Outback Adventure
Outback Adventure
Outback Adventure
15 Days Starting in Adelaide and ending in Darwin
Visiting: Adelaide, Flinders Ranges, Port Augusta, Coober Pedy, Uluru, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine, Jabiru, Darwin, Litchfield National Park
Tour operator:
Tour code:
NAADFM25
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Looking for the best of the Outback? Look no further than this two-week journey into dazzling landscapes, rich Aboriginal culture, and classic local characters from the Red Center to the lush, tropical Top End. Just like its name, this is the Outback Adventure that ticks every box.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Adelaide
Location: Adelaide
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza
Meals Included: Welcome Reception
Hello, adventurers! Kick off your 15-day Outback adventure in Adelaide (flights to arrive prior to 12.30pm). This beautiful city is known for its festivals, sporting events, colonial churches and architecture, amazing food, and as the gateway to renowned wine regions the Barossa and McLaren Vale. You begin your journey on a city sights tour passing the Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide Botanic Garden, Parliament House. and Adelaide Oval. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, enjoy a guided tour of Adelaide Central Market with a Local Specialist. Lucky you, you’ll visit your guide’s favorite stalls in this massive fresh produce market of more than 80 traders—browsing right where the chefs and locals shop. Try Artisan cheeses, quirky Australian native foods, and fresh fruits and nuts with a focus on what’s in season. Celebrate the first night of your trip with a Welcome Reception at your hotel’s, the Crowne Plaza, own Luna10 Bar sipping a local wine or brew as you bask in stunning views from the city's tallest building and get to know your Travel Director and fellow travelers. Then make your way to dinner at the Japanese-inspired Koomo Restaurant and Bar for a delicious feast and raise a glass the adventure that awaits over the next two weeks.
Day 2: Heart Of The Flinders Ranges
Location: Flinders Ranges, Adelaide
Accommodation: Wilpena Pound Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Rise and shine for a big day of art, culture, and wine. You’ll begin traveling to the Clare Valley, one of Australia’s oldest and undiscovered wine regions, to join a Local Specialist at Knappstein Enterprise Winery. Sip on the award-winning wines like the area’s celebrated Rieslings and world-class reds and tour the heritage-listed property. Then it's time for an exclusive look at the world-renowned panoramic landscapes at the Jeff Morgan Gallery. Jeff himself will greet you for a tour of his panoramic paintings of the Flinders Ranges, one measuring 33 meters long. Be amazed at the dramatic scenery of the rugged Australian outback before exploring it for yourself. You’re headed into the heart of the Flinders Ranges for your stay at Wilpena Pound Resort - tucked in South Australia’s largest mountain range and owned by the Aboriginal people who have lived here for thousands of years. You’ll be welcomed by an Aboriginal Elder or member of the local community, learn about the area, and, with your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER�� Experience, contributes to the future of the adnyamathanha people, the original owners of this land.
Day 3: Port Augusta On The Spencer Gulf
Location: Port Augusta, Flinders Ranges
Accommodation: Majestic Oasis Apartments
Meals Included: Breakfast, Regional Dinner
Start a full day of history with epic views of Wilpena Pound at Wangara Lookout. Enjoy a walk along a creek through bush and pines arriving at Hills Homestead—eyes peeled for kangaroos along the way. At the cottage, learn about the original settlers who struggled to survive in this harsh environment. Then head through Pichi Richi Pass, part of the first stage of the Great Northern Railway in 1879 linking Port Augusta and Darwin, to Quorn. Soak in Quorn’s history as a vital railway junction during World War II before arriving in Spencer Gulf’s Port Augusta. Here you’ll visit the Wadlata Outback Center, traveling through their 'Tunnel of Time' to the days of the dinosaurs learning how the Flinders Ranges and Outback evolved, the people who once owned the land, and those who live there today. Well acquainted with stories of this rugged and history-rich landscape, end the day relaxing over a Regional Dinner at a local Aussie pub.
