MELBOURNE TO MILDURA

Welcome to our tour through the fabulous Central Australia and Top End. With chauffeured pickup from home, we are transferred to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew. We stop enroute for morning tea before continuing to Donald for lunch. This afternoon, we cross the Wimmera Plains and travel through the Victorian Mallee to Mildura for our first night away.

OVERNIGHT: Best Western Chaffey International Motor Inn, MILDURA

RIVERLAND TO PORT AUGUSTA

Today we drive along the Riverland from the Sunraysia to Renmark in South Australia to Morgan, once a very busy maritime port. Leaving the Murray, we head for the Southern Flinders Ranges calling at historic Burra (classified by the National Trust). This afternoon we take the scenic drive through the North Mount Lofty Ranges to Port Augusta.

OVERNIGHT: Standpipe Golf Motor Inn, PORT AUGUSTA

PORT AUGUSTA - WOOMERA - COOBER PEDY

We start our journey north on the Stuart Highway to Pimba, before detouring to Woomera. Until 1982, Woomera was a prohibited area for travellers. These days, we are welcomed with an interesting Visitors Centre. The town was built by the British and Australian Governments as the headquarters for the Maralinga and Emu Field - nuclear rocket and atomic bomb test sites. After lunch, we rejoin the Stuart Highway and continue to Coober Pedy to check into our two night’s accommodation.

OVERNIGHT:  Desert Cave Hotel, COOBER PEDY

EXPLORING COOBER PEDY

We start the day with an opal-cutting demonstration and town tour, including an inspection of an opal mine, an underground house or “dug out” and a church. Did you know that the Coober Pedy Golf Course is the only golf course in the world with reciprocal rights to St Andrews in Scotland??!! We’ll also have time for some retail therapy for anyone interested in opals. We have time to purchase lunch before we head to the nearby “Kanku - Breakaways Conservation Park” - a stunning natural landscape that has featured in a number of movies such as Mad Max 3, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Ground Zero.  Returning to town, we have some free time to relax, or perhaps some more opal shopping.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT: Desert Cave Hotel, COOBER PEDY

COOBER PEDY TO YULARA

An early start for a travel day as we head for the border and into the Northern Territory. At Erldunda, we turn west onto the Lasseter Highway to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. There is an air of excitement in the coach as we are drawn closer to Uluru. Upon our arrival, we head straight to Sunset Strip to enjoy the spectacle of the changing colour of Uluru as the sun sets behind us. We now make our way to the resort to check in. Dinner will be a little later this evening.

OVERNIGHT: Voyages Desert Gardens Hotel, YULARA

ULURU AND KATA TJUTA

We have a magical day in store. Uluru, previously known as Ayers Rock, is located in the World Heritage Listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. It rises 348 metres from the desert floor and has a girth of 9.4kms. It’s the world’s most famous monolith with at least two thirds of the Rock lying beneath the surface. We spend some time at the Cultural Centre and take a drive around the Rock, stopping for photo opportunities. Lunch today is available from one of a number of restaurants and cafes in the Yulara Shopping Village. Early afternoon we visit the nearby Olgas, called by the Aboriginal people Kata Tjuta. We’ll stop at the viewing platform, then further on, stop for a photo opportunity and a short walk. We return to the resort, but our day isn’t over yet as we are in for a special treat – a unique outback experience. We will be seeing internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro’s once in a lifetime staging of The Field of Light. This is the biggest Field of Light exhibition to date and it is held at Uluru. We have the chance to wander through 50,000 slender stems crowned with frosted-glass spheres that will bloom as darkness falls over Australia’s spiritual heartland. This display is for a limited time, making the experience that much more memorable. After a fantastic day, we return to the resort for a later dinner.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT:  Voyages Desert Gardens Hotel, YULARA

YULARA TO ALICE SPRINGS

This morning you have the opportunity to view Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Yulara from the air. We reserve several planes for an unforgettable 40 minute Scenic Flight of the area. This flight is at patrons own expense and is highly recommended. After breakfast we say farewell to Uluru and rejoin the Lasseter Highway, through sand dune country, past Mt Connor to Erldunda where we stop for our lunch break. This afternoon, we head north crossing the Finke River and enjoy the ever-changing scenery as we near Alice Springs.

OVERNIGHT:  Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters, ALICE SPRINGS

EXPLORING ALICE SPRINGS

Welcome to “The Alice”! We begin today with a view of Alice Springs from Anzac Hill. From here we can see the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, the Stuart Highway, the Todd River, the Ghan Line and the prominent city buildings. We take a virtual journey into 'The World's Largest Classroom' which will leave us enlightened and inspired as we visit the School of the Air. The film and guide presentations reveal stories about the school and its students, sharing a distinctive history, outback lifestyle and world-renowned innovations of this uniquely Australian school.  Next we visit Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). We hear the incredible history of one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world. Using the latest aviation, medical and communications technology, the RFDS delivers extensive primary health care and 24-hour emergency service to those who live, work and travel throughout Australia. We enjoy some free time this afternoon to relax or go for a swim. We have a special evening planned tonight. Just 15 minutes out of Alice is Earth Sanctuary - a World Nature Centre at Quandong Homestead. We will enjoy a mouth-watering bush BBQ with music and entertainment and experience the spirit of the outback through stories of the aboriginal dreamtime. We will even learn how to cook a swagman’s damper! After dinner we can relax around the camp fire before heading back to the hotel.

