Central Australian Discovery

Overview

Immerse yourself in unforgettable moments. Picture dining with a view of Uluru at dusk, as the Field of Light illuminates the surroundings, and soaring above the Lost City during a scenic flight.

Inclusions

• Experiences in 17 destinations
• The services of an expert APT tour director and driver
• Locally inspired dining - a total of 41 meals
• Board a scenic flight over the Lost City, a series of large sandstone outcrops
• Experience the incredible ‘Night at Field of Light’ at Uluru
• Enjoy a cruise through Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge and keep an eye out for crocodiles
• Embark on the Kings Canyon Rim Walk and take in spectacular views
• View the salt flats of the largest inland lake in Australia, Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre

Itinerary

DAY 1: Arrive Darwin

Be met on arrival in Darwin and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure before a relaxed welcome dinner.

• Stay: Vibe Darwin
• Daily: Dinner

DAY 2: Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, Mataranka

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Board a cruise through Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge and marvel at the winding network of gorges carved from centuries-old sandstone. Keep an eye out for freshwater crocodiles and birdlife along the way.

Head towards the remote township of Katherine and enjoy a Signature Experience. Later, discover the music, stories and ways of the local Jawoyn people.

• Stay: Contour Hotel Katherine
• Daily :Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Katherine, Lorella Springs Wilderness Park

Today, travel to Lorella Springs Wilderness Park, a one million-acre working castle station that stretches all the way to the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Stay: Lorella Springs Wilderness Park

Daily :Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: Lorella Springs Wilderness Park, Lost City, Barkly 

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Board a scenic flight over the Lost City, a series of large sandstone outcrops that evokes the remains of an ancient civilisation.

Today, we will explore this coastal wilderness sanctuary, driving through a variety of landscapes and enjoying some bush walks and a scenic flight. This 4000-square-kilometre park contains coastal floodplains, salt flats and mangroves, escarpment country and dense forest.

• Stay: Barkly Homestead
• Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5: Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles), Alice Springs

Venture to Alice Springs via Tennant Creek. Along the way, stop at Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles). A living cultural landscape, nearly the entire reserve is a registered sacred site.

• Stay: Two Nights, Crowne Plaza Alice Springs
• Daily :Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6: Alice Springs, West MacDonnell Ranges

Explore Simpsons Gap, which pierces the West MacDonnell Ranges. This sacred area is an important spiritual site to the Arrarnta Indigenous people, where several Dreamtime stories have said to take place. Continue to the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park, whose landscapes played a significant role in the stories of Western Arrernte Indigenous culture. At Angkerle (Standley Chasm), follow a creek where spring-fed pools attract a variety of unique birdlife. Afterwards, visit Ormiston Gorge, home to a variety of unique species. Later, take the afternoon to unwind.

• Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7: Mereenie Loop Road, Kings Canyon

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Light-Towers, located at Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon, presents an enchanting fusion of sound and light crafted by renowned British artist Bruce Munro. Widely celebrated for his iconic Field of Light at Uluru, Munro's latest creation brings its magical illumination to Kings Canyon.

Travel to Hermannsberg and visit the Namatjira School of Art, where you can view authentic art pieces. Afterwards, travel to Gosses Bluff crater, before heading off-road along the Mereenie Loop Road. Take in the outback scenes as you travel to Kings Canyon.

Stay: Kings Canyon Resort

Daily :Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8: Kings Canyon, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park 

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Embark on the Kings Canyon Rim Walk. On this challenging hike, venture around the rim of the canyon’s incredible sandstone walls, then after reaching the lookout, marvel at the canyon itself. About half way along is the Garden of Eden, featuring a waterhole and riverine vegetation.

Journey into the heart of Watarrka National Park today, where unspoiled bush and red rock canyons create an amazing experience. The Luritja people have called Watarrka National Park home for more than 20,000 years. After lunch, head inside Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Visit Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), consisting of 36 domes that form deep valleys and steep-sided gorges. Explore Walpa Gorge before arriving at Ayers Rock Resort.

• Stay: Two Nights, Uluru, Sails in the Desert
• Daily :Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

DAY 9: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

This evening, experience ‘A Night at Field of Light’. Indulge in a Sounds of Silence dinner under the stars. Savour a glass of sparkling before helping yourself to a ‘bush tucker’ inspired budget accompanied by the music of a didgeridoo. At the same time, immerse yourself in the spectacular Field of Light art installation.

At sunrise, embark on a base tour of Uluru, learning stories from the Dreamtime while you explore this icon.

• Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10: Coober Pedy

Cross into South Australia and arrive in the outback town of Coober Pedy. Visit the Umoona Opal Mine, where you'll get an insight into Indigenous and European settlement in the area, as well as learning about how opals are mined.

• Stay: Coober Pedy, Desert Cave Hotel
• Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11: Oodnadatta Track, Marree

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Traverse the remote Oodnadatta Track.

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

View the salt flats of the largest inland lake in Australia, Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre.

Today you will journey along the Oodnadatta Track, pausing at William Creek for lunch. Perhaps board a scenic flight over the awe-inspiring Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre. Take to the skies and gain a true appreciation of this natural wonder from above (own expense). Afterwards, drive to the edge of Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre and look out over the seemingly endless salt flats. Later, arrive at the small town of Marree.

• Stay: Marree Hotel
• Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

On the way to Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, stop for lunch at Parachilna’s famous Prairie Hotel. Arrive at the national park, which is a cultural site renowned for its 800-million-year-old landscapes. Explore Wilpena Pound, cradled within a natural amphitheatre of mountains. Continue to your accommodation, set amongst river red gums and native pines. Enjoy dinner before relaxing on your deck overlooking the bush.

• Stay: Two Nights, Wilpena Pound Resort
• Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

A full day has been set aside for you to explore Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park in more depth. Visit Brachina Gorge and keep an eye out for the endangered yellow-footed rock-wallaby as you traverse the gorge’s ancient layers. Spend the afternoon at leisure, or perhaps take an optional scenic flight over Wilpena Pound (own expense).

• Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 14: Clare Valley, Adelaide

Signature Experience

Visit the highly acclaimed Watervale Hotel for a delightful meal featuring local produce from their organic, bio-dynamic farm in the Clare Valley.

Farewell Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park as you make your way through the wine-growing district of the Clare Valley. Here, enjoy your signature experience, showcasing exceptional locally grown produce and wines of the region. Arrive in Adelaide and celebrate the end of your journey during a farewell dinner.

• Stay: Adelaide, The Playford Hotel
• Daily: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 15: Depart Adelaide

After breakfast, farewell your new-found friends and be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

• Daily: Breakfast