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Travel through Australia's amazing Great Ocean Road, through the Flinders Ranges and the famous Oodnadatta Track to the dusty Red Centre and tropical Top End
Embark on a Northern Territory adventure, from Melbourne to Darwin, taking in the region's biggest and best-known drawcards along the way. Drive the famous Oodnadatta Track, stroll around Wilpena Pound, witness Uluru during a stunning sunrise, wander through the majestic canyons of Kata Tjuta and admire the views from Kings Canyon. Head out croc spotting in the Mary River Wetlands and get a taste of the tropics in Kakadu National Park. A region of exceptional landscapes and intriguing cultural attractions, this tail-to-top adventure of the Territory is a trip that will leave you with a profound appreciation of Australia's raw and rugged natural beauty.
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Terms & Conditions- Start
- Melbourne, Australia
- Finish
- Darwin, Australia
- Destinations
- Victoria, Great Ocean Road, South Australia, Outback, Northern Territory, Uluru, Kakadu
- Style
- Basix
- Theme
- Explorer
- Code
- PAOKC
- Physical rating
- Ages
- Min 18
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 24
Why you'll love this trip
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Get back to basics with this classic seventeen-day overland adventure. See the highlights and national parks of Australia's Great Ocean Road and Grampians, Flinders Ranges, Red Centre and Top End in rugged, authentic style
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Spend a half day in Arnhem Land with a local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander guide
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Cruise the world famous Great Ocean Road
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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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See some beautifully remote places in the Flinders ranges
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Check out one of the strangest towns in Australia - built underground
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Get up early and see the sun rise over Uluru
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Learn about the ancient culture and traditions of the Limilngan-Wulna people as they invite you into their community with a traditional 'Welcome to Country'
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he Mary River Wetlands feature a wealth of wildlife, including the highest concentration of saltwater crocodiles in the southern hemisphere. Get up close to the snappy beasts on a billabong cruise
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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 rock art of Ubirr as well as Katherine Gorge
Is this trip right for you?
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This is a basic trip, covering the highlights of Australia's Great Ocean Road and Grampians, Flinders Ranges, Red Centre, and Top End.
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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 because minors aren't able to sleep in mixed gender rooms.
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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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The Top End & Kakadu portion of this trip has a strict luggage limit of 10kg. Excess luggage can not be carried however, it can be stored at Darwin accommodation.
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Itinerary
Note: Total driving time today is about six and a half hours (approximately 450kms)
Total walking time will be about two hours (approximately 2kms)
Accommodation
- Hostel (1 night)
Included Activities
- 12 Apostles & London Bridge
- Koala spotting - Great Ocean Road
- Melba Gully Walk - Otway Ranges
- Swim at Lorne (Summer months)
- Loch Ard Gorge
Meals Included
- Lunch
Note: Total driving time today is about six hours (approximately 400kms)
Total walking time will be about four hours (approximately 5kms)
Accommodation
- Hostel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Brambuk Culture Centre
- Mackenzie Falls - Grampians
- Pinnacles Walk - Grampians
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Note: Total driving time today is about seven and a half hours (approximately 550kms) Estimated time of arrival into Adelaide is 7.30pm.
Total walking time will be about two and a half hours (approximately 3.5kms)
Accommodation
- Hostel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Reeds Lookout (The Balconies) & Boroka Lookout
Meals Included
- Breakfast
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 and Darwin in the morning where the makeup of your group and guide will change.Total driving time takes around five hours.
Accommodation
- Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Wilpena Pound
Meals Included
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
You’ll be picked up from the Adelaide Central YHA at 6.30 am, so please arrive at least ten minutes beforehand ready to set offTotal driving time today is approximately 8 hours
Accommodation
- Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Total driving time today is approximately 6.5 hours
Accommodation
- Underground Multishare (1 night)
Included Activities
- Anna Creek Station
- Coober Pedy Mine tour
- Josephine’s Gallery and Kangaroo Orphanage
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Today driving time will be about 8.5 hours.
Accommodation
- Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Dingo Fence
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
There isn't much driving today, about an hour in total between destinations. You will walk approximately 5km.
Accommodation
- Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Uluru & Kata Tjuta National Park Entrance
- Uluru Base Walk
- Uluru Cultural Centre
- Kata Tjuta
- Maruku Arts cultural experience
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
The Anangu people have dissuaded visitors from climbing Uluru for decades; as traditional owners of the land they feel a deep responsibility for everyone who travels to the area. In 1998 we were among the first tour operators to stop climbing Uluru.The Intrepid Group are proud to be involved with local communities in Uluru and to have an ongoing commitment to providing employment for the Anangu people. You show respect when you choose not to climb Uluru, but walk with Anangu throughout the area and share their stories instead
Driving time is about six hours today, and you will walk approximately 2km.
Accommodation
- Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Watarrka National Park Entry Fees
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Driving time today is approximately 5 hours back to Alice Springs, and the Rim Walk is approximately 6km.
Accommodation
- Hostel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Kings Canyon Rim Walk
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Special Information
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.We'll arrange your air tickets and issue them a couple of weeks prior to your departure. On arrival in Darwin, someone will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Special Information
Your Alice Springs transfer (operated by Alice Wanderer - green and yellow bus) will depart approx 2.5 hours prior to your scheduled flight time from your accommodation. Please be ready out the front for pick up.In case of issues or to check departure time please call 1800 722 111 (free call) or +61 8 89522111
On arrival in Darwin, please look for the Darwin City airport shuttle (green bus) to transfer you to The Cavenagh -12 Cavenagh St, Darwin. In case of any issues please call. +61 8 8947 3979
Accommodation
- Hostel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Special Information
Don't forget that today is unescorted, you will meet your new guide tomorrow morning.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
Meals Included
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
This morning’s departure is at 0650am. Please be ready with your bags packed for an early start.Total driving time: about four hours (approximately 120 km)
Total walking time: about two and a half hours
Accommodation
- Camping (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Jim Jim Falls Walk
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
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
Included Activities
- Buley Rockholes
- Florence Falls
- Litchfield National Park
- Wangi Falls
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Meals
12 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 11 dinnersTransport
All Terrain vehicle, Private vehicleAccommodation
Camping (with shared facilities) (9 nights), Dormitory (6 nights), Underground bunkhouse (1 night).Included activities
- 12 Apostles & London Bridge
- Koala spotting - Great Ocean Road
- Melba Gully Walk - Otway Ranges
- Swim at Lorne (Summer months)
- Loch Ard Gorge
- Brambuk Culture Centre
- Mackenzie Falls - Grampians
- Pinnacles Walk - Grampians
- Reeds Lookout (The Balconies) & Boroka Lookout
- Wilpena Pound
- Anna Creek Station
- Coober Pedy Mine tour
- Josephine’s Gallery and Kangaroo Orphanage
- Dingo Fence
- Uluru & Kata Tjuta National Park Entrance
- Uluru Base Walk
- Uluru Cultural Centre
- Kata Tjuta
- Maruku Arts cultural experience
- Watarrka National Park Entry Fees
- 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
Dates & availability
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Important notes
1. This trip requires a sleeping bag
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 10kg. Excess luggage can not be carried however, it can be stored at Darwin accommodation.
4. Tour commences in Melbourne on day 1 at 7am and finishes in Darwin day 17 at approx 6pm. Onward travel should be booked the following day

Essential trip information
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