If there was ever a place to begin the world’s greatest road trip, Uluru-Kata Tjuta is it. On this Uluru to Darwin tour, let your soul sing while gazing at the planet’s largest rock monolith, your awakening narrated by Indigenous guides. Then navigate the Stuart Highway north through Tennant Creek, Katherine and Kakadu to the country’s steamy Top End, where dazzling Darwin sunsets welcome incomparably starry nights.
(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner (SD) Specialty Dinner Tour Code: NUAD
Desert Gardens Hotel boasts the only rooms with views of Uluru in Ayers Rock Resort. Perched within an oasis of native gardens, the hotel’s 218 elegant guestrooms provide a relaxing retreat from a day of adventure.
Accommodation options are diverse, from deluxe rock view rooms to shady poolside rooms, each located under a canopy of towering gumtrees and garden beds dotted with native shrubs and flowers.
All of Ayers Rock Resort’s luxuries and conveniences, including numerous lookouts, Red Ochre Spa and the shops, tour & information centre and cafés located at the Resort Town Square, are within easy walking distance or accessible via the free shuttle bus.
Kings Canyon is a natural wonder located approximately between Alice Springs and Uluru – literally at the heart of Australia’s Red Centre. The canyon was forged over 400 million years and is made from layers of sandstone with hard shale between layers. Soaring 270 metres above sea level, areas of the canyon plummet to the Garden of Eden where lush, plants thrive along the line of the permanent rock pools. It is at these pools you will often see native animals coming to drink.
It is a place of serenity and contemplation and one of great significance to the original land owners who ask that you do not swim in the waters. Other than this request, you are welcome to climb, touch and explore the canyon in a manner respectful to its history and natural environment.
The Resort, Backpackers Lodge and Camp Ground offer accommodations for all travellers. And the facilities of the resort provide an oasis of convenience in the middle of an ancient, rugged landscape.
Located on the banks of the Todd River, this Hilton hotel is two kilometres from the town cent and adjacent to Alice Springs Golf Club. This places it within 10 minutes of Alice Springs Desert Park and Anzac Hill, which stands above the town.
Recreational facilities include tennis courts and a heated outdoor pool overlooking the garden, home to the resident peacock.
This property is makes a great base from which to explore the diverse nature and culture of the Australian outback, the Bluestone, as this property is affectionately known locally — is the perfect place to stay at the halfway mark along the track from Alice Springs to Darwin and back, or coming west from Mt. Isa. Bluestone Motor Inn is a family owned motel restaurant that has become a well-known and recognized land mark throughout the Northern Territory. You can dine in the Air Conditioned dining room or enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the Alfresco veranda area at popular Anna‘s Resturant.
Contour Hotel is only a short drive from all the Katherine region has to offer. Set amongst 4 acres of tropical gardens it is the ideal base to explore, or to come home to after a long working day. You can play tennis, go swimming, dine out, have a barbecue or enjoy a cool drink at the bar. The spacious and contemporary guest rooms are the perfect space to retire to at the end of a long day of exploring. There is a restaurant and bar that is open 7 days for breakfast and dinner.
Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel is an idyllic retreat located in Kakadu National Park. Situated in the township of Jabiru, this hotel is the perfect base to start exploring Kakadu’s most significant natural attractions such as Ubirr, Jim JIm and Twin Falls, Gunlom Falls, Cahills Crossing & Mamukala Wetlands. Cool off in the large outdoor pool, the perfect oasis for relaxing in between discovery tours around Kakadu before feasting on Kakadu bush tucker & gourmet dining at the Escarpment restaurant and bar. Rooms are spacious, light and airy and provide a cool, inviting space, perfect for relaxing in after a long day exploring the region.
http://www.accorhotels.com/9616
This hotel has ocean views and overlooks the famous Darwin Esplanade. It is walking distance from most of the city’s major corporate offices, as well as the Darwin Convention Center. Enjoy the landscaping of the tropical gardens, or relax by the outdoor pool. Overlooking the sparkling waters of the outdoor pool and surrounded by lush tropical gardens, the Poolside Restaurant serves innovative Australian cuisine in a relaxed environment. Enjoy al fresco dining on the sun-soaked terrace.
Kata Tjuṯa, also known as the Olgas, is a group of large, domed rock formations or bornhardts located about 360 km southwest of Alice Springs, in the southern part of the Northern Territory. Meaning ‘many heads’, Kata Tjuta is sacred to the local Aboriginal Anangu people, who have inhabited the area for more than 22,000 years. It forms an important focus of their spiritual life. As a visitor you can join a cultural tour to learn some of the region’s sacred history and Dreamtime stories.
Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park is Aboriginal land and jointly managed by its Anangu traditional owners and Parks Australia. The park is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Area for both its natural and cultural values.
Watarrka National Park is only three hours’ drive from Uluru, and is home to the mighty Kings Canyon – a majestic destination featuring 300 metre high sandstone walls, palm-filled crevices, and views that stretch across the desert. Feel on top of the world as you walk along the towering red rock cliffs of Kings Canyon and take in views of the forest of palms below. There is an iconic Kings Canyon Rim Walk. The six-kilometre circuit showcases some iconic landmarks like the Garden of Eden, a beautiful rockhole surrounded by rare plants, before ascending to 360 degree panoramic views over the red sand dunes – however can be a challenging walk and is best done in the morning at sunrise to avoid the heat.
