Outback Safari
Outback Safari
Outback Safari
11 Days Starting in Uluru and ending in Darwin
Visiting: Uluru, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine, Kakadu National Park, Darwin
Tour Overview
World Heritage Sites like Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park are just the entrée to this deep dive into the Northern Territory. Main course includes Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge tours, Kings Canyon hikes, Earth Sanctuary stargazing, sunrise at Uluru, a Yellow Water Billabong cruise… and eating a lot of good food. Wherever you venture, Aboriginal Songlines are strong, permitting you the privilege to glimpse millennia-old rock art, meet Elders, go-to-the artistic source and sample bush tucker.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Uluru
Location: Uluru
Accommodation Name: Desert Gardens
Today is one of colours. The ochre soil spiked with cycads as you come into land. The endless blue sky. The russet hues of Uluru… And that’s all before the enchanting hour. Uluru has been home to the Anangu for millennia. You will discover their connection to the land when you arrive in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park at sunset watching the shifting colours transform the desert. Elevate your evening with the exclusive Uluru Barbecue Dinner (own expense).
Day 2: Uluru Sunrise - Kata Tjuta
Location: Uluru
Accommodation Name: Desert Gardens
Help protect the highlights of Australia's wilderness through your bucket list visit to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. You'll encounter iconic Uluru, half a billion years old, standing 348 metres high and taller than the Eiffel Tower. If you’re looking for a reason to roll out of bed before dawn, make it an Uluru sunrise. We’re not saying it’s better than the sunset. But rising with the birds certainly has benefits. Like being cool when you tour the base of the world’s biggest monolith. A circumnavigation is 11 kilometres, if you’re up for it. Or you can join a guided walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole, a sacred spot decorated with Aboriginal rock art. Later, visit Kata Tjuta and wander through Walpa Gorge, with more bubbles to serenade another sunset.
Day 3: Uluru - Kings Canyon
Location: Uluru
Accommodation Name: Kings Canyon Resort
The only other reason to get up before dawn is to glimpse the Uluru Field of Light, a dazzling installation by British artist Bruce Munro that sees 50,000 stem-like globes blanket the Uluru soil (own expense). It’s optional – we won’t judge you for sleeping in, steeling yourself for today’s adventures. But if you’ve come this far, it would be a shame to opt for shut-eye over eye-popping. Speaking of which, did you know Australia has the largest population of wild camels in the world, and Kings Creek Station, your next stop, is the largest exporter of these doe-eyed creatures? From here, the land eases into Kings Canyon, part of the immense Watarrka National Park. Views over the Red Centre are perspective-resetting. Feeling fit? Get your heart pumping on the 500 step climb on the 6km rim walk or take it easier on the creek bed walk.
Day 4: Kings Canyon - Alice Springs
Location: Kings Canyon
Accommodation Name: Doubletree by Hilton Alice Springs
Cattle stations are the size of small nations in the NT outback, as you’ll discover on your journey toward Alice Springs. The other ‘big’ thing in these parts is the MacDonnell Ranges, undulating across the red earth like a caterpillar's spine. Back in 1872, Alice Springs was a hive of activity, as a Telegraph Station was built to connect Adelaide and Darwin as part of the Overland Telegraph Line. Sweat and tears went into the project, as you’ll discover browsing the grounds. Finally – panoramas from Anzac Hill steal the scene.
Day 5: Alice Springs
Location: Alice Springs
Accommodation Name: Doubletree by Hilton Alice Springs
Visit Alice Springs Desert Park. It's home to a vast range of plants and wildlife native to the area. You can really appreciate the beauty and diversity of this incredible landscape. In remote parts of Australia, community is everything, whether to ensure stories of the Arrernte people are not forgotten, or to help those who need help. The passionate Royal Flying Doctor Service health workers commute hundreds of kilometres to provide aid. End the day on a high at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre, where the Falzon family host a BBQ Be My Guest dinner under the stars. This is a lesson in off-the-grid, sustainable living.
