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| Day | Date
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Daily destinations ( guide only ) | Activities etc. | Meals
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| 1 |
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Melb. - Great Ocean Road to
Port Campbell | After an early start, via Geelong to the Great Ocean Road with its spectacular
coast line and views. We take time out for a walk in a remnant Rainforest
in the Otway Ranges. After visiting the 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge we
set up our first camp at Port Campbell. | L D |
| 2 |
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Port Campbell to Mt. Gambier | We continue along the Great Ocean Road to Peterborough, stop at the Bay of Islands and then to Warrnambool for lunch.
Through rich diary country we continue to Mt. Gambier or possibly as far as Robe. | B L D |
| 3 |
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Mt. Gambier to the Barossa Valley or possibly to Auburn in the Clare Valley. |
We now drive along the along the coast through the Coorong Nat. Park then
head inland to Tailem Bend from where we then follow the 'Mighty Murray" for
a distance until soon after Murray Bridge we head further inland, through
the Adelaide Hills and as far as the Barossa Valley, Australia's premier wine
growing area. Should we make good time and are able to get as far as Auburn
then can optionally stay tonight in an historic Hotel.
| B L D |
4
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Barossa Valley, Clare Valley to the Flinders Ranges.
| We take on supplies in the Barossa Valley and also visit at least one
of the wineries to taste the local drop. Next through the Clare Valley
into the outback with a stop at Hawker and then to the Flinders Ranges.
Here we camp at Wilpena Pond or at an idyllic spot in the Aroona Valley.
| B L D
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5
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Flinders Ranges to Farina. | We visit the Sacred Canyon with some ancient Aboriginal Art sites and
then follow the Geological Trail, driving along in the Brachina Gorge. After
leaving those ancient mountain ranges we now enter a much more remote area.
On our way to our camp site at Farina we visit the Ochre Pits, a sacred aboriginal
site. | B L D |
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There maybe a change here that may also affect our next day.
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If possible I will arrange for us on Day 5 to visit and to stay overnight at an Aboriginal Community.
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6
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Farina, Maree to William Creek. | We now drive alongside the remnants of the Old Ghan Railway Line. After
a short stop at Marree we now drive along the Oodnadatta Track and the Old
Ghan line will now be with us until we reach William Creek.
Along the way we stop at a couple of ruins of old Ghan Railway sidings and
at Lake Eyre South and also detour to the unique Mound Springs. | B L D |
7
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William Creek - Coober Pedy | Today we drive through the worlds largest cattle Station ( ranch ) and in between a number of sand dunes.
In Coober Pedy we visit the Opal Museum, watch the "Story of Opal" and
see some other points of interest before heading out to the Breakaways to
view the sunset 'painting' the sandstone cliffs with varying colours.
This area was the setting for a number of Movies, including "Mad Max III" and "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert".
We have booked accommodation for you at an Underground Motel in Coober
Pedy.
| B L |
8
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Coober Pedy - Kulgera | After taking on some supplies we head north
along the Stuart Hwy. and with just a couple of stops along the way should
reach Kulgera where we'll be camping. | B L D |
9
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Kulgera - Yulara, Ayers Rock sunset | Still all sealed roads today. We leave the Stuart Hwy. at Erldunda and now
follow the Lasseter Hwy., a short stop at the Curtin Springs Station and
we'll arrive in Yulara early to mid afternoon. After setting up camp and
a visit to the Aboriginal Cultural Centre we head out to the sunset viewing
area. It will be too late for cooking after we return from the sunset.
You may wish to have dinner in one of the excellent restaurants.
| B L |
10
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Ayers Rock - Olgas | We devote all day to Ayers Rock and the Olgas.
After Sunrise you may like to climb Uluru or you may go on the base
walk. Then we head to the Olgas and go on the walk through the Valley Of
The Winds.
