Heart of Australia - Red Centre and Kakadu 2025
Immerse yourself in the true outback experience as we travel through the heart of Australia’s Red Centre to Kakadu. See the night sky, ancient landscapes and unique flora and fauna like never before.
19 Day Tour
Saturday 3 May - Wednesday 21 May 2025
Tour Cost (GST inclusive):
$12,535 per person twin share
$2,480 single supplement
Inclusions
- Luxury Coach Travel in our Business Class Coach
- Economy flights from Brisbane to Adelaide and Darwin to Brisbane
- Wine tasting at Lambert Estate, Barossa Valley
- Guided tour and morning tea at Bungaree Station
- Entry and guided tour at Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens
- Entry and lunch at Woomera Heritage Centre
- Guided tour of Coober Pedy
- Entry to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park with ranger guide
- Sounds of Silence Dinner
- Light Towers at Sunset Experience at Kings Canyon Resort
- Entry to School of the Air, Alice Springs
- Entry and guided tour of Old Telegraph Station
- Entry to Standley Chasm
- Spirit of the Outback dinner and show at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre
- Lunch at Daly Waters Pub
- Outback lunch and show at Katherine Outback Experience
- Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Dinner tour with Nitmiluk Tours
- Entry to Kakadu National Park and Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre
- Yellow Water Sunset Cruise
- Adelaide River Queen cruise
- Entry to Litchfield National Park
- Entry to Darwin Military Museum and RFDS
- Dinner cruise with Spirit of Darwin Cruises
- 18 nights motel accommodation
- 18 cooked breakfasts, 18 two course dinners, 10 lunches
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: (D)
Brisbane to Adelaide
Sat 3 May 25
Welcome to our unforgettable journey from Adelaide to Darwin featuring some of the most special experiences in Coober Pedy, Uluru, Katherine and Kakadu. Today we travel to Adelaide by air, where our coach will be waiting for us, ready for the adventure ahead. We check into our overnight accommodation for our welcome dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 2: (BLD)
Adelaide to Clare
Sun 4 May 25
Our first stop today is to One Tree Hill, located between the Adelaide Hills and Barossa. Al Ru Farm includes 10 acres of picturesque gardens, created some 40 years ago from paddocks by present owners Alan and Ruth Irving. Here we enjoy a guided tour and morning tea. The country estate, grounds and buildings are truly unique and proudly among the best private gardens in the state. Next, we head to the Barossa Valley, one of Australia’s oldest, most productive and best-known wine regions. Early German and English settlers began planting grapes here and now more than 150 vintage years later, the wines are world renowned. Here we visit Lambert Estate Wines. With rolling vineyards, majestic gums and stunning views it is the perfect place to enjoy a wine tasting and delicious lunch. Our afternoon’s journey takes us to Clare, for our overnight stay.
Day 3: (BD)
Clare to Port Augusta
Mon 5 May 25
This morning, we have a special visit to Bungaree Station. Established in 1841, this merino sheep station is still run by the descendants of the original founder. Here we take a guided tour with a member of the family who will give us a wonderful insight into 19th century station life. We will visit sites such as St Michaels Church and Cemetery, the Homestead gardens and the Station Store. Morning tea is served prior to our departure. Then it’s onto Port Augusta. The Australian Outback is home to many species of flora that have adapted to this fragile and complex arid ecosystem. At the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden, we’ll be enthralled learning about the thousands of highly evolved plant communities specifically adapted to thrive in this environment where temperatures are extreme, and drought can last decades.
Day 4: (BLD)
Port Augusta to Coober Pedy
Tue 6 May 25
Today our path leads us to Woomera, known for its long-range missile and rocket testing site. This is the largest land-based range in the world and we delve into its interesting history at the Heritage Centre. After lunch here, the remainder of the afternoon is spent travelling to Coober Pedy – Australia’s opal capital. Beneath the ground, there is a labyrinth of underground houses, hotels and even shops tucked under the earth’s surface to escape the extreme heat in summer.
Day 5: (BD)
Coober Pedy
Wed 7 May 25
We are joined by a local guide who will introduce us to the region this morning. We are in for an interesting journey as we take a town tour and visit a mine, an underground church, the Big Winch Lookout and Coober Pedy’s Opal Fields Golf Course, the only course in the world with reciprocal rights to Saint Andrews (the home of golf) in Scotland. We have time to wander through the town to purchase lunch before heading to The Breakaways. This reserve consists of spectacular flat topped, colourful mounds that have risen from the desert floor. Dinner tonight will be at John’s Pizza Bar.
