Tour Itinerary
Please note: At time of booking, HostelWorld will take a deposit on your trip. Oz Experience will also debit your credit card for the balance of the trip price at time of booking - not when you join the tour
Recommended Min.Trip Time
38 Days
Itinerary
Darwin to Kakadu
Spot crocs (and other wild creatures!) on a cruise along the fresh waters of the Mary River Wetlands. After lunch, discover more about the land and its stories at the Bowali Visitor Centre. The whole of Kakadu is spread out before you at Ubirr Rock, where we spend the afternoon. Tonight we camp in Kakadu National Park.
Kakadu to Darwin
Jim Jim Falls is our first stop today, and it's a stunner! You'll feel a bit dwarfed by the towering cliffs as we hike to the base of the falls. By now you've probably worked up an appetite for some lunch! This afternoon the spectacular gorge of Twin Falls is experienced onboard a National Park operated boat and along the boardwalk. Unwind for a bit on the sandy banks before we trek back to Darwin.
Darwin to Katherine Gorge
Leaving Darwin, we stop for a break at Adelaide River on the way to Katherine. We spend the whole afternoon at the majestic Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk). Experience the striking beauty while canoeing or cruising (at own expense) through the gorge itself. Tonight we stay at our permanent camp near Katherine Gorge.
Katherine Gorge to Tennant Creek
Not far to the south is Mataranka, where you can revive in a sparkling thermal pool surrounded by lush tropical forest. Next stop is the iconic Daly Waters outback hotel, the Territory's oldest pub. After lunch, we continue south to Tennant Creek where we camp overnight at Juno Horse Farm.
Tennant Creek to Alice Springs
This morning we check out the sacred site of the Devils Marbles, which balance precariously on their rocky perch. A visit to Ti Tree gives you the chance to buy original works of art by Indigenous artists, before crossing over the Tropic of Capricorn to arrive in Alice Springs late in the afternoon.
Alice Springs to Kings Canyon and Uluru
We journey to Kings Canyon where we explore the spectacular North and South Walls, the 'Amphitheatre', 'Lost City' and the 'Garden of Eden'. After lunch, we travel on to Uluru (Ayers Rock) for our overnight stay in our private campsite.
Uluru to Alice Springs
It's an early start for one of the highlights of the tour - the Uluru sunrise. Enjoy a walk around the base exploring the mysterious rock formations and Aboriginal art sites while watching the changing light on the desert or you can choose to climb Uluru. We visit the red domes of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and learn about the significance of this spiritual place. After lunch, we depart for Alice Springs viewing the rugged desert scenery along the way.
make your own way to Cairns. Fly or travel overland between Alice Springs and Cairns at own expense
Cairns to Mission Beach
East Coast, here we come… We head to Mission Beach, where the rainforest meets the sea. This is one great place to stay over. If you're lucky you'll get to see a Cassowary, these are big birds with attitude.
Mission Beach to Townsville
(with optional Magnetic Island)
Next stop: city of Townsville for Magnetic Island. Stay aboard or jump bus for 2 or 3 days, take the ferry and relax, try sea kayaking, go for a walk… it's chilled out here. Magnetic Island is the sunniest spot on the QLD coast. (More than 320 sunny days a year!) You'll think you've landed in paradise. Get out for some hikes or try and spot koalas in their natural habitat.
Townsville to Airlie Beach
We make our evening arrival into Airlie Beach, access point for the Whitsunday Islands and a not-to-be-missed 2 or 3 day sailing trip (optional) followed by the traditional night on the town. This is Airlie Beach after all.
Airlie Beach to Sarina
There's a few kilometers to cover after Airlie Beach before we get to Sarina Bowling Club. Here we're invited to play bare-foot lawn bowls.
Sarina to Kroombit
Now we go inland, almost into the Outback, to our cattle station overnight at Kroombit. There's a local payment to cover bush dinner, bunk accomm and brekkie. Don't go to bed before getting bucked off the mechanical bull!
Kroombit to Hervey Bay
We don't leave the station until the goats are rounded up by horseback (own expense), then be part of a real-life mini-rodeo which is loads of laughs. Stay behind for more or get back on the bus to Hervey Bay, an access point to the amazing Fraser Island. Along the way, eyeball the grand old architecture of Maryborough.
Hervey Bay to Rainbow Beach
We branch off to Rainbow Beach, which has awesome coloured sands (hence the name) and guided walks are possible. You can do Fraser Island trips from here with a 10 minute ferry onto the Island. At Rainbow Beach there's a huge range of adventure activities on offer, from hang-gliding, shark diving to sea-kayaking with dolphins.
