10 Day Alice Springs To Darwin Tour

This 10 day Alice Springs to Darwin tour is a great way to see Outback Australia. From the mysterious Red Centre all the way to the Top End and some of the most spectacular national parks in the world.

Join like-minded travellers as we explore Uluru and the nearby Kings Canyon and Kata Tjuta. We’re here for enough time for you to complete the Uluru base walk, see the famous Uluru sunset and hike around the stunning Kings Canyon and Kata Tjuta. At night you’ll sleep in an Aussie swag around the campfire. Heading north you’ll see the Devil’s Marbles and visit the famous Daly Waters Pub – a true Aussie experience! After a quick stopover in Darwin you’ll see spectacular waterfalls, gorges, Aboriginal rock art and massive termite mounds within Litchfield National Park and Kakadu National Park. If you want to see Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls make sure you come at the right time of year as what we can see does vary with the seasons.

There are plenty of opportunities for a refreshing swim in croc free waters, hopefully we will see a croc or two during the trip though.

The perfect Northern Territory adventure!

10 Day Alice Springs to Darwin Tour Highlights

Sunset at Uluru
Kings Canyon
Kata Tjuta
Kakadu National Park
Litchfield National Park
Devil’s Marbles
Daly Waters Pub
Mataranka Thermal Pools
Katherine Gorge
Aboriginal Rock Art
Darwin

The tour ends on the evening of day 10 in Darwin, with all your new friends, a camera full of fantastic photos and plenty of tales to tell.

Alice Springs to Darwin

1o Day Alice Springs t0 Darwin Tour Itinerary

Day 1 – Alice Springs to Uluru

On arrival to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, we visit a camel farm and discover life atop one of the regions earliest forms of transport. This afternoon embark on an interpretive base walk of Uluru.

The Cultural Centre is impressive and well worth a visit before watching the ever changing colours of Uluru at sunset. After dinner, some stories and stargazing, it’s time for a good night’s rest at your private campsite before another active day tomorrow.

Day 2 – Uluru and Kata Tjuta to Kings Canyon

An early start to experience a mesmerising Uluru sunrise,then it’s a short drive to Kata Tjuta, an aboriginal word for “many heads”, to explore its domes of which there are 36 in total. Take the Valley of the Winds walk through creek beds, domes and beautiful wilderness. After lunch, it’s farewell to Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park as you travel to Kings Creek Station to spend the night at your private camp.

Day 3 – Kings Canyon to Alice Springs

This morning you will enter the Watarrka (Kings Canyon) National Park, home of a mighty chasm with sheer red rock faces which soar over 100 metres above lush palm forests. The rim of Kings Canyon is a 6km round trip walk and you will visit the Amphitheatre, Lost City and tranquil Garden of Eden. After your final meal together, enjoy the journey back to Alice Springs arriving in the late afternoon. Overnight hostel accommodation is included in Alice Springs tonight.

Day 4 – Free day in Alice Springs

If you choose to start your Crocodile Rock package on a Tuesday or Friday, you will have a free day in Alice Springs. If you choose to start on Wednesday or Saturday, your accommodation in Alice Springs is included on night three only and you will commence your journey north to Banka Banka on Day 4. Your free day will then be spent in Darwin on Day 7. Your touring days will remain the same, it is only where you spend your free day that changes, depending on your chosen departure day.

Day 5 – Alice Springs to Banka Banka Station

Your adventure through the ‘Territory’ to Darwin begins by crossing the Tropic of Capricorn just north of Alice Springs. The huge granite boulders known as the Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu) make for great photos. Tonight you will camp north of Tennant Creek at historic Banka Banka Cattle Station.

Day 6 – Banka Banka to Mataranka

On the drive up the Stuart Highway, the Daly Waters Pub is a great spot to take a break and have a cold beer. Historically, it has been an important watering hole for explorers and cattle drovers. End the day with a soak in the Mataranka Thermal Pools, a lush oasis fringed by paperbark trees, where you will also camp overnight.

Day 7 – Mataranka to Darwin (via Katherine)

It’s an early start this morning for the short drive to Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park which is owned by the Jawoyn Aboriginal people. Ancient sandstone has been carved away by the Katherine River to create a deep and picturesque gorge. You may like to take a boat cruise or paddle a canoe (seasonal) through the peaceful water (both optional and additional cost). In the afternoon, relax and watch the changing landscape as you travel to cosmopolitan Darwin.

Day 8 – Darwin to Kakadu National Park

May to October – You will be collected from your Darwin accommodation at approximately 6.30am where our Top End adventure begins as we travel to the Mary River Wetlands for our cruise. This region is home to over 250 bird species and has the highest concentration of saltwater crocodiles in the Southern Hemisphere. Search for the mighty crocs who rule this waterway, buffalo, birds and other wildlife.

Our entrance to Kakadu National Park is at the South Alligator River, a picturesque location for a picnic lunch. There’s the opportunity to purchase Aboriginal arts and crafts at the Bowali Visitor Centre before our late afternoon arrival at Ubirr. Here you will view a wide range of ancient Aboriginal art which will be interpreted by your guide. Learn the story of the Rainbow Serpent and climb the Nadab Lookout for panoramic views over the floodplain and beyond into Arnhem Land. As the day draws to a close we head to our private campsite at Cooinda for dinner and our overnight stay.

