Fish Hook Pass - Sydney to Darwin by Oz Experience

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

32 Days

Sydney > Hunter Valley Day

A full active day in the Hunter Valley region, we visit the best wineries (all tastings and lunch included) plus experience Aboriginal history at Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, view ancient Rock Art and get up close to Australia's native animals.

Sydney to Thredbo Alpine Village* (via Canberra) (zz)

Our first stop today is the capital city of Australia - Canberra - where the Prime Minister hangs out. See for yourself how a custom-made capital city is built as you take in the view from Mt. Ainslie, take a tour of Parliament House, check out a few embassies and see other city highlights. We travel via Cooma, learning about the historically important Snowy Hydro-Electric Scheme on our way to Thredbo. *In ski season (Jun-Sep) we stay in Jindabyne and during winter Perisher/Smiggins (D).

Thredbo to Lakes Entrance via Snowy River Country (zz)

There is time to play in winter in the snow at the resort (optional toboggan hire or snow tube at own expense). Then Grab your hiking boots and cameras, this morning we're going to the "Roof of Australia". There's a chairlift (included in your local payment) express up the mountain! express up the mountain! You can walk to the summit of Australia's highest mountain, Mt Kosciuszko, or to the viewing point. After lunch, it's a spectacular drive along Barry Way, watching the Snowy River wind along below us. Tonight we stay in the coastal town of Lakes Entrance, the Gateway to the Gippsland Lakes and Australia's longest beach - Ninety Mile Beach. (BD)

Lakes Entrance to Wilsons Promontory NP and Melbourne

We travel to mainland Australia's most southerly point, Wilsons Promontory National Park. Walk along gleaming beaches, hike along amazing granite rock formations and learn about coastal flora and native wildlife. You might even see emus and wombats! We finish our tour travelling to Melbourne through pastoral landscapes in South Gippsland. (B)

Melbourne to Great Ocean Rd (zz)

We pass Geelong and arrive at Torquay, with a stop to shop at Quiksilver and Rip Curl before we continue to world famous Bells Beach. Our Great Ocean Road journey begins here as we wind our way along one of the most spectacular coastal roads in Australia. We stop to see some koalas before passing through the seaside town of Lorne on our way to Apollo Bay, where we'll stop for lunch (own expense). Next we hit the cool temperate rainforest of the Otway National Park, spending some time at the magnificent Otway Fly, 25 metre high elevated tree top walk. We cap off the day watching the sun set over the Twelve Apostles. Dinner will be at your overnight coastal accommodation. (D)

Great Ocean Rd to Grampians NP(zz)

Start the day with an optional helicopter ride over the amazing 12 Apostles or walk down the Gibson Steps to the beach to get a different angle of the limestone stacks. Next we head on to check out Loch Ard Gorge and the western end of the Great Ocean Road including London Bridge, the Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands. You may spot a whale or two (seasonal) at Warrnambool, where we have a stop. From here we travel through country Victoria, arriving at the magnificent Grampians National Park to the challenge of a hike to the top of the Pinnacle. The day is topped off by a walk to The Balconies and Reeds Lookout, before we get to our overnight Grampians accommodation. (BD)

Halls Gap to Adelaide

Get your legs working this morning with hikes at Hollow Mountain and the amazing MacKenzie Falls, where you'll experience the breathtaking views stretching over the north of the Grampians. Leaving this magical place, we travel west, stopping for lunch at Horsham (own expense) before continuing through the agricultural region of Victoria and in to South Australia. Bordertown is home of the rare White Western Grey Kangaroos. Crossing the mighty Murray River, king of Australia's rivers, we wind our way through the picture-pretty Adelaide Hills before arriving into Adelaide city. (B)

Adelaide to Quorn (zz)