Day 6: Alice Springs - Tennant Creek
Location: Alice Springs
Accommodation Name: Bluestone Motor Inn
The whole of Peru covers 1.3 million square kilometres – the same size playing field that the School of the Air broadcasts daily classes to. If you are lucky enough to be there during school term you might see a live session with kids in some of Australia’s most remote reaches, providing them with educational tools otherwise unavailable. Undeniably otherworldly are the precariously balanced boulders that characterise Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) and the landscapes surrounding gold-rich Tennant Creek.
Day 7: Tennant Creek - Katherine
Location: Tennant Creek
Accommodation Name: Contour Hotel Katherine
When you’re not working hard in the Australian outback, you’re having a lot of fun. Case in point the Daly Waters Historic Pub, where the food – schnitzels, burgers – comes second to the atmosphere. Follow the lead of those here before you and leave a memento to decorate the walls. If you were a fan of TV drama We of the Never Never, you’ll recognise your next destination: the (replica) Elsey Homestead in Mataranka. Explore, or soak in the palm-shrouded thermal springs.
Day 8: Katherine - Kakadu
Location: Katherine
Accommodation Name: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel
Explore the natural beauty of Nitmiluk National Park on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience cruise along Nitmiluk Gorge. You’ll wind through this gorge carved through ancient sandstone alongside steep cliff walls, watching for lush rainforest gullies in giant cracks, and maybe a freshwater crocodile or two on the banks. You can almost feel the spirits yawning as they created this landscape on Jawoyn land, part of Nitmiluk National Park. It takes your breath away. More wildlife lurks in Kakadu’s Yellow Water Billabong, which is a mecca for sea eagles, brolgas and little kingfishers.
Day 9: Kakadu - Darwin
Location: Kakadu National Park
Accommodation Name: Hilton Garden Inn Darwin
The best way to grasp the immensity of Kakadu National Park? From the air, should you wish to take a scenic flight (own expense). You won’t regret it – perspective is always a good thing. Speaking of which, Ubirr’s Aboriginal rock art dates back an eye-watering 20,000+ years. If it looks familiar, that’s because it starred in classic Aussie movie, Crocodile Dundee. Get your Darwin bearings on a quick tour – we want to give you as much time as possible to enjoy the Mindil Beach Sunset Market.
Day 10: Litchfield National Park
Location: Darwin
Accommodation Name: Hilton Garden Inn Darwin
Think of today as dessert: the sweet finale to a decadent degustation. Travel to Litchfield National Park, pocked with 100-year-old, giant magnetic termite mounds. We’re not sticking around though – Florence and Wangi falls await. Change into your swimming costume and take a dip in the gem-like waterholes. (Swimming is seasonal and opening is controlled by NT Parks). Darwin can get steamy, but you’ll have wind in your sails as you cruise the harbour at sunset, enjoying one last toast to the NT.
Day 11: Farewell From Darwin
Location: Darwin
‘Ma Muk’ (‘See you later’), as the Larrakia people would say. This Outback adventure is over for now, but we’re positive your memories will last forever.
What's Included
Mode of Transport
Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price.
Accommodation
Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort. The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes: Desert Gardens, Kings Canyon Resort, Doubletree by Hilton Alice Springs, Bluestone Motor Inn, Contour Hotel Katherine, Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn Darwin.
Check out our Q&As
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a holiday with us is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
It is important to adhere to departure times while on tour for the comfort of everyone on-board, and to make sure no one misses out on the planned experiences. The coach will not be able to wait for you, and in some instances, if you miss a departure time you will need to make your own way to the next destination to re-join the tour.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
AAT Kings operated Guided Holidays have competitive single supplement rates available if you prefer to confirm your own room. Or we can match you to share with a guest of the same gender at no extra cost. If we fail to match you, we will accommodate you in a single room at no extra cost.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 100 years
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
We will email your documents to you approximately four weeks before your departure date provided you have completed your pre trip registration using the My Travel Portal. If you’ve booked through a travel agent, your documents will be emailed directly to your agent.
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AAT Kings requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of aat kings charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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