9 Day Darwin to Melbourne Express
$1,800.00
This trip will get you all the way from Darwin to Melbourne express while experiencing some of Australia’s most iconic locations.
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 Adelaide on an overnight bus.
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.
Includes:
- Overnight bus from Darwin to Alice Springs with Greyhound
- 2 nights accommodation in Alice Springs
- 3 days 2 nights Red Centre tour
- Overnight bus from Alice Springs to Adelaide with Greyhound
- 1 nights accommodation in Adelaide
- 2 day s1 night Great Ocean Road and Grampians tour from Adelaide to Melbourne
- Meals as indicated in itinerary (3 lunches, 3 breakfasts and 3 dinners)
- 4 nights in dorm, 2 nights swag camping and 2 nights on an overnight bus
*This tour also operates in reverse click here to check it out*
Description
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 -Kings Canyon (Lunch, Dinner) Day 4 – Kata Tjuta & Uluru Sunset (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Day 5 – Uluru Sunrise (Breakfast,Lunch) Day 6 - Alice Springs to Adelaide Today you begin your journey to Adelaide hopping on the overnight bus at 10:30am. Day 7 - Adelaide Arrive in Adelaide and check into your accommodation, the rest of the day is free to explore Adelaide as you please. Day 8 - Adelaide to the Grampians National Park (Dinner) Murray River - Start the day driving through the Adelaide Hills and cross Australia’s longest river. Day 9 - Great Ocean Road to Melbourne (Breakfast) Tower Hill - Visit a 30 000 year old extinct volcano. 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. *$25 National Park fee is paid on board Red Centre tour What to bring: 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.
You will be picked up from your accommodation in Alice Springs at 5:30am, first destination Kings Canyon. Enjoy a guided 3 hour hike through the sandstone domes of the Lost City. Visit the many Amphitheatres, North & South Walls and the beautiful Garden of Eden. Next stop, Curtin Springs where we have a quick wash and toilet stop before setting up our bush camp. Your guide will prepare a healthy camp-oven dinner. Relax around the fire then curl up in your cozy swag under a million stars.
We leave the bush camp at sunrise and head to the Ayers Rock Campground for a quick shower and toilet stop. Feel the spiritual significance on your guided walk through to the Valley of the Winds at Kata Tjuta. Be shown bush tucker along the hike before heading to the Aboriginal Cultural Centre in the afternoon where you can listen to tales from the ‘Tjukurpa’ Dreamtime. We spend the evening enjoying dinner at the spectacular sunset over Uluru. Witness the awesome sight of Uluru changing colour. We spend this night at the Ayers Rock Campground with toilets and showers.
We leave Ayers Rock Campground before sunrise before taking in a memorable Uluru sunrise over the world’s largest rock. You then have time to complete an Uluru Base Walk around Uluru. You will see beautiful sites such as the Mala Walk, Mutijulu Waterhole and Aboriginal cave paintings. After lunch we will make our way back to Alice Springs and you can share your photos on the bus with new made friends and then spend one night at a hostel in Alice Springs.
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.
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 12 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.