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11-Day-Darwin-to-Melbourne-Time-Saver
Great Ocean Road Tour - Twelve Apostles Adventure Kings Canyon Sunrise at Uluru

11 Day Darwin to Melbourne Time Saver

Back to Darwin Tours

$3,310.00

Transport:
Mixed (Minibus,Bus)
Difficulty:
Medium
Accom:
Mixed(Dorm Share and Camping)
Duration:
11 days, 10 nights
Food:
Most Meals
Guided?:
While on Tours
Departs:
Mondays at 11:40am
Arrives:
Melbourne on day 11 at 7pm approx
Get from top to bottom with time to spare!

Want to get all the way from Darwin to Melbourne but need to do it in less time? This is what your looking for!

Hop on an overnight bus from Darwin to Alice Springs where you can begin your Outback adventure. Explore Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon before heading south to the underground opal mining town of Coober Pedy. Check out the Flinders Ranges and Clare Valley before spending some time in Adelaide.

Finally enjoy hiking in the Grampians National Park before experiencing one of the top ten drives in the world – the Great Ocean Road. From there it’s into Melbourne where your journey comes to an end.

*This tour also operates in reverse click here to check it out*

Includes:

  • Overnight bus from Darwin to Alice Springs with Greyhound.
  • 1 night accommodation in Alice Springs
  • 6 days 5 nights Alice Springs to Adelaide tour
  • 2 nights accommodation in Adelaide
  • 2 days 1 night Great Ocean Road and Grampians tour from Adelaide to Melbourne
  • Meals as indicated in itinerary (6 lunches, 6 breakfasts and 6 dinners)
  • 5 nights in dorm, 4 nights swag camping and 1 night on an overnight bus
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Description

  • Explore Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon
  • Visit the Rock!
  • Stay in the underground opal mining town of Coober Pedy
  • Visit the Flinders Ranges
  • Explore the Great Ocean Road and Grampians

 Darwin to Melbourne tour itinerary

Day 1 - Darwin to Alice Springs

Today you board an overnight bus at 11:40am and begin the journey to Alice Springs.

 Day 2 - Alice Springs 

Arrive at Alice Springs at approximately 9:15am, check-in to your accommodation and the rest of your day is free to explore or just relax by the pool.

Day 3 - Alice Springs to Uluru (Lunch, Dinner)

We depart Alice Springs and head towards Uluru. Nothing really prepares you for the Rock – it’s awesome! After lunch we visit the Cultural Centre to learn about the Aboriginal people of the region and walk around the base of Uluru. We end our first day with a spectacular sunset over Uluru. Tonight we camp at the Ayers Rock Resort Campground in comfy swags under the desert stars, our home for the next two nights.

Day 4 – Kata Tjuta (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

A fantastic Uluru sunrise and breakfast before we head to sunrise and breakfast at the Rock, before we hike Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and the majestic Valley of the Winds with its incredibly ancient rock formations before returning to the campsite for relaxing afternoon and another Uluru sunset.

Day 5 – Kings Canyon (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 Today we visit Kings Creek Station, Australia’s largest exporter of wild camels and our camp site for tonight. We hike Watarrka (Kings Canyon) to experience the fantastic views of the gorge, huge sandstone walls and an immense canyon floor. Here we trek through the Garden of Eden and take a dip in the waterhole to cool down. There is time for you to swim in the pool or take up on any of the optional extra activities they have on offer.

Day 6 - Coober Pedy (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today we cruise to Coober Pedy, opal capital of the world. Incredible changing landscape, kangaroos, emus, eagles and road trains all unfold before us and a view of the striking sandstone colours of the Breakaways on the way. On arrival we visit the local kangaroo orphanage and later enjoy dinner, lots of stories and an overnight stay in an underground bunkhouse.

Day 7 - Coober Pedy to the Flinders Ranges (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) 

We spend the morning in Coober Pedy and take a tour of the town and an opal mine. We also have the opportunity to “noodle” for opals, visit an opal shop or any of the other underground attractions. We continue our journey south in the afternoon as we travel on down to the foothills of the Flinders Ranges where we sleep among the red gum trees of Stony Creek bush camp.

Day 8 - Flinders Ranges to Adelaide (Breakfast, Lunch)

This morning we hike Dutchman’s Stern for stunning views of the Spencer Gulf and surrounding ranges and plains. We stop at a winery in the Clare Valley before cruising to Adelaide arriving at around 6:00pm.