Day 4: The World Opal Capital Coober Pedy
Location: Port Augusta, Coober Pedy
Accommodation: Desert Cave
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Continue your deep dive into the history of the land with a visit to Woomera, an isolated, former rocket-testing site of the 1960s. Hear its storied history at the Woomera Heritage Center and Missile Park. Then its “mining time” as you journey through salt-lake country to the opal capital of the world in Coober Pedy, founded in 1920. A fascinating stop, you’ll be amazed to learn that over half the population of this town live underground in opal mining caves to escape the heat. Meet a Local Specialist who will explain different types of opals and their quality and take you down and through a labyrinth of old mine shafts, including a church and a private residence - showcasing the different types of early and modern dugout homes. Pop into the shop to browse opal jewelery before your unforgettable Stays With Stories accommodation with a chance to experience ‘dugout’ living. Explore their underground shopping arcade, underground bar, and historic display on mining, opals and what it’s really like to live in Outback Australia.
Day 5: To Uluru In Central Australia
Location: Coober Pedy, Uluru
Accommodation: Desert Gardens
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey to the heart of the Red Center today to World Heritage listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. You’ll experience the true beauty of mesmerizing Uluru over a classic sundowner of appetizers and sparkling wine. Sit back as the surrounding grasses blow and the sky lights up in red and orange illuminating Uluru rising 348 meters high. Gazing up at its massive structure, you’ll feel a deep appreciation for and connection to this vast land. After an unforgettable sunset, head to your Stays With Stories experience and home the next two nights at the Desert Gardens Hotel. This indigenous owned hotel is surrounded by the red dirt and desert trees you’ve explored and the perfect spot to immerse yourself in nature. Stay in or join an optional Uluru Barbecue Dinner complete with a stargazing tour of the vast Southern sky.
Day 6: Uluru Sunrise And Kata Tjuta
Location: Uluru
Accommodation: Desert Gardens
Meals Included: Breakfast
Rise and shine early today to witness as once in a lifetime sunrise at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Hot cocoa in hand, sit back as the sun lights up Uluru and its desert surroundings. Get more acquainted with the park on a drive with your Travel Director before putting boots to the ground on a guided walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole. At the base of Uluru, learn from your Travel Director about its ancient rock art that has been preserved for hundreds of years, putting history in the words and pictures of those who’ve lived it. You have some free time to sit by the pool or visit the art galleries and Town Square shopping village before capping off the day with a guided walk through Kata Tjuta’s red-hued sedimentary rock through Walpa (“wind”) Gorge to a lookout. You're fortunate to experience another magnificent Red Center sunset paired with nibbles and sparkling wine in this more secluded spot. Cheers to grandeur and grand history of Uluru and cheers to adventure.
Day 7: Journey To Kings Canyon
Location: Kings Canyon, Uluru
Accommodation: Kings Canyon Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
If you loved yesterday's sunrise, you could take it to another level with an private Optional Experience at the Field of Light installation of artist Bruce Munro. Against the desert backdrop, you’ll watch 50,000 glass spheres light up Uluru in violet, blue, and white like a field of flowers. It’s a unique and dazzling start to your morning that will make you see this land you’ve come to love in a whole new way. You’ll continue your desert adventure on an epic drive from Uluru to Watarrka National Park (named for an Indigenous word meaning “umbrella bush”) exploring the ancient walls of Kings Canyon that rise 100 meters above Kings Creek. Take a guided walk along the sandy creek bed surrounded by the striped cliff walls of golden yellow, orange, and red. After a day in the desert, your home for the night is Kings Canyon Resort, where you’ll enjoy a dinner surrounded by desert-scapes and a sunset over Carmichael Crag.
