15 Day Central Australian Discovery

Be met on arrival in Darwin and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure before a relaxed welcome dinner. at the hotel this evening where you will meet your crew and fellow guests.

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

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.

Unwind in the natural Mataranka Thermal Pool, said to have healing properties for aches and pains. Afterwards, travel to Lorella Springs Wilderness Park, a one million-acre working cattle station that stretches all the way to the Gulf of Carpentaria.

After a Signature Experience, enjoy lunch at the iconic Heartbreak Hotel.

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

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.

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.

Travel to Hermannsburg Mission Precinct. Here you can wander around the old Lutheran Mission and get a glimpse of life as it was for the early pioneers and their families. 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.

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.

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.

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

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 buffet accompanied by the music of a didgeridoo. At the same time, immerse yourself in the spectacular Field of Light art installation.

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.

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.

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

Signature Experience Journey along the iconic Oodnadatta Track

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.

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).

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

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