Day 9 - Adelaide

Today is free to Explore Adelaide as you please.

Day 10 - Adelaide to the Grampians National Park (Dinner)

Murray River - Start the day driving through the Adelaide Hills and cross Australia’s longest river.
Horsham - Look around the township of Horsham and grab a bite to eat for lunch.
MacKenzie Falls - Take a walk to the base of these mighty falls as the water cascades down the Mackenzie River.
The Balconies - Stroll through the bush to the iconic Grampians rock formation also known as the 'Jaws of Death'.
Boroka Lookout - Experience the breathtaking mountain views as they tower over the Wimmera plains of western Victoria.
Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre - Learn the culture and history of the local Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali of 'Gariwerd'.
Halls Gap - Spend the night in the beautiful Halls Gap, the heart of the Grampians National Park. Spot kangaroo's and enjoy a delicious dinner.

Day 11 - Great Ocean Road to Melbourne (Breakfast)

Tower Hill - Visit a 30 000 year old extinct volcano.
Bay Of Martyrs - Start the Great Ocean Road off with a bang as you gaze into a bay full of limestone islands. Your first taste of the wonders to come.
London Bridge - London Bridge has fallen down... but it is still a stunning photo opportunity with a great story.
Loch Ard Gorge - A beautiful vista of towering cliffs, a sparkling blue-green sea with a small sandy beach. This gorge derives its name from one of Victoria’s most tragic shipwrecks more than 120 years ago.
12 Apostles - View the beautiful limestone stacks that form the mighty 23 Apostles. Treat yourself to an optional helicopter flight for an extra $145 (weather & time permitting).
Rainforest - Take a guided bush walk through this very rare, ancient and cool temperate rainforest as you stroll past some of the tallest trees in the world.
Apollo Bay - Take a stroll along the beach or look around the popular seaside town.
Kennett River - How many koalas you can find!? Get amongst the beautiful birds; king parrots, crimson rosellas and look out for the famous kookaburra.
Historic Memorial Arch - Take some pictures at the historic Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch while learning the history of this iconic drive.
Melbourne - Journey on through to your final destination of Melbourne with grand city views atop the Westgate Bridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What sort of camping is done on this trip?

Swag camping is provided on the Adelaide to Alice Springs section of the trip. A swag is a kind of bag that you can sleep in. It has a mattress and pillow inside and you can roll it up for storage. It has a flap you can put over your head for total cover but most people choose to fall asleep staring at the night sky!

Do I need a sleeping bag?

You will definitely want a sleeping bag in winter as it can get quite cold at night, especially the further south you are and in the Red Centre, around Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon. In summer it is advisable as it can still be cool at night. We advise to bring along your own sleeping bag, otherwise you can hire one for $20 on the red centre tour section of the trip.

Will I be in the same group the whole trip?

No, this package is a combination of different tours put together and made into one convenient itinerary so that you get the best value trip and see as much as you can! This way you'll get to make as many friends as you can on your travels.

I've heard the flies are bad in summer. Is this true?

In the warmer months there can definitely be a lot of flies while travelling through the outback. It is advisable to bring a fly net in the warmer months.

What clothes do I need?

In summer the temperatures can be extremely hot when travelling through the outback. A shirt and shorts is all that is needed during these months though we recommend a light long sleeved top and light long pants (zip off) to minimise your exposure to the sun. It can still get cool at night and in the morning so you will want a jumper as well.

Definitely bring swimmers as there will be opportunities to swim at some locations. Sunglasses, as well as sunscreen SPF 30+ or better, are also a necessity no matter what time of year.

During winter the temperatures can be mild during the day but cold at night and in the morning when travelling through the centre of Australia. You will want a mixture of warm and cool clothes for this time of year. Long pants, a good jumper, a beanie, gloves and warm socks are recommended for use at night and in the morning. Further north near Darwin the temperature will not be so cold.

At all times of the year you will need a hat, preferably wide brimmed.

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What to bring:

  • Hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Walking shoes
  • Insect repellent
  • Water bottle
  • Swimming gear
  • A sense of adventure!

We advise bringing along your own sleeping bag, otherwise you can hire one for $30 on the Adelaide to Alice Springs section of the trip.