Australia: Outback Adventure
Experience Overview
The Australian outback has to be experienced to be believed. This is home to the world's oldest living culture, to skyscraper-sized boulders, scores of crocodiles & kangaroos, ancient rainforest, and the giant red monolith that is Uluru. You'll see it all from Uluru to Darwin in 9 incredible days, with time for sunset hikes, natural wonders, and lunar landscapes along the way.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 7 Breakfast (B)
- 2 Dinner (D)
FAQs
- Sydney: Why does the itinerary use dual-names for locations (ie. Warrane/Sydney)? Contiki acknowledges the Traditional and Torres Strait Island owners of the land, sea and waters of the spectacular Australian continent. Dual-naming reflects that, as we explore this remarkable land, we recognise and respect Indigenous custodianship of a unique, ancient culture and country.
- Sydney: What does a modular trip mean? A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
Included Experience
- Uluru: Chill with your new BFFs over dinner at Uluru.
- Uluru: Start the day the right way – by enjoying the sunrise over Uluru. This should be on everyone’s #lifegoals list.
- Kata Tjuta: Walk around this sacred site. See the Valley of the Winds and Walpa Gorge, with its towering domes that change colour in the sunlight.
- Uluru: Does it get any better than a 'Big Brekkie' cooked up on the BBQ? We think not.
- Uluru: Salute this sacred landmark with drinks and nibbles as you watch the sun set. A moment you’ll replay in your mind forever.
- Kings Canyon: Climb the 'stairway to heaven' to the aptly named Garden of Eden, Kings Canyon.
- Alice Springs: Off we soar to our next destination.
- Darwin: We’ll uncover the very best of this cultural hotspot, with a local guide on hand to answer all our burning questions.
- Kakadu National Park: Immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture at Pudakul. Meet a local family in their home and learn about the significance of the Didgeridoo.
- Kakadu National Park: Climb to the top and be rewarded with a sunset to rival the African savannas. You’ll half-expect a lion to walk into the frame!
- Kakadu National Park: See the work of Aboriginal artists and craft-makers and learn more about the indigenous tribes.
- Kakadu National Park: Some Aboriginal art on Nourlangie Rocks has been around for 20,000 years! It makes our nan look like a spring chicken.
- Katherine: Kick back and take a refreshing dip in the crystalline plunge pools, surrounded by monsoon forest. Pure bliss!
- Litchfield National Park: One for the bucket list. Take it easy in the relaxing plunge pools, or swim under the cascading Florence Falls.
- Litchfield National Park: Check out this weird but unmissable highlight at Litchfield National Park.
Trip Details
Product Code: 17192
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+, Luxury
Tour Operator:
Contiki (CA)
Supplier Code: 155.2194A
Starts: Uluru, Australia
Finishes: Darwin, Australia
Duration: 9 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $3,876 ($431 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to your outback adventure! Today in Uluru, you'll have the option to see the spectacular Field of Lights. Afterwards, we'll settle in to our accommodation and get some sleep, ready for a full day of exploration in the morning.
Accommodation: Voyages Outback Hotel & Lodge (or similar)
Meals: Dinner
It's time to explore the majesty of Uluru. And what better way to start the day than witnessing the rock bathed in the golden glow of sunrise? A sacred site for the local aboriginal tribe, this imposing rock is actually a staggering 700 million years old. We'll then get right into the heart of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park with a hike to the Walpa Gorge and Valley of the Winds, where boulders bigger than skyscrapers dominate the landscape. This afternoon you'll have a chance to try out your skills with an optional Segway tour.
Accommodation: Voyages Outback Hotel & Lodge (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Grab your sneakers, camera and your sense of adventure - it's time for a day trip! Our first stop is an included Big BBQ Brekkie at Kings Creek Station, then we're ready to go. Your guided hike around the imposing King's Canyon awaits. Wonder at the lunar-like landscape as you hike through the canyon and take respite from the sun in the shady space at the bottom of the climb, The Garden of Eden. It's as idyllic and mythical as it sounds and is home to its own unique ecosystem in this barren landscape. Finish the day off with a glass of bubbles in hand and the sunset casting a glow over the Outback's most picturesque backdrop, there's no better way to spend your final evening in Uluru.
Accommodation: Voyages Outback Hotel & Lodge (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Rise and shine folks. Today we’ll start with an early breakfast and then make our merry way towards Darwin. First stop, Alice Springs! After taking the coach to Alice Springs, we’ll hop onto an included flight to Darwin. And welcome to Darwin (Garramilla) – home to brilliant beaches and the gateway to Kakadu National Park. Get some rest tonight, a full day of adventures awaits us in the morning.
Accommodation: The Leea Resort Darwin (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
This morning, we'll take a city tour on the coach and head to Kakadu National Park. It's time to get to grips with the breathtaking landscapes of Kakadu National Park. We'll kick things off by meeting some local Indigenous people at their business, Pudakul. We'll be taken on an immersive cultural tour where we'll have the chance to learn and understand the local customs and traditions of the Aboriginal people of the region. It's an experience not to be missed. Fully immersed in these timeless lands we'll take a hike up to Ubirr lookout, to catch a stunning sunset over the Nadab floodplain before enjoying a free evening to chill out at our accommodation.
Accommodation: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel (or similar)
Cameras at the ready! We have all day today to explore the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding National Park. You'll have the option to see the unique terrain of the Northern Territory from the sky, gliding over the strikingly different landscapes on a scenic flight. You can then opt into a Sunset Yellow Waters cruise this evening, while learning why this region is so important to the local Aboriginal people.
