Surf in Byron Bay, sail the Whitsunday Islands get an adrenaline buzz in Mission Beach. Relax at Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, travel through open Savannah lands to Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge) and the Aboriginal culture of Kakadu. Take in the wonders of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon). Adelaide and Melbourne before arriving back in Sydney. Cost £0000 42 days Tour no longer available.
Leaving Sydney via the Harbour Bridge we travel the coast road
through Taree to our overnight surf camp stay. Our surf instructors
are passionate professionals who are keen to get you up and riding
the waves during your included surf lesson and afterwards we chill
out at our secluded beach house. In the morning we continue up the
coast through Ballina to Byron Bay. Stroll the beach promenade;
hang-out with the locals or just visit the famous lighthouse.
Accommodation included: Budget lodging
Meals included: Day 1: Dinner, Day 2: Breakfast,
Day 3: Breakfast
Crossing the Queensland border this morning we have the option
to visit Australia Zoo or take one of the many hikes found in the
Hinterland area. We arrive early evening at our hostel just metres
from the Pacific Ocean for our Fraser Island tour briefing.
Accommodation included: Budget lodging
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
We help our local guide load our 4WD's this morning and then
catch the barge over to the world's largest sand island. The beach
is the highway as we travel up to Eurong Resort where we stay
tonight - dinner and buffet breakfast is included. Tomorrow we
visit Central Station, Lakes' Wabby and Mackenzie, the coloured
sand cliffs, Indian Head, Eli Creek and the Maheno shipwreck.
Returning to the mainland we stay overnight at Rainbow Beach again
before heading inland.
Accommodation included: Budget lodging
Meals included: Day 5: Breakfast, Lunch &
Dinner, Day 6: Breakfast & Lunch
We're up early to enjoy a rare encounter with the local dolphin
community before we head outback to kick back for a couple of days
at an inland cattle station. Jump on a horse and help out with the
daily fun on this cattle property. Come and ride the mechanical
bull or join in at the goat rodeo. Share a yarn (story) and a beer
from the bush bar while your meal is cooked over the open
fire.
Accommodation included: Budget lodging
Meals included: Day 7: Breakfast & Dinner, Day
8: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
We leave the bush behind and head to the coast and Airlie Beach.
Here we board our private chartered yacht for a 2 Day/2 Night
Whitsunday sailing experience. Swim, snorkel and explore the
deserted beaches or maybe hike to the lookout on Whitsunday Island.
All of your meals are supplied and we sleep onboard in sheltered
coves overnight.
Accommodation included: Onboard bunks
included
Meals included: Day 9: Breakfast & Dinner, Day
10: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Back on the mainland we head to Mission Beach, which works all
year around. For those with a strong sense of adventure the
adrenaline pumping white water rafting awaits you. Alternatively,
come and hike in the rain forest were 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 soak up the sun. The choice is
yours.
Accommodation included: Budget lodging
Meals included: Day 11: Breakfast & Dinner,
Day 12: Breakfast
Heading further north we stop at the Boulders for a refreshing
swim before catching the ferry across the Johnson River to our
rainforest retreat. There are plenty of options available here from
evening spotlight tours to an early sunrise kayaking trip (own
expense). Swim at the local beach or head back into the rainforest.
Finally our journey takes us back down the coast road to
Cairns.
Accommodation included: Budget lodging
Meals included: Day 13: Breakfast, Day 14:
Breakfast
We make our way down to the pier 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 and at own expense) ..all in the
same day! Don't worry, we will supply a mouth-watering tropical
lunch to keep your energy up.
Accommodation included: Budget lodging
Meals included: Day 15: Breakfast & Lunch
We then travel west over the Great Dividing Range. Spend a night
at Russell's place and see his unique snake show before travelling
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 before camping out in the middle of nowhere.
Accommodation included: Camping
Meals included: Food kitty paid locally with some
meals at own expense
Visit the historic Daly Waters Hotel for a refreshing drink,
before taking a dip in the turquoise waters of Mataranka's thermal
pool nestled amongst tall shady palms. Heading north, join us on an
optional cruise or canoe down the river between the ancient cliff
walls of Katherine Gorge.
