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Introduction to Top End, Red Centre and Kimberley

Darwin to Alice Springs: 12 days / 11 nights

Fully Escorted Quality Touring
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HIGHLIGHTS:
* Parry Lagoon Nature Reserve and Warriu Park
* Orientation tours of tropical Darwin and Alice Springs
* Kakadu National Park including ancient Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr and a cruise on Yellow Water Billabong 
* Cruise through Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park 
* Swim in the thermal springs at Mataranka 
* Join a spectacular cruise on the Ord River 
* Walk around Karlwekarlwe (Devils Marbles) 
* Visit the historic Battery Hill mining precinct 
* Guided Uluru (Ayers Rock) base walking tour 
* Explore mysterious Kata Tjuta (Olgas) 
* Climb to the rim of Kings Canyon 
* Many included meals + complimentary airport transfers		 Inspecting the Devils Marbles © Tourism Northern Territory

Departures: 

2010:  
19 May
16 Jun**
07 Jul, 28 Jul**
11 Aug, 18 Aug
15 Sep 
06 Oct  		2011:


Dates not yet available, but expected to be similar to 2010


 
                   ** = Guaranteed Departure 
 

ITINERARY: Darwin to Alice Springs ('Introduction to Top End, Red Centre and Kimberley')
Truly Ref 1435
This escorted holiday has been meticulously planned and incorporates superior accommodation, unique sightseeing experiences, many meals and the services of a professional Tour Director and Tour Driver.   It offers unrivalled value for money plus optional sightseeing opportunities at extra cost to allow you to tailor your own holiday experience.
 
Day 1: Darwin
Clients arriving by air will be met and transferred to the tour hotel (flights to arrive prior to 2.30pm). This afternoon join a city orientation tour of Darwin.  Visit the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory and enjoy views across Darwin Harbour.  Enjoy dinner and a welcome drink with your Tour Director and travelling companions this evening.
Accommodation: Mantra on the Esplanade, Darwin. (D)

Day 2: Kakadu National Park
Visit the Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre, before travelling deep into the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park. Stop at the Bowali Visitor Centre and see displays of the varied landscapes of Kakadu. Yellow Water Billabong is home to a number of estuarine crocodiles and with luck you may see some on your afternoon cruise. Your local guide will also point out many species of birds that inhabit the wetlands.
Accommodation: Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn, Jabiru. (BD)
 
Day 3: Kakadu – Katherine
This morning visit Nourlangie Rock and view Aboriginal rock art dating back some 20,000 years.  Departing Kakadu you travel south to Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park. Your cruise features the gorge at its finest, as the walls reflect the colours of the late afternoon sun.
Accommodation: All Seasons, Katherine. (BD) 		 Cruise on Katherine Gorge © Tourism Northern Territory
 
Aerial view of Ord River © Tourism Western Australia Day 4: Ord River Cruise – Kununurra
This morning travel across vast cattle stations into Western Australia. Visit the Durack Homestead and join a spectacular cruise along the Ord River (pictured), from Lake Argyle to Kununurra. This permanent water supply has formed wetland areas, which have become havens for birds and marsupials that inhabit the islands in the lake.
Accommodation: Lakeside Resort, Kununurra, 2 nights. (BD) 

Day 5: El Questro – Parry Lagoon 
Visit El Questro Station and cruise through Chamberlain Gorge. In the afternoon travel to Parry Lagoon Nature Reserve. See the bird life of this region and learn about traditional lifestyles. Continue to Wyndham. Enjoy spectacular views of the Kimberley from the Five Rivers Lookout, whilst hearing about both the cultural and contemporary history of the area. (BD) 

Day 6: Kununurra – Katherine
Farewell the Kimberley this morning as you retrace your steps to the Northern Territory. See the mighty Victoria River and pass through the Gregory National Park, en route to the town of Katherine.
Accommodation: All Seasons, Katherine. (BD) 
 
Mataranka Thermal Springs © Tourism Northern TerritoryDay 7: Mataranka Thermal Springs – Tennant Creek
After departing from Katherine, stop at Mataranka where there is time for a dip in the thermal springs, which maintain a constant temperature of 34-35°C (pictured).  Later learn a little of the life on an outback station by visiting the Elsey Homestead replica, home of Jeannie Gunn, author of 'We of the Never Never'.  In the afternoon travel on southwards to Tennant Creek.
Accommodation: Bluestone Motor Inn, Tennant Creek. (BD) 


