DRIVING UP DOWNUNDER
Routing: Alice Springs to Darwin
Duration: 6 Days
Code: AL4
From AUD$1030.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 5 nights’ accommodation, 6 days unlimited km use of a compact sized car, Nit Nit Dreaming 2 Gorge Cultural Cruise, 1.5hr yellow water cruise and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.
From AUD$1,080.00* per person, based on superior double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 5 nights’ accommodation, 6 days unlimited km use of a compact sized car, Nit Nit Dreaming 2 Gorge Cultural Cruise, 1.5hr yellow water cruise and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.
DAY 01: Alice Springs to Tennant Creek (530 km)
Leave Alice Springs and travel through the small towns of Aileron, Ti Tree and Barrow Creek. 96 kilometres south of Tennant Creek are the Devils Marbles. The Marbles consist of hundreds of huge round boulders, precariously balanced one on top of the other. Tennant Creek has an interesting founding story – legend has it that the town was formed when a beer wagon broke down and drivers stayed to drink the cargo – and never left!
DAY 02: Tennant Creek to Katherine (663 km)
Another long drive and we suggest an early start. 26 kilometres out of town is ‘Three Ways’, this is the intersection of the Barkly and Stuart Highways. Continue north through this scrub and desert land to Daly Waters and Mataranka. There are thermal springs at Mataranka, a great spot to stop and relax for a while. From Mataranka it is only 110 kilometres on to Katherine, the major intersection between northern, southern and western routes.
DAY 03: Katherine
This morning take the included 2 hour gorge cruise. Katherine Gorge is a system of 13 gorges all joining by rapids and is located 30 kilometres from the town centre; here the river flows between towering walls of colour.
DAY 04: Katherine to Kakadu National Park (336 km)
This morning restart the journey north and travel 92 kilometres to the small town of Pine Creek. Depart Pine Creek and join the Kakadu Highway. Pass the Mary River Roadhouse before arriving in Cooinda. Visit the Bowali Visitor Centre which is 2.5 kilometres from Jabiru.
DAY 05: Kakadu National Park
This morning take your 1.5 hour cruise on Yellow Waters for views of colourful birdlife and the ever present crocodile. The scenery of Kakadu is dramatic and the area has prolific wildlife and birdlife. In addition, the aboriginal rock art is amongst the finest rock art in the world and there are 120 known galleries in an area of 5 square kilometres on the escarpment, with some paintings carbon dated back 23,000 years. The most accessible sites by road are at Ubirr Rock and Nourlangie Rock.
DAY 06: Kakadu National Park to Darwin (242 km)
Depart Kakadu via the Arnhem Highway and pass the Bark Hut Inn, a great spot to take a break for morning tea or a cool drink. En route, take a cruise on the Adelaide River to see the jumping crocodiles or stop at Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre. At Fogg Dam you can also view the prolific birdlife before the final stretch into Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory.
Your car is booked until tomorrow and should be dropped off at the city or airport, by the same time as it was picked up on Day 1, to avoid any additional charges.
*Prices are subject to availability and conditions apply. Valid until 31 March, 2020. For dates after this or if you would like to make any changes, please contact us direct for a quote.
