Darwin to Adelaide Adventure Tour by Bus

You can travel up the middle of Australia through the outback on this Darwin to Adelaide 13 day adventure tour. Experience sunsets and sunrises that will take your breath away and enjoy hiking and camping too while on this adventure tour from Darwin to Adelaide.

Highlights Darwin to Adelaide Adventure Tour

Highlights on the 13 day Darwin to Adelaide tour are plentiful. Leaving Darwin and heading out to Kakadu National Park first you will hike to and swim in some amazing waterfalls. Litchfield National Park is the next stop short hikes and more swimming in abundance. Then you will head right down the center of Australia to Katherine Gorge, Mataranka hot springs, Daly Waters and the Devils Marbles.

Alice Springs

Once in the small outback town of Alice Springs, you stay for the night before heading out to Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park.We make our way out to Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and then Kings Canyon. You can spend two days hiking and exploring the  most famous landmarks in Australia. Here is where you tick off that bucket list item, the sunset at Uluru. Watch in amazement as you see the colors changing on the rock.

Coober Pedy

Then its time to continue the journey south down to South Australia ánd stop at the underground town of Coober Pedy, here you can see what makes this opal mining town so unique. You get the opportunity to stay in an underground house yourself, just like the locals in Coober Pedy. for your last day on tour, you will hike in the magnificent Flinders Ranges beforefinishing in Adelaide.

Fitness

This tour is very active and travelers from all over the world including people traveling by themselves, couples and groups take this tour. On the walking and hiking tours in Kakadu National Park, Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon you will need a good level of fitness while Uluru requires a moderate level of fitness as the base walk is on flat ground. This tour departs Darwin on Wednesdays, as it’s the most popular overland adventure tour make sure you book well in advance.

Day 1 Mary River Wetlands

Departing from Darwin bright and early we travel to the Mary River Wetlands for the cruise. This region is home to over 250 bird species and has the highest concentration of saltwater crocodiles in the Southern Hemisphere. Search for the mighty crocs who rule this waterway, buffalo, birds and other wildlife. Our entrance to Kakadu National Park is at the South Alligator River, a picturesque location for a picnic lunch. There’s the opportunity to purchase Aboriginal arts and crafts at the Bowali Visitor Centre before the  late afternoon arrival at Ubirr.

Aboriginal Art

 Here you will view a wide range of ancient Aboriginal art which will be interpreted by your guide. Learn the story of the Rainbow Serpent and climb the Nadab Lookout for panoramic views over the floodplain and beyond into Arnhem Land. As the day draws to a close you head to the  private campsite for dinner and the overnight stay. 

Day 2 Kakadu National Park to Litchfield National Park

You will visit Kakadu National Park and there are many things you will love. After breakfast  you leave the camp and ravel off road to the majestic Twin and Jim Falls* for a day of adventure and exploration. Travelling into Twin Falls by 4WD track, a boat shuttle and finally a rocky track and boardwalk we will be rewarded by the beauty of this remote waterfall deep within Kakadu National Park. Afterwards, You  stay off the beaten track where a walk through monsoon forests and over boulders lead us to Jim Falls. 

Swim

Surrounded by 150-metre cliffs, we spend some time soaking in the natural beauty of this majestic location. In the afternoon we depart Kakadu National Park and travel towards Litchfield National Park where we will stop along the way at our private campsite. In the night enjoy a hearty meal with your fellow adventurers.

Day 3 Litchfield National Park to Darwin

Day three is spent exploring the waterfalls, spring-fed streams and rugged sandstone escarpments of Litchfield National Park. Marvel at the intriguing magnetic and cathedral termite mounds and swim, hike and explore Florence and Wangi Falls*. Discover the many rock holes and cascading waterfalls of Buley Rockhole before the early evening arrival back in Darwin (overnight accommodation included)

Day 4 Darwin to Katherine (via Nitmiluk National Park)

You will be collected from your Darwin accommodation at approximately 6 am when our adventure through the ‘Territory’ to Alice Springs begins. The afternoon is spent at Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park which is owned by the Jawoyn Aboriginal people. Ancient sandstone has been carved away by the Katherine River to create a deep and picturesque gorge. You may like to take a boat cruise, paddle a canoe (all optional, seasonal and at additional cost) or a breathtaking hike before journeying to the nearby campsite.

Day 5 Katherine to Banka Banka (via Mataranka)

A great start to the day is a soak in the Mataranka Thermal Pools, a lush oasis fringed by paperbark trees. No trip to the ‘Territory’ is complete without a visit to the Daly Waters Pub, an important watering hole for explorers and drovers in days gone by and now a great spot for a cold beer, a bit of history and a ‘fair dinkum outback experience’! The day winds to a close at historic Banka Cattle Station where you camp for the night.

