, Cathedral Gorge and walk along Piccaninny Creek before we head back to Turkey Creek. See the Ord River Dam system that irrigates this northwest corner of the state, hike in Hidden Valley and relax in Kununurra before crossing the border into the Northern Territory.

Accommodation: 2 nights budget lodging, 5 nights camping

Week 6: Victoria River – Litchfield National Park – Darwin – Kakadu National Park – Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge)

Next stop is Litchfield National Park with its magnetic termite mounds and towering waterfalls. We return to civilisation in Darwin with a real bed in the hostel. We normally go out for a meal and perhaps visit a nightclub for those in a party mood. There is a free day to take in the sights of this frontier city. See the museums, the historic early settlement, take a trip on the "Tour Tub", or just chill out by the pool. A chance for last minute shopping before we head out on the road to the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park, one of Australia's most beautiful areas of wilderness. We'll take you to Nourlangie Rock to see Aboriginal rock art that is thousands of years old and watch the sunset where the Aborigines have lived for over 40,000 years. Maybe take a cruise on Yellow Water Billabong where you can spot crocodiles, birds, snakes, dingos and other wildlife that is abundant in Kakadu. Next stop is Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge), where you can take a cruise up two of the magnificent natural gorges carved by the Katherine River.

Accommodation: 2 nights budget lodging, 4 nights camping, 1 night bush camping

Week 7: Manyallaluk – Mataranka – Devils Marbles – Alice Springs – Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) – Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

We head to the Aboriginal buffalo station of Manyallaluk and join the locals to try some "Bush Tucker". You can learn how to throw a spear and make fire the traditional way. Find out how the Aborigines existed for thousands of years in harmony with their surroundings. The Aborigines themselves teach these ancient skills. Also a great place to purchase didgeridoos, paintings and woven baskets from the people who make them. We have time for a relaxing swim at Mataranka Hot Springs after setting up camp. The road south leads us past the Daly Waters Pub before arriving at the eerie Devils Marbles in time for sunset. Come and hike the rim trail at Kings Canyon. Marvel at the sheer canyon walls and hike to the Lost City and the Garden of Eden before arriving at Ayers Rock Resort. There is plenty of time this evening for that world famous picture of Uluru (Ayers Rock) at sunset. Next day we'll take you on a guided walk around the base of one of the world's largest monoliths, Uluru, and reveal some of the Aboriginal legends that abound in this World Heritage Area, we then explore Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) before viewing the sunset over these surreal domes.

Accommodation: 6 nights camping, 1 night bush camping

Week 8: Alice Springs – Bush Camp – Cloncurry – Mount Surprise – Cairns – Great Barrier Reef

We then take a break in Alice Springs. "The Alice" is home to some of the world's best hot air ballooning. Consider taking an optional day trip through the Western MacDonnell Ranges where you can see Simpson's Gap, the Ochre Pits or even hike around Ormiston Gorge. Maybe visit the Desert Park, go shopping or just hang out at the pool. The next few days will be a real outback adventure as we cross the remote landscapes of North Eastern Queensland. You'll get a real feel for the vastness and emptiness of the Australian interior. We set up bush camps along the way, pass through mining towns and stop at characteristic outback pubs for refreshments. We travel through some vastly changing landscape before meeting Russell in Mount Surprise and seeing his unique reptile show. Crossing the Atherton Tablelands we'll head into Cairns where a full day on our multi-million dollar sailing boat awaits. Come out and cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef where you can snorkel or dive some of the best sites and marvel at the vast array of marine life living in this extensive reef system. A day you will remember for the rest of your life.

Accommodation: 2 nights budget lodging, 4 nights camping, 1 night bush camping

Week 9 Mission Beach – Magnetic Island – Airlie Beach – Cattle Station

Mission Beach is our next destination. For those with a strong sense of adventure there is adrenaline pumping white water rafting or tandem skydiving. Alternatively, take a water taxi out to Dunk Island or go sea kayaking around the islands. There are also some great rainforest walks, where you might spot a cassowary. For a more leisurely day simply lounge on Mission Beach and work on your suntan. Our next stop is Airlie Beach. From here you can access the beautiful waterways that make up the Whitsunday Islands and some of the most picturesque sailing in the world. Choose between a full day on a fast Maxi sailing yacht, take a cruise to a millionaire's resort, go ocean rafting, jet-ski or just lie by the pool. In the evening you can check out a live band and the local nightlife. Then come and relax at our private cattle station where you can horse back ride, join a 4WD tour of the station or maybe even grab a farm motorbike and help out with the day-to-day chores on this 2,600 acre property and enjoy some traditional Australian country hospitality.

Accommodation: 3 nights budget lodging, 4 nights camping

Week 10: Sunshine Coast – Wynnum – Moreton Island – Byron Bay – Coffs Harbour – Sydney

Continue south along the coast to Wynnum where we'll catch the ferry for our two day 4WD tour of Moreton Island. Here the world's highest sand dunes await you. With miles of deserted white beaches and inland forests dotted with crystal clear lakes, this is the highlight of the trip for many. We'll hike some of the trails, visit the Tangalooma Wrecks and maybe view dolphins, turtles or pods of whales (seasonal). You can also snorkel amongst the shipwrecks and swim in Blue Lagoon - a naturally formed "perched lake." Back on the mainland we head south to the laidback town of Byron Bay and Australia's most easterly point. Explore this alternative community of surfers, hippies and travellers with its beautiful beaches, cafes and arts and crafts stalls. Maybe take a surfing lesson or try tandem hang gliding. After a final night at Coffs Harbour, we'll continue south down the coast before arriving back in Sydney, where we began 10 weeks ago, and come to the end of our "All of Oz" adventure.

Accommodation: 2 nights budget lodging, 3 nights camping