Leaving the city behind, we travel through the Clare Valley then on to the frontier town of Melrose where we take a short walk across a swinging bridge and enjoy panoramic views from the Mt Remarkable lookout. Soon after we arrive in Quorn, the quaint and historical railway township. We get our exercise by hiking up to the summit of Dutchman's Stern for stunning 360° views of Quorn, Spencer Gulf and the Flinders Ranges! We return to Quorn where we stay two nights in private accommodation at the historical "Mill". Get ready for tonight's BBQ dinner - it doesn't get any more Aussie than this! (LD)

Flinders Ranges & Wilpena Pound (zz)

The Flinders Ranges has been recognised as one of Australia's National Landscapes and today you'll get to experience and explore this magical region! Wilpena Pound is a natural amphitheatre located in a huge stone crater and you will spend the morning hiking and exploring its wonder! After lunch, it's a short walk to Yourambulla Caves to view Aboriginal rock paintings. Learn about the hardships of sheep farming in the mid 1800's as you view the ruins of Kanyaka Homestead. As we travel back to Quorn keep your eyes open for wildlife. Overnight at the Quorn "Mill". (BLD)

Quorn to Coober Pedy (zz)

It's time to go underground! We journey north through Port Augusta and the small town of Glendambo (population 30!) and visit ancient salt lakes which are the remnants of an inland sea. We arrive in plenty of time to check out the sites of Cooper Pedy on a town tour which includes an opal cutting demonstration and mine tour with the opportunity to try your luck 'noodling' for opals! Our bunkhouse for tonight is - you guessed it - underground. (BLD)

Coober Pedy to Uluru (zz)

Drive through rugged desert country to Yulara for the sunset at Uluru (Ayers Rock) then view the stars in our overnight permanent camp at Yulara.

Alice Springs - Kings Canyon - Uluru (zz)

We drive through remote outback country to Kings Canyon. There's a bit of exploring to do here: the monumental North and South Walls, the Amphitheatre, the Lost City and the lush, inviting Garden of Eden. From here we head for an even more ancient landform, Uluru (Ayers Rock) where we camp overnight.

Uluru to Alice Springs (zz)

Sunrise at Uluru is worth the early start! Take a stroll partway around the base and discover mystifying rock formations and Aboriginal art sites, or climb Uluru if you choose. Be fascinated by the red domes of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). Return to Alice Springs in the afternoon.

Alice Springs to Tennant Creek (zz)

We cross the Tropic of Capricorn, next stop is the Barrow Creek Pub where we view the historic Telegraph Station. Further 'up the track' we explore the Devils Marbles; precariously balanced granite boulders sacred to the traditional owners', before arriving at Banka Banka Cattle Station where we camp overnight. Weather permitting - take a dip in the picturesque waterhole.

Tennant Creek to Katherine Gorge (zz)

We head further north to the famous outback pub at Daly Waters, the oldest pub in the Northern Territory and first international airport in Australia! After lunch we travel to Mataranka to enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the crystal clear thermal springs. Late afternoon we travel towards the magnificent Katherine Gorge for our overnight camp.

Katherine Gorge to Darwin (zz)

Spend half a day canoeing or cruising (at own expense) the spectacular gorge. There is also the chance for a scenic helicopter flight (at own expense) to appreciate the vastness of the gorge system. After lunch we head into Darwin via Edith Falls and Adelaide River.

Darwin to Kakadu (zz)

Spot crocs (and other wild creatures!) on a cruise along the fresh waters of the Mary River Wetlands. 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. Camp in Kakadu National Park.

Kakadu to Darwin (zz)

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. This afternoon the spectacular gorge of Twin Falls is experienced onboard a National Park operated boat and along the boardwalk (seasonal and fees apply). Unwind for a bit on the sandy banks before we trek back to Darwin.

NOTE:

Prices valid for passes purchased on or before 31st October 2010

Valid for travel within 12 months of sale date

Travel between Alice and Cairns is not included.

Refer to www.ozexperience.com for full terms and conditions

Strict luggage limit of 15kg

Meals B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Itineraries may vary and/or attractions be substituted due to seasonal conditions, weather extremes, Traditional Owner and national park requirements.

(zz) = compulsory overnight stop required