19 Day Outback, The Ghan & Kimberley Expedition

You’ll leave for your outback adventure today, bound for the Red Centre. On arrival at Ayers Rock Airport you’ll be transferred to your hotel.

This afternoon, enjoy a leisurely drive out to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). There are many local legends associated with these rock formations, a group of 36 domes. The highest, Mount Olga, is 546 metres high. Experience a magnificent outback sunset while enjoying sparkling wine. These ancient red rock formations glow and change colour with the surrounding desert landscape.

It’s an unforgettable sunrise this morning over Kata Tjuta with Uluru in the distance, the two major landmarks within the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The park is a living cultural landscape. The origins of Uluru and Kata Tjuta date back about 500 million years.

Access to most areas of Kata Tjuta is restricted to visitors, but your guide will escort you on a two or three hour walk on uneven ground to the Valley of the Winds. It’s challenging and rocky in places, but well worth the effort – the views are breathtaking.

This afternoon we’ll visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. Then we’ll travel around the base of Uluru as your guide provides commentary about the numerous sacred sites. Undoubtedly one of Australia’s most famous and recognisable landmarks, Uluru is the traditional and cultural land of the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people (also known collectively as the Anangu people).

Uluru is not only awe-inspiring and massive (at about 348 metres above the desert floor), it’s steeped in history and intrigue. Each side of Uluru has a different creation story associated with it. These landscapes resonate.

We’ll continue by coach to the Kuniya Walk and visit Mutitjulu Waterhole. It’s the site of one of Uluru’s most dramatic creation stories, the deadly battle between Kuniya (the woma python woman) and Liru (the poisonous brown snake man).

Later, witness the striking colour changes of Uluru while you enjoy some nibbles and sparkling wine. Depending on conditions like the light and weather, the colour of the rock can change throughout the day to be shades of black, grey, purple, red, ochre, orange or blue. At sunset, it’s especially dazzling as these colour changes happen in just minutes.

After this glorious sunset we’ll continue to our exclusive barbeque venue, with a typically Aussie menu including lamb sausages, steak, chicken skewers, garlic prawns, salads and a tasty dessert. There’ll even be time for stargazing in these clear desert skies.

It’s an early start this morning to experience acclaimed British artist Bruce Munro’s Field of Light installation. Under the cover of darkness, wander through 50,000 magical hand-crafted frosted glass spheres of light. They cover a whopping 49,000 square metres. It’s spectacular.

Then make your way to the dune top, where you’ll be served tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Watch in awe as the sun pops up in the distance behind Uluru, flooring the landscape – including Kata Tjuta behind you – with light. As the landscape brightens, the Field of Light will dim for the day. In the early afternoon you’ll travel through spectacular desert scenery on your way to Kings Canyon.

Take a guided climb to the rim of Kings Canyon this morning for marvellous views of the gorge and surrounding landscape. About 600 species of plants and animals live here. Or, you may wish to take an easier, shorter walk to explore the boulder-strewn canyon creek bed.

Afterwards, we’ll travel to Alice Springs. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore this iconic outback town, known simply as “Alice” to the locals. The pedestrian-friendly Todd Mall is home to souvenir shops, a Sunday market and many Aboriginal art galleries, like the Papunya Tula gallery, owned and directed by traditional Aboriginal people from the Western Desert.

There is a hop on, hop off bus to discover the town’s popular sites, like the Telegraph Station Historical Reserve and the School of the Air Visitor Centre. A climb to the top of Anzac Hill gives sweeping views over Alice Springs and the distant MacDonnell Ranges.

Olive Pink Botanic Garden, Australia’s only arid zone botanic garden, is a lovely place to wander for a couple of hours. Or you may choose to get up close to snakes, lizards and even a saltwater crocodile at the Alice Springs Reptile Centre.

It’s a free day for you in Alice Springs until the afternoon.

You’ll be picked up from your hotel to board the Ghan for an early evening departure.

The Ghan is an iconic journey through the vast, rugged beauty of Australia’s outback. 2019 marks 90 years of outback crossings. It’s more than a train ride – onboard you’ll find sumptuous dining, elegant private cabins and attentive service. Enjoy modern Australian cuisine and regional fine wines onboard. Of course, there’s time to socialise with your fellow travellers before retiring to your comfortable, well-appointed private cabin for the night.

The pristine wilderness of Katherine, where the outback meets the tropics, is stirring and powerful. You’ll have the chance to explore it from water or land with your choice of off-train experiences. Cruise the jaw-dropping Nitmiluk Gorge, or learn more about its ancient Indigenous rock paintings and gain insight into the culture of the traditional owners of Nitmiluk, the Jawoyn people. You may choose to discover a slice of authentic outback life on a cattle station.

Once back on board, share lunch and laughter with your fellow travellers as the train makes its way through lush, green tropics to arrive in Darwin in the early evening. Upon arrival you’ll be transferred to your hotel and the rest of the night is free for you to relax or explore.

Travelling towards Kakadu along the Arnhem Highway, the Marrakai Plains will provide a beautiful backdrop for your onward journey.

Kakadu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the country’s largest national park. A number of Aboriginal clans reside here. This natural wonderland is home to stunning landscapes, unique flora and fauna, adventure and significant cultural experiences. To give you an idea of its size, it’s nearly half the size of Switzerland.

We’ll visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre, where you’ll be introduced to the way of life of the Bininj people, traditional owners of this land. You’ll see ancient artifacts and immerse yourself in the world’s oldest living culture.

Join your local guide for a cruise on Yellow Water Billabong, home to thousands of saltwater crocodiles and up to 60 species of colourful birdlife, including sea eagles, brolgas and tiny brilliantly-hued kingfishers. See estuarine crocodiles basking in the shallows and on the sandy banks.