Day 6: (BLD)
Coober Pedy to Yulara
Thu 8 May 25
We have a travel day ahead as we go through the vast and arid regions of northern South Australia via the Stuart Highway. Crossing the border into the Northern Territory we’ll stop for lunch at Marla. From here we drive through to Erldunda, at the junction of the Lasseter Highway which will take us to Yulara. We’ll pass Mount Conner on our left, the flat topped mesa which is thought to be part of the vast rocky substrate beneath Uluru. We arrive in Yulara, the gateway to World Heritage Listed Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park. The rock itself rises 348 metres from the desert floor and has a girth of 9.4km. This evening, we head out to Sunset Strip for an experience of a lifetime to watch the changing colours of this magnificent monolith as the sun sets. Uluru puts on a remarkable light show as it changes from red to orange to lilac in a matter of minutes. We enjoy this special experience before returning to the resort.
Day 7: (BD)
Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park
Fri 9 May 25
For the very early risers, the coach will depart for the Sunrise Viewing Area to experience the first glimpse of the day and some brilliant photo opportunities. Mid-morning we return to the National Park and arrive at the rock for a ranger guided Mala Walk. Learn about the Aboriginal perceptions of Uluru, its powerful significance and how the Anangu Traditional Owners and local Rangers are looking after the park together. Next, we visit the Mutitjulu Waterhole which also features some incredible rock art. We spend time at the Cultural Centre before heading to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) or place of many domes. There are excellent views from the observation deck. Dinner tonight will be very special and one of the highlights of the tour. Winner of many tourism awards, the Sounds of Silence Dinner is a unique outback experience and a must do while staying at Uluru. We begin with canapes and chilled sparkling wine upon a dune top overlooking the Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park, then listen to the moving sound of the didgeridoo as the sun sets and darkness falls. Join your fellow travellers for an unforgettable dining experience. As the night twinkles to life, enjoy a freshly prepared, bush tucker inspired menu. Then settle back and listen to a resident star talker decode the southern night sky. What a memorable experience!
Day 8: (BD)
Yulara to Kings Canyon
Sat 10 May 25
After a leisurely breakfast we travel to Kings Canyon, a majestic destination featuring 100m high sandstone walls, palm filled crevices and views that stretch across the desert. This evening, we enjoy nibbles and drinks at the incredible Luritja Lookout. Spectacular hues of red, orange and purple are filtered through the Red Centre’s unique sandy surrounds, before millions of stars come out to play. We then make our way to the Light Towers, an immersive sound and light installation by acclaimed international artist Bruce Munro. Wander through the 69 two metre towers made up of 216 glass bottles per tower that change colour as an entrancing soundscape by composer Orlando Gough plays, taking us on a captivating and immersive auditory and visual journey.
Day 9: (BLD)
Kings Canyon to Alice Springs
Sun 11 May 25
This morning, we have the chance to enjoy the 2km Creek Bed Walk. Admire the soaring canyon walls and incredible flora and fauna of the canyon before reaching the lookout point which offers spectacular views of the sheer cliff face at the far end of the canyon. Today we travel to Alice Springs, the thriving and spirited centre of the outback.
Day 10: (BLD)
Alice Springs
Mon 12 May 25
Today we uncover the highlights of Alice Springs. We begin with panoramic views of the town and surrounding area at Anzac Hill. Next, we take a look at School of the Air, a service dedicated to educating students in remote areas, before visiting the Old Telegraph Station and the original Alice Springs. With incredible indoor and outdoor displays, the story of the connection of Australia and the rest of the world through telegraph communication unfolds. We then visit the 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 communication technology, the RFDS delivers extensive primary healthcare and 24 hour emergency service to those who live, work and travel throughout remote Australia.
Day 11: (BD)
Alice Springs
Tue 13 May 25
This morning, we take in the majestic Western MacDonnell Ranges. The landscape in this area is outstanding! We stop at Simpsons Gap to see the soaring cliffs and enduring water hole before continuing to see the towering walls of Standley Chasm. Admire the glow from the reflecting sunlight to create a breathtaking display of colour, making it a must see experience. We have time at leisure this afternoon where you might like to relax in the hotel or make your own way to one of the many attractions in Alice Springs – the choice is yours! Tonight we head to Earth Sanctuary – a World Nature Centre at Quandong Homestead to enjoy a delicious bush BBQ. We will be treated to music, entertainment and experience the spirit of the outback through stories of local ecology, culture and astronomy. What an incredible day!
