Explore Australia's Red Centre with the kids
Head out onto the Great Barrier Reef and snorkel with the tropical fish | Photo credit: Tourism & Events Queensland
Sit around the campfire swapping stories for a true outback experience! | Image: Tourism NT
See jumping crocs on the Adelaide River | Photo credit: Tourism NT & Shaana McNaught
Learn about the indigenous culture of Australia's Northern Territory
Take a walk through the Daintree Rainforest in Queensland
Watch the sunset over Uluru
Relax on the gorgeous beaches of Port Douglas
A 2-week, action-packed Australia family holiday starting in the 'Top End' of the Northern Territory, in Darwin. You'll meet fearsome crocs and loveable wallabies, uncover Aboriginal art and swim in waterfall plunge pools; camp beneath the stars and watch sunrise and sunset over the mighty Uluru before heading to the beach to snorkel amongst an array of rainbow fish on the Great Barrier Reef.
We’ve included a ‘Jumping Crocs’ cruise so you can see crocodiles in the wild as you travel down the Adelaide River. Next, you’ll head to Litchfield and Kakadu National Parks; home to tumbling waterfalls, termite mounds and a variety of native Aussie wildlife. From here, you’ll travel on to the cultural centre of Australia, home to one of its most majestic and important landmarks, Uluru for some camping under the stars.
To finish up, we’ll whisk you off to the beaches of tropical north of Queensland for some sun, sea and relaxation and a day out snorkelling on the spectacular Great Barrier Reef!
This itinerary is priced for two adults and two children but can be tailored to suit your requirements. Please contact one of our consultants to start planning your dream Australia holiday.
Depart the UK from your chosen airport.
On arrival into Darwin Airport, you will be collected and taken by private transfer to your hotel in Darwin City. Your apartment hotel offers plenty of space for the whole family and located only a 10-minute walk from Darwin waterfront.
You have a whole day today to explore the city. Head down to the waterfront and cool off in the wave pool before heading to one of Darwin's many family-friendly restaurants for dinner.
We have included an afternoon tour today out to the Adelaide River, home to 1600 crocodiles and the location of the famous Jumping Crocodiles! Cruising along you will get to witness these pre-historic creatures up close as you learn more about their history and habitat. Learn more about the wetland ecosystem at the visitor centre and see it for yourself at the Fogg Dam Nature Reserve before heading back to Darwin for the evening.
Start your adventure by departing from Darwin and head out to the Wetlands Region for a Crocodile & Wildlife Cruise on the Mary River Wetlands, a great opportunity to spot a huge range of Top End birdlife, not to mention some fresh and salty apex predators… crocodiles!
You'll journey on to Kakadu National Park visiting the Bowali Visitor Centre which offers a beautiful introduction to the Park’s landscape and wildlife. After some relaxation at camp, we journey north to *Cahills Crossing on the border of Kakadu and Arnhem Land. We will visit one of the best-preserved collections of Aboriginal Rock Art in the world at Ubirr rock upon sunset. This incredibly significant site showcases many styles of Rock Art and allows us to climb up high for a sunset that will blow you away looking out over the Nadab Floodplain. After a big day, we head back to our cozy camp and prepare dinner together, enjoying an evening with our fellow travellers.
We rise and make our way South to Kakadu National Park.
Today we’ll spend the day soaking up the spectacular natural beauty of the area, hiking through lush monsoon rainforests, swimming in pristine plunge pools and waterfalls surrounded by steep escarpments and rocky cliffs.
We generally visit Twin Falls or Jim Jim Falls when seasonally accessible, alternatively, we will stop in at Barramundi Gorge (Maguk) or other waterfalls such as Yurmikmik (Motor Car Falls). There are many factors affecting accessibility although your guide will ensure you get the best experience possible.
Time permitting, we stop at Nourlangie Rock, another indigenous rock art site where archaeologists have uncovered works dating back over 20,000 years old. We explore the evolving social, cultural and environmental changes to the area over time before making our way back to camp for a hearty dinner and a well-earned rest.
Travelling south through Pine Creek, a small pioneering town in the Katherine region outside of Kakadu National Park, famous for its discovery of gold in the 1970’s. We stop for a quick refreshment break at the Adelaide River before our journey leads us to Litchfield National Park.
We spend the afternoon immersed in Litchfield’s natural oasis of waterfalls, spring-fed streams and rugged sandstone escarpments. We’ll spend time in any combination of Buley Rockholes, Wangi Falls or Florence Falls for a refreshing soak in picturesque rock holes and waterfalls.
Discover the uniquely impressive Magnetic and Cathedral Termite Mounds before making our way back to Darwin, arriving back to your accommodation at approximately 7:00pm. Your hotel is located near the airport tonight, after a busy few days, an early night will be well needed!