Day 8: Devils Marbles – Alice Springs

This morning enjoy a tour of the historic gold mining precinct of Battery Hill. Join a local guide on an underground mine tour and experience the life of an early miner. As you travel south there is time for a walk around the precariously balanced Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles), pictured at the top of this page, that have been worn smooth by the harsh elements of nature over many thousands of years. Later this afternoon cross the Tropic of Capricorn and arrive in 'The Alice' (a panoramic view of Alice Springs and the surrounding ranges from the top of Anzac Hill is pictured below). 
View from Anzac Hill, Alice Springs © Tourism Northern Territory
Accommodation: Alice Springs Resort, Alice Springs. (B)

Day 9: Alice - Uluru (Ayers Rock) + Kata Tjuta (Olgas)

Stop to view majestic Atila (Mt.Conner - pictured), which is often mistaken for Uluru, before arriving at Ayers Rock Resort.  This afternoon visit Kata Tjuta.  Walk into Walpa Gorge to appreciate the sheer size of these unusual domes of red Conglomerate rock.   Atila (Mt Conner) © Tourism Northern Territory
Enjoy complimentary wine and nibbles as you watch the sunset change the colours of Uluru.
Accommodation: Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort. (B)

Day 10: Uluru (Ayers Rock) – Kings Canyon
This morning you may wish to join an early tour to view sunrise over Uluru.  Afterwards, travel by coach to Kuniya Piti, an Aboriginal sacred site at the base of Uluru. Your guide will escort you on a walk to the Mutitjulu Waterhole, pointing out the natural features of the landscape, Aboriginal rock paintings and traditional Aboriginal stories relating to this special place. Experience the sheer size of Uluru as your guide explains the geological formation, Aboriginal history and the flora and fauna unique to this area. Visit the informative Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. This afternoon depart Ayers Rock Resort and travel to Kings Canyon Resort. 
Accommodation: Kings Canyon Resort, Kings Canyon. (BD) 

Day 11: Kings Canyon 
There is time for the fit and energetic to make the climb to the rim of the Canyon for marvellous views of Watarrka National Park. Alternatively you may wish to explore the boulder-strewn Canyon floor. This afternoon travel to Alice Springs.
Accommodation: Alice Springs Resort, Alice Springs. (BD) 

Day 12: Depart Alice Springs
After breakfast you will be transferred to Alice Springs Airport to connect with your onward flight (flights to depart after 11 am). (B)

 

INCLUDED IN YOUR COACH TOUR
Transportation Tour by luxury coach, air-conditioned, 2-door access, restroom equipped, reclining seats with seatbelts and large panoramic tinted windows
Professionally Escorted  Discover Australia with your experienced professional Tour Director and Tour Driver
Accommodation  Rooms with private facilities in centrally located hotels, on a Twin Share basis
Dining Inclusions - as shown in itinerary
• Full Buffet Breakfasts  • Lunch   • Dinner
Plus
• Welcome Drink
• All purpose travel bag and map
• Airport transfers included (subject to flight timings)
• Hotel porterage included

Air fares are NOT included

WEATHER
Australia's climate is characterized by its diversity, as temperature and precipitation differ from region to region and from season to season.  Depending on the time of season you have decided to travel temperature starting in Sydney and travelling through the Red Centre to the Top End can vary from 0 to 30 degrees C in March and August to 10 to 40C in September to February.

The Top End - has just two seasons... tropical summer in November to March, and tropical winter in May to October.  It's warm all year round but summer is wetter and winter is dry.  The crisp, clean air, warm dry days, low humidity and cool nights of Darwin's winter are perfect for outdoor adventures and touring.

The Red Centre - As you would expect of a desert environment, Alice Springs in the heart of the Red Centre is mostly dry, with brilliant blue skies year round.  From October to March you'll need sunscreen and a hat, and for the cooler season (May to September) take extra clothing for cold mornings. 
 
PRICES: Introduction to Top End, Red Centre and Kimberley coach tour
Per person per tour		 01 May - 30 Jun 2010  01 Jul -31 Oct 2010 Truly
Ref
Twin Share Single** Triple Share Twin Share Single** Triple Share
12 days/11 nights Darwin to Alice Springs A$4051 A$5060 A$3852 A$4334 A$5528 A$4215 1435
** A same gender room share can be requested to save paying the single room supplement (all room shares will be in non-smoking rooms)
Reductions for children 15 years and under and sharing a room with 2 adults are available on request
For Pre and Post tour accommodation see City Hotels and Stopovers...
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Please use the Truly Reference Number when making booking enquiries
To check approximate prices in other key currencies, see our Currency Converter
NOTE: Other than for '** Guaranteed Departures', our local Australian coach operator partner reserves the right to cancel a tour up to 42 days before departure and offer an alternative tour or your money back.  Please bear this in mind if you are organising complex touring arrangements within Australia.   The itinerary shown may also be modified without notice.  Prices may change after 1 May 2010 but a price is guaranteed upon payment of a deposit.
  
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