Darwin to Alice Springs Uluru Tour

Best of the NT Tour with Aboriginal Guide

From Darwin via Litchfield, Kakadu Katherine Gorge, Devils Marbles, Alice Springs Tours with Kakadu National Park Wetlands & Katherine Gorge Cruises

This Best of the NT Tour explores Darwin to Alice Springs Uluru Tour via the highlights of the Top End with Litchfield National Park, then Kakadu National Park with our Aboriginal guide including cultural centres and Aboriginal rock art, a Kakadu wetlands cruise & Katherine Gorge cruise. Then cruise in comfort to the cooler south and Red Centre via Daly Waters, Tennant Creek, Devils Marbles to Alice Springs with optional extension to Uluru / Ayers Rock.

Tour details …

Day 1 – Depart Darwin to explore Litchfield National Park, one of the Territory’s major attractions. View spectacular features such as Magnetic Termite Mounds towering on the grassland plains, and majestic waterfalls. Discover numerous permanent waterfalls such as Tolmer, Wangi and Florence Falls and watch as they cascade from the sandstone plateaus of the Tabletop Range to create beautiful swimming holes throughout the park. You have the opportunity to swim, and photograph beautiful Buley Rockhole, before a delicious picnic lunch. Time now for Litchfields Lost City 4WD tour, to a remote collections of towering rocks resembling and ancient city, and a sacred place for traditional Aboriginal ceremony. Overnight Kakadu region. LD

Day 2 – Depart for Kakadu National Park and meet our Aboriginal guide. Explore. After a look at the township of Jabiru, take the picturesque drive to Ubirr Rock. We walk through amazing Aboriginal Art galleries, then to a spectacular lookout over the wetlands. Optional viewing and/or visit to nearby Ranger Uranium Mine, or scenic flight over the wetlands. Visit the Bowali Visitor Centre, and gain an appreciation of the special nature of this World rated National Park. Witness a stunning sunset over the wetlands before Overnight Cooinda Resort. BLD

Day 3 – Board the fascinating early morning Yellow Waters wetlands cruise amongst extraordinary birdlife & crocodiles in this World Heritage listed wetlands. Cruise next to giant crocs, view Jabiru, egrets, sea eagles, whistling ducks and many more local and migratory birds feasting in this abundant food basket. After our cruise we check out the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre then its time to explore the area around the stunning Nourlangie Rock art – a highlight of Kakadu. This area has some of the most impressive Aboriginal rock art in Kakadu. After our easy rock art walk and lunch we travel via Mary River for Pine Creek, an historic gold mining and railway town significant to Northern Territory development. Overnight Katherine BLD

Day 4 – From Katherine, we take the short drive to Nitmiluk National Park to enjoy a 2 hour river cruise in spectacular Katherine Gorge. Options also for helicopter flight to remote gorges and rock art sites. Back on the Stuart Highway we stop at Mataranka Springs and experience the life of early pioneers through the classic story “We of the Never Never” at the Elsey family homestead. Journey on to overnight at Daly Waters famous pub for a well earned beer and Barramundi (or beefsteak) dinner. Daly Waters is in-famous for an entertaining night show (seasonal) BLD


Sunset at Yellow Waters Kakadu Tour	Nourlangie Rock Art Kakadu Tour	Wallaby at Nourlangie Kakadu Tour

Day 5 – Visit Daly Waters war time air base, and Australia first international Airport, plus Stuarts Tree as marked by the exzplorer in 1862 on his 3rd attempt to forge a south – north route. We travel south and visit Newcastle Waters, Lake Woods and Renner Springs before crossing the Ashburton & Whittington Ranges. We stop at Three Ways where the road from Mt Isa and Townsville join the Stuart Highway. Here we see the John Flynn memorial (Flynn was the father of the Royal Flying Doctor Service). Check out Tennant Creek (gold mining country) before sunset and overnight here. In the morning we check out the gold mine, Telegraph Station. Devils Marbles are a highlight of this section, so we spend some time here amongst these amazing giant boulders. Aboriginal legend refers to these precariously balanced boulders as the “Eggs of the Rainbow Serpent”. Overnight Tennant Creek BLD

Day 6 – Wycliffe Wells, Barrow Creek, the Stuart Memorial, Mt Stirling and Ti-Tree are significant landmarks before we roll into Alice Springs in the afternoon – having travelled half way across Australia. On our way, we visit the Aboriginal Art Gallery at Aileron with impressive Aboriginal art from the area and it’s giant Aboriginal statues. In Alice Springs we have some time to explore local shops, or sightseeing including the Desert Park (flora and awesome fauna, birds of prey performance), Araluen Cultural Centre, Royal Flying Doctor Service, School of the Air, Overland Telegraph Station. Dinner & Overnight Alice Springs.

Day 7 – We cruise south from Alice to Uluru via Stuarts Well / Jim’s Place (singing dingo fame) and major roadhouses of Erldunda to view spectacular Mt Connor near Curtin Springs, arriving for a Welcome to Country, we visit the cultural centre, and Uluru sunset viewing. Overnight Uluru. BLD

Day 8 – An early start for Uluru at sunrise and a nearby breakfast. Opportunity for morning walk and quiet time at sacred Uluru waterholes and gorges. Available are guided walks of Uluru or free time to explore the 10km circuit, and numerous waterholes, caves and rock art gallerries. Tour continues today to complete with delivering you to the airport for your flight (or other transport) arrangements. Most flights depart Uluru before or around lunchtime. Optionally extend another day for further exploring Uluru and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) walk. B

Optional – Extra Day 9 – Further exploring Uluru and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) walk. Enjoy a hearty breakfast or alternatively enjoy the resort facilities or more time for walks or just relaxing with the power of Uluru. Transport available to airport for flight connections. Tour ends 10am after breakfast for flights home or road transport to Alice Springs available. Most flights depart Uluru before or around lunchtime.

Inclusions –

Small boutique group in modern 4 wheel drive vehicles – Landcruiser GXL
Professional and experienced driver / guides
Long established relationships with local Aboriginal people enriches experiences
All delicious meals, including vegetarian, unless noted in itinerary. Celebration completion meal.
Fully accommodated or camping gear which is modern and easy to use
All World Heritage and National Park entry and accommodation fees
Aboriginal Art community visits for “direct from artist” purchases
Contributions of tour price supports Outback Kids and nature care programs.

‘If you respect the land, then you will feel the land. Your experience will be one that you cannot get anywhere else in the world.’ Brian Baruwei – Wurrkbarbar clan. Aboriginal traditional owner