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From Alice Springs to Darwin Road Trip
Code	AD-PB1M
Duration	6 Days
Tour Price Apr 2012 - Mar 2013	Standard / Gross Adult: $980.00 Child: $784.00
Frequency	Nov - Mar'12 - Mon, Thu, Sat Apr - Jun'12 - Tue, Fri, Sun Jul - Oct'12 - Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun Nov -Mar'13 - Tue, Fri, Sun
Style	Road Trip
Transport	Bus
Suitability	18-39 Years
Additions Upgrades	$25 National Park Fee
Start	Alice Springs @ 6.00 am
End	Darwin approx. 7.30 - 8.00pm

“Sleep under stars and watch the sunrise over the heart of the country at Uluru, experience the sheer beauty of Katherine Gorge, the Olgas and Kings Canyon and learn about early outback communication and travel.”

Day 1:  Alice Springs to Kata Tjuta and Uluru

Kick off your adventure on top of a camel! Our first stop is the Outback Camel Farm where you can choose to ride atop one of these desert giants (at own expense). From here we travel to the Ayers Rock Resort, for your first glimpse of Uluru (Ayers Rock). Kata Tjuta will fascinate you, and you will get up close to the majestic features of this ancient geological formation during the Valley of the Winds hike. You'll be mesmerised as the desert sun sets over Uluru, and as the night grows darker, curl up in your swag (Aussie bedroll) under millions of stars.

Meals: L, D

Day 2: Uluru to Kings Canyon

It's an early start this morning, but you'll be rewarded with a glorious Uluru sunrise and take the opportunity to stretch your legs with a walk around Uluru's base (unguided). You'll deepen your understanding of the land and its stories at the Cultural Centre. After lunch we travel to our permanent campsite at Kings Canyon. You'll fall asleep contented with a delicious camp oven dinner filling your stomach.

Meals: B, L, D

Day 3:  Kings Canyon to Alice Springs

Get your hiking shoes on today as we head out to explore the impressive formations which make up Kings Canyon. You'll be left breathless by the sheer beauty of the canyon as we trek through the Amphitheatre, the Lost City, the lush and ancient Garden of Eden and the North and South Walls. After lunch take a well earned rest as we travel back to Alice Springs. Overnight dorm accommodation is included.

Meals: B, L

Day 4:  Alice Springs to Banka Banka

We pass by the Tropic of Capricorn then stop at the Barrow Creek Pub, home to a telegraph station – catch a glimpse of what outback telecommunication used to be like! Precariously balanced on their rocky perch are the Devils Marbles, a site sacred to its traditional owners. Last stop for today is our camp at an outback station and if the weather's good, you can take a dip in the waterhole.

Meals: L, D

Day 5: Banka Banka to Katherine Gorge

No visit to the Top End would be complete without a visit to the famed Daly Waters pub, a quintessential outback roadhouse and 'watering hole' for travellers from far and wide. Mataranka lies in the heart of the 'never-never', and you'll feel a million miles from anywhere as you soak in the steamy thermal springs. As the day draws to a close, we reach our overnight camp at stunning Katherine Gorge.

Meals: B, L, D

Day 6: Katherine Gorge to Darwin

The gorge is all yours this morning, with a half day to spend canoeing or cruising (at own expense and seasonal) the spectacular waters. Want to see more? Jump aboard a helicopter flight (at own expense) which will take you high above the vast gorge system. We'll head to Darwin after a stop at idyllic Edith Falls.

Meals: B, L

Note: Package is made up of two individual tours; therefore you may travel with a different guide and passengers during each section.

Additional Information

Kings Canyon

Two walks exists at Kings Canyon. The 2 km (return) and approx 1 hour Kings Creek Walk traces the bottom of the gorge. At the end of the walk is a platform, with views of the canyon walls above.

The 6 km (loop) and 3-4 hour Kings Canyon Rim Walk traces the top of the canyon. A steep climb at the beginning of the walk, takes visitors up to the top, with spectacular views of the gorge below and of the surrounding landscape.

About half way during the walk, a detour descends to Garden of Eden, a permanent waterhole surrounded by lush plant life. The last half of the walk passes through a large maze of weathered sandstone domes. A slow descent brings the visitor back to the starting point.

The Olgas

Known also as Kata Tjuta.  Kata Tjuta is the Aboriginal name, which means "many heads'. It is a group of more than 30 rounded red domes rising from the desert floor. The tallest is said to be around 546 metres high. Kata Tjuta is about 30 kilometres west of Uluru.

Uluru

Uluru is one of Australia's most recognisable natural icons. The world-renowned sandstone formation stands 348 m (1,142 ft) high with most of its bulk below the ground, and measures 9.4 km (5.8 mi) in circumference.

Uluru is notable for appearing to change colour as the different light strikes it at different times of the day and year, with sunset a particularly remarkable sight when it briefly glows red.