After a stop for lunch in Cooinda, travel to the Nourlangie rock art site and take a walk with your guide around its base to see many different forms of Aboriginal rock art.

It’s a free day for you in Darwin today. You may wish to visit the famous Mindil Beach Sunset Market this evening. With over 200 food, beverage, arts and crafts stalls, and live entertainment, there’s fun for the whole family. You can also watch the greatest sunset in the Top End from Mindil Beach.

Please note this day is unescorted.

It’s time to embark on your thrilling Kimberley Coast cruise this morning, boarding at 8am for a 9am departure. The isolated Kimberley Coast boasts two billion years of natural history, a land steeped in ancient Aboriginal culture. You’ll cruise through pristine turquoise waters and experience breathtaking landscapes, lush waterfalls, ancient Indigenous art and stunning gorges.

Your cruise aboard the new Coral Adventurer will take you closer to these unspoilt vistas in comfort and style. With over 1000 square metres of open deck space, including a wrap-around promenade deck with panoramic views, you won’t miss anything. There are multiple indoor and outdoor bars, a well-equipped gym and a lecture lounge for daily expedition briefings and expert presentations. As well as the Xplorer tenders for shore excursions, the ship also has six Zodiac boats for more intrepid exploration.

As we cross Cambridge Gulf and sail into Western Australian waters, join our expedition staff in the lounge for an informative introduction to the Kimberley. Meet and mingle with fellow guests and crew at the Captain’s welcome drinks.

At over 80 metres tall, King George Falls are the highest twin falls in Western Australia. You’ll be humbled by nature’s awesome force as thousands of tonnes of water cascade over the ancient sandstone cliffs.

Early in the season, you may cruise under the mist of the falls, while in later months we get up close to the sandstone walls to view the honeycomb erosion patterns.

Vansittart Bay contains many sites of cultural and historical significance. Some discovered art is thought to date back to the Ice Age era. Here we’ll have the chance to view the remarkable Gwion Gwion galleries and Macassan sites at Jar Island.

On the Anjo Peninsula, discover the wreckage of the downed Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3) plane, well-preserved since it crashed in 1942 during World War II.

With our guest lecturers, see fine examples of the Kimberley’s mysterious Bradshaw Paintings (Gwion Gwion), dating back some 20,000 years.

Carved through layers of sandstone, Mitchell Falls descends over four tiers, creating pools of emerald green on each level. The option to take a scenic helicopter flight will give you a magnificent vantage point. Alternatively, explore the sandstone caves of Hathaway’s Hideaway at Winyalkan Island, or enjoy a catch and release fishing excursion.

Pristine Swift Bay is home to a series of fine Wandjina art galleries.

This evening enjoy a spectacular Indian Ocean sunset as we indulge in a gourmet BBQ lunch on the sundeck or the beach.

At the southern end of the York Sound lies one of the most spectacular locations in the Kimberley: Prince Frederick Harbour. It is home to many islands, mangroves and monsoon rainforests, set against a backdrop of steep red escarpment. White-bellied sea eagles and other birds of prey are often seen here, and at low tide expansive mudflats reveal large populations of various mudskippers and mangrove crabs.

Spot massive crocodiles on a cruise up Porosus Creek, visit art sites, and marvel at rock formations.

Running on a fault line, this straight river is a haven for native species. If the tide is right, there may be an opportunity for swimming at Camp Creek, and here we visit the beautiful King Cascades to see water cascading over terraced rock formations.

See the National Heritage Listed ‘Mermaid Tree’ at Careening Bay. Is still bears the name carved by the crew of Phillip Parker King’s ship HMS Mermaid when the ship was careened here for repairs in 1820.

Montgomery Reef is a biologically diverse area covering over 300 square kilometres. Named by Phillip Parker King, this marvellous reef is home to several species of marine turtles, dolphins, dugongs, and crocodiles. As the reef emerges from the sea at low tide, more than four metres of reef can be exposed. We’ll get up close in the Xplorer and inflatables to witness the spectacle of this natural phenomenon. Our guides will share their knowledge on the formation of the reef and the myriad wildlife here. The waterfalls cascading off the reef are spectacular.

The large rock formation of Raft Point, a Kimberley icon, guards the entrance to this renowned area, with a host of destinations such as the mighty Sale River, Steep Island and Ruby Falls at Red Cone Creek.

There may also be an opportunity to meet the Worrora people and experience the wondrous Wandjina art of Raft Point.

We’ll cruise through the vivid visual delights of the Buccaneer Archipelago, a group of nearly 1000 largely uninhabited islands, towards Talbot Bay. Yes, this looks like paradise. Here we find the natural wonder of the Horizontal Falls, the only place in the world where water falls sideways. The 11-metre tide thunders through narrow gorges in the McLarty Ranges, and you can experience the thrill of traversing the falls at high speed aboard inflatable tenders.

At Cyclone Creek, view evidence of massive geological forces in the impressive rock formations, or take an Xplorer cruise through the Iron Islands, past Koolan Island, before enjoying sunset drinks at Nares Point.

Subject to weather and tides, we’ll visit the Lacepede Islands, a series of low islands known for their coarse sand and vivid coral top. The islands have been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area as they support over 1% of the world populations of brown boobies and roseate terns. There are up to 18,000 breeding pairs of brown boobies, possibly the largest such population in the world.

We’ll board Zodiacs and explore the island’s lagoon, keeping an eye out for many species of marine birdlife including Australian Pelicans, frigate birds, egrets, gulls and terns. The islands are also a significant breeding ground for the Green Turtle, often seen nesting here.

This evening enjoy the Captain’s farewell drinks as your Kimberley expedition draws to a close.

Your adventure along the Kimberley Coast concludes in Broome this morning at 8am. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this magnificent journey.