Be met on arrival in Darwin and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure before a relaxed welcome dinner. Stay: Hilton Darwin (D)
Unwind in the natural Mataranka Thermal Pool, said to have healing properties for aches and pains.
Afterwards, travel to Lorella Springs Wilderness Park, a one million-acre working cattle station that stretches all the way to the Gulf of Carpentaria. Stay: Lorella Springs Wilderness Park (B/L/D)
Venture to Alice Springs via Tennant Creek. Along the way, stop at Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles). A living cultural landscape, nearly the entire reserve is a registered sacred site. Stay Two Nights: Double Tree by Hilton Alice Springs (B/L/D)
Explore Simpsons Gap, which pierces the West MacDonnell Ranges. This sacred area is an important spiritual site to the Arrarnta Indigenous people, where several Dreamtime stories have said to take place. Continue to the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park, whose landscapes played a significant role in the stories of Western Arrernte Indigenous culture. At Angkerle (Standley Chasm), follow a creek where spring-fed pools attract a variety of unique birdlife.
Afterwards, visit Ormiston Gorge, home to a variety of unique species. Later, take the afternoon to unwind. (B/L/D)
Travel to Hermannsberg and visit the Namatjira School of Art, where you can view authentic art pieces.
Afterwards, travel to Gosses Bluff crater, before heading off-road along the Mereenie Loop Road. Take in the outback scenes as you travel to Kings Canyon. Stay: Discovery Resorts - Kings Canyon (B/L/D)
Cross into South Australia and arrive in the outback town of Coober Pedy. Visit the Umoona Opal Mine, where you'll get an insight into Indigenous and European settlement in the area, as well as learning about how opals are mined. Stay: Coober Pedy, Desert Cave Hotel (B/L/D)
On the way to Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, stop for lunch at Parachilna's famous Prairie Hotel. Arrive at the national park, which is a cultural site renowned for its 800-million-year-old landscapes. Explore Wilpena Pound, cradled within a natural amphitheatre of mountains. Continue to your accommodation, set amongst river red gums and native pines. Enjoy dinner before relaxing on your deck overlooking the bush. Stay Two Nights: Wilpena Pound Resort (B/L/D)
This morning is yours to explore at leisure. Perhaps take a scenic flight over Wilpena Pound to gain a true appreciation of this natural wonder (additional expense). Or alternatively embark on a self-guided walk to the spectacular Wilpena Pound, a natural amphitheatre of mountains in the heart of the national park. After Lunch, venture into Flinders Ranges National Park and follow in the footsteps of Douglas Mawson as you spend the afternoon in the geological site of Brachina Gorge, an important refuge for the endangered yellow-footed rock wallaby. (B/L/D)
After breakfast, farewell your new-found friends and be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. (B)
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