Pioneers Path

Tour Code: ant-nsd

Highlights

FIRST CLASS HOLIDAY INCLUSIONS

  •    Sample local wines in the Clare Valley
  •    Explore Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges
  •    Enjoy a tour of Coober Pedy
  •    See the spectacular colours of sunset over Uluru (Ayers Rock) with wine and nibbles
  •    Guided Uluru (Ayers Rock) base walking tour
  •    Walk through Kata Tjuta (Olgas)
  •    Climb Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park
  •    Tour the Battery Hill precinct at Tennant Creek
  •    Join the Desert Discovery Tour with your Aboriginal guide
  •    Visit Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm
  •    Cruise through tranquil Katherine Gorge
  •    Join a cruise on Yellow Water Billabong in Kakadu National Park
  •    Learn about Aboriginal culture

Transportation

  •    Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach with 2-door access, restroom, reclining seats, seat belts and large panoramic windows

Professionally Escorted

  •    Tour with an experienced, professional Tour Director and Tour Driver

Dining Inclusions

  •    Full Buffet Breakfasts (15) (B)
  •    Exciting Highlight Dinners (2) (HD)
  •    Hotel Dinners (10) YOUR CHOICE

Accommodation

  •    Twin share rooms with private facilities in centrally located hotels

Plus

  •    Welcome drink
  •    All purpose travel bag and map
  •    Airport transfers (Day prior from Sydney Airport – flights anytime; Day 16 to Darwin Airport – flights anytime)
  •    Hotel porterage included
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Itinerary

Day 1 Mon: Sydney – Griffith

Depart Sydney and travel along the Hume Highway via Goulburn and Wagga Wagga to Griffith. Enjoy a welcome drink this evening.

Accommodation: Griffith Motor Inn, Griffith.

Day 2 Tue: Griffith – Adelaide

Today we leave Griffith for Adelaide, travelling via vast Hay Plains and Mildura, located on the mighty Murray River. We cross the South Australian border and travel through the vineyards of the Riverland District to Adelaide.

Accommodation: Stamford Plaza, Adelaide. (B)

Day 3 Wed: Adelaide – Flinders Ranges

See the sights of Adelaide on an orientation tour, then sample wines at Sevenhill Cellars. Later, travel through the Flinders Ranges into Wilpena Pound.

Accommodation: Wilpena Pound Resort, Flinders Ranges. (B)

Day 4 Thu: Flinders Ranges

Enjoy time to explore Wilpena Pound. This afternoon travel through Pitchi Richi Pass to Port Augusta and visit the Wadlata Outback Centre.

Accommodation: Standpipe Golf Motor Inn, Port Augusta. (B)

Day 5 Fri: Coober Pedy

Visit Woomera, before travelling to isolated Coober Pedy, the opal capital! Visit an underground church and home.

Accommodation: Desert Cave Hotel, Coober Pedy. (B)

Day 6 Sat: Coober Pedy – Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Leaving the opal capital of Coober Pedy behind, we cross the border into Northern Territory and continue to Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park. This evening enjoy a glass of wine and nibbles as you watch sunset over Uluru. There is the option to join the famous Sounds of Silence dinner tonight. Ask your Tour Director.

Accommodation: Sails in the Desert Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort, 2 nights. (B)

Day 7 Sun: Uluru (Ayers Rock) – Kata Tjuta (Olgas)

This morning you may wish to join an early tour to view sunrise over Uluru. Enjoy a guided walk into Mutitjulu Waterhole and stop at the informative Uluru – Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre.

You may wish to join a local Aboriginal guide for the famous Liru Walk through bushland. This afternoon visit Kata Tjuta and walk into Walpa Gorge. Enjoy sunset with a glass of sparkling wine, followed by a delicious barbecue dinner under the stars. (B) (HD)

Day 8 Mon: Kings Canyon

Travel to Kings Canyon today. For the energetic, a guided climb to the Canyon rim will be rewarded with magnificent views of Watarrka National Park. Alternatively, you may prefer to explore the boulder-strewn Canyon floor, an easier walk.

