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Wayoutback Desert Safaris - 6 day Northern Exposure Adventure - Darwin to Alice Springs (WP05)
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Destinations Alice Springs, Darwin, Devils Marbles, Kakadu, Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk N P), Katherine, Mataranka, Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge), Tennant Creek
Departs from Darwin
Departure/Pickup Instructions Pick up from your Darwin hotel/hostel accommodation
Departure Time 06.00 AM (Darwin)
Returns/Ends At Early evening (Alice Springs)
Suitable for Those wanting a genuine outdoor adventure with a reasonable amount of walking, swimming and hiking.
Itinerary This Wayoutback 6 day adventure offers a value for money Northern Territory experience. Experience a camping safari through Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks over 3 days and 2 nights, spend a night in Darwin soaking up the atmosphere before travelling down 'The Track' visiting the icons of Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge) Mataranka and Kurlu Kurlu (Devils Marbles). Have a beer at the Daly Waters Pub and finish in Alice Springs, the heart of Australia where Indigenous art galleries, a cool vibe and history abounds.
6 DAY ITINERARY
Day 1 (Lunch/Dinner)
You will be collected from your Darwin accommodation at approximately 6.30am where our Top End adventure begins as we travel to the Mary River Wetlands for our exclusive two hour cruise where the local wallaby population greets us on arrival. 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 away from the masses, just you and your group. 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 our late afternoon arrival at Ubirr. 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 we head to our private campsite at Cooinda for dinner and our overnight stay.
• Mary River Wetlands • Private Crocodile and Wildlife cruise • Bowali Visitor Centre • Ubirr
Day 2 - (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Our journey is towards the southern end of Kakadu where we spend the whole morning at Gunlom Falls*. There’s a large plunge pool at the base of the waterfall to enjoy, however the climb to the top of the falls is a must! Relax in a natural infinity pool with a postcard backdrop of the Arnhem Land escarpment, take a dip in the sandy middle pool and swim under a waterfall in the rear pool. So many choices. Crocodile Dundee loved this magical place and you will too! After lunch and a final swim in the lower plunge pool we exit the national park and travel via Batchelor to our overnight campsite near Litchfield National Park.
• Gunlom Falls • Plunge pools and waterfalls
Day 3 - (Breakfast / Lunch)
Today 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 our early evening arrival back in Darwin. Overnight dorm or Budget Ensuite (Twin/Single) accommodation is included.
• Termite mounds • Florence Falls • Wangi Falls • Buley Rockhole
Day 4 - (Lunch /Dinner)
You will be collected from your Darwin accommodation at approximately 6.00 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 or paddle a canoe (seasonal) through the peaceful water (both optional and additional cost). It’s a little further on to our overnight camp near Mataranka.
• Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park
Day 5 - (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
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’! Our day winds to a close at historic Banka Banka Cattle Station where we camp for the night.
• Mataranka Thermal Pools • Daly Waters Pub • Banka Banka Cattle Station
Day 6 - (Breakfast / Lunch)
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 we cross the Tropic of Capricorn (only 20% of the Northern Territory lies south of this point) then a short time later we arrive into Alice Springs where art galleries and pioneering history abounds.
• Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu) • Tropic of Capricorn
**Itinerary may change due to cultural reasons, seasonal changes, operational logistics and accessibility.
*During the wet season Gunlom Falls may not be accessible and during this time we will visit the Yurmikmik region (either Motor Car Falls or Boulder Creek).
* Wangi Falls may not be accessible during the wet season. During this time we will provide an alternative or spend more time in locations visited.
Inclusions Professional guide, travel in an air-conditioned minibus, all meals (as listed on itineraries), camping equipment and fees, reference books, pillow, drinking water (please provide your own bottle) and park entry fee.
Note *Single passengers will be provided with a single hotel room in Darwin however will be required to share a tent with another same sex passenger whilst on safari.
*During the wet season Gunlom Falls may not be accessible and during this time we will visit the Yurmikmik region (either Motor Car Falls or Boulder Creek).
* Wangi Falls may not be accessible during the wet season. During this time we will provide an alternative or spend more time in locations visited.
This 6 day package is a combination of two safari products and the guide and passengers may differ on each safari. Passengers will be staying independently at the accommodation between each of the safaris.
Due to limited space on the vehicle please restrict luggage to a day pack and one soft overnight bag/backpack (maximum 10kg).
Travel Insurance is compulsory for all travellers. This clause is included as a duty of care to protect our travellers & all levels of the travel distribution chain, but excludes those nationals of countries where local law prohibits a compulsory service that is not included in the tour price. Whilst Travel Insurance is strongly recommended for these nationals, we will not apply these booking conditions where law prohibits it. However, all travellers will be expected to sign a waiver before commencing their tour acknowledging that they are aware of the increased risks associated with Adventure Travel & that they understand that Wayoutback will not be held responsible for any loss, damag
Fitness Level Medium level of fitness required
What To Bring Torch, wide brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, water bottle (1.5 litres), walking shoes/boots, sleeping bag (or can be hired for $50), toiletries, swim wear, towel, camera, comfortable and casual clothing.
Child Policies We do not take children under 16 years of age.