14 Day Explorers Way

Journey north to Port Augusta in the Spencer Gulf. You can visit the Wadlata Outback and the 80-hectare Arid Land Botanic Garden where you can learn about the plant, bird and animal life of the Outback.

An early start is recommended for your journey through the outback to the Opal Capital of the world. Coober Pedy is a unique desert settlement built on a long tradition of opal mining that has attracted settlers from all over the world. Due to the extreme temperatures most people live underground in houses known as burrows, dug into the desert soils. Visit underground museums, art galleries or try your hand at some opal fossicking.

Continue north along the Highway to Marla, primarily a service town and it visited twice a week by the historic Great Southern Railway train, The Ghan, which now frequently passes by directly across the road from the roadhouse.

Today you will journey north crossing over the South Australia / Northern Territory borders and travel onto Uluru. Located in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Uluru is the symbol of Australia. The Rock has its moods - changing colour depending on the time of day, dust, cloud cover and even from where you are standing. At sunset you can see the whole gamut when Uluru puts on a light show that changes its colours from red to orange to lilac in a matter of minutes.

Today is at leisure for you to explore Uluru & surroundings.

Suggested Activity: Kata Tjuta is sometimes overlooked by tourists with short stays at Uluru. But with another whole day to explore tomorrow, why not dedicate your afternoon to exploring this equally beautiful rock formation, about half an hour from the main Yulara village, still giving you enough time to observe sunset over Uluru.

Depart Uluru and travel onto Kings Canyon. Once at Kings Canyon the views from the Canyon rim are magnificent. It’s amazing how places as grand as Kings Canyon and Uluru also guard smaller, sensitive pockets created by Nature and Man. In the case of Uluru there are sacred Aboriginal sites, while at Kings Canyon there is the Garden of Eden and the Lost City. Spend the later afternoon walking through the base of the Canyon, or for those that are fit why not climb to the rim of the Canyon for spectacular views.

Today you will journey through grasslands and granite country, and then across the Finke River and on to Australia’s most famous outback town, Alice springs. Alice Springs has been an important stop for travellers since the early Overland Telegraph days of the 1800s. Today ‘The Alice’ has developed into such a significant town that it is more than just an oasis in the Outback.

Today is at leisure for you to explore Alice Springs & surroundings.

Suggested activity: The early history of Alice Springs is carefully preserved in several museums. A visit to the School of the Air and the Royal Flying Doctor Service will show you two of the facilities necessary for everyday life in remote locations.

As you leave the magnificant MacDonald Ranges behind, embark on your Outback adventure by headning North along the Stuart Highway to the outback town ot Tennant Creek, situated right in the very heart of the Northern Territory. With over 5 hours of driving, be sure to plan your stops along the way at place like Prowse Gap, Taylor Creek and Devils Marbles.

Suggested Activity: Towards the latter half of your drive to Tennant Creek is Karlu Karlu, also known as Devils Marbles. These "round boulders", as their name translates to, are a stunning rock formation that have almost become synonymous with the Australia Outback, and will make a worthwile place for a final stop on your journey to Tennant Creek.

Today will require slightly more driving than the previous day, so be sure to get an early start as you get back onto the dusty open road. Again, make sure you pre plan your stops, with the likes of Newcastle Waters, Daly Waters and Warloch, all offering rest stop facilies and supplies.

Suggested Activity: Just over half way between Tennant Creek and Katherines is Daly Waters, aptly named with its historic outback pub. Remarkably, this was the site of Australia's first international airport in 1934. Aftreall, Australia's international airline, Qantas, stands for Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services. Since 1938 it has continuously operated as a licensed venue, making this remote watering hole as much of an outback museum as it is a pub.

With no driving today you are free to enjoy the natural wonders that the Katherine region has to offer, including the nearby Nitmiluk Gorge, the Katherine Springs or the Cutta Cutta Caves

Suggested Activity: Nitmiluk Gorge, also known as the Katherines Gorge, is arguably one of the Northern Territory's most well known attractions. With its hidden waterfalls, ancient Aboriginal rock art and abundance of wildlife, Nitmiluk Gorge will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of any trip to the Territory.

Most of today's three hour drive from Katherine will be spent driving through the awe inspring Kakadu National Park, priving several opportunities to stop along the way before reaching the main visitor centre on the North-Eastern reaches of the park.

Suggested Activity: Call in at Pine Creek, the last township before heading East off the Stuart Highway towards Kakadu, before stopping at Bukbukluk Lookout and then again at Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba), an expansive wetland with boat cruises and boardwalked trails on offer.

With a free day to explore the ancient surrounds of Kakadu National Park, be sure to be up early enough to make the most of what will undoubtedly be an unforgettable day.

Suggested Activity: Estimated to be at least 20,000 years old, the World Heritage-Listed rock art on the walls Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) are an absolute must for any visit to Kakadu, sittuated only half hour from your accommodation.

Sadly today marks the end of your enchanting Northern Terriory discovery, following your three hour drive to Dawrin, the Territory's largest city and capital.

Suggested Activity: On your way out of the park back towards the Stuart Highway, call in at the Mamukala Wetlands, described as a birt watcher's paradise, with boardwalked trails on offer.