Day 8: To A Town Like Alice
Location: Kings Canyon, Alice Springs
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton
Meals Included: Breakfast
Get an early start today to experience Kings Canyon with an unforgettable desert sunrise and trek. Lace up your hiking boots and, accompanied by your Travel Director, climb to top of the canyon for a walk around its semi-circular edge. After your ascent, leave the sandstone formations behind to drop into the Garden of Eden’s shaded, lush oasis of greenery. After a big morning, refresh at your hotel before drive through the Outback to central Australia’s Alice Springs. You’ll learn how this town originated on your visit to the circa 1871 Telegraph Station. Hear its beginnings of sending messages between Darwin and Adelaide with a single wire, not only connected Australia’s north and south, but also the first communication link between Australia and England. After a day of rich land and rich history, it's off to Anzac Hill for panoramic views over ‘The Alice.’ Pay a visit to the hilltop Anzac Memorial basking in the views of the Western and Eastern MacDonnell ranges.
Day 9: Sights Of The Alice
Location: Alice Springs
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton
Meals Included: Breakfast, Be My Guest
Dive Into Culture at Alice Springs Desert Park as an Aboriginal guide Local Specialist shares the culture and traditions of the local Arrernte People. Learn about the desert birds like the Barn Owl, emu, and Princess Parrot and animals including the dingo, red kangaroo, and Western Quoll. Next, meet the magnificent Royal Flying Doctor Service with a Local Specialist learning how they provide emergency medical assistance in the Outback. Visit their center packed with history and even peak inside a replica of one of their small planes. Continue your day of culture at the Earth Sanctuary World Nature center. You’ll Connect With Locals, brothers Tom and Danny Falzon, learning about their sustainable, wind and solar powered lifestyle in the rugged Outback. You’re treated to a home-cooked Be My Guest Aussie BBQ as you hear stories of ecology, culture, and life on the farm. To top it all off, sit back and soak it all in as they treat you to a star talk, complete with telescopes, and lead you in guitar and didgeridoo accompanied sing-along.
Day 10: Mysterious Sightings Near Tennant Creek
Location: Alice Springs, Tennant Creek
Accommodation: Bluestone Motor Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Kick off your last day in Alice Springs with a fascinating visit to the School of the Air, “the world’s largest classroom.” Here you’ll tour this remote school with a Local Specialist, see the teachers in action, and learn how they were the first to use two-way radio broadcasts to educate remote students, providing support to children living in the surrounding isolated communities. From schools to natural wonders, your next stop is Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles), an amazing outcrop of precariously balanced granite boulders. Stroll among these massive rocks of up to six meters high that continue to crack and change shape, believed by the Warmungu Aboriginal people to be the fossilised eggs of the Rainbow Serpent. Immerse yourself in the area’s history at your overnight in the former 1930s gold-mining town of Tennant Creek, “the Territory’s heart of gold.” Feast on a hearty meal before resting up before another big day in the Outback.
Day 11: Katherine Via Thermal Springs
Location: Tennant Creek, Katherine
Accommodation: Contour
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
See another side of the Outback wetting your whistle at the historic Daly Waters Pub. This quirky pub has seen its cast of characters from the days when Qantas’ pilots used to stop to refuel on the nearby dirt runway to today’s patrons who follow the “leave something behind” motto sticking a collection of memorabilia to the walls. Grab a cold schooner and leave one of your own treasures behind before continuing to Mataranka’s hot springs. From one “watering hole” to another, here you’ll enjoy a refreshing swim in its crystal-clear, thermal springs or grab a seat on its stairs and seating areas and soak in the healing waters. Journey to where the Outback meets the Tropics arriving in your centrally located hotel in Katherine for a late dinner, and, if you haven’t had enough pool time, another dip.
