Check into the Alice Springs All Seasons Oasis Hotel & spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Alice Springs.

• Hotel

Meet your Contiki crew and start your tour with visits to Alice Springs Desert Park to see unique Outback animals, then it’s on to Simpson’s Gap for a group photo. Later we see ANZAC Hill and the Old Telegraph Station. Tonight you’ll get to know your fellow travellers.

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• Dinner

Strike out West to rugged Kings Creek Station, a working camel station, and tonight do as the real Aussie ‘bushies’ do and sleep under the stars in a comfy swag.

• Outback bush camp

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• Dinner

Up early to take in the stunning sights as we wander along the ridge of Kings Canyon and discover the Garden of Eden and the Lost City.Then we’ll drive past amazing Mt Connor, to reach the modern Yulara Resort, our accommodation for the next two nights. Watch the sun set and rise over Uluru and explore this world-famous monolith.

• Lodge

• Breakfast

Up early to see the mixed colours of Uluru’s sunrise. The adventurous will have time to walk around or climb the famous Rock. Later we visit Kata Tjuta (The Olgas).

• Lodge

• Breakfast

Today we visit a traditional roadhouse on our way to Alice Springs. Maybe join us for dinner tonight to try outback delicacies like crocodile and emu.

• Hotel

• Breakfast

Why not take the opportunity of a lifetime and see the dawn break over the MacDonnell Ranges from a hot air balloon, and upon returning to terra firma feast on chicken and champagne? We’ll cross the Tropic of Capricorn on our way to the Devils Marbles. Then north to Tennant Creek which is the site of the last gold rush in Australia.

• Hotel

• Dinner

Try a cold beer at the oldest Territory pub. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal waters of Mataranka Thermal Pools or take a look at the Elsey Homestead. Onwards to Katherine for tonight’s get together – because by now you know everyone and everyone knows you!

• Hotel

• Breakfast

This morning we are out to Nitmiluk National Park and the sensational Katherine Gorge. Why not take in the beauty of nature’s sculpture with a leisurely boat trip through the ancient gorges. This afternoon we’ll head to Kakadu National Park. Our accommodation is right in the middle of the park and it’s soon time for another romantic sunset at Ubirr Aboriginal rock art site. Relax this evening in a tropical poolside setting. Why isn’t life always like this?

• Hotel

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Rise early and you have the chance to see the wonders of Kakadu from the air. This scenic flight will leave you breathless and it’s not the altitude. You really will understand why this is a world heritage region. Then on to Nourlangie Rock, famous for its Aboriginal art. View the wetlands and spend the afternoon on a wildlife cruise.

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• Breakfast

Today we head to Darwin, the most northerly city in Australia. We visit the Northern Territory Museum, and there’s free time this afternoon to shop till you drop! Tonight is our last night together. Uh-huh – time to party hard! Try your luck at the casino or dance the night away at one of Darwin’s clubs.

• Hotel

• Breakfast

Day trip to Litchfield National Park – 650 square kilometres (255 square miles) of top end treasure, enclosing a spectacular sandstone plateau. We’ll swim at picturesque Florence Falls. All good things must come to an end and so it’s back to our Darwin hotel where our tour – not the friendships made – ends. Start planning your next Contiki holiday!

• Breakfast