EXPLORERS HIGHWAY
Routing: Darwin to Adelaide
Duration: 16 Days
Code: D18
From AUD$2,860.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 15 nights’ accommodation, 16 days unlimited km use of an intermediate sized car, Nit Nit Dreaming 2 Gorge Cultural Cruise in Katherine, 1.5hr Yellow Water Cruise in Kakadu, Full Breakfast in Wilpena Pound & Kings Canyon and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.
From AUD$3,200.00* per person, based on superior double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 15 nights’ accommodation, 16 days unlimited km use of an intermediate sized car, Nit Nit Dreaming 2 Gorge Cultural Cruise in Katherine, 1.5hr Yellow Water Cruise in Kakadu, Full Breakfast in Wilpena Pound & Kings Canyon and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.
DAY 01: Darwin to Kakadu National Park (210 km)
Travel east on the Stuart Highway out of Darwin and then turn left on the Arnhem Highway and head for Kakadu National Park. Highlights on the drive to Kakadu include Fogg Dam and Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre. 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. Allow enough time to explore Kakadu this afternoon. We suggest a visit to the Bowali Visitor Centre, located on the Kakadu Highway. Visit Ubirr Rock and Nourlangie Rock for some of the best and oldest examples of Aboriginal rock art. For the adventurous, there is also a moderately steep climb to Gunwarddehwardde Lookout which provides impressive views of Kakadu’s escarpment and Nourlangie Rock.
DAY 02: 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. The rest of the day is at leisure.
DAY 03: Kakadu National Park to Katherine (310 km)
Call into the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre before leaving Kakadu and head south on the Kakadu Highway towards Pine Creek. At Pine Creek re-join the Stuart Highway and then travel south to Katherine. Please be aware it may be unpassable in wet weather (from November to April). Please seek local advice before departure. Katherine is the major intersection between northern, southern and western routes. Enjoy the included 2 hour Nit Nit Dreaming 2 Gorge Cultural Cruise this afternoon.
DAY 04: Katherine to Tennant Creek (673 km)
Get an early start for the long drive today. Continue south on the Stuart Highway to Tennant Creek. Travel through Daly Waters and Newcastle Waters on this journey. Tennant Creek has an interesting founding story. Legend has it that the town was formed when a beer wagon broke down and the drivers stayed to drink the cargo.
DAY 05: Tennant Creek to Alice Springs (508 km)
Depart Tennant Creek and continue south towards the heart of the Red Centre, Alice Springs. Suggest a stop at the Devils Marbles on the way, 96 kilometres south of Tennant Creek. These are fascinating natural rock formations. Continue on, travelling through the small townships of Barrow Creek, Ti Tree and Aileron before arriving in Alice Springs. Alice Springs is almost 1500 kilometres from the nearest capital city.
DAY 06: Alice Springs to Kings Canyon (474 km) OR Alice Springs to Kings Canyon via the Mereenie
Loop Road (322 km) 4WD access only Take the Stuart Highway (201 km) south to the Ayers Rock turn off. Turn west onto the Lasseter Highway. Continue on Luritja Road to reach the Kings Canyon Resort for your overnight stay.
DAY 07: Kings Canyon
Today spend the day at leisure at Kings Canyon. Skirt the rim of the Canyon and hold your breath as you gaze 300 metres down to the valley floor. The soaring sandstone walls frame the “Garden of Eden”, a unique waterhole surrounded by palms and ferns. The best time to take the Rim Walk is early in the morning.
DAY 08: Kings Canyon to Ayers Rock (321 km)
Travel via the Lasseter Highway to the spectacular region of Yulara. Now it’s time to see the world’s greatest monolith, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and also Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). On arrival check-in to your chosen hotel for an overnight stay. On your way to see sunset over Uluru, stop at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to learn of the region’s history and about the unique flora and fauna, how the earth created such remarkable landmarks and how the Aboriginal communities have lived and thrived there for
thousands of years. What better way to finish the day at the famous sunset strip to see the sun setting over Uluru.
DAY 09: Ayers Rock
Spend an entire day to explore what this region has to offer. Take a walk around the Rock, a visit to the Cultural Centre, a Harley ride around the Rock or a scenic flight. This afternoon after lunch visit the magnificent Olgas and take a walk through the Valley of the Winds before viewing another spectacular sunset.
DAY 10: Ayers Rock to Marla (517 km)
This morning you can see the sunrise over Uluru before departing very early today for a long drive through the desert. Travel back to the Stuart Highway and turn south to Kulgera. Continue over the border into South Australia through the desert towards Marla, which marks the start of the famous Oodnadatta Track.
DAY 11: Marla to Coober Pedy (234 km)
Leaving Marla, continue travelling south on the Stuart Highway and pass through Cadney Homestead and arrive at the opal mining town of Coober Pedy. The name ‘Coober Pedy’ is Aboriginal for ‘white fellow’s hole in the ground’. This is extremely appropriate as most of the population live underground in dug-outs to protect them from the severe summer temperatures, often reaching 45C. Take some time to explore the town this afternoon.
DAY 12: Coober Pedy to Port Augusta (546 km)
Travel south along the Stuart Highway, through the desert, to reach the town of Port Augusta, at the top of Spencer Gulf. This is a busy seaport town which is the last major centre along the road linking Western Australia with South Australia.
DAY 13: Port Augusta to Wilpena Pound (162 km)
Travel north, along the Hawker-Stirling North Road. Along the way, there is plenty of time to stop in at the sleepy towns of Quorn and Hawker before arriving in Wilpena Pound for the night.
DAY 14: Wilpena Pound
Today is at leisure to explore. Why not take a half day 4WD tour (own expense). This tour will enable you to view one of the most extraordinary formations in the Flinders Ranges off the beaten track with expert guides to teach you about this fascinating region.
DAY 15: Wilpena Pound to Clare Valley (307 km)
Depart Wilpena Pound this morning and travel south to Clare and the Clare Valley Wine Region. This region is situated in the beautiful northern Mount Lofty Ranges, the town of Clare nestled among wooded hills and orderly vineyards. Visit the nearby heritage towns of Burra and Kapunda and don’t miss the oldest winery – the beautifully historic Sevenhill Cellars established by the Jesuits in 1851.
DAY 16: Clare Valley to Adelaide (142 km)
Depart Clare Valley and travel south to Adelaide.
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.
