Northern Territory Dreaming

Welcome to Darwin! This morning meet your Journey Director and board your luxury vehicle to begin your journey of discovery in the Top End. Travel across the Finniss River to Litchfield National Park. You'll visit tumbling Florence Falls and you'll also enjoy a swim to cool off at Wangi Falls, surrounded by tropical monsoon rainforest and hear about its importance in Aboriginal custom. (Swimming is seasonal and opening controlled by NT Parks). Get ready for a cross-country journey into the magnificent Kakadu National Park. Keep your eyes open for Crocodiles as you cross the South Alligator River, Brolgas, Magpie Geese and Jabiru as you traverse along the long grasses of the marshes and wetlands. Kakadu really is a diverse UNESCO world heritage site. This afternoon check into the renowned Crocodile Hotel in the town of Jabiru and enjoy the wonderful Aboriginal Art Gallery within the hotel before getting to know your fellow travellers over dinner with wine.

This morning there’s a chance to take to the air an optional scenic flight over Kakadu. One of the best ways to experience the enormity of this wonderful National Park as well as the diversity from waterfalls and billabongs to flood plains and wildlife. Join your Journey Director on a walk at Kakadu’s stunning Ubirr rock art site. You'll see ancient rock art and take a walk to discover remarkable views over the surrounding wetlands and escarpments from the fantastic vantage point, Nadab lookout. After lunch the famous Yellow Waters Billabong boat cruise will be a highlight of your journey. You will see a myriad of different bird species, spot estuarine crocodiles and simply enjoy the stunning billabong and floodplains system. Returning to your hotel you will have the chance to relax and unwind with a refreshing dip in the hotel’s shaded outdoor pool or even wander through the on-site art gallery before enjoying a delicious dinner with wine.

This morning you’ll visit Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) to see its fascinating Aboriginal rock art for yourself. You’ll also hear first-hand from your local local Bininj Aboriginal guide a detailed interpretation of the art and the rich Aboriginal culture as you explore the various outdoor ‘galleries' with art that dates back some 20,000 years. You will continue driving through the ancient lands of Kakadu National Park through to the town of Katherine and further on to Nitmiluk National Park. Indulge in five-star luxury at Cicada Lodge, a stunning architect designed eco-lodge surrounded by nature, where each room has a private balcony that opens to the glories of Nitmiluk National Park. Cool off from the heat of the day while enjoy a swim in the pool as the sunsets before a beautiful dinner.

Today relax as you have a slow start to the day. Enjoy all of the amenities that Cicada Lodge has to offer. Why not have a relaxing swim in the resort pool.  You will enjoy lunch on the deck of Cicada Lodge overlooking this natural surrounding before having a free afternoon to relax. This evening indulge on a special sunset dinner cruise along Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. You’ll marvel at the gorges while you spot wildlife and learn about the history and culture of the local Jawoyn people. Enjoy the peaceful ambiance during the native flavour three course dinner cook on board your boat.

Emerge from the wilderness to journey north on your return to Darwin, stopping to cool off in the cascading and clear waters of majestic Edith Falls. Later, visit the poignant Adelaide River War Cemetery.

After a morning flight to Alice Springs your Central Australia Journey Director will share with you their take on what life is like in such an isolated town as Alice Springs. Visit the historic Overland Telegraph Station, site of the first European settlement in the town. Then the stunning landscapes of the West MacDonnell Ranges take centre stage, as you embark on a walk through Simpsons Gap.

Now we’re off the beaten track exploring the 4WD Giles Track, crossing dry river beds and outback landscapes to Kings Canyon Resort. Another unique Local Dining Experience, Under a Desert Moon, awaits you this evening. The flickering glow of the fire is the perfect accompaniment to sparkling wine and canapés followed by dinner, prepared from fresh produce and ingredients unique to the Australian outback.

Gaze across the deep chasm at the edge of Kings Canyon as you embark on a six-kilometre rim walk past the domed ‘Lost City’ and the luscious ‘Garden of Eden’. If you’d prefer a more relaxed walk you can stroll along the boulder-strewn canyon creek bed. Immerse yourself in First Nations' culture on a visit to the Wanmarra Aboriginal Community and learn about the Luritja and Pertame people’s spiritual connection to the land. Discover bush food and medicine used for spirituality and healing. Leaving Kings Canyon behind travel across desert landscapes to Curtin Springs Station, a vast farming property, for lunch. Afterwards, arrive at Ayers Rock Resort, your launchpad to Australia’s heart, in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. This evening, watch as the outback sun bids a fiery farewell, the perfect backdrop for sparkling sundowners at Uluru

Enjoy a relaxed start to the day before exploring, and learning about the spiritual connection the local Anangu caretakers have with the land. Skirt the red walls of Uluru, hear ancient tales and see rock art, when visiting the Mutitjulu Waterhole. Relax by the resort pool or take to the skies to see Uluru from above before an afternoon visit to Kata Tjuta for a walk through Walpa Gorge. This evening enjoy dinner at Ilkari Restaurant.

Observe the shifting lights of Bruce Munro’s impressive Field of Light art installation as the desert awakens and the sunrise lights up across Uluru. Traverse the vast and fascinating outback, before arriving in Alice Springs. Enjoy free time to wander around the town. The Todd Street Mall has cafés and Aboriginal art galleries to explore. This evening, immerse yourself against the backdrop of the outback at our open-air bush BBQ Celebration Dinner. Located off the beaten track in the heart of the East MacDonnell Ranges, you'll enjoy drinks as a bush balladeer sings classic Australian songs and shares stories of outback living, under the Southern Hemisphere’s Milky Way.

Relax this morning as your journey comes to an end. You might choose to take an optional hot air balloon ride to experience the scenic landscapes of the outback before your journey comes to an end.