Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Kalbarri and the entire Western Australia coastline, Darwin, Kakadu, Alice Springs, Kings Canyon, Ayers Rock, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Whitsunday Islands, Moreton Island and everywhere in between! The only tour of its kind in Australia! Cost £0000 - 69 days Tour no longer available.
Much of the epic journey will be tailored as we go, so flexibility is the main ingredient of this tour. The first few days finds us taking the south coast road down to Victoria. Then a two-night stop in the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne where you'll have plenty of time to appreciate this attractive city and sample a diverse range of international cuisine. Leaving Melbourne, we head west on the Great Ocean Road, one of the most scenic coastal stretches in the world, famed for dramatic rock formations, such as the Twelve Apostles and the amazing Shipwreck Coast. Spend two days hiking in the magnificent Grampian Mountains (Gariwerd).
Accommodation: 4 Budget Lodging nights & 3 Camping nights included
Explore Adelaide before we cross the mighty Nullarbor Plain. Maybe spot whales, dolphins or even wild camels on this desolate stretch of highway. Along the way we'll go hiking in Mt Remarkable National Park, spotting wild kangaroos and emus at a fantastic lookout over the surrounding gulf country before heading back to our semi bush camp. Check out the remote coastal towns and vast open spaces of the Nullarbor Plains before meeting back up with the Southern Ocean at Esperance. Come and hike in the tree tops at the "Valley of the Giants" before climbing the famous Bicentennial Tree. From the Karri forests we will then take time to explore some of the great caves found in this area. We watch the Indian and Southern Ocean convergence before a glass of wine as we tour the Margaret River winery area.
Accommodation: 1 Budget Lodging night, 5 Camping nights & 1 Bush Camp night included
Relax in Perth for a couple of nights. We depart Perth and head north through market gardens and vineyards to join up with Highway 1 on our way to Nambung National Park and the fascinating Pinnacles. Maybe go sand boarding before we hike in Kalbarri National Park. Here we take time to view Nature's Window, the Loop and discover the wonders of the Z-Bend Gorge. At Z-Bend Gorge it is an exhilarating 150 metre descent into the heart of the gorge - well worth the effort - where there is time to explore and swim in the tranquil fresh water pools. For the adventurous there is even an opportunity to try your hand at abseiling.
Next stop is Shell Beach and the world famous Monkey Mia bottlenose dolphins - it's a unique experience and there are some fantastic photo opportunities. Almost as famous as the dolphins are Monkey Mia's pelicans. Check them out during the dolphin feeding. Next, we head to Coral Bay to soak up the sun, relax and swim the crystal clear waters, or gaze at the beautiful colours and shapes of the coral reefs at Ningaloo Reef. You can go snorkelling, cruise on the glass bottom boat, take a quad bike tour or even a joy flight over the reef.
Accommodation: 2 Budget Lodging nights & 5 Camping nights included
We then head inland towards the oasis that is Karijini National Park. We will take on extra provisions in the iron ore mining town of Tom Price before setting up our camp overlooking the magnificent Hamersley Range. You will see why we have allowed the next two days to explore and bask in the magnificence of this National Park area and its Gorges. The Hamersley Ranges were formed over 2,500 million years ago and are some of the most unusual landforms on earth. From cascading waterfalls found deep in the gorges to fresh still pools ideal for swimming, we experience it all. Some of the gorges are so narrow that you can touch both sides at once.
Accommodation: 2 Bush Camp nights + 5 Camping nights included
After loading our vehicle we head back into civilisation and the old pearling town of Broome. Catch a camel ride on the beach or a movie in the outdoor picture theatre. From here we continue northeast, take a boat ride on Geike Gorge before we join our 4WD for a 2 day tour through the Bungle Bungle Ranges. Visit Mini Palms, Echidna Chasm, Cathedral Gorge and walk along Piccaninny Creek before we must head back to Turkey Creek. See the Ord River Dam system that irrigates this north west corner of the state, hike in Hidden Valley and relax in Kununurra before crossing the border into the Northern Territory.
Accommodation: 2 Budget Lodging nights & 5 Camping nights included
Next stop Litchfield National Park with its magnetic termite mounds and towering waterfalls. We return to civilisation in Darwin with a real bed in the hostel. We normally go out for a meal and perhaps a fling at a nightclub for those in a party mood. There is a free day to take in the sights of this frontier city. See the museums, the historic early settlement, take a trip on the "Tour Tub", or just chill out by the pool.