Day 12: To Australia's Largest National Park
Location: Katherine, Jabiru
Accommodation: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Jabiru
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Our first stop is Nitmiluk National Park, where, accompanied by an indigenous Local Specialist, you’ll embark on a two-hour boat cruise along the ancient waterway of Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. After admiring the steep cliff walls, and maybe a freshwater crocodile or two on the banks, take to the trails admiring fascinating indigenous rock art. To continue your exploration, a second boat is waiting to take you to the even bigger cliffs of the deep river gorge. Along the way, your guide will share their knowledge of the traditional Jawoyn landowners and their stories of how the gorge was formed. Continue your national park adventures deep into Kakadu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At this cultural jewel, you’ll join a Local Specialist to cruise Yellow Water Billabong, famous for its diverse species of birdlife including magpie geese and, yes, crocodiles. After a big day in the outdoors, you’ll stay in the heart of Kakadu at the indigenous owned and totally unique hotel - in the shape of a crocodile.
Day 13: Top End Capital, Darwin
Location: Jabiru, Darwin
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast
Dive Into Culture at Ubirr, one of Kakadu’s, and Australia’s, renowned Aboriginal rock art sites. Your Travel Director is accredited and well versed to share the history and the stories behind the images in this rocky landscape rich with history. Go for a wander on the loop trail past caves and overhangs before another stunning sight. You’ll stop at Nadab lookout at Ubirr for the most amazing view over the wetlands of Kakadu. And, fun fact for movie buffs, Crocodile Dundee was filmed here! From rock art to modern cityscapes, you’re headed to the multicultural city of Darwin. After settling into your ideally located hotel on the Darwin Esplanade, you might choose to watch a movie under the stars at the Deckchair Cinema or soak up the atmosphere and flavors of the Mindil Beach Sunset Market, treating yourself to dinner while watching the iconic sunset. In a city known for its Asian influenced food, this famous food market has plenty of tempting options for you to choose from.
Day 14: Visit Litchfield And Its Waterfalls
Location: Litchfield National Park, Darwin, Darwin
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Pack your swimmers today for your trip to Litchfield National Park. You’ll begin visiting the park’s iconic Magnetic Termite mounds, unique to Northern Australia, that are over 100 years and up to three meters high. Stop at Florence Falls for a walk to a lookout point before venturing to Wangi Falls with to enjoy a cooling dip in its large swimming holes lined by tumbling waterfalls and vine forests (Please note swimming is seasonal and opening controlled by NT Parks). After soaking up the sun on your last big day, return to Darwin for a celebratory evening as you set sail on Darwin Harbor with your Travel Director and fellow travelers for Farewell Sunset Dinner Cruise. While enjoying a range of options from the Territory-inspired banquet dinner, watch the Darwin skyline on full display. Learn Darwin history from your knowledgeable guide and keep your eyes out for crocodiles, dolphins, turtles and dugongs, who also share these waters. It’s a magnificent final full day of your Outback adventure.
Day 15: Farewell Darwin
Location: Darwin
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s a been two weeks of sun, fun, and adventure in the outback, but all good things must come to an end. Say farewell to your fellow travelers this morning over breakfast before your transfer to Darwin Airport for your onward flight (flights anytime).
What's Included
-
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
-
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
-
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
-
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
-
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
-
All land transport shown. All transfers shown
-
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
-
Optional Experiences and free time
Check out our Q&As
-
Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
-
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Tuesday - Tuesday
Jun 10, 2025 - Jun 24, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Jul 08, 2025 - Jul 22, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Aug 05, 2025 - Aug 19, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Sep 02, 2025 - Sep 16, 2025Tuesday - Tuesday
Jun 09, 2026 - Jun 23, 2026Tuesday - Tuesday
Jun 16, 2026 - Jun 30, 2026Tuesday - Tuesday
Jul 07, 2026 - Jul 21, 2026Tuesday - Tuesday
Jul 14, 2026 - Jul 28, 2026Tuesday - Tuesday
Aug 04, 2026 - Aug 18, 2026Tuesday - Tuesday
Aug 11, 2026 - Aug 25, 2026Tuesday - Tuesday
Sep 01, 2026 - Sep 15, 2026Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
-
Terms and Conditions