OVERNIGHT:  Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters, ALICE SPRINGS

WESTERN MACDONNELL RANGES

We have a great day in store as we explore the majestic Western MacDonnell Ranges. The natural beauty in this area is outstanding! Our first stop is at the monument of the Reverend John Flynn, founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. We continue the scenic drive to Standley Chasm with its towering walls; this is also where we’ll enjoy our morning break. Next stop is beautiful Simpsons Gap where we can stretch our legs. We head back to town to visit the Old Telegraph Station for a tour and lunch. The Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve marks the original site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs. It was established in 1871 to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide along Australia’s Overland Telegraph Line.  This not only connected Australia’s population centre’s with the north of the country, but it also connected Australia up with the undersea telegraph network of the British Empire.

OVERNIGHT: Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters, ALICE SPRINGS

ALICE SPRINGS TO TENNANT CREEK

This morning, we farewell Alice Springs and travel north on the Stuart Highway. We stop briefly at Aileron to see the “Anmatjere Man” standing proudly on a hill, overlooking his country, spear in hand, and another sculpture of a woman, child, and a lizard. We continue past Ti Tree Creek and historic Barrow Creek.  Later this afternoon we spend some time at the “Devils Marbles” before arriving into Tennant Creek.

OVERNIGHT: Bluestone Motor Inn, TENNANT CREEK

DALY WATERS - KATHERINE

Today we will be travelling to what is termed the “Top End”. We lunch at Daly Waters Pub, a well-known spot for many of the air personnel who served in the Pacific during World War II. This afternoon, our journey takes us to Katherine where we settle into our  next two nights accommodation.

OVERNIGHT:  Knotts Crossing Resort, KATHERINE

KATHERINE GORGE

This morning, we make our way to Katherine Gorge. Within the Nitmiluk National Park are 13 separate gorges of the extended system through which Katherine River flows. Sheer walls of sandstone dotted with ancient Aboriginal rock art surround the crystal waters of the Katherine River where freshwater crocodiles can be seen along the banks with flowering orchids and lilies. After our cruise, we can look through the Visitors and Interpretive Centre. Early afternoon, we visit the Katherine Hot Springs. Sit back and relax in the beautiful thermal pools. The bubbling natural spring has a constant temperature of approximately 25-30 degrees Celsius. Used by many as a way of healing, we can let our muscles unwind after a morning of cruising!!  Back at the resort, we have the rest of the day free to relax, maybe take a swim in the pool.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT:  Knotts Crossing Resort, KATHERINE

KAKADU - YELLOW WATERS CRUISE

Today we travel to the old gold mining town of Pine Creek then join the Kakadu Highway into the Kakadu National Park. We stop at the Warradjan Cultural Centre where we can explore various exhibits that showcase traditional stories, hunting techniques, and the natural history of the park. Close by is Cooinda; here we enjoy a cold luncheon, then have some free time to relax. We also have the opportunity to take an optional scenic flight over the incredible wetlands of Kakadu National Park before, late afternoon boarding our magical Yellow Water Sunset Cruise. Nowhere else will we see such a concentration of so many species of diverse wildlife than here, including Brolgas, Egrets, Jabiru and hopefully Crocs! Following our cruise, we return to the lodge for dinner. 

OVERNIGHT:  Cooinda Lodge Kakadu, KAKADU

KAKADU TO DARWIN

Our touring this morning includes Nourlangie Rock. There are a number of shelters in amongst this large outcrop. The shelters contain amazing paintings that represent the Aboriginal Dreaming, with depictions of Namandi spirits, both male and female figures and one with six fingers on each hand.  Pigments are mostly of yellow, white and red ochre, with red ochre being used as a chalk to draw on the rock surface in some places. Our guide will interpret the aboriginal art and it will be a most interesting morning. We stop for lunch on the way to Adelaide River where we join the Jumping Croc Cruise for some close encounters with the resident salt water crocodiles! We then drive into Darwin for our next three nights accommodation.

OVERNIGHT:  Doubletree by Hilton Esplanade, DARWIN

EXPLORING DARWIN

Today we take in the sights of Darwin. Many people aren’t aware of the importance of Darwin during World War II so we’ll look at the city as it is today and also learn about the involvement and history of the bombings of Darwin. The present city centre was established in 1869 and contains many of its remaining historic buildings such as the Old Court House and Government House. We see the new Parliament House built on the site of the Darwin Post Office bombed during the war, the port area plus the many other fascinating sights of Australia’s northern gateway. Our tour concludes at Stokes Hill Wharf where there are a lot of options for lunch. This afternoon, we visit the Flying Doctor Service and Bombing of Darwin tourist facility - two iconic stories in the one iconic location! Returning to our hotel, we have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the resort facilities – perhaps a dip in the pool or some retail therapy. Our day isn’t over yet though! We enjoy dinner this evening while cruising on Darwin Harbour. It is a great way to see Darwin from the water.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT:  Doubletree by Hilton Esplanade, DARWIN

LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK

We spend the day touring Litchfield National Park. This National Park is very understated and offers an unforgettable day out. We travel through Batchelor to Florence Falls and admire the Magnetic and Cathedral Termite Mounds, some standing 16 feet (5 metres) high. We enjoy lunch at the Litchfield Café and have some free time at nearby Wangi Falls. This is a most relaxing area, perhaps take a swim or a walk. This evening, we will make our way to Cullen Bay for dinner together as we watch the sunset.

OVERNIGHT: Doubletree by Hilton Esplanade, DARWIN

DARWIN TO MELBOURNE

After three wonderful nights in Darwin, it’s time now to head for home. We’ll transfer to  Darwin Airport for the return flight to Melbourne. Upon arrival, our chauffeurs will be waiting to transport us home with many interesting stories to tell of our fantastic holiday in the Red Centre and Top End.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement / refreshments on flight