Day 6 Banka Banka to Alice Springs

We pass through Tennant Creek and then further along the track are the Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu) which are a collection of gigantic granite boulders magically balanced on top of one another. Later in the day, you  cross the Tropic of Capricorn (only 20% of the Northern Territory lies south of this point) then a short time later you arrive in Alice Springs. Overnight hostel accommodation is included. 

Day 7 Alice Springs

It is a day of leisure where you can either relax or explore the Red Centre township of Alice Springs. All activities and meals are at your own expense. Hostel accommodation is included.

Day 8 Alice Springs to Uluru

From Alice Springs, you journey across the rugged Outback to Uluru. Nothing will prepare you for the sight of The Rock – it’s awesome! We learn about the region’s indigenous history at the Uluru Kata Tjuta Aboriginal Cultural Centre before taking an easy walk around the base of Uluru and learn more about Aboriginal interpretations from your Culturally Accredited Groovy Guide. There’s no better way to finish the day than watching the amazing sunset over Uluru, before snuggling inside your swag under the star-studded desert sky. 

Day 9 Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon

After an early breakfast, you will head to Kata Tjuta for sunrise and visit the majestic Valley of the Winds, with its ancient rock formations and extraordinary views. The hikes here can be challenging at times with steep sections and duration of about 3 1⁄2 hours. After lunch and optional activities, you  then drive to Kings Creek Station where we settle under the stars for the night. 

Day 10 Kings Canyon (Watarrka National Park)

 Today you and your fellow travellers set out early for Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon), you’ll need to stop to admire and photograph the massive sandstone walls, vast canyon floor and breath-taking gorges. On the Canyon Rim Walk (3-4 hours) experience the beautiful Garden of Eden and learn more about local Aboriginal culture. In the afternoon we drive to one of the  campsites at Kulgera, Erldunda or bush camp in swags. 

Day 11 Coober Pedy  

Along the way to Coober Pedy, the Opal Capital of the World – you will notice the incredible change of scenery from mulga woodlands to vast ranges. We will get the chance to visit the Opal Mine and Museum where we’ll learn the history of the town and sift for our own opals. The highlight for some is visiting Josephine’s Kangaroo Orphanage, where you can meet the rescued kangaroos and baby joeys and admire (or buy) Aboriginal art and didgeridoos. Soon after you’ll get the chance to taste one of the most amazing pizzas in the outback before spending the night in a bunkhouse sleeping the way the locals do – underground (dorm only)

Day 12 Flinders Ranges

After breakfast, we journey south into the foothills of the magnificent Flinders Ranges. On the way, we stop at Pimba and get a chance to view the salt lakes. We’ll stop en-route for lunch before driving to Wilmington where we’ll sleep among the river red gum trees.

Adelaide

We enjoy a morning walk through the towering red sandstone cliffs of Alligator Gorge, which is sometimes bursting with wildflowers and amazing wildlife: you might get the chance to spot kangaroos or wallabies. We enjoy our last lunch together, before heading to Adelaide arriving at approximately 5pm.

Package Darwin to Adelaide Adventure Tour

This package is a combination of safari products and therefore the guide and passengers will differ during each section. Passengers will be staying independently at the accommodation (included) between each of the safaris.  Its a combination of the 6 days 5 night Adelaide to Alice Springs tour, 2 nights in Alice Springs and the 6 days 5 nights Alice Springs to Darwin tour.

Camping/dorm customers will spend 4 nights in a dorm, 2 nights camping in swags and pop-up tents, 2 nights in permanent safari tents and 4 nights camping in swags only. Camping/twin/double/single customers will spend 4 nights in a private room (3 nights private facilities, 1 night shared facilities), 1 night in a cabin (shared facilities), 4 nights camping in swags and pop-up dome tents and 3 nights in permanent safari tents (shared facilities)

Twin/double fare can only be booked by two people travelling together. Please ask for single fare if you are a solo traveller wishing for a private upgrade on our non- camping nights.

Sleeping bag hire is available for all customers for a $30 payment to the guide in Darwin. Passengers are permitted to bring their own sleeping bags. Please specify this at the time of booking.

Park Fees

National Park fees is included in tour price from 1 April 2019. $12.50 Twin Falls boat shuttle fee payable seasonal when you  visit Twin Falls.

Most Suited for

Ideal for those 18- 40 years old, we do except those older and families on a case by case basis, so please let us know when booking. 

Food

We can cater for vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free and lactose intolerant passengers. Please understand we are on a camping tour so the food you may usually have may not be readily available. Please contact us when booking if you have any specific dietary needs.

Insurance

Travel insurance is recommended

Book now: Uluru Tours with The Rock Tour

Like this, Read this: Darwin to Alice Springs NT Australia