Northern Territory Explorer
Northern Territory Explorer
Northern Territory Explorer
11 Days Starting in Darwin, Australia and ending in Uluru, Australia
Visiting: Darwin, Kakadu National Park, Nitmiluk National Park, Katherine, Alice Springs, Uluru
Tour operator:
Tour code:
NDAU26
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Australia's Northern Territory with the "Northern Territory Explorer" tour. This 11-day adventure takes you from the vibrant city of Darwin to the awe-inspiring landscapes of Uluru. Experience the rich Aboriginal culture with a visit to the Pudukal Aboriginal Cultural Experience and marvel at the ancient rock art in Kakadu National Park. Cruise through the stunning Nitmiluk Gorge and soak in the Mataranka thermal springs. Witness the breathtaking sunrise over Uluru and explore its sacred base. Enjoy comfortable accommodations and expert guidance from a specialist team, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience. With opportunities for leisure and optional activities, this tour offers a perfect blend of cultural immersion and natural wonder. Please note that flights are not included.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Darwin
Location: Darwin
Accommodation Name: Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront
Meals Included: Dinner
Get to know the steamy NT capital at your own pace – you’ll fast find that the characters here are almost as colourful as the sunsets. You’ll enjoy the latter over drinks and dinner with your Travel Director and fellow adventure-seekers. A tasty entrée to your 11-day odyssey.
Day 2: Darwin
Location: Darwin
Accommodation Name: Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront
Today is about getting your Darwin bearings on a city tour revealing the events that have shaped the city over the decades, from wars to natural disasters. You’ll be a Darwin expert after visiting attractions like East Point Military Reserve and the MAGNT (Museum and Art Gallery Northern Territory). The afternoon is at your leisure. If you’re at a loss for ideas, we can point you in the direction of the Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility, perhaps, or the Mindil Beach Sunset Market, loaded with 200+ stalls. Grab a bite and watch the day end with your feet in the sand.
Day 3: Darwin - Kakadu
Location: Kakadu National Park
Accommodation Name: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel
Aboriginal culture is strong in this part of Australia, and its kept alive by Traditional Landowners on this morning’s tour. 100% Aboriginal owned and operated family business, Pudakul offers cultural and nature-based cultural experiences from the Adelaide River Flood Plains on Aboriginal owned land Limilngan-Wulna. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, dive deep into First Nations heritage, highlighting art, music and bush tucker. Your next deep dive is into the heart of Kakadu, a World Heritage listed national park that is one of Australia’s most important living ecosystems.
Day 4: Kakadu National Park
Location: Kakadu National Park
Accommodation Name: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel
Kakadu is vast, spanning almost 20,000 square kilometres. The best way to gain appreciation for just how immense it really is from the air on a highly recommended morning flight (own expense). Now that you have your bearings, take to the land to discover ancient Aboriginal rock art and cruise the wildlife-packed Yellow Water Billabong to search for enormous saltwater crocs – your eagle-eyed local cruise guide knows where to look.
Day 5: Kakadu - Katherine
Location: Nitmiluk National Park
Accommodation Name: Knotts Crossing Resort
From one glorious national park to another… today’s backdrop is the escarpments of Nitmiluk National Park, carved out over millions of years. Cruising through Nitmiluk Gorge is a humbling experience even before you know the region’s history. Hear the ancient story of the cicada, embodying the spiritual connection between the Jawoyn people and their land.
Day 6: Katherine - Tennant Creek
Location: Katherine
Accommodation Name: Bluestone Motor Inn
If the Elsey Homestead looks familiar, that’s because it starred in the 1982 Aussie drama We of the Never Never. Today it’s better known for its Mataranka thermal hot springs. Pop on your swimsuit and have a soothing soak, the magical setting surrounded by palms. The only thing more refreshing is a cold beverage at the Daly Waters Pub, self-declared as Australia’s ‘original outback pub’. You can imagine the kind of swagger the locals bring. Visitors are encouraged to leave their mark as well; a memento, perhaps, something of their own.
Day 7: Tennant Creek - Alice Springs
Location: Alice Springs
Accommodation Name: Doubletree by Hilton Alice Springs
The Stuart Highway is long (2,700 kilometres), very straight and very flat. Which makes the appearance of Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) on the horizon all the more dramatic. These granite boulders pock the countryside. But they’re not just a pretty sight – they’re a sacred place for the Aboriginal community reflecting cultural beliefs and serving as a sacred site for ceremonies and storytelling. Get the lay of the land atop Alice Springs’ Anzac Hill. From this vantage, the East and West MacDonnell Ranges appear to stretch to the horizon.
Day 8: Alice Springs
Location: Alice Springs
Accommodation Name: Doubletree by Hilton Alice Springs
Visit the Alice Springs Desert Park, home to a vast range of plants and wildlife native to the area. You can really experience the beauty and diversity of this incredible landscape. The Arrernte people, traditional owners of the park, are also on hand to share their local wisdom and knowledge. Save some energy for this afternoon’s visit to the historic Telegraph Station – the reason the town was formed – and School of the Air, to gain an insight into outback and remote learning.
