AAT Kings - Outback Safari Itinerary

Today is one of colours. The ochre soil spiked with cycads as you come into land. The endless blue sky. The russet hues of Uluru… And that’s all before the enchanting hour. Uluru has been home to the Anangu for millennia. You will discover their connection to the land when you arrive in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park at sunset watching the shifting colours transform the desert. Elevate your evening with the exclusive Uluru Barbecue Dinner (own expense).

Flights to arrive prior to 3.00pm into Ayers Rock Airport

Accommodation: Uluru - 2 Nights

Help protect the highlights of Australia's wilderness through your bucket list visit to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. You'll encounter the iconic Uluru, half a billion years old, standing 348 metres high and taller than the Eiffel Tower. If you’re looking for a reason to roll out of bed before dawn, make it an Uluru sunrise. We’re not saying it’s better than the sunset. But rising with the birds certainly has benefits. Like being cool when you tour the base of the world’s biggest monolith. A circumnavigation is 11 kilometres, if you’re up for it.

Or you can join a guided walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole, a sacred spot decorated with millennia-old Aboriginal rock paintings. Dive even deeper into First Nations traditions at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. Then wander through Kata Tjuta and Walpa Gorge, with more bubbles to serenade another sunset.

The only other reason to get up before dawn is to glimpse the Uluru Field of Light, a dazzling installation by British artist Bruce Munro that sees 50,000 stem-like globes blanket the Uluru soil (own expense). It’s optional – we won’t judge you for sleeping in, steeling yourself for today’s adventures. But if you’ve come this far, it would be a shame to opt for shut-eye over eye-popping.

Speaking of which, did you know Australia has the largest population of wild camels in the world, and Kings Creek Station, your next stop, is the largest exporter of these doe-eyed creatures? From here, the land eases into Kings Canyon, part of the immense Watarrka National Park. Views over the Red Centre are perspective-resetting. Feeling fit? Get your heart pumping on the 500 step climb on the 6km rim walk or take it easier on the creek bed walk.

Accommodation: Kings Canyon - 1 Night

Cattle stations are the size of small nations in the NT outback, as you’ll discover on your journey toward Alice Springs. The other ‘big’ thing in these parts is the MacDonnell Ranges, undulating across the red earth like a caterpillar's spine. Back in 1872, Alice Springs was a hive of activity, as a Telegraph Station was built to connect Adelaide and Darwin as part of the Overland Telegraph Line. Sweat and tears went into the project, as you’ll discover browsing the grounds. Finally – panoramas from Anzac Hill steal the scene.

Accommodation: Alice Springs - 2 nights

Visit Alice Springs Desert Park. It's home to a vast range of plants and wildlife native to the area. You can really appreciate the beauty and diversity of this incredible landscape. In remote parts of Australia, community is everything, whether to ensure stories of the Arrernte people are not forgotten, or to help those who need help. The passionate Royal Flying Doctor Service health workers commute hundreds of kilometres to provide aid. Their stories are at once uplifting and inspiring.

End the day on a high at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre, where the Falzon family host a BBQ Be My Guest dinner under the stars. This is a lesson in off-the-grid, sustainable living. Let it inspire you to follow suit at home.

Before leaving Alice Springs this morning, visit the School of the Air to witness a classroom lesson broadcast over 1.3 million square kilometres to children living in remote locations. Then travel north, stopping to visit Karlu Karlu, an intriguing group of precariously-balanced granite boulders.

Later, settle into your accommodation at the former gold-mining town of Tennant Creek.

Accommodation: Tennant Creek - 1 Night

Travel further north, visiting the quirky Daly Waters Pub and  leave a memento to decorate the walls before continuing to Mataranka, where a swim in the warm, crystal-clear waters of the thermal springs is a must-do. If you were a fan of TV drama We of the Never Never, you’ll recognise your next destination: the (replica) Elsey Homestead. Tonight is spent in Katherine.

Accommodation: Katherine - 1 Night

Explore the natural beauty of Nitmiluk National Park on a cruise along Nitmiluk Gorge. You’ll wind through this gorge carved through ancient sandstone alongside steep cliff walls, watching for lush rainforest gullies in giant cracks, and maybe a freshwater crocodile or two on the banks. You can almost feel the spirits yawning as they created this landscape on Jawoyn land, part of Nitmiluk National Park. A sprinkling of crocs, a flutter of rare birds. It takes your breath away. More wildlife lurks in Kakadu’s Yellow Water Billabong, which is a mecca for sea eagles, brolgas and little kingfishers.

Accommodation: Kakadu - 1 Night

This morning you’ll have the opportunity to take an optional flight over Kakadu and Arnhem Land. Later visit Ubirr and view Aboriginal rock art dating back some 20,000 years. Climb to the top of this rocky outcrop for spectacular views over the flood plains and escarpment country. You may recognise the location from the famous Australian film, Crocodile Dundee! This afternoon you will arrive in tropical Darwin. After a brief tour around Darwin the evening is free to explore. We highly recommend you explore the popular Mindil Markets for dinner and to watch a famous top end sunset over the beach.

Accommodation: Darwin - 2 nights

Travel to Litchfield National Park, pausing to examine the amazing 100-year-old, giant magnetic termite mounds that dot the landscape. We’re not sticking around though – Florence and Wangi falls await.

Change into your swimming costume and take a dip in the gem-like waterholes. (Swimming is seasonal and opening is controlled by NT Parks). Darwin can get steamy, but you’ll have wind in your sails as you cruise the harbour at sunset, enjoying one last toast to the NT.

Say farewell to your fellow travellers when your holiday comes to an end this morning after breakfast.

Flights to depart anytime from Darwin Airport

Itinerary Variations:
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