Northern Territory Explorer
Northern Territory Explorer
$4930
Northern Territory Explorer
10 Days Starting in Darwin, Australia and ending in Uluru, Australia
Visiting: Darwin, Kakadu National Park, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs, Uluru
Tour operator:
Tour code:
NDAU26
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Australia's Northern Territory with the "Northern Territory Explorer" tour. This cultural adventure begins in Darwin, where you'll explore the vibrant city and its rich history. Experience the world's oldest culture with a visit to the Aboriginal-owned Pudukal Cultural Experience, ensuring the preservation of this ancient heritage. Travel in comfort with a specialist team accredited with Kakadu and Uluru National Parks, and enjoy stays at comfortable accommodations like the Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront and Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel. Discover the breathtaking landscapes of Kakadu, Uluru, and Nitmiluk National Parks, with guided tours, boat cruises, and sunset drinks. From the sacred Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) to the awe-inspiring Uluru, this tour offers a deep dive into the natural and cultural wonders of the region. Conclude your adventure with the mesmerizing Field of Light art installation, leaving you with memories to cherish.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Darwin
Location: Darwin
Accommodation Name: Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront
Meals Included: Dinner
Get to know the steamy NT capital at your own pace – you’ll fast find that the characters here are almost as colourful as the sunsets. You’ll enjoy the latter over drinks and dinner with your Travel Director and fellow adventure-seekers. A tasty entrée to your 11-day Northern Territory tour from Darwin.
Day 2: Darwin Sightseeing & Free Time
Location: Darwin
Accommodation Name: Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront
Today is about getting your Darwin bearings on a city tour revealing the events that have shaped the city over the decades, from wars to natural disasters. You’ll be a Darwin expert after visiting attractions like East Point Military Reserve and the MAGNT (Museum and Art Gallery Northern Territory). The afternoon is at your leisure. If you’re at a loss for ideas, we can point you in the direction of the Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility, perhaps, or the Mindil Beach Sunset Market, loaded with 200+ stalls. Grab a bite and watch the day end with your feet in the sand.
Day 3: Darwin - Kakadu
Location: Kakadu National Park
Accommodation Name: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Aboriginal culture is strong in this part of Australia, and its kept alive by Traditional Landowners on this morning’s tour. 100% Aboriginal owned and operated family business, Pudakul offers cultural and nature-based cultural experiences from the Adelaide River Flood Plains on Aboriginal owned land Limilngan-Wulna. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, dive deep into First Nations heritage, highlighting art, music and bush tucker. Your next deep dive is into the heart of Kakadu, a World Heritage listed national park that is one of Australia’s most important living ecosystems.
Day 4: Kakadu National Park
Location: Kakadu National Park
Accommodation Name: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel
Kakadu is vast, spanning almost 20,000 square kilometres. The best way to gain appreciation for just how immense it really is from the air on a highly recommended morning flight (own expense). Now that you have your bearings, take to the land to discover ancient Aboriginal rock art and cruise the wildlife-packed Yellow Water Billabong to search for enormous saltwater crocs – your eagle-eyed local cruise guide knows where to look.
Day 5: Katherine - Tennant Creek
Location: Tennant Creek
Accommodation Name: Bluestone Motor Inn
Meals Included: Dinner
If the Elsey Homestead looks familiar, that’s because it starred in the 1982 Aussie drama We of the Never Never. Today it’s better known for its Mataranka thermal hot springs. Pop on your swimsuit and have a soothing soak, the magical setting surrounded by palms. The only thing more refreshing is a cold beverage at the Daly Waters Pub, self-declared as Australia’s ‘original outback pub’. You can imagine the kind of swagger the locals bring. Visitors are encouraged to leave their mark as well; a memento, perhaps, something of their own. You’ll arrive in Tennant Creek with a new appreciation for country life.
Day 6: Tennant Creek - Alice Springs
Location: Alice Springs
Accommodation Name: DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs
The Stuart Highway is long (2,700 kilometres), very straight and very flat. Which makes the appearance of Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) on the horizon all the more dramatic. These granite boulders pock the countryside. But they’re not just a pretty sight – they’re a sacred place for the Aboriginal community reflecting cultural beliefs and serving as a sacred site for ceremonies and storytelling. Get the lay of the land atop Alice Springs’ Anzac Hill. From this vantage, the East and West MacDonnell Ranges appear to stretch to the horizon.
Day 7: Alice Springs Sightseeing
Location: Alice Springs
Accommodation Name: DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs
Visit Alice Springs Desert Park, home to a vast range of plants and wildlife native to the area. You can really experience the beauty and diversity of this incredible landscape. The Arrernte people, traditional owners of the park, are also on hand to share their local wisdom and knowledge. Save some energy for this afternoon’s visit to the historic Telegraph Station – the reason the town was formed – and School of the Air, to gain an insight into outback and remote learning.
Day 8: Alice Springs - Uluru
Location: Uluru
Accommodation Name: Outback Hotel & Lodge
From the moment you wake up until the last of day disappears, spiritual Aboriginal culture is all around during today’s exploring. Get set to be in awe over stories about the creation of Uluru, the world’s largest monolith. It’s particularly pretty at sunset when the fading rays change the desert’s colour with every sip of your sparkling wine and nibbles. Choose to extend your evening under the stars with an exclusive Barbecue Dinner (own expense).