November to April – Departing Darwin at 7am, the first stop on your adventure is Ubirr Rock, one of the main cultural sites within Kakadu National Park. At Ubirr you can view a wide range of Aboriginal rock art which will be interpreted by your guide. Here you will learn about the Rainbow Serpent and climb the Nadab Lookout for excellent views over the surrounding floodplain and beyond into Arnhem Land. In the afternoon visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre to learn about the 40,000 years of Aboriginal occupation within the park. Tonight enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in our private air-conditioned accommodation at Cooinda.

Day 9 – Kakadu National Park to Litchfield National Park

May to October – Today we explore two of the most popular jewels of Kakadu National Park, the big waterfalls of Twin & Jim Jim, only accessible by four-wheel-drive. To reach Twin Falls we travel over 4WD track and then take a boat shuttle (extra cost as part of your compulsory local payments) followed by a rocky walking track and boardwalk – but it’s all worth the effort as we explore this remote waterfall of Kakadu. We then travel through monsoon forests and over boulders to get to Jim Jim Falls, surrounded by 150-metre cliffs. After an awe-inspiring day, we bid farewell to Kakadu and make our way to our private campsite near Litchfield National Park for the night.

November to April – Up early this morning to enjoy a crocodile cruise on the Yellow Waters billabong. A must do activity within Kakadu National Park, the award winning Yellow Waters cruise is Aboriginal owned and centres around a spectacular billabong system that is home to some remarkable and diverse wildlife. Spotting crocodiles is only one of the many wildlife viewing opportunities on this unique water system.
Later, enjoy a half day hike and swim at the beautiful Gubara Springs* and/or Gunlom Falls*, and walk to the top of the Nawurlandja lookout with spectacular views over Kakadu. Late afternoon we travel to Mount Bundy Homestead, close by Litchfield National Park where you will enjoy dinner at our private campsite before retiring to the homestead and your air-conditioned lodge rooms (with ensuite).

Day 10 – Litchfield National Park to Darwin

Today is spent exploring the waterfalls, spring-fed streams and rugged sandstone escarpments of Litchfield National Park. Marvel at the intriguing magnetic and cathedral termite mounds and swim, hike and explore Florence and Wangi Falls. Discover the many rock holes and cascading waterfalls of Buley Rockhole before our early evening arrival back in Darwin.

What’s included in your 10 Day Tour from Alice Springs to Darwin?

Professional guide
Sightseeing and meals as indicated
Camping equipment (See Important Notes)
Drinking water (please provide your own bottle)

Single fare option passengers will be provided with a single hotel room in Darwin and Alice Springs, however, will be required to share a tent with another same sex passenger whilst on safari.

Twin option can only be booked by two people travelling together.

*Twin and Jim Jim Falls may not be accessible between the tropical summer months. During this time we will visit Gunlom Falls, Maguk or the Yurmikmik Region (Motor Car Falls or Boulder Creek)

This 10-day package is a combination of three safari products and the guide and passengers may differ on each safari. Passengers will be staying independently at the accommodation between each of the safaris.

If joining at Ayers Rock Resort or Airport, you will do so after lunch. Please be dressed in comfortable walking clothing and footwear, have a water bottle, hat and sunscreen handy.

*Those booking the 15.10 pick up from AYQ Airport will not have time to complete a full base walk of Uluru and will miss the Cultural Centre visit. A shorter walk of Uluru is still possible when arriving at this time.

You will sleep in swags as standard in the Red Centre and have the option to hire a single pop-up tent for a $60 local payment. Sleeping bag hire is a $30 local payment. Both items must be pre-booked. A tent will be provided free of charge on the camping nights between Alice Springs and Darwin and in Kakadu and Litchfield.

This tour is primarily booked by travellers between the age of 18 and 39. If you are outside of this age bracket are advised to book the 3 Day 4WD Goanna Dreaming Red Centre Safari, the 3 Day Cicada Dreaming Alice Springs to Darwin Tour and the 3 Day 4WD Dragonfly Dreaming Top End Safari accompanied by an adult. Or take our upgraded family friendly 10 day Alice Springs to Darwin trip.

If you begin your tour in Alice Springs you are permitted to bring 10kg of luggage in a soft bag, with the remainder stored at their Alice Springs accommodation. Customers beginning at Ayers Rock have a luggage limit of 23kg per person + a small carry-on daypack. Please, no hard-shell or plastic suitcases. Please pack the items you will need for the trip in the daypack to avoid having to access your main bag frequently. You are permitted to bring 23kg of luggage and a small daypack between Alice Springs and Darwin. Luggage is restricted to 10kg per person in a soft bag or backpack.

This tour requires a certain level of participation from guests. This may include assisting and cleaning afterwards with the preparation of meals, collecting firewood and sweeping out tents.

Travel insurance is recommended.

National Park fees are included in the tour price.