Inspiring Journeys - Northern Territory Dreaming Itinerary

Welcome to Darwin! This morning meet your Journey Director and board your luxury vehicle to begin your journey of discovery in the Top End. Travel across the Finniss River to Litchfield National Park. You'll visit tumbling Florence Falls and you'll also enjoy a swim to cool off at Wangi Falls, surrounded by tropical monsoon rainforest and hear about its importance in Aboriginal custom before stopping for lunch. Get ready for a cross-country journey into the magnificent Kakadu National Park. Keep your eyes open for Crocodiles as you cross the South Alligator River, Brolgas, Magpie Geese and Jabiru as you traverse along the long grasses of the marshes and wetlands. Kakadu really is a diverse UNESCO world heritage site. This afternoon check into the renowned Crocodile Hotel in the town of Jabiru and enjoy the wonderful Aboriginal Art Gallery within the hotel before getting to know your fellow travellers over dinner with wine.

As this journey departs at 7.30am from Mantra on the Esplanade Darwin, accommodation will need to be prebooked for the previous night.

Accommodation: Kakadu - 2 nights

Meals: Lunch, Dinner with wine

Wake up to the evocative sounds of the floodplains. Now you’ll journey into the tropical depths of iconic World Heritage and Ramsar listed Kakadu National Park. Join your Journey Director on a walk at Kakadu’s stunning Ubirr, where you’ll see ancient rock art, and remarkable views over the surrounding wetlands and escarpments from Nadab lookout. The Yellow Water Billabong cruise will be a highlight of your day. Keep a look out for a myriad of bird species, spot estuarine crocodiles and enjoy the stunning billabong and floodplains system.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with wine

Venture to Nourlangie to admire the ancient Dreamtime art of the Bininj and Mungguy people. Hear from your Journey Director a detailed interpretation of the art and the rich Aboriginal culture as you explore the various outdoor ‘galleries’, dating back 20,000 years. Continue driving through the ancient lands of Kakadu to the town of Katherine and further on into Nitmiluk National Park. This evening indulge in five-star luxury at Cicada Lodge, a stunning ecolodge surrounded by nature.

Accommodation: Katherine - 2 Nights

Meals:  Breakfast, lunch, dinner with wine

Meet didgeridoo expert Manuel Pamkal this morning and share in his passion for the rich traditional culture into which he was born. Learn about life in the bush and experience firsthand the fine art of rarrk (cross-hatch) painting. Later, board a dinner cruise on Katherine Gorge and learn about the history and culture of the local Jawoyn people, traditional owners of Nitmiluk National Park.

Included Meals: Full buffet breakfast, lunch, Local Dining Experience

A leisurely start to the day could see you relaxing at the lodge or setting off on a comfortable walk. Later, emerge from the wilderness to journey north along the Stuart Highway on your return to Darwin, stopping to cool off in the cascading waters of Edith Falls and visit the poignant Adelaide River War Cemetery. Tonight, enjoy an evening at leisure in Darwin.

Included Meals: Full Buffet Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Darwin - 1 Night

After a morning flight to Alice Springs your Central Australia Journey Director will share with you their take on what life is like in such an isolated town as Alice Springs. Visit the historic Overland Telegraph Station, site of the first European settlement in the town. Then the stunning landscapes of the West MacDonnell Ranges take centre stage, as you embark on a walk through Simpsons Gap. This evening, join your Alice Springs family hosts for a Local Dining Experience barbecue dinner around a campfire, as the Milky Way lights up the sky.

Included Meals: Full buffet breakfast, Local Dining Experience

Accommodation: Alice Springs - 1 night

Now we’re off the beaten track exploring the 4WD Giles Track, crossing dry river beds and outback landscapes to Kings Canyon Resort. Another unique Local Dining Experience, Under a Desert Moon, awaits you this evening. The flickering glow of the fire is the perfect accompaniment to sparkling wine and canapés followed by dinner, prepared from fresh produce and ingredients unique to the Australian outback.

