IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ
This is a small group adventure trip for ADULTS only where you will join other travellers from around the world. This is not a coach/hotel tour and tailor-made itineraries or car hire are NOT available. Trip is exclusively operated by OzXposure.
An unforgettable adventure that will take you the length of this amazing continent. From the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, North to South, this unforgettable adventure will take you the length of this amazing continent. Cross some of the most remotest areas in Australia in our self-sufficient 4WD vehicles. Watch the sun set at Ayers Rock. Hike Kings Canyon & Kakadu. Swim at Litchfield National and paddle up Katherine Gorge. Relax at Mission Beach before sailing the Great Barrier Reef & the Whitsundays before a 4WD adventure on Moreton Island.
Our Travel Style:
You will be joining a small group of other like-minded international travelers. Our small group sizes really let you get off the beaten path and escape the crowds. With no more than 14 people on tour you’ll enjoy all the flexibility of traveling with a small group of adventurous, like minded individuals. With our flexible nightstops we can alter our itinerary to take in more of what you want to see. Only possible with a small group of adventurous people from all over the world.
Our tours are designed for adults (18+). However, due to the nature of these tours, they tend to incorporate activities and nightlife that appeal to the young and young at heart. And don't worry about coming by yourself, you'll quickly make friends with other people who are as keen to see and experience Australia and New Zealand as you are.
Accommodation: Camping
Never Camped Before?... No worries. We supply everything needed for an easy camping experience. We use large 4 man tents on most of our tours with only 2 people to a tent so there’s loads of room. On some of our more remote tours we stay in permanent camps with comfortable hard top tents or in traditional Aussie Swags for a true outdoors experience.
We supply eskys (coolers), gas lights, stoves, tables and chairs, even plates, knives, forks and all other camp accessories.
The first 6 days of this trek is a wilderness trip and includes 3 bush camps. Facilities may be sparse though the scenery is outstanding. We may use several different vehicles on this trek.
Tour Description:
Our adventure begins with an early start from Perth. Traveling through the Jarrah forests of the Darling Ranges we follow the goldfields water pipeline through rolling farmlands and sleepy country towns. Your guide will tell you the fascinating story behind this engineering marvel constructed over 100 years ago. Soon we pass out of the golden wheatlands and into the historic gold mining areas of Southern Cross, Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie. At Kalgoorlie we take time out to visit the famous ’Super Pit’ and for last minute supplies before we head north to set up our first bush camp for the night alongside the road to Laverton.
Leaving the bitumen behind we head into the desert and towards the Red Centre. The Great Central Road takes us through beautiful breakaway country, past lakes that only contain water after substantial rainfall, aboriginal waterholes and art sites, and abandoned cattle stations that have been rehabilitated back to their natural state. We will make several stops along the way at road houses controlled by the Ngaanyatjarra Lan Council and have the opportunity to buy some genuine aboriginal artefacts. Keep a sharp eye out for the unique Australian wildlife, as well as wild camels that have roamed this desert area since the gold rush days. Tonight we once again set up a bush camp miles from civilization under the brilliant night skies of the desert.
We journey east through the Great Victoria Desert still following the Great Central Road. Tjukayirla is recognized as one of the most remote roadhouses in Australia. At the isolated Aboriginal community of Warburton we pause for a late morning break and perhaps a chance to visit the local cultural centre, and by afternoon the Rawlinson Ranges appear purple/blue in the distance. This is country traveled by Ernest Giles in 1874. The countryside reveals many fascinating sides today before we set up camp in the late afternoon somewhere near the Schwerin Mural Crescent alongside the Gunbarrel Highway.
Today we give you a chance to enjoy sunrise in a truly unique and beautiful setting. After breakfast we pause at the WA / NT border near the Aboriginal settlement of Docker River. Crossing the Docker River (there are no bridges out here) the Great Central Road passes through the magnificent Petermann Ranges and with only six more rivers to cross and a visit to Lasseters Cave, then the majestic Olgas will soon appear pink/purple on the horizon. After a breathtaking walk into the Olgas (Kata Tjuta) and distant views of Ayres Rock (Uluru) it is a short drive to the cultural centre for a close look at the Anangu way of life. Sunset will find us watching the setting sun change the colours of the worlds most famous rock.
An early rise is required today, not only to watch the sunrise but because the cool of the morning is the best time to for those that wish to climb Ayers Rock. For anyone not wanting to climb the Rock there is also plenty of time to seek out and explore the artwork and culture around the base of the Rock. The comfort of your air-conditioned seat on the coach will be appreciated this afternoon after your strenuous morning as we head around to Kings Creek Station. There is an opportunity to indulge in some optional activities such as camel ride, 4WD quad bike ride or even a helicopter ride over the George Gill Range.
We depart ’the Station’ early this morning so that we can explore King’s Canyon with its "Lost City" and "Garden of Eden" in the cool of the morning before spending a few days relaxing 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 Gorg; visit the Desert Park, go shopping or just hang out at the pool.
