Red Centre to Darwin Adventure, NT
For SINGLE TRAVELLERS 25 to 39 years
Monday 23 August - Wednesday 1 September 2010 (9 days)
Itinerary
Tour Highlights: Trip Grade: The Cloud 9 tour is made up of 3 separate tours; There will be less walking between Alice and Darwin due to the longer driving distances. About the Tour Guides
The comprehensive in-house training program that all guides must complete, incorporates training from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) as well as St John's Ambulance Service in addition to mechanical training through the Centralian College, Alice Springs. This ensures that the guides are professional and in possession of vast and accurate information, as well as having the necessary skills to conduct a quality, safe and fun tour! All guides are expected to possess a vast knowledge of geology, botany and Aboriginal culture. How much luggage can I bring?
Day 1 (24 August 2010): Alice Springs to Kata Tjuta and Uluru Day 2 (25 August 2010): Uluru to Kings Canyon Day 3 (26 August 2010): Kings Canyon to Alice Springs Day 4 (27 August 2010): Alice Springs to Banka Banka Day 5 (28 August 2010): Banka Banka to Katherine Gorge Day 6 (29 August 2010): Katherine Gorge to Darwin Day 7 (30 August 2010): Darwin to Mary River Day 8 (31 August 2010): Mary River to Kakadu Day 9 (1 September 2010): Kakadu to Darwin You need to make your own accommodation arrangements for this night in Darwin. You can book at the hostel used by Adventure Tours as below or make alternative arrangements:
The Cloud 9 tour is graded ‘2 boots' which indicates walks of 6-9km per day. This will usually equal approximately 3-4 hours of walking per day.
3 Day Uluru Safari (maximum group 24 travellers)
3 Day Alice to Darwin (maximum group 24 travellers)
3 Day Kakadu/ Litchfield Safari (maximum group 16 travellers)
The guides are not your average tour guide! They act not only as the source for valuable information relating to the geology, botany and Aboriginal culture of the area, but also as the mechanic, the cook, the entertainer.
What to Bring:
Sturdy walking shoes (ankle high), swimming gear, hat & sunscreen, toiletries, warm clothing in winter, water bottle, torch, insect repellent, camera, sleeping bag (can be hired for $20) and money for personal expenses and optional snacks you might want to buy and/or meals not included on the itinerary.
The vehicle has limited space so please keep your luggage to a maximum of 15 kgs in a backpack or soft overnight bag with a small day pack for easy access to camera, film, sunblock etc. All Kakadu safaris have a strict limit of 10kg per person
Pre-Departure Contact Service
As a friendly gesture to everyone in our special group, we offer a pre-departure contact service.
With your permission, we share your first name, state and email (or other preferred contact method) to the rest of our guests prior to departure. It's a popular choice with many travellers especially as the majority of our guests book solo. It provides the opportunity to get in touch with others prior to departure. This list is provided after bookings close, about two weeks prior to departure.
Fellow Travellers
There are 8 places reserved on this departure for the A Rendezvous for Singles community. This trip may confirm more or less than 8 single travellers, subject to availability and demand. There may be other guests on this tour booked via other channels and they may be single, partnered or otherwise travelling as friends and outside the age group (generally this trip appeals to travellers in their 20's & 30's) promoted to the A Rendezvous for Singles community. Whomever the guests on the tour, everyone in the group will have the adventure spirit.
THE ITINERARY
This 9 day adventure is a combination of 3 tours:
3 day Alice Springs to Ayers Rock return
3 day Alice Springs to Darwin
3 day Darwin to Kakadu return
Pre-Tour Night (23 August 2010):
Pre-tour overnight hostel dorm accommodation in Alice Springs is included. Your day and evening is at your leisure. Meet up with others in our group or do your own thing.
It's the start of your 3 day Uluru safari.
At 6:10am you are met at the hostel by Adventure Tours.
Your adventure begins atop a camel! Our first stop is the Outback Camel Farm where you can choose to ride atop one of these desert giants (at own expense). From here it's off to Uluru (Ayers Rock), and a bite to eat. Kata Tjuta will fascinate you, and you will discover some of the secrets of this ancient landform on 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. (LD)
It's an early start this morning, but you'll be rewarded with a glorious Uluru sunrise. Stretch your legs with a walk around Uluru's base, or climb to the top if you choose. You'll deepen your understanding of the land and its stories at the Cultural Centre. After lunch we travel to our permanent campsite at Kings Canyon. You'll fall asleep contented with a delicious camp oven dinner filling your stomach. (BLD)
Get your hiking shoes on today as we head out to explore the impressive formations which make up 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 back to Alice Springs. Overnight dorm accommodation is included. Tonight is at your leisure. Why not russle up the group for dinner out in Alicle Springs? (BL)
And now, for the next leg of your journey for the next 3 days you will make your way from Alice Springs to Darwin.
We pass by 23' 26' 22' south of the equator (otherwise known as the Tropic of Capricorn) before stopping at Ti Tree for the chance to buy original works of art by Indigenous artists. Learn about the early struggles of bush telecommunications at Barrow Creek's historic Telegraph Station it'll make your mobile phone seem like the space age! Precariously balanced on their rocky perch are the Devils Marbles, a site sacred to its traditional owners. Last stop for today is our camp at Banka Banka Cattle Station and if the weather's good, you can take a dip in the pretty waterhole. (LD)
No visit to the Top End would be complete without a visit to the famed Daly Waters pub, a quintessential outback roadhouse and watering hole for travellers from far and wide. The tiny town is also home to Australia's first international airport (but you wouldn't guess it!). Mataranka lies in the heart of the never-never, and you'll feel a million miles from anywhere as you soak in the steamy thermal springs. As the day draws to a close, we reach our overnight camp at stunning Katherine Gorge. (BLD)
The gorge is all yours this morning, with a half day to spend canoeing or cruising (at own expense) the spectacular waters. Want to see more Jump aboard a helicopter flight (at own expense) which will take you high above the vast gorge system. We'll head to Darwin after a bite to eat, with stops at idyllic Edith Falls and the croc-filled Adelaide River (both a town and a river). Overnight dorm accommodation is included. Tonight, it's free time - we suggest our group heads out for dinner in Darwin to get a taste for the nightlife in Darwin. (BL)
Today, we commence the 3 day final leg of your journey with the Darwin to Kakadu trip before returning to Darwin where the tour completes.
A refreshing start to your day: the waterfalls of Litchfield National Park, followed by the spectacular Mary River Wetlands. Birds aren't the only wildlife abundant around here; keep your eyes out for lurking crocodiles on our private river cruise! A secluded campsite at Point Stuart Wilderness Lodge is where we'll stay tonight. (LD)
Discover ancient Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr, our first stop this morning. Clamber to the top of a rocky lookout for fabulous views over the Nardab floodplain. Next it's on to Maguk (Barramundi Gorge), where a hike is rewarded with a reviving swim in the plunge pools. Tonight we stay at our permanent camp within Kakadu NP. (BLD)
Get ready for some 4WD action today on our way to Jim Jim Falls! Once we get there, we'll hike to the base of the falls before continuing on to Twin Falls. Feel the beauty of the stunning gorge and powerful falls from the National Park operated boat and boardwalk experience. The impressive scenery will continue to amaze you as we journey back to Darwin at the end of the day 5:30 to 6pm. (BL)
The Cavenagh, 12 Cavenagh St, Darwin tel: 08 8941 6383
The driver will drop you to your accommodation when you return to Darwin.
© arendezvous travel & leisure
2012