Day 9: Alice Springs - Uluru
Location: Uluru
Accommodation Name: Outback Hotel & Lodge
From the moment you wake up until the last of day disappears, spiritual Aboriginal culture is all around during today’s exploring. Get set to be in awe over stories about the creation of Uluru, the world’s largest monolith. It’s particularly pretty at sunset when the fading rays change the desert’s colour with every sip of your sparkling wine and nibbles. Choose to extend your evening under the stars with an optional BBQ dinner (own expense).
Day 10: Uluru
Location: Uluru
Accommodation Name: Outback Hotel & Lodge
Meals Included: Dinner
There aren’t many things worth getting up in the dark for. Sunrise over Uluru is one. It’s a magical time of day, the shifting light casting the countryside aglow. Exploring the base on an Uluru tour, you’ll begin to understand why this part of the country is so special to the Anangu, who have called the region home for millennia. Go at your own pace this afternoon. We wouldn’t blame you for taking a dip in the resort pool to cool off. But if you want to see Uluru in another different light, opt to chopper around it on a scenic helicopter flight (own expense). You’ll have plenty of stories to tell over your Farewell Dinner.
Day 11: Farewell From Uluru
Location: Uluru
Another reason to rise early: to catch the Field of Light art installation by artist Bruce Munro that blankets the desert floor (own expense). Your spirit will glow just as brightly as you bid farewell to this epic Northern Territory tour.
What's Included
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Specialist team and National Parks
Travel with a specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver, accredited with Kakadu and Uluru National Parks.
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Visit 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Kakadu and Uluru National Parks.
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Comfortable accommodation
Enjoy comfortable accommodation with easy access to city centers.
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National Park entrance fees
National Park entrance fees for Kakadu, Uluru-Kata Tjuta, and Nitmiluk National Parks are included.
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Boat cruises
Boat cruises in Kakadu at Yellow Water Billabong and Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge are included.
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Uluru Guided touring
Uluru Guided touring and sunset drinks and nibbles are included.
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Indigenous Guided Tour
Entrance fees for an Indigenous Guided Tour of Alice Springs Desert Park, Telegraph Station, and School of the Air are included.
What's Not Included
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Flights
Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price.
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Optional activities
Optional activities such as the morning flight over Kakadu, BBQ dinner under the stars at Uluru, and the Field of Light art installation are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort with a specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver, accredited with Kakadu and Uluru National Parks. Note that flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included.
Accommodation
Enjoy comfortable stays at Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront, Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, Knotts Crossing Resort, Bluestone Motor Inn, Doubletree by Hilton Alice Springs, and Outback Hotel & Lodge, all offering easy access to city centers and key attractions.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of cultural experiences are included in the Northern Territory Explorer tour?
The tour includes a visit to the Aboriginal-owned and operated Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Experience, where you can learn about First Nations heritage, art, music, and bush tucker. Additionally, you will explore the Alice Springs Desert Park with insights from the Arrernte people, traditional owners of the park.
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Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, there are optional activities such as a morning flight over Kakadu, a BBQ dinner under the stars at Uluru, and the Field of Light art installation by Bruce Munro.
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What is the level of fitness required for this tour?
A low level of fitness is required for the Northern Territory Explorer tour.
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What kind of wildlife experiences can I expect on this tour?
You will have the opportunity to cruise the Yellow Water Billabong in Kakadu National Park to search for saltwater crocodiles and explore the diverse wildlife at the Alice Springs Desert Park.
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What are the accommodation options during the tour?
The tour includes stays at Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront, Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, Knotts Crossing Resort, Bluestone Motor Inn, Doubletree by Hilton Alice Springs, and Outback Hotel & Lodge, all offering comfortable accommodation with easy access to city centers and key attractions.
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What is the significance of Uluru in the tour?
Uluru is a highlight of the tour, where you can experience the sunrise over the monolith, explore its base on a guided tour, and enjoy sunset drinks and nibbles. The area is significant to the Anangu people, who have called the region home for millennia.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a holiday with us is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
It is important to adhere to departure times while on tour for the comfort of everyone on-board, and to make sure no one misses out on the planned experiences. The coach will not be able to wait for you, and in some instances, if you miss a departure time you will need to make your own way to the next destination to re-join the tour.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
AAT Kings operated Guided Holidays have competitive single supplement rates available if you prefer to confirm your own room. Or we can match you to share with a guest of the same gender at no extra cost. If we fail to match you, we will accommodate you in a single room at no extra cost.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 100 years
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
We will email your documents to you approximately four weeks before your departure date provided you have completed your pre trip registration using the My Travel Portal. If you’ve booked through a travel agent, your documents will be emailed directly to your agent.
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Low Deposit
AAT Kings requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of aat kings charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.