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.

Day 1 – 3: Sydney, Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay

Say a fond farewell to Sydney as we set out on our summer adventure. Leaving via the Sydney Harbour Bridge, we travel the coast road through Taree. Our hostel in Coffs Harbour is a great place for a BBQ tonight. Continue up the coast through Ballina to Byron Bay. Try your hand at surfing, stroll the beach promenade or just visit the shops and famous lighthouse.

Accommodation: 3 nights budget lodging

Day 4 – 5: Wynnum and Moreton Island

Crossing the Queensland border we wind our clocks back an hour and the pace slows down. We catch the early morning ferry out to Moreton Island, where the world's highest sand dunes and our 4WD vehicles await you. Two days here with Alan and the crew will leave you chilled out. With miles of deserted white beaches and inland forests dotted with crystal clear lakes, this is the highlight of the trip for many. Snorkel in the refreshing waters around the sunken ship wrecks, hike Mt Tempest (the highest stabilised sand dune in the world) or just scream down our huge sand boarding run.

Accommodation: 2 nights budget lodging

Day 6 – 8: Mooloolaba and Cattle Station

Returning to the mainland we overnight at Mooloolaba right on the beach. Kick back for a few days at our cattle station. Jump on a horse or motorbike and help out with the daily fun on this 2,600 acre working cattle property. Cook your breakfast over an open fire and enjoy the home cooking. Olive's homemade biscuits just melt in your mouth.

Accommodation: 3 nights budget lodging

Day 9 – 10: Airlie Beach

Full of home cooking, we head back to the coast and Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands, with some of the most picturesque sailing in the world. Choose from a 20 meter luxury sailing yacht or a fast moving Ocean Rafting boat. Explore Whitehaven beach or snorkel the inner Barrier Reef but please don't forget the suntan lotion as the Aussie sun is hot. In the evening you can check out a live band and the local nightlife.

Accommodation: 2 nights budget lodging

Day 11 – 12: Mission Beach

For those with a strong sense of adventure; the adrenaline pumping white water rafting is at its peak in the summer. Alternatively, come and hike in the rain forest when it's raining and everything is lush and green! There is also tandem skydiving, fishing or even sea kayaking out to luxurious Dunk Island. For a more leisurely day simply lounge on Mission Beach and work on your suntan. The choice is yours.

Accommodation: 2 nights budget lodging

Day 13 – 14: Cairns and Great Barrier Reef

We make our way to Cairns and board our multi-million dollar sailing boat for a full day on the Outer Barrier Reef. Snorkel amongst the coral, marvel at the multitude of colour as fish parade in front of you. Wander on the sand atoll or try scuba diving (no experience needed) all in the same day! Don't worry; we will supply a mouth-watering tropical lunch to keep your energy up.

Accommodation: 2 nights budget lodging.

Day 15 – 17: Charters Tower, Mount Isa and Three Ways

We then travel west over the Great Dividing Range, passing through small outback towns like Julia Creek and Cloncurry. Travel through some vastly changing landscapes en route to the mining town of Mt Isa. Depart Queensland through Camooweal and into the exciting Northern Territory to see just how flat this remarkable country is.

Accommodation: 3 nights budget lodging

Day 18 – 19: Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge) and Litchfield National Park

Visit the historic Daly Waters Pub for a refreshing drink and take a dip in the turquoise waters of Mataranka's thermal pool, nestled amongst tall shady palms. Heading north, join us on a cruise down the river between the ancient cliff walls of Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge). Finish the day with a swim at Edith Falls. A popular place for Darwin locals to cool down during the summer months is Litchfield National Park. Spring fed crystal clear waterfalls and plunge pools await you in this natural playground. Have your photo taken next to a giant termite mound three times your size!

Accommodation: 2 nights budget lodging

Day 20 – 21: Darwin

Take a few days out in the tropical city of Darwin to catch up with the outside world. Explore the town; take an open-top bus tour of the city, check out the local pubs, bars and nightclubs or just chill out by the pool.

Accommodation: 2 nights budget lodging

Day 22: Kakadu National Park

All refreshed? Back on the road as we head to the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park, one of Australia's most beautiful wilderness areas. Join us as we explore Nourlangie and Ubirr Rock to see Aboriginal art thousands of years old. See the abundant bird life of the flood plains and maybe spot saltwater crocodiles, snakes, dingos and other wildlife on the world famous Yellow Water Billabong cruise.

Accommodation: 1 night budget lodging

Day 23 – 24: Katherine and Wauchope

The road south leads us past the Daly Waters Pub again. Visit the gold mining town of Tennant Creek before arriving at the eerie Devils Marbles in time for sunset. There are several short hikes around the area and some stunning photographic opportunities.

Accommodation: 2 nights budget lodging

Day 25 – 27: Alice Springs

We have three nights 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. There's the chance to hit the town in the evening for a meal out and maybe one of the local clubs or bars. Join us and our indigenous guides on an extended Aboriginal cultural day. Learn a bit about the culture before we go "walkabout" looking for traditional foods and medicines in the bush. You will come away with a different view of the traditional owners of this vast land down under.

Accommodation: 3 nights budget lodging

Day 28 – 30: Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

We hit the track south from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon to marvel at the sheer canyon walls. An early morning start to beat the heat as we hike the rim trail, visit the Lost City and Garden of Eden before heading back to the station for a well earned ice cream. We arrive mid afternoon into Ayers Rock Resort so that we have plenty of time to get those spectacular sunset photos of one of the world's greatest monoliths, Uluru (Ayers Rock). We have another early start as we take up the challenge and hike around the base of this enormous rock, whilst learning some of the Tjukurpa (Aboriginal Creation or Dreaming) of the area. We'll also visit the excellent cultural centre before heading to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), a breathtaking series of large dome shaped rocks. A swim in the pool back at the resort is very welcome in the afternoon.

Accommodation: 3 nights budget lodging

Day 31 – 32: Coober Pedy and Port Augusta

The journey continues south to the Martian landscape of Coober Pedy where we take you on an underground opal mine tour - a great opportunity to purchase opals from the miners themselves. Tonight we all sleep underground in a "dugout" bunkroom after a night out with the locals. We also spend a night in Port Augusta to set us up for a hike in Mt Remarkable National Park.

Accommodation: 2 nights budget lodging

Day 33 – 34: Adelaide

At last we get to see the sea again. And, what is a visit to Australia without at least one winery tour in the famous Barossa Valley? Spend time riding the tram and the waves in the southern capital of Adelaide during our two night stay.

Accommodation: 2 nights budget lodging

Day 35 – 36: Grampians National Park

Keep some energy in reserve as the rugged peaks and hikes of the Grampians National Park await you. Here we will hike the ancient volcanic trails and photograph the lakes, waterfalls, gorges and kangaroos.

Accommodation: 2 nights budget lodging

Day 37 – 39: Great Ocean Road and Melbourne

Take more photos and maybe a helicopter flight over the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road - one of the most scenic stretches of coastal road in the world, before looking for koalas in the wild. Check out the surfing town of Torquay before arriving in the cosmopolitan capital of Melbourne. Wow, this could be a town in Europe: excellent bars and restaurants, great beaches, trams, outdoor cafes and nightlife. There's even a “Neighbours Tour” to the location of the famous TV series! How much more can one city offer?

Accommodation: 3 nights budget lodging

Day 40 – 42: Merimbula, Blue Mountains and Sydney

We head north along the coast. Our last day finds us in the majestic Blue Mountains, hiking the valley trails and riding the world's steepest railway. Arrive back in Sydney to contemplate the ever changing landscape that you have travelled through on your amazing summer journey.

Accommodation: 2 nights budget lodging