Next we head North up the Stuart Highway towards Darwin, stopping for photos at the Devils Marbles before arriving at our "bush camp" for the night. We visit the Daly Waters Pub before a relaxing swim at Mataranka Hot Springs. Next spend time at Manyallaluk - an Aboriginal community where you will have the unique opportunity to learn more about this ancient and fascinating culture. Learn how to throw a spear or even "make fire" using two sticks. Find out how the aboriginals existed for thousands of years in harmony with their surroundings. The aboriginals themselves teach these ancient skills. They will take us on a hike to learn more about "Bush Tucker". An excellent opportunity to purchase didgeridoos, paintings and woven baskets from the people who make them, and all the money stays in the community.
Our next destination is Kakadu National Park. Here you can explore rainforest, eucalyptus woodlands, swamps and mangroves, home to a wide variety of fauna and flora. There are some fantastic hikes leading you around detailed aboriginal rock artwork before we explore their northern cultural centre and a stunning sunset over the escarpment. Why not take a Yellow Water Billabong Cruise where you can spot crocodiles, birds, snakes, dingos and a large array of water birds.
Leaving Kakadu National Park, we continue to the city of Darwin. We will do a quick city tour before checking into the YHA for a bed for the next two nights. Let's head out for a meal on the town tonight and a beer at the Vic Hotel. A free day to sleep in or explore the city at your own pace. Take a sight seeing tour on the "Tour Tub" and leave some time for the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Well worth a look. We might even have a BBQ down by the beach tonight.
Leaving Darwin there is time for an optional tour through the award winning Territory Wildlife Park before arriving at Litchfield National Park. Time for a swim then a walk down to the base of Florence Fallsbefore heading to our semi-bush camp next to a crystal clear waterfall. Next, their is the option to take a memorable canoe trip through the magnificent Katherine Gorge.
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 and at hot springs for a swim. We travel through some vastly changing landscape where we can join the "Flying Doctor Museum" tour in Conclurry and then meet Russell in Mount Surprise and interact in his unique reptile show.
Crossing the Atherton Table lands we'll head into Cairns where a full day on our multi-million dollar sailing boat awaits. We’ll 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 the most extensive reef system in the world. A day you will remember for the rest of your life.
Leaving Cairns we’ll head South to Mission Beach. For those with a strong sense of adventure there is adrenaline pumping white water rafting on the Tully River or sea kayaking. Alternatively take the daily boat service out to Dunk Island and hike the rainforests looking for the elusive cassowary (similat to an emu) or even muster the courage to go tandem sky-diving.. 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 paradise that is the Whitsunday Islands 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, catch a launch to discover the underwater observatory, sky-dive, jet-ski or just lie by the pool! In the evening you can check out a live band & the local nightlife
Heading back to Airlie Beach and the mainland, continue south along the coast to Scarborough where we’ll pick up our 4WD vehicle for our 2 day tour of Moreton Island where 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 explore the shipwrecks and swim in the Blue Lagoon – a naturally formed “perched lake.” As good as Fraser Island without the crowds.
Catching a ferry back to the mainland we follow the Gold Coast to Surfers Paradise, playground of the rich and entertainment capital of Queensland. Take a surfing lesson or for more thrills, try one of Surfers’ theme parks. There are also plenty of bars and nightclubs keeping this 24 hour party city going!
The next day we head the morning in laid back Byron Bay, Australia’s most Easterly point. Explore this alternative community of surfers, hippies and travellers with its beautiful beaches, wholefood cafes and arts and crafts stalls. Southward bound, our final night will be in beach cabins at Coffs Harbour before we head south to Sydney for the end of our transcontinental tour of Australia.
*Please note: This tour combines the Desert Explorer and Reef 'n Rock itineraries. The first leg of this trek is a true outback experience. It includes 2 bush camps and 15 meals. On the first 6 days of this tour, we will be traveling in a specially designed 4 wheel drive vehicle operated by a partner company who specializes in this remote region of Australia as much of the driving is not on tarmac roads. Facilities may be sparse though the scenery is outstanding. You will be joining other travelers on these 6 days with a maximum group size of 20. We use swags not tents for the first five nights. Groups will join our usual our mini-bus vehicle at Alice Springs.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Included:
- Services of a professional tour leader.
- All transportation by mini-bus & 4WD vehicles
- All camping equipment (except your sleeping bag)
- 6 day 4WD Desert Bush Experience with meals
- Manyallaluk Aboriginal Experience
- Full day Outer Barrier Reef Cruise incl. snorkelling
- 2 day 4WD tour of Moreton Island includes sand boarding and transfers
- Entry fees and hiking at Uluru (Ayers Rock)
- Entry fees and hiking at Uluru (Ayers Rock)
- Hiking at Kings Canyon, Devils Marbles & Litchfield National Park
- Mataranka Hot Springs
- Admission to all National Parks and Aboriginal Sites as per itinerary.
- Plus Heaps more we haven't mentioned.
Also see tour packages in:
Australia and Oceania
Australia
Ecotourism
Multi-activity
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