Crocs, Rocks & Roos

Day 4 : Darwin

The capital of the Northern territory, Darwin is gateway to some of the best wildlife and cultural experiences in the country in Katharine, Lichfield and Kakadu National Parks, as well as being a starting or end point for a journey in the incredible Ghan train. A vibrant and youthful city, it sits on a harbour twice the size of Sydney’s and its tropical climate during the summertime gives it a unique appeal and charm not found elsewhere in Australia.

Day 5 : Jumping Crocs Tour & Nature Tour

Today your tour will take you to Adelaide River, 60km from Darwin, home to over 1600 Crocodiles and the location of the famous Jumping Crocodiles. Cruise the river and thrill as these awesome creatures launch themselves out of the water. The cruise will enable you to see these prehistoric creatures at close range. Afterwards continue to the Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre for view over the Marrakai Plains, followed by Fogg Dam Nature Reserve to view a wetland ecosystem up close.

Day 6 : Litchfield National Park

Join this trip to Litchfield National Park, which contains Top End habitats including lush monsoon forests, termite mounds, unusual rock formations, waterfalls and cascades. Stop at Florence Falls, where you have the opportunity for a scenic and interpretive bush and monsoon vine forest walk. There is also the chance for a swim by making your way down the stairs to the plunge pool below. Travel on to Tolmer Falls for a magnificent view of the water cascading down to the deep waterhole at the base of the falls. Finally visit Wangi Falls, with its large crystal clear pool, another relaxing spot for a swim. During the green season four major waterfalls thunder from the cliffs to tropical rock pools many metres below. During the dry season, the waterfalls flow more gently, making the waterholes perfect spots for a cool dip. The Park’s traditional owners are the Wagait Aboriginal people, many of whom live in the area. On the way back to Darwin, stop at Howard Spring Nature Park where you will have the chance to feed the barramundi and turtle.

Day 7 : Darwin Sunset Dinner Cruise

Embark on board a 2.5-hour cruise. With beautiful views, there is no better way experience Darwin's renowned sunsets than on board the 'Charles Darwin'. You'll enjoy a sumptuous, Territory-style buffet with fresh Australian seafood and local produce. Commentary by crew will give you an insight into the Harbour's history, cultural significance, and biodiversity. This cruise is perfect way to experience the world-famous sunsets, followed by Darwin's skyline lit up at night.

Day 8-10 : Onboard The Ghan

Explore the wonders of Australia’s vast interior with one of the world’s most renowned rail journeys, The Ghan Expedition from Darwin to Adelaide. This four day journey will take you to some of the most remote and captivating parts of Australia in style and comfort and the country’s vast, varied, and captivating interior will leave you speechless. This is the ultimate Australian outback experience.

Board the train in Darwin and enjoy lunch in the Queen Adelaide restaurant as your journey south begins. At Katherine enjoy your first included experience as you head for a leisurely cruise on Nitmiluk Gorge, gaze awestruck at the towering sandstone cliffs and learn of the aboriginal history and culture from your experienced guide. Back on board enjoy dinner as the train heads south. Next Day – You’ll be just finished with breakfast as the train pulls into “the Alice”, and there’s a full day for you to explore the gateway to the Red Centre. Here you have the opportunity to embark on one of the included off train excursions, taking in the delights of this famous outback town. Come the evening you’ll dine beneath a canopy of stars at an authentic Outback Pioneer Dinner. After dessert cast your eyes skyward and ponder life, the universe and everything with an informative astronomical talk. Next Day – You’ll wake up and rub your eyes with disbelief as you pull into the middle of- nowhere stop at Manguri. Your destination is the sun-scorched opal mining capital of world, Coober Pedy, where more than half of the residents live underground. Venture into the tunnels and caves of this underground town and take a glimpse of Umoona Opal Mine. Below the earth’s surface, you’ll enjoy a gourmet lunch in the most unique of locations before setting off to the stunning outback moonscape that is the Breakaways tonight enjoy a final dinner on board.

Day 11 : Adelaide

Arrive mid-morning into Adelaide and transfer to your hotel. Adelaide is the gateway to fabulous wine regions, a food lovers extravaganza and the Murray River. It’s sophisticated in an understated sort of way and generations of Italians have created a Mediterranean style café culture that lends itself perfectly to the Aussie way of life.

Day 12-13 : Darwin-Alice Springs

We have left you time to explore at your own pace, cricket enthusiasts may wish to visit the Adelaide Oval, or  join a walking food tour, Adelaide Central Market is one of our preferred visits with over 70 stalls to browse.

Leave the city behind on a day tour and uncork the historic Barossa with your local guide, discovering boutique wineries that are big on character. Taste some of the best wines the region has to offer, avoiding the crowds. Known for producing hearty Shiraz and red blends, the Barossa is perfect for the red wine lover. Visiting four boutique wineries in a day, your wine-guides will create a unique and engaging experience for you to level-up your wine knowledge. Enjoy lunch with a view overlooking the vineyards and sit back and enjoy a variety of dishes to share as selected by the chef from the ever-changing seasonal menu.

Day 14 : Kangaroo Island

Take an early flight to Kangaroo Island where you will be met by a local guide: Travel through the Island’s most productive country to the north coast. Walk through the bush with your guide through strangely shaped trees learning what makes that noise, whose tracks are those, and who left THAT little pile there? Look for small wallabies almost extinct on the mainland, a kangaroo found only on Kangaroo Island and a variety of other birds, plants and animals. Break for lunch at a private bush camp and enjoy a delicious meal featuring King George whiting (local sea fish), fresh salads and fine South Australian wines. At Seal Bay Conservation Park take a private tour with your guide among Australian sea-lions on a beautiful sandy beach – an experience similar to that of the Galapagos. Watch pups nursing or playing in the surf, see old bulls bearing the scars of territorial disputes and learn about their unique breeding biology. Arrive at Kangaroo Island Lodge for 2 nights.

Day 15 : Kangaroo Island

Continue your Kangaroo Island tour. Today your guide will take you through some of the fire-affected landscapes of Kangaroo Island, which are recovering quickly following generous winter rains. Learn about fire ecology and how nature deals with fire. Some of our native flora species only flower following fire! Travel into Flinders Chase National Park and explore the massive shapes of Remarkable Rocks, a natural sculpture perched impossibly on top a granite dome plunging into the ocean Break for an elegant picnic lunch in the bush, or if weather permits, on a spectacular clifftop. Evidence of the power of the Southern Ocean swell continues at Admirals Arch – a coastal grotto which provides a haul out for a large colony of Long-nosed fur seals which swim effortlessly through crashing waves.

Day 16 : Adelaide

Time to bid farewell to Kangaroo Island and fly back to Adelaide for your final night. 

Day 17 : Adelaide - London

It is time to leave South Australia with fond memories of your Crocs, Rocks and Roos adventure.