Away for the Winter Incl. Red Centre, Northern Territory & Western Australia

Today, tour members fly to Sydney. On arrival, we transfer to our Sydney Airport hotel for an overnight stay.

This morning, we return to the airport and fly to Ayers Rock where we are met and transferred to our hotel for a 2 night stay; A leisurely afternoon to relax before we get together for dinner this evening.

Today, we tour the world famous monolith Uluru (Ayers Rock) which stands 348m high. This world heritage site combines natural wonders with Aboriginal culture. To the west of Uluru, we also visit Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), a massive pile of 36 weathered rock domes estimated to be as old as 500 million years. We have a special evening ahead; we will watch an unforgettable sunset at Uluru over drinks and canapes before we enjoy a buffet dinner under the sparkling outback sky.

Leaving Uluru, we travel through some of the most spectacular desert scenery the outback has to offer. You will be amazed at the sight of Mt Conner, often mistaken for Uluru. For the more adventurous, there is the opportunity for a camel ride at a camel farm. Look for the brilliant colours of the McDonnell Ranges as we approach Alice Springs. This afternoon, we visit Desert Park with its Nocturnal House and Nature theatre before arriving at our hotel for a 2 night stay

Lying in the heart of central Australia, this famous outback town is celebrated for both the natural beauty of the surrounding areas as much as for the extraordinary people who have shaped its history. Today, we tour the sights of “The Alice”. Highlights include the Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical reserve, School of the Air and the Flying Doctor Service.

We join the Stuart Highway for the journey north to Tennant Creek. Not to be missed, en route are the Devils Marbles, thought to be millions of years old, giant boulders strewn across the landscape, particularly beautiful around sunset. Tennant Creek is the hub of the Barkly Tablelands, a region of vast grassy plains and home to cattle stations the size of some countries.

We continue our journey north through the Barkly Tablelands and its wide warm blue skies. A compulsory stop is at the outback Daly Waters Pub, made famous for its walls that have an amazing collection of memorabilia. Our ‘shout’ for lunch! We continue north to Mataranka Thermal Springs where the crystal clear water of the thermal pool is surrounded by lush, tropical forest (take your togs & a towel). Our overnight stop is at Katherine.

There is time this morning to visit Katherine Gorge where we enjoy a spectacular cruise. Marvel at the sheer colourful cliff walls while the guide explains the history and geology of the area. After lunch, we leave Katherine and head to Kakadu National Park, 20,000 square kilometres of spectacular scenery and brilliant wildlife. We enjoy a 2 night stay in Kakadu National Park

We have a relaxing morning visiting the Warradjan Cultural Centre, the Nourlangie Rock and Jabiru. We will enjoy lunch before one of our tour highlights, the Yellow Water Billabong Cruise, where we see freshwater crocodiles and the prolific wildlife that abounds in the region. Our cruise quietly immerses us in the wonder and beauty of this wetland habitat.

This morning, we join the Guluyambi cruise along the spectacular East Alligator River that separates Kakadu from Arnhem Land. We learn about the mythology of this rich Aboriginal homeland and the river’s abundant food chain, as well as the methods of hunting and gathering by the local Aboriginal people. We then view the Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr and after stopping for lunch, we continue on to Darwin for a 3 night stay.

Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory and home to a diverse population of over 100,000. Darwin’s warm tropical climate and moderating sea breezes mean that an outdoor lifestyle can be enjoyed all year round. We enjoy a morning tour of the city and surroundings. In the evening we join a dinner cruise on the harbour which hopefully presents us with fantastic views of the fiery sunset over the Indian Ocean.

A free day today. Suggestions – explore Darwin city at your own pace on the city ‘hop on, hop off buses’, or a gentle walk of Darwin’s historical and cultural sights, or the delights of the botanic and orchid gardens. A must see is Aqua-scene, right in the heart of the city, where hundreds of fish arrive daily from the ocean at high tide to be fed by hand. Or maybe just spend some time relaxing by the hotel pool.

We leave Darwin this morning and travel to the tranquil wilderness area of Litchfield National Park, with its picturesque waterfalls, plunge pools and unusual magnetic termite mounds. See beautiful Wangi and Florence Falls before continuing on to Katherine

A great day – cross the border into Western Australia and journey into the ranges before arriving at Lake Argyle, which holds nearly 20 times more water than Sydney harbour. You will enjoy the exciting cruise on the Ord River to Kununurra – wonderful peaceful river scenery, followed by the colourful sunset on arrival at our accommodation.

We spend the day in Kununurra, with the option to either relax around the resort in the morning, or you may use this opportunity for an optional flight tour to the Bungle Bungles. This afternoon, we visit the Hoochery Rum Distillery for a tour, tasting and afternoon tea.

We continue our travels onward to Halls Creek, the home of Western Australia’s Gold Rush in the 1800’s. We visit the fascinating rock formation of ‘china wall’ and the ghost town of Old Halls Creek, located 15kms from the current location of the town.

We depart Halls Creek and travel to Fitzroy Crossing with a stop en-route at Marys Pool for a refreshment break. We arrive at our accommodation at Fitzroy Crossing, a small settlement that services the nearby stations and, as its name implies, the crossing point for the Fitzroy River. There will be time to check in and have lunch before we head out to Geikie Gorge, one of the most spectacular gorges in The Kimberley, for one of the highlights of the tour – a spectacular boat trip. With our local guide, cruise through the striking coloured walls, with its abundance of birdlife, crocodiles and rare aquatic creatures.

We visit Derby and see the massive Boab Prison Tree, used as a prison cell in the early days. We then continue on to Broome, the Kimberley’s most southerly town on the magnificent coastline, for a 2-night stay.

Broome is a town where the outback adjoins the tropical coastline. This morning, we tour the historic features of this former pearling capital. See Chinatown and Streeters Jetty, where pearlers once unloaded their harvest. A visit to Cable Beach to see the sun setting over the Indian Ocean is an unforgettable sight.

This morning, it is time to farewell our coach captain and the North as we transfer to the airport to join the flight to Perth. On arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel for a 2 night stay.

Welcome to Perth, Western Australia’s capital, with its Mediterranean climate, warm sunny blue skies, magnificent waterways, relaxed lifestyle, fabulous beaches and coastline. This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of before enjoying a free afternoon. Tonight we get together for our farewell dinner together.

We return to Perth Airport to commence our homeward journey, bringing to an end what has been a wonderful tour.