Outback Safari

Today is one of colours. The ochre soil spiked with cycads as your plane comes into land. The endless blue sky, from horizon to infinity. The russet hues of Uluru that appears on just about every Australian postcard… And that’s all before enchanting hour. Uluru has been home to the Anangu for millennia. You will discover their connection to the land when you arrive in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park at sunset watching the shifting colours transform the desert. Not ready to return to your hotel yet? Ask us about pre-booking our exclusive Uluru Barbecue Dinner for tonight, an optional experience.

Discover Australia's wilderness through your bucket list visit to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. You’ll encounter the iconic Uluru, half a billion years old, standing 348 metres high and taller than the Eiffel Tower. If you’re looking for a reason to roll out of bed before dawn, make it an Uluru sunrise. Every time you see Uluru, it feels and looks different, and being up with the birds certainly is worth the effort. Rising early will keep you cool when you explore the base of Uluru, the world’s largest monolith. Dive even deeper into First Nations traditions at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. Then, travel to Kata Tjuta’s to wander through its Jurassic domed rock formations into Walpa Gorge, between two of the tallest domes. Return to the resort, where this afternoon is yours to spend as you wish.

Witness a breathtaking glimpse of the optional experience Field of Light before dawn, where 50,000 glowing bulbs transform the desert landscape into a mesmerising spectacle. It’s an unforgettable way to begin your day, energised by the exhibition as well as the sunrise, seeing Uluru from another viewpoint. Among Australia’s record-breaking rock formations, few are as striking as Atila (Mt. Conner), its flat-topped silhouette is impossible to forget. Pause at Kings Creek Station, Australia’s largest wild camel exporter, where camel burgers make for a unique outback lunch. Afterwards, continue to Kings Canyon Resort in Watarrka National Park.

This morning, set out on the awe-inspiring Kings Canyon Rim Walk, exploring a 440-million-year-old landscape of towering sandstone domes, sculpted plateaus and hidden rock pools, where sheer cliffs and ancient formations reveal the immense scale and story of the Red Centre. Continue through the vast Northern Territory Outback, passing remote cattle stations and the striking MacDonnell Ranges as they rise and fall on the journey towards Alice Springs. On arrival, visit the School of the Air, a remarkable lifeline for remote students delivering education across 1.3 million square kilometres, where you may observe live lessons and gain insight into life and learning in Australia’s most isolated communities today.

Start your day with a scenic drive to the stunning West MacDonnell Ranges. Marvel at the rugged beauty and unique rock formations as you explore Simpsons Gap, a picturesque gorge with towering cliffs and a secluded waterhole. Return to Alice Springs for a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Centre, where you'll learn about the incredible medical services provided to remote Australian communities. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. Unwind by the hotel pool, soaking up the sun, or take the opportunity to discover more of Alice Springs at your own pace. Whether you choose to explore local shops, visit art galleries, or simply relax, this day offers the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.

Depart Alice Springs and take in sweeping views from Anzac Hill, revealing the vast landscapes that have inspired generations of local artists. Visit the historic Telegraph Station, established in 1872 as part of the Overland Telegraph Line connecting Adelaide and Darwin across 3,200 kilometres. Continue north to Karlu Karlu, where enormous, rounded boulders rise from the earth, shaped over millions of years and holding deep cultural significance for Traditional Owners. Wander among these striking formations before travelling on to Tennant Creek, a town rich in gold mining history and outback character, where stories of the region’s pioneering past come to life.

Since the 1930s, the Daly Waters Pub has been a beloved Outback institution, serving up schnitzels, barramundi burgers, and hearty steaks. Its walls tell stories, adorned with quirky keepsakes left behind by travellers, from bras to boots. What will you add to the collection? Next, the Land of the Never Never awaits in Mataranka, where you can visit a replica of the Elsey Homestead, featured in the 1982 film We of the Never Never. Or take a peaceful stroll through palm-lined walkways and indulge in a soak at steamy thermal springs, the perfect remedy for weary limbs, before arriving in Katherine.

Explore the natural beauty of Nitmiluk National Park on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience cruising along Nitmiluk Gorge. You’ll wind through this gorge carved through ancient sandstone alongside steep cliff walls, watching for lush rainforest gullies in giant cracks, and maybe a freshwater crocodile or two on the banks. The Jawoyn people have called Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge home for millennia, their deep connection to Country reflected in the ancient tale of the cicada, symbolising their spiritual bond with the land. Journey into Kakadu National Park, where the Yellow Water Billabong cruise unveils untouched wetlands bursting with diverse wildlife and breathtaking scenery. Glide through this tranquil landscape, spotting crocodiles basking in the sun and lush vegetation such as water lilies - a bushtucker food, as you’ll discover from your expert local guide. Keep your eyes peeled for sea eagles, brolgas, and kingfishers, their striking colours adding to the magic of the Top End - an unforgettable immersion into Australia’s wild beauty, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.

The vast beauty of Kakadu is best admired from above. Book an optional experience morning flight for sweeping views of this immense wilderness, gaining insight into its Indigenous significance. Back on solid ground, uncover the Aboriginal art of Ubirr, where ancient rock galleries tell stories of the land’s deep cultural heritage. Climb to the top for panoramic vistas across floodplains and escarpments - a backdrop made famous in Crocodile Dundee. As night falls, Darwin’s tropical energy takes over. Begin at the Mindil Beach Sunset Market, where a fusion of global flavours awaits, setting the perfect tone for an unforgettable evening.

Your final full day in the Northern Territory is fittingly warm and tropical - embrace the relaxed rhythm of the Top End. Spend the morning your way, whether it’s sleeping in before indulging in a tropical breakfast or setting off on an optional experience. Perhaps explore Litchfield National Park, a spectacular blend of magnetic termite mounds, cascading waterfalls, and refreshing waterholes (seasonal swimming). Alternatively, why not try a lunch cruise. No matter how you spend the day, gather in the evening for a memorable dinner, celebrating the incredible experiences shared along the journey.

It’s time to say farewell and head home, sorting through snapshots of an unforgettable journey. But the best souvenirs? The lasting memories of 11 days immersed in the untamed Northern Territory Outback experiences.