Accommodation: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
More natural beauty in store today, as we start with a visit to Edith Falls before we head to the otherworldly Katherine Gorge. Welcome to the spectacular sandstone landscapes of Katherine Gorge. We'll have the opportunity to take a cruise and explore the world famous National Park, spotting waterfalls, ancient aboriginal rock art and of course the incredible gorge itself.
Accommodation: Contour Hotel Katherine (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Our time in Katherine comes to an end today, but the departure is easier knowing we're headed for another natural wonder... Arriving in Litchfield National Park, we'll check out the enormous termite mounds and famous Florence Falls, two waterfalls pouring over a wide plateau into into deep, picture-perfect water holes. Grab your swimmers to take a heavenly dip in the crystal clear waters. Our final night. Time to make even more memories with your Contiki crew.
Accommodation: The Leea Resort Darwin (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
And after 24 magical, majestic, mythical days, our trip ends today after breakfast. It's been amazing, we've learnt things about ourselves, about the world and about each other... and something tells us this won't be the last time we see each other...
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Contiki (CA)
Contiki is a New Zealand-based tour company that caters to 18 to 35-year-olds, offering over 350 different tours in over 75 countries in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.[1] It is a subsidiary of The Travel Corporation. Its tours historically had a reputation for partying;[2][3] however, it also operates wellness trips culturally immersive experiences that focus less on alcohol, which are more popular with Generation Z.[4] The company owns lodging facilities in Europe, including the Chateau De Cruix, a 16th century castle in the Beaujolais wine region, and the Gasthof Schoneck in the Austrian Tyrol. The name "Contiki" comes from the portmanteau 'Con' from the word 'Continent' and 'Tiki'; from the Māori referring to the first man, often symbolised as a pendant known as hei-tiki. It can also be attributed to the New Zealand slang 'Tiki-tour' describing taking a longer route to a destination in order to explore.[5]
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Anonymous - Traveled, December 2024
This contiki trip was one of the best and most memorable trips that I have ever been on. I really enjoyed all the activities and was amazed by the organisation skills. I loved that the trip was not stressful whatsoever. Definitely recommend for first time solo traveller's. The booking was excellent.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2024
Marco - Traveled, November 2024
It was an amazing trip, you can do all sort of things, like go in a helicopter, enjoy a scenic flig ur in a plane, try and spot some crocs, swimming was involved and learn about the Aboriginal communities, and why Uluru and Kajta Juta is so important to them. Excellent, contiki offers 24/7 support and gives you all the support you need. You receive heaps of info prior to the trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/12/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2024
I liked almost every aspect of the trip except for the 3 hour round trip to Kings Canyon - I believe it would be better if we had stayed there overnight instead of a long day trip! I also think that the combination of constant sunrise starts and late nights was a bit too much, it did not leave enough time for rest. Maybe one or two sunsets/sunrises would have been better! All the other aspects of the trip were amazing. I especially loved swimming in waterfalls and Kakadu National Park. The process was generally very smooth, but I wish there had been more communication about the extras and costs associated with them provided.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/17/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2024
Great experience, awesome part of Australia to visit. Cass was awesome as the tour manager! Had a great time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/25/2024
- Traveled, January 2024
The trip was incredible and would definitely recommend going on it. Cassie the trip manager was amazing and checked in with each of us individually throughout the day which I didn’t expect but made the trip better. The itinerary was packed full of everything which was great. The only not amazing activity was the helicopter ride over Uluru, the windows were really small and I didn’t get a good view. I was late booking the trip so it did take a bit of back and forth with the team but it all got booked in the end and the team couldn’t do enough to help me. I received all the information I needed before going on the trip which included hotels we were staying at and essential items we needed to bring as well. Being added to a Facebook group before the trip started was great so we could see everyone else that was going on the trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/20/2024
Samuel - Traveled, June 2024
Great trip, would highly recommend. Great service - get what is advertised.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/19/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, August 2024
Mark, the trip manager, was very knowledgable, helpful and organised. This is NOT a drinking/partying kind of trip. Instead, you get to take in the incredible sights the Northern Territory has to offer which is just magical.There are plenty of very early starts but what you see is so worth it. Before the tour started, I wasn’t really interested in some of the included activities but by the end of it, they actually ended up being my favourite part of the tour as they were so interesting. I went during the wet season which does not hinder the experience at all, so I would definitely recommend this tour, no matter the time of year. I booked this trip a week before it was due to start and it was very quick and simple.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/24/2024
Emma - Traveled, February 2024
The trip itself was incredible, we had so many activities, most of them you had to pay for but it was defiantly money well spent, it was worth it!! There was a lot of travelling involved but it was all an amazing adventure, and we got to get to know everyone much better. I am so glad I had my holiday with Contiki, I met new amazing people, I had an awesome tour manager Cass, I learnt more about Australia ???? and I made amazing memories that I will have for a lifetime. It was the best experience, I defiantly recommend Contiki!! I am thinking of doing another trip with Contiki next year, either in America or UK/Europe!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/21/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, April 2024
Outback Adventures was the trip of a lifetime!! All the activities that were included and the add ons were great! It was never a dull moment. Even with the heat and the flies everyone made the best of it! Cass was our trip manager and she made our already amazing trip a million times better. She is so knowledgeable (I learned so much), super kind and definitely a whole lotta fun! I’ve already told all my friends and family they have to do this trip especially with Cass. Truly a blast! This was my first group tour. Everything about booking the trip was easy, any questions I had were answered within a day by email. Great experience booking with Contiki!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/17/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2024
Great trip manager, very knowledgeable. So much included to see. Lots of great add ons and included activities. Easy to book, information given well in advance. Boomed myself and found it went really smoothly.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/26/2024
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