The journey of a lifetime: reefs, rainforests, the wonderful East Coast, cosmopolitan Sydney plus rugged explorations of the Outback, Australia's 'Red Centre', and driving into the wild and fascinating 'Top End'. Action packed and fun - a real adventure!
Whitsundays and Carnarvon Gorge
Heading through the stunning Cairns highlands we make for Airlie Beach, stopping en route to see Koala Bears and Crocodiles at the Billabong Sanctuary. Here we sail into the idyllic Whitsunday Islands - a chance to swim, snorkel, or scuba dive over the coral reefs. At Rubyvale we visit a sapphire mine and then onto Carnarvon National Park to hike in it's stunning gorge.
Fraser Island & South to Sydney
First to Baralaba, where we stay as guests on a working cattle station, then to Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world: 123 kms of beaches, dunes, dense forests and over 40 crystal-clear lakes make Fraser Island a great place to explore. Finally we fly to vibrant Sydney, among the most beautiful cities in the world, with the opportunity to climb it's famous Harbour Bridge or perhaps hike in the nearby Blue Mountains.
Uluru/Ayers Rock & into the 'Top End'
We fly direct to Yulara and journey through an awesome array of natural wonders: the weathered red domes of Kata Tjuta/the Olgas (the place of many heads), the astonishing sandstone 'amphitheatre' at Kings Canyon plus of course the incomparable Uluru/Ayers Rock itself. Then, venturing north via the Devil's Marbles, we walk in the gorges at Katherine and take a boat trip in Kakadu National Park, famous for its wildlife and aboriginal rock paintings. See green & red route on map.
Itinerary:
Day 1Join Cairns; afternoon free. 2 Drive Ingham via waterfall circuit. 3 To Airlie Beach via Billabong Sanctuary; see Koalas & Crocs. 4 Full day sailing trip to Whitsunday Islands. 5 Drive to Rubyvale. 6 Visit sapphire mine; drive to Carnarvon NP. 7 In Carnarvon NP; optional hikes. 8 Drive to working cattle station at Baralaba; optional activities. 9 Drive to Hervey Bay. 10 Morning ferry to Fraser Island, explore by 4WD. 11 Morning on Fraser Island; PM return ferry to Hervey Bay. 12 Drive to Brisbane; fly Sydney. 13 In Sydney; various options including Opera House & Harbour Bridge. 14 In Sydney; optional trip to Blue Mountains. 15 Fly to Uluru/Ayers RocK. 16 At Uluru/Ayers Rock, optional walks, drive and hike at Kata Tjuta/The Olgas. 17 Drive to Kings Canyon. 18 Drive to Alice Springs. 19 In Alice Springs; visit and walk in West MacDonnell Ranges. 20 Drive to Devil's Marbles. 21 Continue to Daly Waters. 22 To Katherine Gorge, walks. 23 & 24 To Kakadu NP; walks, Yellow Water Billabong boat trip, aboriginal art. 25 To Litchfield NP. 26 To Darwin. 27 End Darwin.
Accommodation: 21nts camping, 5nts hotel; 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 2 dinners included. A food kitty system is used for catering.
Transport: Bus/4WD/Sailing Boat/On foot/Kakadu Boat trip/Flights as Itinerary (note: airport transfers in Cairns & Darwin not included).
Comment: Explore the diverse East Coast, from the tropical rainforests of the north to cosmopolitan Sydney in the south, then venture into the Outback to discover Uluru/Ayers Rock, the Olgas/Kata Tjuta and Kakadu National Park. Bring a sleeping bag, a sense of adventure and be prepared for some rough roads in the Outback.
Group: Approx. 12 to 16.
Staff: Explore Tour Leader/driver, some local guides and crew on Whitsunday Islands boat.
Trip Reference: EEO