A chance for last minute shopping before we head out on the road to the "World Heritage Listed" Kakadu National Park, one of Australia's most beautiful areas of wilderness. We'll take you to Nourlangie Rock to see Aboriginal rock art thousands of years old before watching the sunset where the Aborigines have lived for over 40,000 years or take a cruise on the Yellow Water Billabong where you can spot the many crocodiles, birds, snakes, dingos and other wildlife that are abundant in Kakadu. Next stop is Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk), where you can take a cruise up two of the magnificent natural gorges carved by the Katherine River.
Accommodation: 2 Budget Lodging nights, 1 Bush Camp & 5 Camping nights included
We head to the Aboriginal buffalo station of Manyallaluk and join the locals to try some "Bush Tucker", and learn how to throw a spear or even "make fire". Find out how the Aborigines existed for thousands of years in harmony with their surroundings. The Aborigines themselves teach the ancient skills. Also a great place to purchase didgeridoos, paintings & woven baskets from the people who make them. We have time for a relaxing swim at Mataranka Hot Springs after setting up camp.
The road south leads us past the Daly Waters Pub before arriving at the eerie Devils Marbles in time for sunset. Come and hike the rim trail at Kings Canyon. Marvel at the sheer canyon walls and hike over the Lost City and the Garden of Eden before arriving at Ayers Rock Resort. Plenty of time this evening for that world famous picture of Uluru/Ayers Rock at sunset. Next day we'll take you on a guided walk around the base of one of the world's largest monoliths, Uluru/Ayers Rock, and reveal some of the Aboriginal legends that abound in this World Heritage Area, we then explore Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) before viewing the sunset over these surreal domes.
Accommodation: 1 Bush Camp & 6 Camping nights included
We then take a break in Alice Springs. "The Alice" is home to some of the world's best hot air ballooning, complete with a champagne breakfast. Consider taking an optional day trip through the Western MacDonnell Ranges where you can see Simpson's Gap, the Ochre Pits or even hike around Ormiston Gorge; visit the Desert Park, go shopping or just hang out at the pool.
The next few days will be a real outback adventure as we cross the remote landscapes of North Eastern Queensland. You'll get a real feel for the vastness and emptiness of much of Australia's interior. We set up bush camps along the way, pass through mining towns, stop at characteristic outback pubs for refreshments. We travel through some vastly changing landscape before meeting Russell in Mount Surprise and seeing his unique reptile show.
Crossing the Atherton Tablelands we'll head into Cairns where a full day on our multi-million dollar sailing boat awaits. Come out and cruise to the Outer Barrier Reef where you can snorkel or dive some of the best sites and marvel at the vast array of marine life living in this extensive reef system. A day you will remember for the rest of your life.
Accommodation: 2 Budget lodging night, 1 Bush Camp & 4 Camping nights included
Mission Beach is our next destination. For those with a strong sense of adventure there is adrenaline pumping white water rafting or sea kayaking. Alternatively take the daily boat service out to Dunk Island or even muster the courage to go tandem sky-diving. There are also some great rainforest walks, where you might spot a cassowary. For a more leisurely day simply lounge on Mission Beach and work on your suntan.
Our next stop is Airlie Beach, from where you can access the beautiful waterways that make up the Whitsunday Islands Group and some of the most picturesque sailing in the world. The choice today is yours. Choose between a full day on a fast Maxi sailing yacht, take a cruise to a millionaire's resort, go ocean rafting, jet-ski or just lie by the pool! In the evening you can check out a live band & the local nightlife. Come and relax at our private cattle station where you can horse back ride, join a 4WD tour of the station or maybe even grab a farm motorbike and help out with the day-to-day chores on this 2,600 acre property and enjoy some traditional Australian country hospitality.
Accommodation: 3 Budget Lodging nights & 4 Camping nights included
Continue south along the coast to Wynnum where we'll catch the ferry for our 2 day 4WD tour of Moreton Island. Here the world's highest sand dunes await you. With miles of deserted white beaches and inland forests dotted with crystal clear lakes, this is the highlight of the trip for many. We'll hike some of the trails, visit the Tangalooma Wrecks and maybe view dolphins, fish or pods of whales in season. You can also snorkel amongst the shipwrecks and swim in the Blue Lagoon - a naturally formed "perched lake."
Back on the mainland we head south to laid back Byron Bay, Australia's most easterly point. Explore this alternative community of surfers, hippies and travellers with its beautiful beaches, cafes and arts and crafts stalls. Maybe catch a surfing lesson or try hang gliding. After a final night at Coffs Harbour we'll continue heading south down the coast before arriving into Sydney where we began 10 weeks ago and the end of our "All of Oz" adventure.
Accommodation: 2 Budget Lodging & 3 Camping nights included
Tour ends at approx: 17:00 - 18:00 hrs in Sydney on day 69.
