Come and join us in Australia this summer on this great 42 day adventure roundtrip from Sydney. Sun, sail, surf & scuba await on the Eastern Coastline. Aboriginal culture and desert landscapes await in the outback centre. Rugged coastlines, wine regions and cosmopolitan cities are offered in the south. All in all, a fantastic Australian Summer adventure! Cost £0000 - 42 days TOUR NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Say a fond farewell to Sydney as we set out on our summer adventure. Leaving via the Sydney Harbour Bridge, we travel the coast road through Taree. A great place for a BBQ at the hostel tonight. Continue up the coast through Ballina to Byron Bay. Try your hand at surfing and "drop in" on a wave, stroll the beach promenade or just visit the shops and famous lighthouse.
Accommodation: Budget lodging included
Crossing the Queensland border we wind our clocks back an hour and the pace slows down. We catch the early morning ferry out to Moreton Island, where the world's highest sand dunes and our 4WD vehicles await you. Two days here with Alan and the crew will leave you chilled out. With miles of deserted white beaches and inland forests dotted with crystal clear lakes, this is the highlight of the trip for many. Snorkel in the refreshing waters around the sunken ship wrecks, hike Mt Tempest, the highest stabilized sand dune in the world, or just scream down our huge sand boarding run.
Accommodation: Budget lodging
Returning to the mainland we overnight at Mooloolabah right on the beach. Kick back for a few days at the inland cattle station. Jump on a horse or motorbike and help out with the daily fun on this 2,600 acre working cattle property. Meals are cooked over the open fire and Olive's home-made biscuits just melt in your mouth.
Accommodation: Budget lodging
Full of home cooking, we head back to the coast to Airlie Beach, the gateway of our expedition to the Whitsunday Island Group, some of the most picturesque sailing in the world. Choose from a 20 meter luxury sailing yacht to a fast moving Ocean Rafting boat, explore Whitehaven beach or snorkel the inner Barrier Reef but please don't forget that suntan lotion as the Aussie sun is hot. In the evening you can check out a live band & the local nightlife.
Accommodation: Budget lodging
Mission Beach doesn't shut down in summer. For those with a strong sense of adventure the adrenaline pumping white water rafting is at its peak. Alternatively, come and hike in the rain forest when it's raining and everything is lush and green! There is also tandem sky diving, fishing or even try sea kayaking out to luxurious Dunk Island. For a more leisurely day simply lounge on Mission Beach and work on your suntan. The choice is yours.
Accommodation: Budget lodging
We make our way to Cairns and board our multi-million dollar sailing yacht for a full day on the Outer Barrier Reef. Snorkel amongst the coral, marvel at the multitude of colour the fish will parade in front of you, wander on the sand atoll or try scuba diving (no experience needed) all in the same day! Don't worry; we will supply a mouth-watering tropical lunch just to keep your energy up.
Accommodation: Budget lodging
We then travel west over the Great Dividing Range, passing through small quiet outback country towns like Julia Creek and Cloncurry. Travel through some vastly changing landscapes en route to the mining town of Mt Isa. Depart Queensland through Camooweal and into the exciting Northern Territory to see just how flat this remarkable country is.
Accommodation: Budget lodging
Visit the historic Daly Waters Hotel for a refreshing drink, then take a refreshing dip in the turquoise waters of Mataranka's thermal pool, nestled amongst tall shady palms. Heading north, join us on a cruise down the river between the ancient cliff walls of Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk). Finish the day with a refreshing swim at Edith Falls. A popular place for Darwin locals to cool down during the summer months is Litchfield National Park. Spring-fed crystal clear waterfalls and plunge pools await you in this northern playground. Have your photo taken next to a magnetic termite mound three times your size!
Accommodation: Budget lodging
All refreshed? Then back on the road as we head to the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park, one of Australia's most beautiful wilderness areas. Join us as we explore Nourlangie & Ubirr Rock to see Aboriginal art thousands of years old. See the abundant bird life of the flood plains and maybe spot saltwater crocodiles, snakes, dingos and other wildlife on the world famous "Yellow Waters Billabong" cruise.
Accommodation: Budget lodging
The road south leads us past the Daly Waters Pub again. Visit the gold mining town of Tennant Creek before arriving at the eerie Devils Marbles in time for sunset. There are several short hikes around the area & some stunning photographs to be taken.
Accommodation: Budget lodging
We have three nights 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. There's the chance to hit the town in the evening for a meal out and maybe one of the local clubs or bars.
Accommodation: Budget lodging
Join us and our indigenous guides on an extended Aboriginal cultural day. Some of the teaching is indoors under the air conditioning and then we go "walkabout" looking for traditional foods and medicines in the bush. You will come away with a different view of the traditional owners of this vast land down under. We hit the track south to Kings Canyon and marvel at the sheer canyon walls.
Accommodation: Budget lodging
An early morning start to beat the heat as we hike the rim trail, visit the Lost City and Garden of Eden before heading back to the station for a well earned ice-cream. We arrive mid afternoon into Ayers Rock Resort so that we have plenty of time to get those spectacular sunset photos of one of the world's greatest monoliths, Uluru/Ayers Rock.
Accommodation: Budget lodging
Another early start to beat the heat as we take up the challenge and hike around the base of this enormous rock, whilst learning some of the Tjukurpa (Aboriginal Creation or Dreaming law) of the area. A swim in the pool back at Ayers Rock Resort is very welcome this afternoon.
Accommodation: Budget lodging
The journey continues southward to the Martian landscape of Coober Pedy where we take you on an underground opal mine tour - a great opportunity to purchase opals from the miners themselves. Tonight we all sleep underground in a "dugout" bunkroom after a night out with the locals.
Accommodation: Budget lodging
At last we get to see the sea again. Hey, what is a visit to Australia without at least one winery tour in the famous Barossa Valley? Spend time riding the tram and the waves in the southern capital of Adelaide during our two night stay.
Accommodation: Budget lodging
Keep some energy in reserve as the rugged peaks and hikes of the Grampians National Park await you. Here we will hike the ancient volcanic trails, photograph the lakes, waterfalls, gorges and kangaroos.
Accommodation: Budget lodging
More photos and maybe a helicopter flight over the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road, one of the most scenic stretches of coastal road in the world, before looking for koalas in the wild. Check out the surfing town of Torquay before arriving in the cosmopolitan capital of Melbourne. Wow, this could be a town in Europe: excellent bars and restaurants, great beaches, trams, outdoor cafes and nightlife. There's even a Neighbours Tour to the location of the famous TV series! How much more can one city offer?
Accommodation: Budget lodging
Our last day finds us in the majestic Blue Mountains, hiking the valley trails and riding the world's steepest railway. Arrive in Sydney to contemplate the ever changing landscape that you have travelled through on your amazing summer journey. Our tour ends at approx 18:00 hrs in Sydney on day 42.
Accommodation: Budget lodging
