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Get cultured in Australia’s Top End and Red Centre.
There are currently no scheduled departures on this trip. Please contact us and we can suggest alternative options.
Spend eight days uncovering the best of the Northern Territory on an Outback odyssey from Darwin to Alice Springs. Head out croc spotting in the Mary River Wetlands and get a taste of the tropics in Kakadu National Park, Litchfield, and Katherine Gorge. Witness Uluru during a stunning sunrise, wander through the majestic canyons of Kata Tjuta and admire the views from Kings Canyon. This top-to-tail adventure of the Territory is a trip that will leave you with a profound appreciation of Australia’s First Nations cultures, and the raw and rugged natural beauty that underpins it.
- Start
- Darwin, Australia
- Finish
- Alice Springs, Australia
- Destinations
- Style
- Original
- Theme
- Code
- PKOSC
- Physical rating
- More info">
- Trip rating
- 1 reviews
- Ages
- Min 18
- Group size
- Min 6, Max 24
Why you’ll love this trip
- The 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 river cruise.
- Discover the wonders of Kakadu National Park. See ancient traditional rock art and consider taking an optional flight over the astounding landscapes.
- Wander through the picturesque domes of Kata Tjuta, gaze in awe at the sacred rock of Uluru and hike through natural amphitheatres, rocky chasms and lush oases in Kings Canyon.
- Discover ancient cave paintings near Mutitjulu Waterhole as a local Anangu guide explains the culture and stories behind the art and its connection to the land.
- Dine under the stars and camp within privately owned sites on the red earth of the Outback to experience the true magic of the Red Centre with your small group.
Is this trip right for you?
- Temperatures in the Top End and Red Centre 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.
- 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.
- In the Top End, 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 need to pitch in with preparing meals and cleaning.
- In the Top End, this section has a strict luggage limit of 10kg. Excess luggage cannot be carried; however, it can be stored at Darwin accommodation.
- In the Red Centre, it isn’t a basic camping experience, as you’ll be treated to creature comforts such as proper beds, linen, electricity and cooling fans.
- On many days of the trip, you’ll spend several hours driving through very sparse areas of desert. Crank up the tunes and sit back to enjoy landscapes that you would miss in any other form of travel.
- Group participation makes up a lot of this trip, so you’ll be required to help with preparation of meals and cleaning up. These are the kind of tasks that bring a group closer together.
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Itinerary
Accommodation
- Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Litchfield National Park
- Pudakul Cultural Experience
Meals Included
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Total driving time: approximately 5.5 hours (approximately 400 km)
Total walking time: approximately 45 minutes
Please note that all tents are twin-share and come with a proper bed.
Accommodation
- Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Ubirr Rock
- Kakadu National Park Fee
- Mary River cruise
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Total driving time: approximately 6.5 hours (approximately 550 km)
Total walking time: approximately 2 hours
Accommodation
- Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Bowali Visitor Centre
- Pine Creek Gold-Mining Centre
- Maguk (Barramundi Gorge)
Optional Activities
- Flight (Fixed Wing Aircraft) over – Kakadu – from – AUD150
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Total driving time: approximately 5.5 hours (approximately 400 km)
Total walking time: approximately 1 hour
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Total driving time: approximately 5 hours (approximately 400 km)
Total walking time: approximately 1 hour
Today, skip the 1,500km of driving which is about 24 hours by road, and fly from Darwin to Alice Springs with Qantas (QF). Qantas is Australia’s first commercial airline and is now recognised as one of the world’s best International airlines.
We’ll arrange your air tickets and issue them a couple of weeks prior to your departure.
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Your Darwin transfer (operated by Darwin City Airport Shuttle Service) will depart approx 2 hours prior to your flight. In case of any issues or to confirm time please call. +61 8 8947 3979
Your Alice Springs transfer (operated by Emu Run) will transfer you to the Aurora Alice Springs. In case of any issues please call 1800 1800 722 111 (free call) or +61 8 89522111
Accommodation
- Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Uluru & Kata Tjuta National Park Entrance
Meals Included
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Total driving time today is around 4.5 hours. Total walking time is approximately 1 hour.
Note: Total driving time today is around three and a half hours. Total walking time is approximately two hours (or up to 4 if you do the full 8.5km base walk.)
Accommodation
- Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Uluru Cultural Centre
- Maruku Arts cultural experience
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Total driving time today is around 3.5 hours. Total walking time is approximately 2 hours (or up to 4 if you do the full 8.5 km base walk).
Uluru is considered a living cultural landscape and home to the spirits of the ancestors making it a sacred place for the Anangu peoples. 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.
Included Activities
- Kings Canyon Rim Walk
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Special Information
Total driving time today is around 5 hours. Total walking time is approximately 3 hours. For the Kings Canyon Rim Walk it is a requirement that you have a minimum of three litres of water with you. Please consider bringing your own refillable water bottles.
Dates & availability
Trip search is unavailable.
There are currently no scheduled departures on this trip. Please contact us and we can suggest alternative options:
Important notes
1. Tour commences in Darwin on Day 1 at approximately 6.40 am and finishes in Alice Springs (Day 9) at approximately 6 pm. Onward travel to be booked the following day.
2. 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.
3. Trip also runs in reverse; see tour code POONC.

Essential trip information
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