Accommodation: Kings Canyon - 1 night

Included Meals: Full buffet breakfast, lunch, dinner with wine

Gaze across the deep chasm at the edge of Kings Canyon as you embark on a six-kilometre rim walk past the domed ‘Lost City’ and the luscious ‘Garden of Eden’. If you’d prefer a more relaxed walk you can opt to set off on a two-kilometre stroll along the boulderstrewn canyon creek bed that leads to impressive views of the canyon rim. Immerse yourself in Indigenous culture on a visit to the Wanmarra Aboriginal Community and learn about the Luritja and Pertame people’s spiritual connection to the land. Discover bush food and medicine used for spirituality and healing. Leaving Kings Canyon behind travel across desert landscapes to Curtin Springs Station, a vast farming property, for lunch. Afterwards, arrive at Ayers Rock Resort, your launchpad to Australia’s heart, in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. This evening, watch as the outback sun bids a fiery farewell, the perfect backdrop for sparkling sundowners at Uluru.

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Uluru - 2 Nights

Observe the shifting lights of the impressive Field of Light art installation as the desert awakens and the sunrise lights up across Uluru. Then you’re off to explore the Uluru - Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre and learn about the spiritual connection the local Anangu caretakers have with the land. Skirt the red walls of Uluru, hear timeless stories, view spectacular rock art, and visit the culturally significant Mutitjulu Waterhole. Experience the magnificence of the 36 red conglomerate rock domes that form Kata Tjuta and join your Journey Director for a guided walk through the immense Walpa Gorge. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a Celebration Dinner at Ilkari Restaurant.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Celebration Dinner

Enjoy a relaxed start to the day before traversing the Outback back to Alice Springs. Enjoy some free time to wander around the town of Alice Springs. The Todd St Mall has cafes and many local indigenous art galleries to explore. Immerse yourself this afternoon and evening against the backdrop of the Outback at our open-air farewell bush BBQ dinner. Located off the beaten track in the heart of the East MacDonnell Ranges you will enjoy drinks as a bush balladeer sings some classic Australian Songs and shares stories of outback living. Indulge in local produce dinner with delicious prime steaks and as the Milky Way lights up the sky.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Accommodation: Alice Springs - 1 night

This morning after breakfast your Inspiring Journey comes to an end, make your way to Alice Springs Airport for your onward flight.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Itinerary Variations – the provider strives to improve trip itineraries. If improvements can be made, or if circumstances beyond their control make changes necessary, the provider reserves the right to vary itineraries and to make substitutions. 

Immerse, Indulge, Explore, Relax

• Learn the fine art of ‘rarrk’ painting 
• Discover the ancient Aboriginal art galleries of Kakadu National Park.
• Sunsets and champagne, a unique dining experience floating on the Katherine Gorge indulging in local produce dinner
• Enjoy the fine dining at Cicada Lodge with the tones of the National Park
• Enter Walpa Gorge, an ancient temple crafted by nature
• Keep an eye out for crocodiles on the Yellow Water Billabong
• Unwind in your modern spacious room at Kings Canyon Resort.
• Stay in the heart of Nitmiluk at eco-friendly Cicada Lodge.

Whats Included

• Specialist highly experienced Journey Director & Driver Guide with specialist accreditation Kakadu National Park, Uluru National Park and Watarrka National Park 
• Mixture of boutique, unique and 5 star hotels
• Arrival Airport transfer

Dining

• 10 Full buffet breakfasts
• 5 Lunches
• 8 Dinners with wine

Fitness Requirements

• Moderate level of fitness required
• The walk to the top of Gunlom Falls is difficult in nature and may not be suitable for all guests. There is an easier walk with plunge pool access available as an alternative
• Good level of fitness required for the three hour Kings Canyon Rim Walk
• Low to moderate level of fitness required for the Kings Canyon Creek Bed Walk

Flight Information: to be purchased in order to fulfill the itinerary and are NOT included in the land content price 

• Day Prior: Flights to arrive anytime into Darwin Airport
• Day 11: flights to depart anytime from Alice Springs Airport
• Required internal flights are included in the trip price. Please see the internal flight schedule below:
• Day 6: Darwin to Alice Springs QF1958 (*Internal-holiday flight)