Explorers Way Self-drive Adventure

Arrive in vibrant Darwin and enjoy a few days of relaxation before your self-drive journey begins; potter around the Mindil Beach Markets, wander along the waterfront lagoon and take in the fascinating history of the city. Take an included half day tour to soak up the highlights of the city and enjoy the laid-back outdoor lifestyle.

Included day tours:

• Darwin City Sights

• Darwin Sunset Cruise

Travel Designers recommendation: Add an extra night to your Darwin stay to allow time to take an organised day tour to the Tiwi Islands. Known as the 'Island of smiles', learn about the island's unique Aboriginal culture and art. 

Pick up your hire car and begin your self-drive adventure – first stop Katherine. Explore the town before heading to your accommodation; eco-accredited and indigenous owned Cicada Lodge, a sanctuary of sophistication perched close to Nitmiluk Gorge. With a full day to explore, choose from a range of optional tours in Nitmiluk National Park, including must-see Katherine Gorge with its towering sandstone cliffs.

Travel Designers recommendation: Pre-book a morning or evening dinner cruise on Katherine Gorge, where you can admire the sandstone cliffs and spot an array birdlife. Alternatively, join the Nabilil dinner cruise - especially if you have time to add an extra night to your stay. 

Make an early start and watch outside your window as tropical green gives way to Australia’s classic red rock desert scenery. Stop in at quirky Daly Waters historic pub - which you’ll find covered in bras (yes, bras) before arriving in the gold rush town of Tennant Creek. Pop into the Battery Hill Mining Centre for an underground mining tour and try your hand at gold panning. If time permits, ask to borrow the key to the old Telegraph Station - 12km north of the town.

Accommodation: Blue Stone Motor Inn

Travel Designers recommendation: To break today’s journey, add a night in Mataranka where you can relax in the thermal springs.

Continue your journey to the renowned Red Centre. En route, stop at Karlu Karlu (translated to the Devils Marbles) to admire these huge granite boulders and take a short self-guided walk. A further 30 minutes’ drive and you’ll find yourself in one of the world’s top-ranked UFO hotspots, Wycliffe Well, where you can take a few snaps with the resident aliens. Continue your journey to Alice Springs where you’ll enjoy full day of exploration in this charismatic desert outpost.

The hub of Aboriginal culture, Alice Springs has many indigenous art galleries and museums to explore as prelude to your Uluru experience. Complete your stay with a visit to the Alice Springs School of the Air Visitor Centre to learn about the technology used to educate children living in the remote outback.

Travel Designers recommendation: Pre-book a visit to the Kangaroo Sanctuary to meet Brolga and his mob of kangaroos, as seen on BBC documentary Kangaroo Dundee. You can even cuddle a joey!

Veer off the official Explorers Way route to visit iconic Uluru. Stay in the Desert Gardens Hotel, part of Ayres Rock Resort. You’ll enjoy an included sunrise tour over the rock where you’ll learn about the significance of the region, then visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to learn more about Aboriginal culture. As darkness falls, experience the otherworldly ‘Field of Light’ – an elaborate light art installation powered by solar energy that’ll leave you spellbound.

Included day tours:

• Uluru Sunrise Tour

• Field of Light - Star Pass
  

Optional add-ons / upgrades: For pure luxury and a private view of Uluru, upgrade your hotel to Longitude 131.

Travel Designers recommendation: If you’ve got time, we recommend adding an overnight stop at Kings Canyon Resort to explore magnificent Kings Canyon. 

Travel across the border into South Australia to the uniquely outback opal mining town of Coober Pedy. Here, three quarters of the town’s population of 3,500 people live underground in dwellings known as ‘dugouts’. Take an optional half day tour of the underground opal mine, Serbian church, shops, museum, casino and pub. Above land, visit the Breakaways offering spectacular moonscape scenery and the Dog Fence (Dingo Fence), which stretches 5,614km across Australia. If you’re a keen golfer, test your skills on the 18-hole Coober Pedy Opal Fields Golf Course - notable due to a complete lack of grass! Tonight stay at the world-famous Desert Cave Hotel – with the choice of an Underground or Above Ground room.