Day 9: Uluru Sightseeing & Free Time
Location: Uluru
Accommodation Name: Outback Hotel & Lodge
There aren’t many things worth getting up in the dark for. Sunrise over Uluru is one. It’s a magical time of day, the shifting light casting the countryside aglow. Exploring the base on an Uluru tour, you’ll begin to understand why this part of the country is so special to the Anangu, who have called the region home for millennia. Go at your own pace this afternoon. We wouldn’t blame you for taking a dip in the resort pool to cool off. But if you want to see Uluru in another different light, opt to chopper around it on a scenic helicopter flight (own expense). You’ll have plenty of stories to tell over your Farewell Dinner.
Day 10: Farewell From Uluru
Location: Uluru
Another reason to rise early: to catch the Field of Light art installation by artist Bruce Munro that blankets the desert floor (own expense). Your spirit will glow just as brightly as you bid farewell to this epic Northern Territory tour.
What's Included
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Specialist team and National Park access
Travel with a specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver, accredited with Kakadu and Uluru National Parks, and enjoy access to 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Kakadu and Uluru National Parks.
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Comfortable accommodation
Enjoy comfortable stays at Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront, Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, Knotts Crossing Resort, Bluestone Motor Inn, Doubletree by Hilton Alice Springs, and Outback Hotel & Lodge, all offering easy access to city centers and key attractions.
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National Park entrance fees
Entrance fees for Kakadu, Uluru-Kata Tjuta, and Nitmiluk National Parks are included.
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Boat cruises
Experience boat cruises in Kakadu at Yellow Water Billabong and Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge.
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Uluru Guided touring
Enjoy guided touring of Uluru with sunset drinks and nibbles.
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Indigenous Guided Tour
Entrance fees for an Indigenous Guided Tour of Alice Springs Desert Park, Telegraph Station, and School of the Air are included.
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Dining
The tour includes 3 Dinners, 9 Full Breakfasts, and 1 Farewell Dinner.
What's Not Included
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Flights
Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price.
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Optional activities
Optional activities such as the morning flight over Kakadu, BBQ dinner under the stars at Uluru, and the Field of Light art installation are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort with a specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver, accredited with Kakadu and Uluru National Parks. Note that flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included.
Accommodation
Enjoy comfortable stays at Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront, Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, Knotts Crossing Resort, Bluestone Motor Inn, Doubletree by Hilton Alice Springs, and Outback Hotel & Lodge, all offering easy access to city centers and key attractions.
Dining Summary
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 9 Full Breakfast (B)
- 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)
Fitness Requirement
- Low level of fitness required
Flexible Holidays
- Life in the Northern Territory moves at a leisurely pace. Choose your own leisurely adventure during your free time in Uluru.
Flight information
- Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price. Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 3.00pm into Darwin AirportDay 11 – flights to depart anytime from Ayers Rock Airport
Iconic Sites
- Have your camera poised: we’re taking you from the wilds of Kakadu to the escarpments of Nitmiluk Gorge and epic landscapes of Uluru.
Natural Wonders
- Sunrise over Uluru has this incredible ability to make you forget everything else around you and just focus on the now.
What to Bring
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat Water bottle Warm layers in cooler months Camera Comfortable walking shoes
Check out our Q&As
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What cultural experiences are included in the Northern Territory Explorer tour?
The tour includes a visit to the Aboriginal-owned and operated Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Experience, where you can dive deep into First Nations heritage, highlighting art, music, and bush tucker. Additionally, there is an Indigenous Guided Tour of Alice Springs Desert Park.
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Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, there are optional activities such as a morning flight over Kakadu, a BBQ dinner under the stars at Uluru, and the Field of Light art installation, which are not included in the tour price.
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What kind of wildlife experiences can I expect on this tour?
You will have the opportunity to cruise the wildlife-packed Yellow Water Billabong in Kakadu National Park, where you can search for enormous saltwater crocodiles with the help of a local cruise guide.
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What is the accommodation like on the Northern Territory Explorer tour?
The tour offers comfortable stays at various hotels including Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront, Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, Knotts Crossing Resort, Bluestone Motor Inn, Doubletree by Hilton Alice Springs, and Outback Hotel & Lodge, all providing easy access to city centers and key attractions.
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What is the transportation arrangement for the tour?
Travel is in comfort with a specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver, accredited with Kakadu and Uluru National Parks. However, flights to and from the start/end of the trip are not included.
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What are some of the iconic sites visited during the tour?
The tour takes you to iconic sites such as the wilds of Kakadu, the escarpments of Nitmiluk Gorge, and the epic landscapes of Uluru.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a holiday with us is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
It is important to adhere to departure times while on tour for the comfort of everyone on-board, and to make sure no one misses out on the planned experiences. The coach will not be able to wait for you, and in some instances, if you miss a departure time you will need to make your own way to the next destination to re-join the tour.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
AAT Kings operated Guided Holidays have competitive single supplement rates available if you prefer to confirm your own room. Or we can match you to share with a guest of the same gender at no extra cost. If we fail to match you, we will accommodate you in a single room at no extra cost.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 100 years
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
We will email your documents to you approximately four weeks before your departure date provided you have completed your pre trip registration using the My Travel Portal. If you’ve booked through a travel agent, your documents will be emailed directly to your agent.
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Low Deposit
AAT Kings requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of aat kings charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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