• Tour Highlights
• Optional Activities
• Daily Itinerary
• Dates & Prices

Daily Itinerary

1. Depart for Australia Day 1

   Fly over the international date line on your way to Australia.

2. Arrive Darwin Day 2 Hotel

   Check into your Darwin Quality Frontier Hotel after 2:00pm, the rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore.

3. Darwin & Litchfield National Park Day 3 Hotel

   Welcome to the Northern Territory - CONTIKI STYLE!!! What a way to start with our first day at Litchfield National Park. It is 650 square kilometres (255 square miles) of top end treasure. It encloses some spectacular scenery including an ancient sandstone plateau and picturesque Florence Falls where you will have the opportunity for a swim. Then it's back to Darwin as we discover the Darwin nightlife!

4. Darwin to Kakadu National Park Day 4 Lodge

   Today you'll discover the amazing history of Darwin with a visit to the Northern Territory Museum and a driving tour of the city, before heading out to the world famous Kakadu National Park. (B,D)

5. Kakadu National Park Day 5 Lodge

   Rise early and you have the chance to see the wonders of Kakadu from the air. This scenic flight will leave you breathless and it's not the altitude. You really will understand why this is a world heritage region. Then on to Nourlangie Rock, famous for its Aboriginal art. View the wetlands and spend the afternoon on a wildlife cruise. (B)

6. Kakadu National Park to Katherine Day 6 Hotel

   You will be able to appreciate the vast changes in scenery today as we head south out of Kakadu. We'll stop for a swim at either Gumlom or Edith Falls. Then get ready to experience the enormity of Nitmiluk National Park and the Katherine River Gorge System with an optional gorge cruise, bush walk or canoe trip. (B)

7. Katherine to Tennant Creek Day 7 Hotel

   Enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal waters of Mataranka Thermal Pools or take a look at the Elsey Homestead. Onwards to one of the Territory's oldest watering holes for lunch before arriving in the true outback town of Tennant Creek. (B,D)

8. Tennant Creek to Alice Springs Day 8 Hotel

   Before we leave the site of Australia's last gold rush all nuggets that have been found will quickly be passed onto the Contiki crew. It's then on to the Devils Marbles before heading to Alice Springs for a visit to the Alice Springs Desert Park. (B,D)

9. Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock) Day 9 Lodge

   An opportunity this morning to join an Aboriginal Bush Tucker tour. We then cross the oldest river in the world, the Finke River, before turning onto the Lassiter Highway. Continuing past amazing Mt Connor, we reach the modern Yulara Resort, our accommodation for the next two nights. Watch the sun set and rise over Uluru and explore this world-famous monolith. (B)

10. Uluru Day 10 Lodge

    Uluru National Park and the famous 'big rock' await. We'll watch the amazing warm hues of an Uluru sunrise, followed by a visit to the excellent Cultural Center housing a display of information on Aboriginal history and culture. Then why not jump on the back of a Harley Davidson motorcycle to take in more of the Spinifex plains? Maybe take a flight over the area or challenge the vertical and climb Uluru? Later time for a swim and to enjoy a glass of bubbly to toast the Uluru sunset. (B)

11. Uluru to Kings Creek Station Day 11 Outback bush camp

    A last look at Uluru before we drive to the mysterious rock formations known as Kata Tjuta or the Olgas. Hike through the Valley of the Winds or Olga Gorge. This afternoon we're off to Kings Creek Station adjacent to Watarrka National Park. A chance to explore this working cattle and camel station by quad bikes. Enjoy food cooked in true outback style, before rolling out your sleeping swag under a blanket of brilliant stars. (B,D)

12. Kings Creek Station to Alice Springs Day 12 Hotel

    Up early to take in the stunning sights as we wander along the ridge of Kings Canyon and discover the Garden of Eden and the Lost City. Then onwards to Alice Springs. Tonight why not enjoy a 'drovers blowout' dinner? Try outback delicacies like crocodile and emu. (B)

13. Alice Springs to Cairns Day 13 Resort

    This morning we have sightseeing of Alice Springs, taking in ANZAC Hill and seeing the Old Alice Springs Telegraph Station. Later you'll board your flight to Cairns to begin your East Coast adventure.

14. Cairns Day 14 Day 15 Resort

    For the adventurous a chance to do some white water rafting on the rapids of the Tully River, or take the opportunity to visit the famous Outer Barrier Reef aboard a high-speed catamaran. Why not scuba dive amidst amazingly colourful tropical fish? Or if you prefer, maybe spend the days at leisure doing some shopping in town. In the evening we'll check out more tropical wildlife at one of Cairns' nightclubs!

15. To the Whitsundays for Sailing Option Day 16 Day 17 Day 18 Yacht

    Today we drive to Airlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsundays, to board our flotilla yacht. Enjoy two days and nights sailing the stunning Whitsunday islands. Swim, snorkel, or laze your way around this tropical paradise, on board a flotilla yacht. NB: Twin share supplement not applicable. Then your third night in the Whitsundays will be spent relaxing and toasting the sunset on Long Island. (B,D)(B,L,D)(B,L)

16. The Whitsundays to Capricorn Coast Day 19 Hotel

    From Airlie Beach we'll visit Mackay - Australia's sugar capital. This evening why not come face to fang with huge estuarine crocodiles at the Koorana Crocodile Farm? (B)

17. Capricorn Coast to Fraser Island Day 20 Eco Lodge

    This morning as we leave Rockhampton we will cross the Tropic of Capricorn before hooking up with our launch to Fraser Island. (B,D)

18. Fraser Island Day 21 Eco Lodge

    Now you're on the largest sand island in the world! What to do? Here are a few clues. Why not take a 4-wheel drive bus tour through the rainforests, a guided bushwalk or a swim in the fresh water lakes? With this many options there's no chance of going troppo!

19. Fraser Island to Country Homestead Day 22 Country Homestead

    Today we travel South along the coast to Noosa Heads with its stunning beaches and great shopping. From there we'll head along the fertile farming lands of the Darling Downs to the edge of Queensland's Outback to enjoy a good ol' Aussie 'knees up' tonight at our Country Homestead. (B,D)

20. Country Homestead to Surfers Paradise Day 23 Hotel

    From the fertile farming lands of the Darling Downs we'll take in the sights and sounds of Brisbane before arriving in Surfers Paradise. After dinner, try your luck at Jupiter's Casino! (B)

21. Surfers Paradise Day 24 Hotel

    So much to do in the name of leisure. Here goes! Relax on 42km (26miles) of white sand beaches, or if you're feeling adventurous - why not try a tandem skydive or a Harley Davidson ride. All are available in Australia's biggest playground.

22. Surfers Paradise to Coffs Harbour Day 25 Resort

    This morning we'll cross the Queensland border into New South Wales. We'll stop at Cape Byron, Australia's most easterly point then on to trendy Byron Bay where you can shop or swim. Tonight will be our last night together in our accommodation at Coffs Harbour! (B)

23. Coffs Harbour to Sydney Day 26

    We head south along the 'holiday coast' to the picturesque vineyards of the Hunter valley to sample some of the local Hunter wines. Then further south and across the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. We'll then make a photostop taking in the harbour and Opera House. Time to exchange addresses, snapshots and stories as we return to Sydney where our tour ends and the memories begin! (B)

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