Australia North to South – Darwin to Melbourne

You’ve got just over two weeks in Australia, so what are you going to see? Everything! Travelling south from Darwin, tour Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks — the old stomping grounds of Crocodile Dundee — and check out some of the most diverse wildlife around. From there head to Katherine Gorge and decide if all the pictures you’ve seen have done it any justice (they haven’t!). Make your way towards the Red Centre and the magic of Uluru, followed by a stop in Coober Pedy, the neat underground town. Round it all off by taking in the scenery on your way to Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road.

Day 1 Darwin
Arrive at any time.

It’s time to experience Darwin nightlife! Get ready to hang out, have fun, meet some cool locals, and get to know who you’ll be travelling with. Hangout and mingle at the rooftop hostel bar where you’ll be staying before making your way to a backpackers nightclub/bar with a lively atmosphere to enjoy as the night gets into full swing.

Day 2 Darwin/Litchfield National Park
Set off early from Darwin and head to Litchfield National Park. Visit the Florence Falls, the Buley Rockhole and see the spectacular giant termite mounds. Later, go on a wetland nature cruise to try and spot crocs. Stretch out in a swag (padded canvas bedroll) and sleep under the stars.

Day 3 Litchfield National Park/Kakadu National Park
Explore the waterfalls, swimming holes and trails of Kakadu National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Day 4 Kakadu National Park/Katherine Gorge
Spend the morning exploring Kakadu NP. Finish the day with a drive to beautiful Katherine Gorge, stopping at Edith Falls on the way.

Day 5 Katherine/Daly Waters
Enjoy a free morning. Opt to walk the stunning Katherine Gorge or get adventurous with a flat-bottomed boat or helicopter flight over the gorge. Stop off at nearby hot springs, then travel to the small town of Daly Waters. Hit up the local watering hole for a true Outback experience.

Day 6 Daly Waters/Alice Springs
Take in the vastness of the Northern Territory and travel south to Alice Springs via the Devils Marbles - giant red granite boulders that are a sacred site to the Indigenous people in the area.

Day 7 Alice Springs
Spend your free day journeying through the heart of Australia. Simply enjoy the delights of this Outback town from quirky bars to lively cafes, and restaurants with stunning views; there’s plenty to choose from.

Day 8 Alice Springs/Uluru
Depart early and travel to the Red Centre. Hike the awe-inspiring Kings Canyon (seasonal) before continuing on to Uluru.

Day 9 Uluru
Visit an Indigenous culture centre and enjoy the informative Mala Walk at Uluru. Catch the sunset over Uluru with a glass of bubbly in hand. Camp under the stars of the night sky—the only way to really experience the Outback.

Day 10 Uluru/Coober Pedy
Travel to the town of Coober Pedy, the world's opal mining capital. After a guided tour of a mine, escape the heat like the locals by spending the night underground.

Day 11 Coober Pedy/Ikara-Flinders Ranges
Admire the Outback while travelling to the Flinders Ranges for the night.

Day 12 Ikara-Flinders Ranges/Adelaide
Explore the Flinders Ranges before travelling to Adelaide. Enjoy a local food experience in the Clare Valley along the way.

Day 13 Adelaide
Get ready to stuff your face in the food and wine capital of Australia; Adelaide. Wander the clean laneways and sample your way from place to place as the sun warms your skin. With an emerging art scene, natural beauty, interesting attractions, and incredible restaurants, Adelaide has tons to see and do. Get out and discover the hub of South Australia!

Day 14 Adelaide/Halls Gap
Skip sleeping in this morning and travel inland to Grampians National Park. Trek through lush forest, view the craggy sandstone Wonderland range in the distance, and examine impressive indigenous rock art. Home to some pretty amazing scenic lookouts this national park will grant you with many photo opportunities so make sure those cameras are charged before heading into the thick of it all. Walk to the stunning Balconies for expansive views of the Victoria Valley below, then stop at one of the largest waterfalls in Victoria; Mackenzie Falls and watch the water cascading down cliff faces as it creates rainbows in the air. Close your eyes, breathe in the fresh air, and find peace in the moment.

Day 15 Halls Gap/Port Campbell
Open your eyes to the smells and sounds of the lush forest of Grampians NP and lace up those hiking boots for an early morning walk within the park. Are you feeling historical? Visit an Indigenous Cultural Centre where you can choose to throw a boomerang, sample local delicacies like emu or kangaroo, and walk through gardens planted with native herbs and plants to help you learn about the history of Australia’s Indigenous peoples. Then drive along the iconic Great Ocean Road, viewing sites like the collapsed London Arch on the way to Port Campbell.

Day 16 Port Campbell/Melbourne
No need to say goodbye to the Great Ocean Road just yet! Continue travelling along the road with the group making visits to Loch Ard Gorge and the 12 Apostles along the way. It’s no wonder that the 12 Apostles are the star of the show on the Great Ocean Road. They are the kind of landmark that somehow finds a way to be more stunning in person than in photos.

Gaze in wonder at smooth pearlescent bays surrounded by clear, blue water, flanked by yellow-washed cliff faces, and feel the wind whipping through your hair. Then travel past world-famous surf beaches before walking through the rainforest one last time in Great Otway National Park. After soaking up all the nature you can, continue to the hip city of Melbourne in the evening.

Tour ends on arrival to Melbourne.