Day 12: (BLD)
Alice Springs to Tennant Creek
Wed 14 May 25
Departing Alice Springs this morning, we cross the Tropic of Capricorn not far out of town. we’ll also pause at Central Mount Stuart, the geographical centre of Australia. We stop to visit the Karlu Karlu Devils Marbles, steeped in aboriginal legend as the eggs of the sacred rainbow serpent. We have time to marvel at the collection of massive granite boulders. Arriving in the modern outback mining town of Tennant Creek, we have time to settle into our motel and freshen up before dinner.
Day 13: (BLD)
Tennant Creek to Katherine
Thu 15 May 25
Our journey today takes us through Daly Waters where we stop for lunch. The pub here is the oldest pub in the Northern Territory and is a well-known spot for many of the air personnel who served in the Pacific during World War II. This afternoon we continue to Mataranka where, time permitting, we can enjoy the fantastic mineral pools before arriving in Katherine, our home for the next two nights.
Day 14: (BLD)
Katherine
Fri 16 May 25
This morning, we are in for a real treat at Golden Guitar winner and horseman extraordinaire, Tom Curtain’s Katherine Outback Experience. The show celebrates life in the outback through real horse starting, working dog demonstrations and humorous bush tales. Lunch will follow this amazing experience. This afternoon we travel to Nitmiluk to enjoy a journey of discovery through the magnificent Nitmiluk Gorge. Be transported to the spiritual world of Jawoyn culture and history as we cruise down the tranquil waters. Witness the changing colour of the setting sun against the glorious backdrop of cliff faces before a delicious candle lit dinner under the sparkling stars. What a magical day!
Day 15: (BD)
Katherine to Kakadu
Sat 17 May 25
Today we experience the magic of World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park. Kakadu is one of the world’s greatest wonders with remarkable scenery and unique flora and fauna. We make our way to Cooinda where we have time to check in to our overnight accommodation. At the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre, we discover the stories of the traditional owners through displays, artefacts and exhibitions. Next, we board our magical Yellow Water Sunset Cruise where we have a front row seat to the harmonious coexistence of a diverse range of wildlife. Yellow Water Billabong showcases prehistoric saltwater crocodiles gliding stealthily through the water while the skies above are filled with vibrant bird species including the Jabiru and white-bellied sea eagle. Upon the banks you’ll find water buffalo, brumbies and wild pigs. As the sun paints the water’s surface with a warm glow, our knowledgeable guide will describe the intricate relationship between local Bininj/Mungguy people, their culture and the significance of these waterways to their existence for thousands of years. This is truly an incredible experience. Back on dry land, we return to our hotel close by for dinner
Day 16: (BLD)
Kakadu to Darwin
Sun 18 May 25
This morning, we explore Australia’s 50,000 year Aboriginal heritage through an incredible natural rock art gallery. The walls of Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) have served as canvases for thousands of years, providing windows to a rich spiritual tradition. As we make our way to Darwin, witness the fabulous Jumping Crocodile Cruise. See powerful saltwater crocodiles as they propel themselves high out of the water to snatch their prey. With the help from our experienced guides, we’ll learn more about these magnificent creatures while watching the crocs jump for food from the safety of our boat. We arrive in Darwin, our home for the next three nights.
Day 17: (BD)
Darwin
Mon 19 May 25
Accompanied by a local guide, we delve into the captivating and rich history of Darwin. Many are unaware of Darwin’s crucial role during World War II, so our exploration includes an examination of the city’s significance and the history surrounding the bombings it endured. On our guided tour, we’ll encounter visible remnants and artefacts left behind in the aftermath of the devastating attack which posed a serious threat to Australia. Our itinerary also incorporates a visit to the Darwin Military Museum, offering further insights into this pivotal period. We have time at leisure to purchase lunch before meeting up again later today to visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service Darwin Tourist Facility where we’ll also learn about the Bombing of Darwin. Then we board the Spirit of Darwin to watch the sun set on the harbour before a delicious dinner.
Day 18: (BLD)
Litchfield National Park
Tue 20 May 25
Today we visit Litchfield National Park. With untouched rainforests, stunning waterfalls and magnificent scenery, Litchfield has gained the reputation as the jewel of the Northern Territory’s crown. We enjoy lunch at Litchfield Café before spending time exploring the park. There are some great photo opportunities as we stop to see the magnetic anthills and see the cascading Florence Falls. For anyone looking for a swim, take a dip in the Wangi Falls plunge pool. After a lovely day we return to our hotel for our final night on tour together.
Day 19: (B)
Darwin to Brisbane
Wed 21 May 25
Our incredible tour has come to an end. With our bags packed we are transferred to the airport for our return flight. We return home feeling elated having travelled to some of the most unique regions of Australia.