Tour Details - a. 7 Day The Ghan and Top End National Parks (Bgt); Aurora Kakadu 12/13

Day 1 Sun./Wed. Adelaide, The Legendary Ghan
Today you’ll depart Adelaide’s Keswick Railway Station at 12.20 pm aboard The Ghan for the journey to Alice Springs. This rail journey follows the route made famous by the Afghan camel trains.

Day 2 Mon./Thur. The Ghan, Alice Springs, Darwin
Rise early today to take in the sunrise as you traverse the desert landscape of Australia’s Red Centre aboard The Ghan. Enjoy a four hour stopover in Alice Springs. Then it is on to the tropical city of Darwin. The second leg of the journey to Darwin gives you the opportunity to marvel at spectacular Northern Territory landscapes from the elegance and comfort of The Ghan.

Day 3 Tue./Fri. The Ghan, Katherine, Darwin
Savour your last day aboard The Ghan, taking in the fabulous outback scenery. Enjoy a short stopover in the beef and cattle town of Katherine before arriving in Darwin and transferring to your hotel. Enjoy this evening at your leisure to explore the fine restaurants and lively nightlife of Darwin for yourself.

Day 4 Wed./Sat. World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, Yellow Water Wildlife Cruise, Nourlangie Rock
Depart Darwin and travel east into World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Covering some 20,000 square kilometres, Kakadu is Australia’s largest and arguably most famous national park. Kakadu’s vast wetlands and ancient escarpment are home to one of Australia’s largest and most diverse bird populations, supporting up to one-third of all Australian bird species. This morning visit the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre to gain an insight into the cultural and historical significance the park holds for its traditional owners. Join a guided boat cruise on Yellow Water billabong, Kakadu’s most famous wetland area. Keep a look out for saltwater crocodiles, birds and beautiful waterlilies. After lunch, travel to Nourlangie Rock art site and view the ancient galleries of Aboriginal rock art. The unique x-ray style works record the culture and evolution of the people over the past 40,000 years.

Day 5 Thur./Sun. Ubirr Art Site, Guluyambi Cruise
Travel by 4WD to Ubirr to see superbly preserved Aboriginal rock art. Located on the Arnhem Land escarpment, Ubirr has been added in its own right to the World Heritage List because of its anthropological and archaeological value. Join an Aboriginal guide for the Guluyambi Cultural Cruise on the East Alligator River. As you glide along the tranquil waters, learn of the flora, fauna, Aboriginal mythology and history of the region from your guide. Along the way, with special permission, take a short walk into Arnhem Land (conditions permitting) and enjoy lunch in a bush setting.

Day 6 Fri./Mon. Litchfield National Park
Today explore Litchfield National Park where dry woodlands and forests dominate the sandstone plateau. Stop to view the giant magnetic termite mounds, some standing well over two metres tall. See the picturesque double waterfall that forms beautiful Florence Falls, surrounded by lush rainforest. Continue to Tolmer Falls. Noted as one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the park, Tolmer Falls cascades over two high escarpments and plunges into a deep waterhole below. Stop for lunch (own expense) before continuing a short distance to the rock pool at Wangi Falls. There’s time here to enjoy a refreshing swim in the waters at the waterfall’s base (conditions permitting). Or perhaps take a nature walk to the top of Wangi Falls and enjoy a bird’s-eye view. Return to Darwin.

Day 7 Sat./Tue. Darwin at Leisure
This morning you have the opportunity to explore Darwin at leisure before your transfer to the airport or railway station.