Day 1 Home ports - Adelaide - Port Augusta

Today you'll be greeted at Adelaide airport upon your arrival (am arrival). After some lunch we make our way out of Adelaide and head north along the Princes Highway to Port Augusta. We arrive late this afternoon and spend the night at the Standpipe Golf Motor Inn.

Day 2 Port Augusta - Parachilna - Marree

This morning enjoy a visit to the Aridlands Botanic Gardens. Following our visit to the Gardens we visit the Wadlata Outback Centre, an award winning multifunctional visitor centre. Step back in time and learn about the early explorers of Sturt, Eyre, Giles and Stuart and their brave expeditions into the unknown. We depart Port Augusta mid morning and head up the western side of the Flinders Ranges, arriving at Parachilna early this afternoon. Soak up the atmosphere of this magnificent South Australian landscape with a gourmet lunch under the verandah of the Prairie Hotel. This afternoon we continue heading north through Leigh Creek to Marree. Located at the junction of the Oodnadatta and Birdsville Tracks, Marree is a true desert settlement which enjoys just 155mm of rainfall annually. We spend the night at the Marree Hotel in modern ensuited cabins.

Day 3 Oodnadatta Track - Coober Pedy

This morning we visit the Marree Museum which houses the famous old mail truck which E.G Kruse used to transport mail from Marree to Birdsville. Later this afternoon we travel the Oodnadatta Track, following in the footsteps of John McDouall Stuart. Pass by Lake Eyre South and through William Creek before arriving into Coober Pedy mid afternoon. Due to the extreme heat over the summer months, around 80% of the town's 4,000 population lives underground. Coober Pedy is known as the opal capital of the world with 70% of the world's precious opal coming from the surrounding opal fields. This afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the Quest Opal Mine and perhaps fossick for your own. Tonight we stay at the award winning Desert Cave Hotel.

Day 4 Coober Pedy - Stuart Highway - Uluru

This morning we trek north along the Stuart Highway through Marla and Kulgera before turning west and travelling along the Lasseter Highway to Yulara. Our accommodation for the next 2 nights is at the sensational Sails in the Desert Resort. We dine at the Kuniya Restaurant, the resort's premier dining experience.

Day 5 Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) - Uluru (Ayers Rock) - Sounds of Silence Dinner

Early risers will experience the sun rising over Uluru. This morning's activities include a visit to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre and the opportunity to explore one of the largest monoliths in the world. Made from arkosic sandstone, Uluru rises 348 metres above the desert floor and has a circumference of 9.4 kilometres. Later this afternoon visit Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) before returning to the hotel mid afternoon. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks while seeing first hand the mighty rock change colour. Tonight we enjoy the award winning "Sounds of Silence" dining experience under the stars. This is a truly unique event, offering the best of the Red Centre distilled into four unforgettable hours. Afterwards relax by the camp fire and take in an astronomy tour.

Day 6 Uluru - Kings Canyon

After our departure from Uluru we first visit Curtin Springs Cattle Station. Here we enjoy a guided station tour by Ian Barker, an experienced stockman of over 10 years on Curtin Springs. Lunch today is at Kings Creek Station before we arrive at the Kings Canyon Resort early afternoon. This afternoon you have the choice of two walks, the 6km Rim Walk offering breathtaking views of the canyon and descending into the "Garden of Eden" or a shorter 2.6km walk that meanders up the centre of the Canyon floor.

Day 7 Hermannsburg - West MacDonnell National Park

Departing Kings Canyon this morning we travel the Mereenie Loop Road to historic Hermannsburg. Road conditions permitting, we take a drive into Palm Valley, home to a diverse range of plant species many of which are rare and unique to the area. After some lunch we visit Andkerle (Stanley Chasm) and also Simpson's Gap, home to a number of rock wallabies. We arrive into Alice Springs and spend the next 3 nights at Alice Springs Resort.

Day 8 Alice Springs Sightseeing

This morning there is the option of a hot air balloon flight over Alice Springs (please enquire for prices). The flight includes hotel pick up, chilled refreshments and around 45 minutes in the air. Other activities today include a visit to the award winning Alice Springs Desert Park, The Royal Flying Doctor Service and a tour of the historic Telegraph Station. We arrive back at the hotel around 5pm. (Note: those who have experienced these attractions previously can spend the day at leisure)

Day 9 Chambers Pillar Historical Reserve

Today we trek south along the Finke Road, following the Finke River and also the Old Ghan Railway line. The first train arrived in Alice Springs in 1929 after travelling over 1,520kms from Adelaide through some of the harshest country on earth. Before this mode of transport all supplies to Alice Springs were carried by the Afghan camels. This line was eventually closed in 1980.

We arrive at Chambers Pillar in time for some lunch. This natural sandstone formation was used by our famous early explorers as a navigational point. John McDouall Stuart first recorded the Pillar in April 1860 and the expedition carvings and signatures can still been seen today. We return to our resort late afternoon.

Day 10 Karlwekarlwe (Devils Marbles) - Tennant Creek

This morning we depart Alice Springs to trek north again along the Stuart Highway. Lunch today is at Karlwekarlwe (Devils Marbles) which are massive granite boulders that have formed over millions of years. We arrive into Tennant Creek mid afternoon and visit the Battery Hill Mining Centre. We overnight in Tennant Creek at the Blue Stone Motor Inn.

Day 11 Barkly Homestead - Tablelands Highway - Cape Crawford

The Barkly Tablelands are well suited to cattle grazing and economically it is one of the most important areas for pastoral production in the NT. The Mitchell and Flinders grasses provide excellent feed on the rich black soils. The largest lease (Brunette Downs) is over 12,000 square kms and runs around 65,000 head of cattle. We arrive in Cape Crawford late afternoon and spend the next two nights at the Heartbreak Hotel. (Note: this hotel has comfortable air-conditioned accommodation but facilities are shared.)

Day 12 Lost City Helicopter flight and tour

Today we take part in an exhilarating helicopter and ground tour of the "Lost City". (Included). Your flight today will take you over Abner Escarpment before landing amongst these ancient sandstone structures. On the ground your guide will lead you through a section of the "Lost City" with expert knowledge on the local geology, vegetation and birdlife. We return to the hotel mid afternoon.

Day 13 Savannah Way - Roper Bar - Mataranka

Our travels today take us north along one of the most remote sections of the Savannah Way through the Limmen National Park. We arrive at the remote village of Roper Bar, situated on the south east boundary of Arnhem Land, early afternoon. The Roper River was first explored by Ludwig Leichhardt in 1845. By the 1870's the river was lined with paddle steamers bringing in supplies for the men building the overland telegraph line. This afternoon we trek to Mataranka where we overnight at the Mataranka Homestead Motel. Before dinner enjoy a refreshing swim in one of the natural thermal pools.

Day 14 Katherine - Nitmiluk Gorge Boat Cruise - Darwin

This morning we depart Mataranka and make our way north, back on the trail again of legendary explorer John McDouall Stuart. Enjoy a 2 hour boat cruise in the Katherine River Gorge before continuing on to Darwin arriving late this afternoon. Our accommodation tonight is at the Mantra Esplanade Hotel. Enjoy premium harbour view rooms with balconies. Tonight we enjoy our final dinner together and celebrate our trip through some of the most remote county in Australia.

Day 15 Darwin City Sights tour - Home Ports

This morning we take a city sights tour including the National Museum, Cullen Bay and the Port. You are then transferred to the airport for your flight home.