Top End Explorer 2024
Inclusions
- 2 nights aboard The Ghan, Adelaide to Darwin, including all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in Marla, Alice Springs and Katherine
- Transfer from Darwin Rail Terminal to hotel
- 1 nights’ accommodation in Darwin, including breakfast
- 2 nights of intimate small-group Kakadu, East Alligator River and Litchfield touring with Outback Spirit Tours, travelling on board a state-of-the-art 4WD Mercedes-Benz vehicle, including accommodation, guided touring and meals
- 2 nights’ accommodation in Darwin, including breakfast daily
- Half-day Darwin City Sights tour
- Darwin Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise
- 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
Highlights
- Explore the outback town of Alice Springs
- Cruise through ancient Nitmiluk Gorge in Katherine
- Cruise on the Mary River spotting wildlife, including saltwater crocodiles and an abundance of birdlife
- Visit the Ubirr art site within Kakadu National Park, home to some of the world’s most outstanding rock art
- Swim in a waterfall at Litchfield National Park
- View the aircraft on display at the Darwin Aviation Museum
- See the largest permanent display of Aboriginal artwork
- Stroll the George Brown Botanic Gardens
- Take in the sparkling waters of Darwin Harbour over a delicious dinner of local seafood and produce
| Cabin | Fare Type | Mar - Apr & Sep - Oct 2024 | May - Aug 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platinum | Everyday Holiday | $7,745 | $8,480 |
| Gold Premium Twin | Advance Saver Holiday* | $6,400 | $7,180 |
| Gold Premium Twin | Everyday Holiday | $6,700 | $7,520 |
| Gold Twin | Advance Saver Holiday* | $5,800 | $6,550 |
| Gold Twin | Everyday Holiday | $6,040 | $6,815 |
| Gold Single | Advance Saver Holiday* | $6,315 | $7,470 |
| Gold Single | Everyday Holiday | $6,520 | $7,705 |
*Terms and conditions apply: QFF Members can earn triple points on eligible packages when booked between 00:01 AEST 27 September to 23:59 AEDT 30 November 2023. Valid for the Top End Explorer booked for travel between 1 March to 30 June 2024. Further conditions apply, visit https://www.journeybeyondrail.com.au/journey-beyond-rail-qantas-triple-points/ for details.
Step aboard The Ghan in Adelaide for an unforgettable adventure to the Top End. Settle in to your cabin and see the changes in landscape from your window as the train leaves the city, heading for the Flinders Ranges and beyond. (L,D)
OVERNIGHT: 2 nights The Ghan
After your first night enjoying the fine dining and relaxed luxury of this iconic train, you’ll wake to an amazing outback sunrise at Marla – a remote outpost 160 kilometres from the Northern Territory border that marks the start of the Oodnadatta Track. Enjoy more incredible scenery before arriving into Alice Springs early in the afternoon to enjoy an Off Train Experience that reveals more of this historic outback town. (B,L,D)
As you head further north into the tropics, prepare to experience one of the Top End’s most impressive natural wonders. The stunning Nitmiluk Gorge lies within the massive 292,000 hectares of Nitmiluk National Park near Katherine. You’ll have the chance to explore it from the water with a guided cruise – an Off Train Experience you’ll never forget. A few hours later, you’ll arrive in Darwin and transfer to your accommodation. (B,L)
OVERNIGHT: 1 night DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin
Today your touring with Outback Spirit commences. Depart Darwin heading towards Kakadu National Park. Much of the route is along the Arnhem highway, passing the productive region of Humpty Doo, where a vast array of tropical fruits is grown, and crossing the Adelaide River, with its vast wetlands, which attract migratory birds. At the Mary River, take to the water on a cruise that showcases the local wildlife, including saltwater crocodiles and the abundance of birdlife in the region.
Continuing east, we enter the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, stopping at the Mamukala Wetlands and the Bowali Visitor Centre before arriving at your accommodation, the Crocodile Hotel at Jabiru, so named for the crocodile shape it takes. (B,L,D)
*Due to the seasonal weather experienced in the Top End during March and April, we will visit the Bowali Visitor Centre on Day 2, and the cruise will occur on Adelaide River with crossings at Mary River, West Alligator and South Alligator Rivers
OVERNIGHT: 2 nights Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel
*Due to availability, some stays may be at Cooinda Lodge
Begin the day with a drive to the East Alligator River region, known as the gateway to Arnhem Land. Take a spectacular local indigenous cruise on the East Alligator River and listen to the stories of the region as you spot the large saltwater crocodiles that dwell in these waters.
After a peaceful cruise, it’s time to reboard the coach and head to the World Heritage Ubirr art site, home to some of the world’s most outstanding rock art. Enjoy a 1 kilometre circular track walk and take in the amazing rock art. There will be time for those feeling fit to make the steep 250m climb to the top of the rocky escarpment for magnificent views across the Magela floodplain.
Enjoy a light lunch before visiting a local indigenous community arts centre, where there is the opportunity to watch local artists at work and possibly purchase some artwork.
Later, we head out to Nourlangie where you can take in ancient rock paintings and spectacular vistas as you take a 1.5 kilometre walk around this incredible indigenous site.
Then it’s time to head back to the hotel to relax and enjoy dinner. (B,L,D)
**Due to the seasonal weather experienced in the Top End during March and April you may visit the Bowali and Warradjan Visitor Centres in place of Ubirr, and the cruise will occur on Yellow Waters.
This morning is a 6.45am departure to Jabiru Airport, where you’ll gain another perspective on this incredible environment. Take to the skies on a 60-minute scenic flight over ancient escarpments, floodplains and winding rivers, exhibiting the results of 1.8 billion years of continuous erosion. Your flight includes live commentary from your pilot as you glide over these spectacular ancient lands.
Following our morning flight, we depart Kakadu National Park and head towards Batchelor, the gateway to Litchfield National Park. Containing several types of typical Top End habitats, Litchfield National Park is abundant with lush monsoon forests, termite mounds, unusual rock formations, waterfalls, and cascades.
After stopping for morning tea, we head onto Wangi Falls; a large plunge pool surrounded by shady grassed areas. The falls flow all year round and after a light lunch, you can take a dip in the crystal-clear pool. Our next stop is Florence Falls. Here you can watch from the scenic viewing platform as the spectacular falls cascade into the plunge pool below. We then head for Darwin, arriving early evening, where your Outback Spirit Tour comes to an end. (B, L)
OVERNIGHT: 2 nights DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin
Take in the top sights of this tropical city on a morning tour, including the Stokes Hill Wharf area, Botanic Gardens, the Chinese Temple, the Mooring Basin, and Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, plus Darwin Aviation Museum. In the evening, admire a spectacular sunset while feasting on a Territory-style dinner featuring local seafood and produce on a Darwin Harbour Sunset Cruise. (B, D)
Your Top End experience comes to an end as you check out of your accommodation after breakfast and farewell Darwin. (B)
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