Rainbow Beach to Noosa
We take a few back roads and onto the highway and it's not long before we turn for the Sunshine Coast and stop in the yuppie holiday spot Noosa.
Noosa to Brisbane
Heading out of Noosa, stay awake for interesting information from your driver-guide and gaze out the glass to the east for views of the Glasshouse Mountains, remnants of volcanoes from a long time ago. After a while, we turn into Brisbane. Brissie is Oz's #3 city. Get off the bus. Stay a night. Stay longer.
Brisbane to Gold Coast
We hit the highway and it's a short hop to The Gold Coast... 40 kms of golden sands, a land of theme parks, cheap rent luxury high-rise apartments, beautiful people, tanned wrinklies, nearby Hinterlands and great sushi bars. Try it for yourself and see…
Gold Coast to Byron Bay
It's a short stage today. Head into Byron Bay, great beach, cool vibe, interesting locals. We're sure you'll love it so much you'll get off and stay longer. Enjoy! Take a cheap day tour to Nimbin, town of happy hippies (optional).
Byron Bay to Surf Camp
This leg only takes a few hours. We take the coast road through Lennox Head to Ballina. Then it's onto the Pacific Highway before we pull up at Mojo's Surf's cool Surf Camp.
Surf Camp to Sydney
We get up early to get some wave action with your included surf lesson. The Mojo Surf crew will have you standing up in no time. Stay longer if you reckon surfing's your thing! After that there's lots of bush, cool tunes and sometimes a bus-stop before we reach Sydney.
+ Blue Mountains Day Tour from Sydney
We head out of Sydney past the Sydney Olympic site to our first stop where we view wild Eastern Grey Kangaroos in native bush habitat. These 'roos are pretty big and you can get up close and personal.
We do a 2-3 hour loop walk near Wentworth Falls to see this waterfall, lookout points and surround. You will walk through changing vegetation, hanging swamps, and under rock ledges giving you an overview of the dramatic Blue Mountains environment.
Lunch is included - you'll eat a nutritious lunch, everything from fruit, sandwiches, salads & more.
After lunch, we walk down the historic Furber Stairs into Jamison Valley through lush rainforest, past picturesque Katoomba Falls and view the incredible 3 Sisters rock formations.
From the bottom of the Jamison Valley, board the Scenic Railway (fare included), the steepest railway in the world and ride up to the valley rim.
For those staying longer we'll drop you off in Katoomba at the award-winning YHA @ 5.00pm and pick up others. The YHA is an impressive heritage building and you can experience some local nightlife in this historic town.
We cruise back into Sydney after an action packed day and drop you off at 7.00pm (approx.) at the Oz Experience office where we picked you up.
Sydney to Jindabyne (via Canberra)
We travel to Australia's capital city of Canberra checking out Parliament House and other highlights on a city tour. After lunch we pass through Cooma, learning about Australia's great engineering feat the 'Snowy Hydro-Electric Scheme. We arrive at Jindabyne in the late afternoon - a great time for a spot of trout fishing in the lake or perhaps go water skiing and/or wake boarding (all at own expense & seasonal). Dinner and overnight dorm accommodation is included at the Lake Jindabyne Hotel, where you'll get to enjoy the mountain life; perhaps a sauna, swim or a drink at the bar while taking in the magnificent view of the lake.
Jindabyne to Lakes Entrance Via Snowy River Country
After breakfast, let the bus do all the work as we climb high into the Australian Alps (seasonal Nov-May). Enjoy a rewarding hike along an alpine track (2½ hour round-trip) absorbing stunning views of the glacial 'Blue Lake' & the peak of Mt Kosciuszko (the highest point in Australia). During winter, (Jun-Oct) we visit the ski village of Perisher/Smiggins for fun in the snow (optional hire of toboggans or snow tubes at own expense). After lunch we take the spectacular scenic drive along the Barry Way, watching the Snowy River wind below us, as we cross the border into Victoria. In the afternoon, we take a break to fly down the 'zip wire' (optional activity at own expense) before arriving for our overnight stop at the coastal township of Lakes Entrance; the Gateway to the Gippsland Lakes and Australia's longest beach - Ninety Mile Beach.
Lakes Entrance to Wilsons Promontory NP
This morning you may wish to take the opportunity for an early morning walk before driving to Wilsons Promontory National Park with ample time to hike and explore! Walk on squeaky beaches, watch the ocean of Bass Strait pound on to the Australian mainland's most southerly point, hike along spectacular granite rock formations with fantastic views and learn about the coastal flora & native wildlife (maybe even sighting emus and wombats). We finish our tour, travelling on to Melbourne through the pastoral landscape of South Gippsland.