Accommodation included: Camping
Meals included: Food kitty paid locally with some
meals at own expense
The journey continues as we head to World Heritage listed Kakadu
National Park, one of Australia's most inspiring wilderness areas.
We explore Nourlangie and 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 optional world famous "Yellow Waters
Billabong" cruise.
Accommodation included: Camping
Meals included: Food kitty paid locally with some
meals at own expense
Take a couple of days out to explore Australia's northern city.
Jump on the "tour tub" or hangout at the wave pool. Enjoy the night
life or stroll through the evening markets, maybe you'll want to
swim with a crocodile at Crocosaurus Cove. You can do all of this
and more in Darwin (all activities at own expense).
Accommodation included: Budget lodging
Meals included: Food kitty paid locally with some
meals at own expense
A popular place for Darwin locals to cool down is Litchfield
National Park. We take a side tour out to the spring-fed crystal
clear waterfalls and plunge pools in this northern playground. Have
your photo taken next to a termite mound three times your size
before our stay right near the plunge pools.
Accommodation included: Camping
Meals included: Food kitty paid locally with some
meals at own expense
This morning we join the local Aboriginal people to learn about
"Bush Tucker", how to throw a spear or even "make fire" using two
sticks. Be inspired as you discover how the Aboriginals existed for
thousands of years in harmony with their surroundings. It's a great
place didgeridoos, paintings and woven baskets directly from the
people who make them. We have time for another swim as we camp at
Mataranka Hot Springs.
Accommodation included: Camping
Meals included: Food kitty paid locally with some
meals at own expense.
Explore the sites around Devils Marbles this afternoon as we
capture some unique photographs of the area at sunset and sunrise.
We then have two nights in Alice Springs. 'The Alice' is home to
some of the world's best hot air ballooning. Take a day trip
(optional own expense) 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
by 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 included: Camping
Meals included: Food kitty paid locally with some
meals at own expense
This morning there's the opportunity to ride a quad bike or a
camel (optional at own expense) as we take the track south to Kings
Canyon. We hike the challenging rim trail to 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
allowing plenty of time to get those spectacular sunset photos of
one of the world's greatest monoliths, Uluru/Ayers Rock.
Accommodation included: Camping
Meals included: Food kitty paid locally with some
meals at own expense
Another early start to 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. Visit the award
winning Cultural Centre to learn more of the Aboriginal stories
before we visit Kata Tjuta (The Olgas).
Accommodation included: Camping
Meals included: Food kitty paid locally with some
meals at own expense
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 sleep underground in a "dugout" bunkroom after a night
out with the locals.
Accommodation included: Budget lodging
Meals included: Food kitty paid locally with some
meals at own expense
Emus and kangaroos await you at our Mt Remarkable hike. At last
we get to see the sea again. Hey, what is a visit to Australia
without at least one winery tour in this famous wine growing area?
Spend time riding the tram and the waves in the southern capital of
Adelaide during our beachside stay.
Accommodation included: Camping and Budget
Lodging
Meals included: Food kitty paid locally with some
meals at own expense
Keep some energy in reserve as the rugged peaks and hikes of the
Grampians National Park await! Here we will hike the ancient
volcanic trails, photograph the lakes, waterfalls, gorges and
kangaroos.
Accommodation included: Camping
Meals included: Food kitty paid locally with some
meals at own expense.
More photos and maybe a helicopter flight over the Twelve
Apostles (own expense)! The Great Ocean Road is one of the most
scenic stretches of coastal road in the world. Search for koalas in
the wild and 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 included: Camping and Budget
Lodging
Meals included: Food kitty paid locally with some
meals at own expense
Our last days find us winding up the South East coastline
visiting quiet fishing towns and near deserted beaches. As we
return to Sydney, you will contemplate the ever changing landscape
that you have travelled through on one amazing Road Trip!
Accommodation included: Budget lodging on day
41
Meals included: Food kitty paid locally with some
meals at own expense
Tour ends at approx 17:00 - 18:00 hrs in Sydney on day
42.