Alice Springs is a remote town in Australia’s Northern Territory, halfway between Darwin and Adelaide, it’s a popular gateway for exploring the Red Centre, the country’s interior desert region. Known to the locals as “Alice”, this town embodies the quintessential Australian spirit, from the ancient desert it sits upon to the Aboriginal culture that is woven into the very fabric of life here. In the town itself, you’ll find an impressive array of outback activities from camel rides to sunrise hot air balloons. But escaping to nature isn’t difficult either. With an array of epic day trips accessible at your fingertips, you can float in freshwater swimming holes, explore the awe-inspiring Kings Canyon or marvel at the magnificent monolith, Uluru.
Tennant Creek is a town located in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is the seventh largest town in the Northern Territory, and is located on the Stuart Highway. Tennant Creek, a friendly hamlet on the main artery between Alice Springs and Darwin, where you can discover a rich history shaped by gold mining, Aboriginal culture and the NT’s original cattle kings. Australia’s last gold rush took place right here in the 1930s, earning the town its title of ‘the Territory’s heart of gold’.
Katherine is a town in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is situated on the Katherine River, after which it is named, 320 kilometres southeast of Darwin. This is where the Outback meets the tropics and you can discover a region full of gorges and misty waterfalls, thermal springs and ancient cultures. Nature comes alive at Katherine Gorge you can cruise, canoe or fly along the Gorge by helicopter.
Darwin is the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory Darwin and is a coastal city, situated along the western shoreline of the Northern Territory. The water meets the land from the Beagle Gulf, which extends out into the Timor Sea. Darwin’s proximity to Southeast Asia makes the city’s location a key link between Australia and countries such as Indonesia and East Timor. This tends gives it a diverse range of dining and cultural influences. It’s also a gateway to massive Kakadu National Park. Its popular waterfront area has several beaches and green areas like Bicentennial Park. Also near the water is the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, displaying Southeast Asian and Pacific art, plus a pearling lugger and other seafaring vessels.
Only a 60-minute drive south of Darwin, Litchfield National Park is possibly the Northern Territory’s best kept secret. The park is filled with stunning waterfalls and waterholes that are surrounded by monsoonal vine forests – all of which offer a cool respite on warm summer days. A drive through Litchfield is full of contrasts and some of the most enormous termite mounds in the Top End it features misty waterfalls nestled among dramatic landscapes.
Trawl along Katherine River through Nitmuluk National Park and take in the dramatic scenery as you move deeper into the stunning Katherine Gorge. With its abundant waterways, including rivers, gorges, pools and waterfalls, this region is where the outback meets the tropics. For fabulous views of remote and dramatic scenery, a boat journey is a must on your Northern Territory itinerary. Take this relaxing cruise at Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge where you’ll really feel the spirituality of the land and marvel at the gorges while you spot wildlife and learn about the history and culture of the local Traditional Owners, the Jawoyn people.
Travel deep into Kakadu for a cruise on the famous Yellow Water Billabong. You should see a stunning variety of birdlife such as sea eagles, brolgas and with any luck, fascinating little kingfishers. You’ll also see feared estuarine crocodiles basking in the muddy shallows.
About one third of Australia’s bird species are represented in Kakadu National Park, with at least 60 species found in the wetlands. Whistling Ducks and Magpie Geese are the most abundant. Eagles can be seen hovering searching for prey. And at times you will see distinctive Jabirus and may even get to see Brolgas dancing.
The iconic hike to the top of Kings Canyon is known as the spellbinding Rim Walk. The Rim Walk will take you on a 6 kilometre circuit transcending down into the Garden of Eden and back to the top to wonder at the 360 views. Depending on what pace you take to absorb the humbling scenery, the walk can take around 3-4 hours.
The start of the walk is the most difficult, with around 500 steep steps to climb. Once you are up there it will be one of the most magical experiences of your life. After you take in the views from the top of the stairs, continue your journey through Priscilla’s Crack made famous by the classic Australian movie Priscilla Queen of the Desert and to the first lookout across the canyon. From there you will see the marvelous sandstone domes (a mini-Purnululu) known as the Lost City due to it resembling an ancient city.
Next up is your choice to continue exploring the top or take the stairs down to the picturesque Garden of Eden filled with lush greenery where you can cross a secured bridge over the sacred watering hole. Once you have captured this iconic moment take the stairs back up to the south side of the canyon.
This 6km hike requires a high level of fitness so it’s not suitable for all travellers. The first 30-minute incline is considered “Difficult”. The Tour Director will offer an easier alternative along the creek walk for those that are unable.
Originally vacant crown land, Ian and Lyn Conway established Kings Creek Station in 1981. The station lies 36 kilometres from the magnificent Kings Canyon (Watarrka) and is set amongst majestic desert oaks. The station now runs cattle and is the largest exporter of wild camels in Australia.
Why not taste one of their famous camel burgers for lunch? You don’t want to miss out!
School of the Air is a generic term for correspondence schools catering for the primary and early secondary education of children in remote and outback Australia where some or all classes were historically conducted by radio, although this is now replaced by telephone and internet technology.
In Alice Springs you get to witness a live classroom lesson broadcast over 1.3 million square kilometres. These children living in remote locations that would otherwise have no access to public education. Your local specialist will walk you through the facility and understand how children living in remote areas gain high level of schooling.
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