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ITINERARY
Day
1 - Sydney to Snowy Mountains (via Canberra)
Our first stop today is the capital city of Australia - Canberra
- where the Prime Minister hangs out. A tour through Parliament
house and a visit to the Australian War Memorial before we
enjoy views from the city's high point and drive by some of
the Foreign Embassy's, there is more to Canberra than you
think! After lunch in the central retail area, we tackle the
Monaro plains, learn of the hardships and international relations
formed with the areas super sized engineering feats of the
Snowy Hydro Scheme. We are then bound for our overnight stop
in the heart of the Snowy Mountains. (D)
Day
2 - Snowy Mountains to Gippsland Lakes
Just when you thought we were at the top, there is just a
little further to go (weather permitting), up to the highest
point in Australia - Mt Kosciuszko. At 2228 metres it is an
easy grade hike from the top of the Crakenback Express chairlift,
or you may choose only the shorter walk to the lookout point.
In winter (Jun - Sep) we visit the Ski Resort of Perisher
for some fun in the snow. As we turn Southbound the journey
'wow factor' is heightened again with our afternoon drive
conquering the famous Snowy River country and crossing the
border into Victoria. This evening, back at sea level we enjoy
a night on the edge of a coastal lake. (BD)
Day 3 - Gippsland Lakes to Melbourne (via Wilsons Promontory)
With Bass Strait by our side, we skirt the north eastern coast
of Victoria as we make tracks for the Southern most National
Park of the Australian mainland - Wilsons Promontory. You
may be able to take your Aussie 'Coat of Arms' photo with
a chance of seeing Kangaroos and Emus together on the vast
grasslands. A hike up and along the granite outcrops will
lead us to an area to take in the awesome views of the surrounding
coastline. With the bright lights and lively buzz of Melbourne
in our sights we dodge the trams and navigate the city streets
for our central drop off. (B)
Day
4 - Melbourne
Enjoy a FREE day in Melbourne to relax or explore the city.
Overnight dorm accommodation included. (Meals at own expense)
Day
5 - Melbourne via Great Ocean Rd to Port Campbell
We pass Geelong and check out the surfing town of Torquay
then to the renowned surfing location of Bells Beach and Lorne
before arriving in the coastal township of Apollo Bay. At
Kennett River we spot for koalas and watch and listen to the
abundant birdlife. After lunch we hit the cool temperate rainforest
of the Otway National Park, where we spend time at the Otway
Fly Tree Top Walk (included). Rejoining the Great Ocean Road
we will visit the amazing Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.
Late afternoon we arrive into the township of Port Campbell,
a colourful seaside village sheltered by cliffs and pines.
(D)
Day
6 - Port Campbell to Grampians National Park
Before leaving the coast and trailing towards the end of the
Great Ocean Road, we explore some of the other geological
phenomena along this remarkable stretch of coastline. Discover
The Arch, London Bridge and the Bay of Martyrs, just to name
a few. Our destination this afternoon is the Grampians National
Park, one of Victoria's most popular holiday destinations.
We embark on a hike in the National Park to take in the breathtaking
rocky views. This area is rich in Aboriginal culture set in
a rugged ancient landscape. (BD)
Day 7 - Halls Gap to Adelaide
This morning we visit the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre
to learn of the local dreamtime stories. Test your local artistic
skills as we create our very own personalised souvenirs. Leaving
via Halls Gap, we say farewell to the 'Grampians'. Crossing
the mighty Murray River, passing through the Adelaide Hills
we arrive into Adelaide, South Australia's capital. (BL)
Day
8 - Adelaide
Enjoy a FREE day in Adelaide to relax or explore the city.
Overnight dorm accommodation included. (B)
Day 9 - Adelaide to Quorn
Leaving Adelaide we travel through the Clare Valley as we
make our way towards the stunning Flinders Ranges. On our
journey we enjoy a lunch break at a local Clare Valley Winery,
with some tastings thrown in. We have the opportunity to then
gain a bird's eye view from the top of Mt Remarkable as we
look out over this beautiful region. We check into our private
accommodation at the historical 'Mill' before enjoying a classic
pub dinner & drink with the locals! This great Aussie Atmosphere
sets our scene for this evening. (D)
Day
10 - Flinders Ranges & Wilpena Pound
This morning we enter the National Park where adventure, spirituality
and tranquillity co-exist in one majestic destination. We
set out on a hike for some spectacular views of the "Flinders
Ranges", named one of Australia's outstanding national landscapes.
See the natural amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound - a lost world,
located inside a giant stone crater. On our return to Quorn
we visit the Yourambulla Caves for a glimpse at some local
Aboriginal rock paintings and the stories that go with them.
This evening enjoy a casual BBQ dinner. Overnight at the Quorn
"Mill". (BLD)
Day 11 - Quorn to Coober Pedy
Leaving Quorn we travel through Port Augusta, then head north
into the open landscapes and join the Stuart Highway (one
of the longest highways in the world). Passing several salt
lakes, you can capture a great photo opportunity of the vastness
of Central Australia before we arrive in the "Opal Capital
of the World", Coober Pedy. A diverse township renowned for
its many underground attractions! On arrival we enjoy a local
town tour which includes a visit to an underground mine &
museum. Our accommodation for tonight is - you guessed it
- underground. (BLD)
Day
12 - Coober Pedy to Marla
Before departing Coober Pedy we are enlightened with a town
tour by a local, before visiting an outdoor public opal fossicking
site, with the opportunity to try your luck 'noodling' for
opals! From here we go north up the Stuart Highway and into
the rugged country of Australia's inland and a visit to 'The
Breakaways' with amazing views that go on and on and on! Tonight
our remote base is a little further up at Marla. (BLD)
Day
13 - Marla to Uluru
From Marla, we cross the Northern Territory border and arrive
at the Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park. Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)
will fascinate you, and you will discover some of the secrets
of this ancient landform during the Valley of the Winds hike.
You'll be mesmerised as the desert sun sets over Uluru, and
as the night grows darker, curl up in your swag (Aussie bedroll)
under millions of stars. (BLD)
Day
14 - Uluru to Kings Canyon
It's an early start this morning, but you'll be rewarded with
a glorious Uluru sunrise. While the morning's fresh (and your
legs are too!) enjoy an unguided walk around the base of Uluru.
You will then deepen your understanding of the land and the
Mala people as you take a cultural interpretive walk with
an Aboriginal guide (and interpreter). Explore the many caves
of the Mala people, learning how they lived and prepared for
ceremonies. Your Aboriginal guide will also share the sensitive
story of the Mala people who lived at Uluru with their friend
the Itjaritjari (marsupial mole). There is also a visit to
sacred Kantju Gorge, a quiet water hole at the base of a dramatic
rock face. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to purchase
Aboriginal arts and crafts at the Cultural Centre before we
travel to our exclusive campsite within the Watarrka National
Park (Kings Canyon) where we sleep for the night. (BLD)
Day 15 - Kings Canyon to Alice Springs
Get your hiking shoes on today as we head out to explore the
impressive formations of Kings Canyon. You'll be left breathless
by the sheer beauty of the canyon as we trek through the Amphitheatre,
the Lost City, the lush and ancient Garden of Eden and the
North and South Walls. Lunch is a welcome prospect, before
we make our way to Alice Springs. (BL)
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