This morning, you will make your own way to the airport for your domestic flight to Uluru (Ayers Rock).
You’ll be collected from the airport to join the group for your three day Red Centre Safari. We head to the Red Centre’s indigenous interpretive cultural centre where we have a chance to learn about the cultural, ecological, historical and geological significance of this very special national park.
With the anticipation and excitement growing we make a short drive towards the base of Uluru as we begin to comprehend the sheer size and magnificence of the giant monolith, getting up close and personal to explore further. Walking to Mutitjulu waterhole we discover sacred rock art sites in family caves and hear the creation stories of Kuniya and Liru as we continue our base walk towards Kuniya Piti. From here we drive around sacred sites towards Kantju Gorge where we envisage the highest waterfall in Central Australia, (truly a spectacle to behold, even more so when raining) an elder’s cave and the world’s oldest pantry.
After exploring the world’s most impressive rock up close and personal, we retreat for panoramic views to witness one of the most incredible sunsets on the planet, all whilst having dinner cooked for you, to feed those hungry eyes and allow you to get to know your fellow travellers.
Another early start today as you watch the spectacular sunrise in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. You thought Uluru was special and just when you think it couldn’t get any more majestic, we approach the stunning silhouette of Kata Tjuta. Here we set off on a hike through the Valley of the Winds or Walpa Gorge marvelling at the mighty conglomerate rock formations. After exploring Kata Tjuta, we make our way towards Kings Canyon region just in time to experience a glorious outback sunset followed by a hearty meal around the campfire.
We head off early to explore the mighty Kings Canyon (Watarrka) venturing into the ancient landscape and sacred grounds of the Ulpanyali and Lilla people. Arriving at the jewel in the crown at the centre of Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) we find ourselves surrounded by towering 100 metre cliff faces, views of sandstone chasms and jaw dropping backdrops that will make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. Grab your water, hat and sturdy shoes as we set off on foot to explore (the most seasonally applicable part of) the canyon in more detail.
Rest up in the bus as we head back up north, passing through Alice Springs and heading out towards the West MacDonnell Ranges for an evening of stargazing at our bush camp.
Known traditionally as Angkerle Atwatye, meaning “Gap of Water”, Standley Chasm is a 3-metre-wide, 80-metre-high gorge amongst the West MacDonnell Ranges. At dawn we hope to spot the native wildlife as we enjoy breakfast and look forward to the day ahead. Tracking west you are welcome to enjoy a dip in Ellery Creek Bighole, known traditionally as Udepata, surrounded by tall red cliffs and sandy Ellery Creek.
Onwards to where massive geological forces created the towering red walls of Ormiston Gorge. Spend time here admiring nature and its finest before we begin our leisurely journey back towards Alice Springs, with our final stop at another amazing feature of the Tjoritja West MacDonnell region, Simpsons Gap, where several dreaming trails and stories cross. Featuring a permanent waterhole this is also a great place to spot resident wildlife.
Now we’ve had our fix of the best of central Australia’s natural icons, we deliver you back to Alice Springs.
You will be picked up from your accommodation and escorted by private transfer to Alice Springs airport for your domestic flight to Cairns. You’ll be met on arrival and driven by private transfer to the town of Port Douglas, your home for the next six nights.
You now have several days to explore the tropical north of Australia.
Take a day trip into the Daintree Rainforest and enjoy guided walks or ride the famous Kuranda Skyrail, a cableway that takes you gliding just metres above the rainforest canopy. Head out onto the Great Barrier Reef and snorkel with the tropical fish, or relax on Four Mile beach enjoying the sunshine and stunning views.
You will be driven to the airport by private transfer to catch your international flight home.
You will arrive back into the UK today to complete your holiday.
October to April is the ‘wet season’ so Darwin and the Kakadu will experience heavy rains, flash flooding, and many roads will close at some point. This is also the time when it’s very hot at the Red Centre. We recommend you visit between May and September when roads are open, and the sun is shining in Kakadu and Darwin, and these months are a little cooler in the Red Centre. This is also a great time to visit the tropical north with clear skies and comfortable temperatures making this a perfect time to explore.
*Included trips are available for children aged 5-15*
We’re experts in planning tailor-made holidays, so whether you’re looking for a luxury Australia holiday, ideas for a road trip, or multi-stop flights to Australia with stopovers – let us help you with the planning. Our experts can tailor-make precisely the trip you’re looking for - this itinerary is purely a suggestion, so please contact us with your dates and requests, and we’ll put together a bespoke quotation for you.
10 nights in apartment-style accommodation, including:
Plus:
