Australia Interstate Trips
Australia Interstate Trips

Metro, Rock & Top End 2013-2014

Apr 13 - Mar 14

  • Spend an evening in the heart of the Snowy Mountains.
  • Head underground in the town of Coober Pedy

From: US$2995pp

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Chilling by Sydney Harbour
  • 1
  • 2


Essential Info

Trip starts
Sydney, Australia
Trip ends
Darwin, Australia
Trip code
AAMRSD
Trip duration
22 Days
Countries Visited
Australia
Accommodation
Multi-share, single sex. Usually 2 - 4 per room
Group Size
Average 18 People
Transport
Modern Air Conditioned Coach

Totally Topdeck:

  • Canberra city tour
  • Hike to Australia’s highest summit (seasonal)
  • Spectacular Great Ocean Road & sunset at Twelve Apostles
  • Otway Fly Treetop Walk
  • Stunning Grampians National Park
  • Visit Brambuk Cultural Centre & paint your own boomerang
  • Hike to the base of MacKenzie Falls
  • Local winery visit in Clare Valley
  • Stay Underground in Coober Pedy
  • Visit a Kangaroo Orphanage
  • Guided tour of Kings Canyon
  • Sunset & sunrise over Uluru
  • Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre
  • 4WD trip to Jim Jim Falls

Also Included:

  • 20 breakfasts (B), 14 lunches (L), 14 dinners (D)
  • 13 nights in cabins/hostels, 1 night underground, 3 nights camping in permanent tents, 4 nights in a swag
  • National Park Entry fees
  • Modern air-conditioned vehicle
  • Escorted services of a fully trained Driver/Guide

Additional Information

Itinerary

Map of Metro, Rock & Top End 2013-2014

 

Day 1 Sydney to Snowy Mountains.

Our Topdeck Aussie adventure departs from one of the world’s great cities, Sydney. We drive to the nation’s capital, Canberra, for a city tour which includes the famous Parliament House. Tonight we stay in the gorgeous Snowy Mountains. (D)

 

Day 2 Snowy Mountains to Gippsland Lakes.

This morning we’re heading up Mt Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest peak.  It’s a relatively moderate hike from the top of the Crackenback chairlift. We then head south to the resort of Lakes Entrance.(B, D)
 

Day 3 Gippsland Lakes to Melbourne (via Wilsons Promontory).

Today we weave around the coastline to Wilsons Promontory National Park – the most southerly point of the Australian mainland. It’s a park of great natural beauty where kangaroos and emus live amongst verdant green bushland, with crashing waves not far away. We hike to a nearby lookout for great views, before making our way to Melbourne, Australia’s sporting and cultural capital. (B)
 

Day 4 Melbourne.

A free day in funky Melbourne. This stylish city has obvious European influence, reflected in the fine food and coffee, international theatre and the amazing shopping! It’s a captivating place, full of bustling trams and winding laneswell worth an explore. Search for hidden cafes and boutiques, or visit city icons like the MCG stadium or ‘Ramsay Street’ of Neighbours fame! (B)
 

Day 5 Melbourne to Port Campbell (via Great Ocean Road).

We depart today from cosmopolitan Melbourne. First up is one of the world’s great drives - the Great Ocean Road. We pass legendary surf spots and stop at Otway Tree Top Walk for a bird’s eye view of Victoria’s natural beauty. Later, we see the amazing Twelve Apostles rock formation and Loch Ard Gorge. Tonight we stay in Port Campbell, and get to know our fellow travellers over an included dinner. (B, D)
 

Day 6 Port Campbell to Grampians National Park (via Great Ocean Road).

After seeing more wonders along the Great Ocean Road, it’s on to Grampians National Park. We then pay a visit to Brambuk Aboriginal Culture Centre to learn about the Dreamtime. We also get to paint our own souvenir boomerang here – so good, you’ll want to keep coming back! Tonight we enjoy a traditional Aussie BBQ dinner. (B, D)
 

Day 7 Grampians National Park to Adelaide.

We start today with a hike to the base of MacKenzie Falls, the highest waterfalls in the Grampians. Leaving the amazing views of Victoria behind, we then head into South Australia. After crossing the famed Murray River, we arrive in picturesque Adelaide. (B, L)
 

Day 8 Adelaide.

A free day to explore ‘Festival City’ Adelaide, where vineyards and beaches are both within reach! Adelaide has a relaxed café culture lifestyle, and a diverse cultural mix guarantees that the food choices on offer here are sensational. (B)
 

Day 9 Adelaide to Parachilna (via Flinders Ranges).

We travel through Clare Valley, stopping at an award-winning winery for morning tea and wine tasting. We end the day with a spectacular sunset across the Central Flinders Ranges. This evening, enjoy drinks in the unique Prairie Hotel before our overnight stay in one of the smallest towns in Australia, Parachilna. (B, L, D)
 

Day 10 Parachilna to Quorn (via Flinders Ranges National Park).

Today we try to spot emu and kangaroo while enjoying a scenic drive through Parachilna Gorge, and also visit Stokes Hill Lookout and the natural amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound. Tonight we enjoy a pub meal and drinks with the locals in historic Quorn. (B, L, D)
 

Day 11 Quorn to Coober Pedy.

First stop Port Augusta, which marks the beginning of our true desert adventure. Marvel at the enormous salt lakes and flat saltbush plains, before we move on to opal mining town Coober Pedy. Tonight we dine at world-famous John’s Pizza Bar, and fittingly we sleep underground! (B, L, D)
 

Day 12 Coober Pedy to Central Australian Roadhouse Camp.

We head underground for a mine tour and check out an opal fossicking site, and also visit a Kangaroo Orphanage for rescued joeys. Then we’re off north across the Moon Plain (filming location for Mad Max) into the Outback. (B, L, D)
 

Day 13 Central Australian Roadhouse Camp to Kings Canyon.

To the Northern Territory, where  in the afternoon we hike the magnificent Kings Canyon, exploring the Amphitheatre, breathtaking North and South Walls, the Lost City and Garden of Eden. After an outdoor dinner, enjoy sitting around the fire before star-gazing from the comfort of your swag (Aussie bedroll). (B, L, D)
 

Day 14 Kings Canyon to Uluru (Ayers Rock).

Up early today as we make our way to the ultimate icon of Australia - Uluru. After lunch at our campground, we get up close and personal with the Rock as we walk a section of the base. We then get an insight into the local Aboriginal culture from our guide before an unforgettable desert sunset over Uluru. After dark, we fire up the BBQ for dinner before retiring to our cosy swags. (B, L, D)
 

Day 15 Uluru (Ayers Rock) to Alice Springs.

We wake to witness a magical Uluru sunrise, then visit the Uluru Cultural Centre to further our insight into the amazing Anangu way of life. After seeing the ancient geological formation of Kata Tjuta, we explore its magnificent features during a ‘Valley of the Winds’ hike. After lunch we continue to Alice Springs. (B, L)
 

Day 16 Alice Springs.

A free day to explore Alice Springs – there’s heaps to see and do. (B)
 

Day 17 Alice Springs to Banka Banka.

Leaving Alice behind, we pass the Tropic of Capricorn and stop at the Barrow Creek Pub, home to a telegraph station, where we can glimpse what outback telecommunication used to be like. Precariously balanced on their rocky perch are Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles), a site sacred to its traditional owners. Last stop for today is our private campsite at Banka Banka Station. (B, L, D)
 

Day 18 Banka Banka to Katherine Gorge.

No visit to the Top End would be complete without a stop at the famed Daly Waters Pub, a classic outback roadhouse loved by travellers from around the globe! Later we stop at Mataranka in the heart of the ‘never-never’ where we can soak in the steamy thermal springs. As the day draws to a close, we reach our overnight camp near stunning Katherine Gorge. (B, L, D)
 

Day 19 Katherine Gorge to Darwin.

We have a half day to explore Katherine Gorge - optional canoe or cruise trips in the spectacular waters are available in season. After stopping at idyllic Edith Falls we head to Darwin. (B, L) 
 

Day 20 Darwin to Mary River (Litchfield National Park).

We begin by checking out the waterfalls of Litchfield National Park with chance for a refreshing swim. After lunch we relocate to the spectacular Mary River Wetlands. Birds aren’t the only abundant wildlife here – enjoy a spot of crocodile watching on a river cruise! We overnight at our bush campsite in the Mary River region. (L, D)
 

Day 21 Mary River to Kakadu.

Arriving in Kakadu, we take time to explore the surrounds of this remarkable World Heritage area. Discover ancient Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr before we climb to the top of a lookout for beautiful views over the Nardab floodplain. Next we head to Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) where a hike is rewarded with a reviving dip in the plunge pools. You’ll be asleep in no time once we reach our overnight bush camp in Kakadu. (B, L, D)
 

Day 22 Kakadu to Darwin.

An early rise sees us jump in 4-wheel drive vehicles and make our way to majestic Jim Jim Falls! We’ll hike to the falls’ base, before continuing on to Twin Falls. You might want to take in the beauty of the gorge and falls from the National Park-operated Boat and Boardwalk experience. In the afternoon we stop at Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre to learn about local Indigenous culture. The impressive scenery will continue to amaze as we journey back to Darwin, where our memorable trip ends. (B, L)
 
A sleeping bag is required for camping in the Northern Territory. Bring your own or hire one locally for AUD$30.

 

NOTE: The Northern Territory section of this trip is operated by our Local Specialist Partner, Adventure Tours Australia.

 


From: US$2995pp

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