If temperatures are too high, winds are too strong or rain is expected the Climb and the Valley of the Winds walk maybe closed.
| B L D |
| 11 |
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Curtin Springs - Kings Canyon | We leave early and again along sealed roads make our way to Kings Canyon.
We need to arrive there early enough for our 3 - 4 hour Rim Walk and then
camp at the Kings Creek Resort. | B L D |
| 12 |
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Kings Canyon - Hermannsburg - Palm Valley | Today we travel along the notorious Mereenie Loop through some very
spectacular country towards Hermannsburg. After visiting the Albert Namatjira
Gallery and lunch we make our way into
Palm Valley with its unique Livinstonia Marie Palms and Cycads.
| B L D |
| 13 |
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Palm Valley - Gosse Bluff - West MacDonnell Ranges - Ormiston Gorge. |
We back track a little along the Mereenie Loop and then turn off to visit
Gosse Bluff, a 140 mil. year old Meteorite Crater. Via Taylers Pass we make
our way to the spectacular West MacDonnell Ranges and our campsite, either at Glen Helen or in Ormiston Gorge.
| B L D |
14
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West MacDonnell Ranges - Alice Springs.
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We continue along the West MacDonnell Ranges and visit several gorges with
the opportunity to take at least two walks and then make our way towards
Alice Springs.
Here we have motel accommodation reserved for you.
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B L
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| 15 |
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Alice Springs | In the morning we take you to the Historical Telegraph Station and
the RFDS base. The rest of the day is free time for you. | B |
| 16 |
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Alice Springs - Devils Marbles - Tennant Creek | Along the Stuart Hwy., Lunch at the Devils Marbles and to the Gold
Mining Town of Tennant Creek
Camping Ground or Bush Camp | B L D |
| 17 |
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Tennant Creek - Mataranka | We continue along the Stuart Hwy.. In Mataranka you can relax in the
warm waters of the mineral spring while we get dinner ready for you.
Camping Ground. | B L D |
| 18 |
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Mataranka - Katherine - Edith Falls | It's only a short run to Katherine were we head straight for the Gorge
so we can catch an early boat cruise in the gorge. This is very spectacular.
After lunch and a visit of the town we head up the road a short distance
and turn off to Edith Falls.
A magic place and all maintained by the local Aboriginal Community.
We camp here tonight. | B D |
| 19 |
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Edith Falls - Pine Creek - Kakadu | An early morning swim and then to Pine Creek, one of the older Gold
Mining Towns. After a short stop we leave the Stuart Hwy. and head for
Kakadu.
Where we'll camp tonight depends on the conditions at the time. | B L |
20
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Kakadu | All day exploring this World Heritage Park that is so rich on Aboriginal
Culture, Rock Paintings and Birdlife.
Camp site depends on conditions at the time. | B L D |
21
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Kakadu - Litchfield | Now we backtrack a little and enter the Litchfield Nat. Park. Our first
stop there is at an area covered with magnetic Termite Mounds. Then we
continue to the Florence Falls and set up camp.
| B L D |
| 22 |
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Litchfield | Swimming at its best, especially early in the mornings before many
other visitors are up and about. We visit a few other areas in the park,
including Wangi Falls and then return to our campsite.
This is a very relaxing day. | B L D |
| 23 |
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Litchfield, Howard Springs - Darwin | This morning we leave this area, either along the dirt road heading
north, or if the condition of that road is very rough we return to the
Stuart Hwy. along the road we came. On our way to Darwin we make a short
detour to Howard Springs with it's huge Baramundi and some rare birds,
including the Rainbow Pitta.
We arrive in Darwin mid to late afternoon. | B L |
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With all tours that include remote areas and dirt roads an itinerary
can only be a guide. At times it is unavoidable that changes need to made
at short notice. | It is also advisable that you allow at least one additional day, just in case that we get delayed for any reason.
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Darwin to Melbourne
| The same tour, with only a few minor changes, is also available in the reverse direction.
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