Aussie Outback Explorer
Discover Australia's most spectacular settings from Uluru to Kakadu
Book now for £49
Was £2,099
£1,994
1994
Group Size: Max 20
Trip code: RAAD
Duration: 15 days
From red desert landscapes and ancient indigenous cultures to the vast monument of Uluru, the Outback is Australia’s spiritual heart. This epic 15-day group adventure takes you deep into the bush, as well as to some of Australia’s most exciting cities. See Aboriginal rock art, go opal noodling in Coober Pedy, party in Darwin, hike through stunning national parks, swim in pristine waterfalls, canoe down an ancient gorge, meet some salt-water crocs on a wildlife cruise, go wine-tasting in the Barossa Valley, camp out in a swag, and watch the sun come up over the one and only Uluru. You’ll make mates for life as you travel with a group of like-minded people, and with guided and independent legs of the tour, it really is the best of both worlds.
Trip highlights
- Watch the sun set over Uluru before bedding down under the stars in a swag
- Hike through the spectacular Valley of the Winds at Kata Tjuta
- Marvel at the Aboriginal rock art galleries at Ubirr
- Swim in the sparkling waters of Edith Falls at Kakadu National Park
- Take the famous rim walk at Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park
- Visit three of Barossa Valley’s most famous wineries and taste their delicious vintages
Want to read it later?
Download more trip information and detailed itinerary
- 100% Financially Secure
- We have provided financial bonds which guarantee that your money is totally safe with Gap 360 Ltd.
- 13 nights’ accommodation
- All on-trip transport (including an overnight coach)
- Guide during some sections of the tour
- Barossa Valley wine tasting tour
- Coober Pedy day tour including entry fees and attractions
- Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon
- Katherine Gorge, Edith Falls, Kakadu, and Litchfield National Parks
- Wildlife cruise
- All National Park entry and camping fees
- 24 hour emergency support
- Flights
- Visas
- Airport transfers
- Insurance
- Some meals
- Katherine Gorge kayaking
- Optional activities
Please note: While you’ll have a guide for some sections of this tour (Barossa Valley, Coober Pedy, Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, Katherine Gorge, Edith Falls, Kakadu, and Litchfield National Parks), you’ll be self-guided for others. It’s the perfect way to see the parts of Australia that you need local knowledge to access, while enjoying some time travelling independently.
Day 1: Arrive in Adelaide. G’day mate! Arrive in Adelaide at a time that suits you and check into our hostel accommodation. Kick back after your journey or get straight out into the sophisticated, multicultural city. Check out some of the city’s awesome nightlife after dark.
Day 2: Barossa Valley. Meet the rest of the gang and head into Australia’s oldest wine region. Climb the world’s largest rocking horse, make furry friends in a wildlife park, and get a flavour of what the Barossa Valley is all about with tastings at three wineries, including the world-famous Jacobs Creek!
Day 3: Adelaide to Coober Pedy. You’ve got a full day to explore awesome Adelaide. Swim with dolphins on Glenelg Beach, get a dose of culture at North Terrace, or take in the city from the water on the Adelaide Gondola. In the evening, hop on the overnight coach to Coober Pedy.
Day 4 – Coober Pedy. Catch up on some zzzs at the hostel before taking a tour of some of the town’s unusual subterranean homes. This afternoon, try your luck at opal “noodling” before touring the scenic Breakaways Conservation Park, film location for Mortal Kombat and Mad Max!
Day 5: Coober Pedy to Alice Springs. Travel through the desert to Alice Springs, with incredible views of spinifex sand-dunes, and ghost gums. Arrive in Alice Springs after lunch and spend some time getting to know the spiritual heart of Australia.
Day 6: Alice Springs. Explore Alice Springs at your own pace. Pick up some Aboriginal art at Todd Mall, walk the trails at Alice Springs Desert Park, and watch the sun set from Anzac Hill. After dark, head out with your mates for an evening on the town.
Day 7: Alice Springs to Uluru. Kick off your time in Uluru with a visit to the Cultural Centre where we’ll learn all about the local flora, fauna, and people. Then take a short, guided walk around the famous rock, before enjoying a glass of sparkling wine and watching the sunset. This evening, we’re bedding down under the stars in swags.
Day 8: Kata Tjuta to Kings Canyon. Watch the sun come up over Uluru before heading to Kata Tjuta for a spectacular hike through the Valley of the Winds. Then travel to our next camp where we’ll enjoy an outback BBQ dinner before snuggling down in our swags under a twinkling Outback sky.
Day 9: Kings Canyon to Alice Springs. Head into the incredible Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park where we’ll hike the famous rim walk, visiting the “Garden of Eden”, North and South Walls, and the Natural Amphitheatre before hitting the road back to Alice Springs.
Day 10: Alice Springs to Katherine. Catch up on kip with a lie-in this morning before ticking off any activities from your Alice Springs wish list that you didn’t manage to squeeze in last time. Then put on your snuggliest clothes and board the overnight coach to Katherine at 530pm.
Day 11: Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) National Park. Cool off in the swimming pool at your Katherine campsite, before heading to Nitmiluk National Park. See the park’s unique landscape from the water with a 4-hour canoeing expedition. Then enjoy a night of fun at the campground.
Day 12: Katherine to Kakadu National Park. Visit one of Australia’s best waterfall destinationstoday – Edith Falls. Swim in the crystal-clear waterand snap some selfies before heading to Kakadu’s Bowali Visitor Centre. This afternoon, check out the amazing Aboriginal rock art galleries at Ubirr.
Day 13: Kakadu to Darwin (via Litchfield National Park). Take a wildlife cruise at Corroborree Billabong this morning, where you’ll see huge crocsof up to 7m in length! Then, take a dip in Litchfield Park’s best swim spots and visit its famous termite mounds, before heading to Darwin.
Day 14: Darwin. Sleep off the night before, and then explore the city at your own pace. Grab a bite on the Waterfront, meet some more crocs at Crocosaurus Cove and check out some colourful street art. It’s our last night together so make it count and go large or go home!
Day 15: Trip end. Pack your bags, say your goodbyes, and check out at a time that suits you after the most amazing two weeks in the Outback.
The prices will load here automatically, if this does not happen for you: Click here to view Prices
Online booking is unavailable for this trip
Online booking isn't currently available but if you'd like to enquire please use the form below. Alternatively if you'd like to discuss alternate trips or if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact us.Most expensive: £1,971 July, 2023
Arrival info
Arrive in Adelaide at a time that suits you on day 1 of your trip, and check into your starting accommodation. There are no activities planned for today.
Departure
Your tour ends on day 15 and you can leave whenever you like. Airport transfers are not included so if you’re heading home or travelling on, you’ll need to book a transfer yourself.
Accommodation
All accommodation is included on this trip. You’ll spend 9 nights in hostels in dorm-style multi-share rooms, 4 nights on a campsite with hot showers and flushing toilets, and 1 night on an overnight coach.
Meals
4 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 4 dinners are included on this tour. You’ll have to buy the rest of your meals yourself.
You’ll need to be a minimum of 18 years old to participate in this trip.
British citizens can usually get an eVisitor visa for 3 months with no visa application charge or service
fee, or an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), also for 3 months and with no visa application charge, but a service fee of $20 may apply.
If you plan to work during your stay in Australia, you’ll need to apply for a Working Holiday Visa. Gap 360 can apply for your visa on your behalf. To be eligible for a Working Holiday Visa, applicants need to meet the following requirements:
- Hold a passport issued by an eligible country or region
- Be aged 18-30 (inclusive) at the time of applying
- Not be accompanied by dependent children at any time during your stay in Australia
- Meet health, character and financial requirements
- Not have previously entered Australia on a Working Holiday visa (unless applying for a second visa)
- Be outside Australia when they apply and when their visa is granted
- Apply within 12 months of intended travel to Australia
- Have sufficient funds to cover your expected living/trip costs during your stay
- Have funds for a return or onward ticket to depart Australia (or an actual ticket)
- Have health insurance
Your passport needs to be valid for the proposed duration of your stay.
Please note: Visa rules are subject to change. Please check for the most up to date information
before you travel.
This trip is designed with your safety and wellbeing in mind. As a result of Covid-19, many of our suppliers and partners around the world are introducing new policies and procedures surrounding health and safety in response to the Coronavirus outbreak. As the state of travel is evolving these new safety measures will adapt over time, and will be different for each trip. Here are some of the changes you may see on your trip:
Arrival safety meetings
Most trips have an arrival meeting on the first day where the guide or local team will run through the trip, the safety protocols, and to answer any questions you may have. Now more than ever it is important you arrive in time for these meetings.
Proof of vaccination or negative covid test
For the safety of all travellers, at the start of some trips you may be required to show evidence that you are fully vaccinated (14 days after your second dose) and/or show evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the tour start date in order to join the programme.
Updated hygiene and safety procedures
Our suppliers and partners have health and safety procedures in place on all of our trips. These protocols will be updated and adapted as a response to the Coronavirus outbreak, dependent on local restrictions and laws.
Transport and accommodation choices
Our suppliers and partners choose the accommodation and transport on our trips very carefully, and you may see a change to what would normally be used as a response to the outbreak. This may involve such changes as enhanced use of private transport or quieter accommodation.
Trained and knowledgeable staff
Our staff in the UK are trained to help you with your trip before you depart and answer any questions you may have. In addition, the local team and guides on our trips are there to help with any health and safety concerns and to ensure our trips run safely and smoothly.
Reduced group sizes
Some trips will run with reduced group sizes to start with. You may find that trips are more intimate and chilled, whilst still being packed with fun and adventure.
Healthcare
Your guide or the local team will be on hand to help you seek medical attention should you require it during your trip. As medical facilities and standards can vary around the world, you should ensure you have adequate travel insurance in place before you depart to cover you for any medical emergencies.
24/7 emergency support
We operate an emergency phone line for our travellers abroad. This is operated by a UK based member of staff 24/7 if you have a genuine emergency or urgent matter that you need attending.
It is important that you take measures to make travelling safer for yourself and others around you. Ensure you frequently wash your hands, cover your face when you sneeze and cough, bring and use your own hand sanitiser and facial coverings/masks, and enable social distancing where necessary. You should also ensure you listen to the instructions and guidance of the local team at all times, and follow all local laws and restrictions.