"Australia has become the international destination most Americans say they would like to visit. This welcoming country has a population of 21 million, but a huge majority live in the coastal towns and cities. Sydney has probably the greatest skyline in the world, boasting the magnificent Opera House and Harbour Bridge, but the Gold Coast and Great Barrier Reef are also both spectacular. To really get a grasp of the country, however, you need to take a safari into the Red Centre. Near the end of a six-month stay in the northern Queensland town of Cairns, I decided to experience the Outback for myself and joined a small group of travelers on a safari from Cairns to Alice Springs.

Driving out of Cairns into the Atherton Tablelands, I could better comprehend the vast open spaces this country is known for. You would literally drive an entire day and meet possibly three other vehicles coming in the opposite direction. Occasionally you might see wild kangaroos leaping alongside the road. One night we slept outside on a large tarpaulin under huge eucalyptus trees, and woke to a beautiful chorus of birdsong around us. After several days of driving, the landscape turned progressively redder and the temperatures soared. We reached Alice Springs in the heart of the Northern Territory, then drove on to Ayers Rock to watch the sunset colors change from the desert floor. After a cold night spent out in the open huddled in sleeping bags, we began an early morning ascent of the Rock in complete darkness for the experience of watching the sunrise over the desert. Just as impressive was a walk through the Olgas, a unique rock formation of many large domes that is also sacred to the local Aboriginal people. Time did not allow me the pleasure of visiting Kakadu National Park, but one day I hope to experience that too!"
- Dave Edwards

Day 1 Sat: Sydney - Darlington Point:
Depart Sydney at 8.00am. Travel to Darlington Point. This evening enjoy a welcome drink with your crew.
Camp: Darlington Point.

Day 2 Sun: Riverina:
Continue to Hay, then stop in Mildura, before travelling to Renmark.
Camp: Renmark.

Day 3 Mon: Barossa Valley:
Visit the Barossa Valley for a winery tour and tastings. Free time to explore Adelaide this afternoon.
Hotel: Mercure Grosvenor Hotel.

Day 4 Tues: Flinders Ranges:
Travel north to Wilpena Pound in the southern Flinders Ranges, a remarkable natural quartzite amphitheatre.
Camp: Wilpena Pound.

Day 5 Wed: Marree:
Continue north to remote Marree.
Camp: Marree.

Day 6 Thu: Coober Pedy:
Stop briefly at the Southern end of Lake Eyre. Continue along the Oodnadatta Track to Coober Pedy, the Opal capital! Visit an underground home and discover how the locals live in this unique town.
Dugout (multi-share): Coober Pedy.

Day 7 Fri: Uluru (Ayers Rock):
Travel to Ayers Rock Resort. Tonight enjoy Uluru (Ayers Rock) at sunset.
Camp: Ayers Rock Resort, 2 nights.

Day 8 Sat: Kata Tjuta (the Olgas):
You may wish to view sunrise at Uluru followed by a guided base walk. Visit the Mutitjulu Waterhole, Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and walk through Walpa Gorge.

Day 9 Sun: Kings Canyon:
Travel to Kings Canyon and climb the Canyon rim for spectacular views of the Watarrka National Park.
Camp: Kings Creek Station.

Day 10 Mon: Alice Springs:
Visit Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm. Enjoy a short orientation tour of the unique outback town of Alice Springs.
Camp: Alice Springs, 2 nights.

Day 11 Tues: Alice Springs:
A free day to relax in Alice Springs. Perhaps attend the Red Centre Dreaming Dinner and Show.

Day 12 Wed: Tennant Creek:
Visit the Telegraph Station and cross the Tropic of Capricorn. Explore Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles), before continuing to Tennant Creek.
Camp: Tennant Creek.

Day 13 Thu: Katherine:
Continue north along the Stuart Highway to the town of Katherine today.
Camp: Nitmiluk National Park.

Day 14 Fri: Kakadu:
Travel to Katherine Gorge for a cruise down this magnificent waterway. This afternoon depart for Kakadu National Park.
Camp: Kakadu National Park.

Day 15 Sat: Kakadu - Darwin:
This morning cruise on the famous Yellow Water Billabong. Visit Jabiru, the Bowali Visitor Centre and Ubirr to see rock art.
Hotel: Mirambeena Resort, Darwin, 2 nights.

Day 16 Sun: Darwin:
Time at leisure today in Darwin. Clients departing this morning (Tour Code: CSDD) transfer to the airport (flights anytime).

Day 17 Mon: Mataranka:
Visit the Adelaide River War Cemetery. Continue to Edith Falls and on to Mataranka for a refreshing dip in the thermal springs.
Camp: Mataranka.

Day 18 Tues: Barkly Tablelands:
Journey along the Carpentaria Highway into the Barkly Tablelands.
Camp: Barkly Homestead

Day 19 Wed: Mt. Isa:
Cross into Queensland. Stop at Camooweal, before arriving in Mt. Isa.
Camp: Mt. Isa.

Day 20 Thu: Gulf Country:
Departing Mt. Isa, travel through remote savannah regions to Charters Towers.
Camp: Charters Towers.

Day 21 Fri: Atherton Tablelands:
Today travel into the Atherton Tablelands. Visit the Curtain Fig Tree and Millaa Millaa Falls. Continue to Cairns.
Camp: Cairns, 3 nights.

Day 22 Sat: Great Barrier Reef:
Cruise to the Great Barrier Reef. Visit the underwater observatory, semi-submersible boat or snorkel over the colourful coral gardens.

Day 23 Sun: Skyrail - Kuranda:
This morning board the Skyrail for a journey above the lush rainforest canopy. Enjoy the Pamagirri Experience. Board the Kuranda train back to Cairns.

Day 24 Mon: Airlie Beach:
Clients departing this morning in Cairns conclude after breakfast (Tour Code: CSDC). You will be transferred to Cairns Airport (flights anytime). Journey to Townsville, before continuing to Airlie Beach.
Camp: Airlie Beach, 2 nights.

Day 25 Tues: Whitsunday Islands
Cruise by catamaran to Hamilton Island and Whitehaven Beach, where pure white sand is fringed by the clear sparkling Whitsunday waters. Time to explore.

Day 26 Wed: Rockhampton
Travel to Mackay. Free time in Rockhampton. Continue south to Langmorn Station.
Camp: Langmorn Station.

Day 27 Thu: Hervey Bay
Travel via Miriam Vale to Hervey Bay.
Camp: Hervey Bay, 2 nights.

Day 28 Fri: Fraser Island
Cruise to Fraser Island, board a 4WD and traverse the sand dunes. Tour 75 Mile Beach, the Cathedrals and Eli Creek.

Day 29 Sat: Brisbane - Gold Coast
Travel to Brisbane for an orientation tour, then continue to the famous Gold Coast.
Camp: Gold Coast.

Day 30 Sun: Coffs Harbour
Travel to colourful Byron Bay. After a short stop, continue to Coffs Harbour.
Hotel: Pelican Beach Resort, Coffs Harbour.

Day 31 Mon: Depart Sydney
Continue south to Sydney, arriving at approximately 5.30pm. You will be transferred to Sydney Airport for your onward flight.

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