Accommodation: Kings Canyon Resort, Kings Canyon. (B)

Day 9 Tue: Alice Springs

Leaving Watarrka National Park behind, we travel through to Alice Springs. See the sights of Alice Springs, including the Royal Flying Doctor Service, School of the Air and the Telegraph Station. We stop for panoramic views of Alice Springs from Anzac Hill.

Accommodation: Alice Springs Resort, 2 nights. (B)

Day 10 Wed: Aboriginal Culture – Alice Springs Desert Park

This morning spend time with a local Aboriginal guide on a Desert Discovery Tour. This afternoon we travel to Standley Chasm, Simpsons Gap and visit the Alice Springs Desert Park to see unique Australian animals. (B)

Day 11 Thu: Alice Springs – Tennant Creek

Travelling north we arrive at Karlwekarlwe (Devils Marbles). There is time to walk around these precariously balanced boulders. On arrival in Tennant Creek we join a local guide for a tour of the historic Battery Hill Precinct. Tour an underground mine and experience the life of an early miner. Tonight, enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner at the Battery Mine Centre.

Accommodation: Eldorado Motor Inn, Tennant Creek. (B) (HD)

Day 12 Fri: Mataranka Thermal Springs – Katherine

Travel across vast outback stations. Visit the historic Daly Waters Hotel, before continuing into 'Never Never' country. Stop at the tropical oasis of Mataranka for a relaxing dip in the thermal springs or stroll through the Elsey Homestead replica.

Accommodation: Paraway Motel, Katherine. (B)

Day 13 Sat: Katherine Gorge – Kakadu

We join our local guide on an early morning cruise through Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park. Visit the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre and then continue deep into Kakadu National Park. Join an afternoon cruise on the famous Yellow Water Billabong. We should see a variety of bird life and with luck, we may also see the feared estuarine crocodile basking in the muddy shallows.

Accommodation: Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn, Jabiru. (B)

Day 14 Sun: Kakadu National Park – Darwin

Travel to Ubirr and climb to the top of this rocky outcrop for rewarding views. We stop at Bowali Visitor Centre. The displays here will take you on a journey through Kakadu's varied habitats and landscapes. This afternoon travel to Darwin and enjoy a sightseeing tour of this tropical city on arrival.

Accommodation: Saville Park Suites, Darwin, 2 nights. (B)

Day 15 Mon: Litchfield National Park

This morning we travel to Litchfield National Park to see beautiful Florence Falls and the mysterious Magnetic Termite Mounds. Return to Darwin this afternoon. (B)

Day 16 Tue: Depart Darwin

Your tour concludes this morning after breakfast. You will be transferred to Darwin Airport to connect with your onward flight. (B)

Aboriginal Cultural Experiences

Symbol denotes INCLUDED

Symbol denotes OPTIONAL

Prices & Dates

Tour Dates
Departs Returns
2005
A$4530
  04 Apr     19 Apr*
  02 May     17 May  
  30 May     14 Jun*
  20 Jun     05 Jul  
  11 Jul     26 Jul  
  01 Aug     16 Aug*
  29 Aug     13 Sep*
  19 Sep     04 Oct  
  26 Sep     11 Oct*
  10 Oct     25 Oct  
  31 Oct     15 Nov*
A$4410
  28 Nov     13 Dec  
  26 Dec     10 Jan  
2006
A$4410
  09 Jan     24 Jan  
  06 Feb     21 Feb*
  06 Mar     21 Mar  
  03 Apr   18 Apr
  01 May   16 May
  29 May   13 Jun
  19 Jun   04 Jul
  10 Jul   25 Jul
  31 Jul   15 Aug
  28 Aug   12 Sept
  18 Sept   03 Oct
  25 Sept   10 Oct
  09 Oct   24 oct
  30 Oct   14 Nov
  27 Nov   12 Dec
  25 Dec   09 Jan
* = Guaranteed Departure
Supplements
Adult Single Supplement   A$1385
Triple Discount Save A$225
Child Discount Save A$905
Concession Card Holders Save A$75
Friendly Fours Save A$225
Frequent Traveller Save A$225
Meal Discount Save A$300

Some tours depart on a different day of the week than the one indicated in the itinerary