Optional add-ons / upgrades: We’d highly recommend a stop in Marla to break up your journey. As your Travel Designer for more information. we also recommend an optional flight over the giant salt pan of Lake Eyre, the lowest natural point of Australia.

Travel Designers recommendation: A geologists delight, add on an extra night and take a full day tour to the colourful Painted Desert, 120km away. 

Accommodation: Desert Cave Hotel

Arrive in Port August in time for a late lunch and your first glimpse of the ocean since Darwin. Take a relaxed stroll around the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden, explore the Curdnatta Art Gallery or take in some local culture at the Wadlata Outback Centre. Alternatively, recharge with a dip in the Gulf off one of the town’s swimming pontoons. In the morning, take a walk along the foreshore in the morning for your chance to spot dolphins playing in the bay.

Optional add-ons / upgrades: Upgrade to a waterfront one bedroom apartment for ocean views.

Travel Designers recommendation: For those with more time, take an optional side extension into the spectacular Flinders Ranges where you can view the natural amphitheatre, Wilpena Pound. We recommend at least two nights to fully appreciate the wildlife and wilderness of South Australia’s outback. We recommend a two night stay to allow time to explore. 

Accommodation: Majestic Oasis Apartments

In pure contrast to the outback, reach the vine-laden hills of the Barossa. Sample the local produce until your heart (and stomach) are content. With an array of wineries and breweries to explore make the most of your two night stay at the Novotel Barossa, which boasts spectacular views out across the vineyards. Optional excursions include a tour of Jacobs Creek to learn about the wine-making process, with a sensational lunch included, and the Penfolds ‘Make Your Own Blend’ experience, where you can try your hand at personalising your own bottle of wine in a winemakers’ laboratory. 

Optional add-ons / upgrades:

• Make Your Own Blend at Penfolds

• Ultimate Wine Experience: Jacobs Creek

• Hot air balloon flight

Travel Designers recommendation: Stop in at Australian celebrity chef Maggie Beer’s Farm shop to pick up some picnic treats and enjoy a free cookery demonstration.

Take the short drive to the sophisticated city of Adelaide, drop off your car and check into the centrally located Majestic Roof Garden hotel. Enjoy an included Adelaide city tour, soaking in all of the highlights, before taking a relaxed stroll along the tree-lined North Terrace, the city’s cultural focal point, or along the pretty riverfront. With its prime position encircled by wine regions, Adelaide boasts an enviable foodie scene with everything from street food to high-end taster menus to choose from.

Included day tours:

• Adelaide city tour

Optional add-ons / upgrades:

• Fleurieu Explorer: Off Piste Tours

• Temptation Dolphin Swim

• Central Market tour

Travel Designers recommendation: For those with a sense of adventure, experience the Adelaide Oval’s RoofClimb or wander the famous Adelaide Central Market, a thriving hub of food and culture.

Before you end your holiday, side step to Kangaroo Island for some well-earned relaxation and let someone else do the driving on a 4WD Highlights of Kangaroo Island tour. Accompanied by an expert guide, you’ll discover a wealth of wildlife, as well as the island’s icons including Admirals Arch, home to a colony of 10,000 long-nosed fur seals, Flinders Chase National Park, Seal Bay and the Remarkable Rocks. Relax with a glass of local wine at dusk when the island comes alive with kangaroos and other native wildlife.

Optional add-ons / upgrades: Ask about the extended three-day version of this tour with additional time to explore some of the island’s hidden gems and pristine beaches.

Travel Designers recommendation: Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and marine life on the short ferry journey to the island.

Accommodation: Highlights of Kangaroo Island

Enjoy one last night in Adelaide before your return journey. Stroll the elegant Adelaide Botanic Gardens, visit the National Wine Centre of Australia to sample a last drop of wine or take the short tram ride to one of Adelaide’s beautiful beaches and enjoy the laid-back Australian beach culture. If souvenir shopping is on the agenda, try Rundle Mall for sheer choice, Norwood Parade for boutique stores or Harbour Town for outlet shopping.

Travel Designers recommendation: For edible treats for those back home (or for you), pop into the Adelaide Central Market, open Tuesday to Saturday with a range of tours also available. Wander the mural painted laneways at night and discover Adelaide’s vibrant small-bar scene.