Outback Safari

The Red Centre makes an unforgettable first impression. Ochre earth, endless sky and the vast silhouette of Uluru set the scene for the adventure ahead. After arriving, journey into Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to watch the great monolith glow at sunset, revealing the powerful beauty and deep spiritual significance this place holds for the Anangu people. The evening is yours to continue soaking up the atmosphere or perhaps join an Optional Experience and enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner in Uluru.

Watch Uluru emerge with the dawn, its colours shifting with the first light of day. Explore the base of this extraordinary monolith and gain deeper insight into the traditions and stories of the world’s oldest living culture at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. Continue to Kata Tjuta, where massive domes rise from the desert plain. Walk into Walpa Gorge, framed by towering rock formations, then return to your resort with time at leisure to relax or explore as you please.

Begin the day with the option to see the acclaimed Field of Light installation, where 50,000 glowing stems illuminate the desert before sunrise. From here, you’ll journey deeper into the Outback, passing the striking flat-topped form of Atila (Mt. Conner), one of Australia’s most distinctive landmarks. Stop at Kings Creek Station for a taste of station life and the chance to try a camel burger for lunch before continuing to Kings Canyon Resort in Watarrka National Park.

Lace up for the remarkable Kings Canyon Rim Walk, where sandstone domes, weathered cliffs and hidden rock pools reveal one of the Outback’s most dramatic landscapes. The route to Alice Springs showcases the vast scale of the Northern Territory, from remote cattle country to the ridges of the MacDonnell Ranges. In Alice Springs, connect with Australia’s pioneering past at the historic Telegraph Station, then take in wide views over the town and surrounding ranges from Anzac Hill.

Explore the rugged West MacDonnell Ranges, where striking scenery and deep gorges define the landscape. At Simpsons Gap, discover a quiet waterhole tucked between high red cliffs, a place of special significance and natural beauty. Back in Alice Springs, you’ll visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Centre to learn how vital medical care reaches communities across remote Australia. Next, discover the historic Telegraph Station, part of the 1872 Overland Telegraph Line linking Adelaide to Darwin, then take in sweeping outback views from Anzac Hill. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy, whether by the pool, in town or browsing local galleries and shops.

A visit to the School of the Air reveals the ingenuity behind education in the Outback, with lessons broadcast across 1.3 million square kilometres. If school is in session, you may even see a live class in action. Continue north to Karlu, also known as the Devils Marbles, where giant granite boulders balance across the landscape in extraordinary formations shaped over millions of years. From here, you’ll head to Tennant Creek, a town shaped by its gold mining past.

Pause at the Daly Waters Pub, an iconic Outback stop that has welcomed travellers since the 1930s. Its walls are lined with stories and mementos from visitors who came before, creating a character all its own. In Mataranka, step into the spirit of the Never Never with a visit to the replica Elsey Homestead, or wander beneath swaying palms to the region’s warm thermal springs for a restorative soak. Later, continue to Katherine.

Cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, travelling between soaring sandstone cliffs carved over countless centuries. As you glide along the gorge, hear stories that reflect the Jawoyn people’s deep connection to Country and watch for freshwater crocodiles resting along the banks. Later, you’ll continue into Kakadu National Park for a Yellow Water Billabong cruise through one of Australia’s richest wetland ecosystems. Look out for crocodiles, water lilies and birdlife including sea eagles, brolgas and kingfishers as your local guide shares insights into the region’s plants, wildlife and bush foods. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Take in Kakadu’s immense scale from a new perspective with an optional scenic flight over this vast and ancient wilderness. Back on the ground, visit Ubirr, where rock art galleries reveal stories of Aboriginal culture and connection to the land stretching back thousands of years. Climb to the lookout for sweeping views across floodplains and escarpments before travelling on to Darwin. In the evening, you may wish to explore the lively Mindil Beach Sunset Market to enjoy global flavours and tropical energy by the sea.

he laid-back rhythm of the Top End is yours to enjoy today Sleep in, savour a tropical breakfast or choose from Optional Experiences that reveal more of the Northern Territory: journey to Litchfield National Park to see magnetic termite mounds, waterfalls and seasonal swimming spots, or travel to the Tiwi Islands for a deeper connection to First Nations art and culture through local guides. Later, join your fellow travellers for dinner and reflect on the remarkable landscapes, stories and shared moments of your journey.

Your Northern Territory adventure comes to an end in Darwin. As you prepare to head home, take with you memories of glowing desert sunsets, ancient rock art, dramatic gorges and the unforgettable spirit of Australia’s Outback.