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Australia Sydney - Alice Springs 13 day Tour

Travelling in purpose built, four wheel drive vehicles, you will get to see some normally unaccesible places on this fantastic tour from south to north Australia.

Programme Requirements

The tour may include hikes between 6-8 km and therefore requires a good level of fitness.

We use new model, purpose-built and selected vehicles with large windows and forward facing seating to enjoy the scenery.

On most of our tours we utilise campsites with permanently erected tents, fridges and shower/toilet facilities for your comfort. Tours that do not have these features are designed as such to take you to the most remote locations and escape the crowds. Our accommodation houses (including hostels, motels, sheep and cattle stations and wilderness lodges) are often exclusive to our clients. Some are owned by us to give you private experiences that are not available to others.

Your Typical Itinerary

Day 1: Sydney to Jindabyne (via Canberra)
Canberra is Australia's capital city, and this is where we head on our way out of Sydney. We'll check out where the Prime Minister oes his thing - at Parliament House, and other highlights on a tour of the city. After lunch, we head to Cooma, where we learn about the Snowy Hydro-Electric Scheme (one of the most complex integrated water and hydro-electric power schemes in the world!). Next it's Jindabyne in the late afternoon, a town with a relaxed alpine village feel. There's time for trout fishing in the lake or you could even go water skiing or wake boarding (all at own expense and seasonal). Tonight you'll enjoy dinner and overnight accommodation at Lake Jindabyne (all included). Kick back and relax with a sauna, swim or a drink at the bar. (Dinner included)

Day 2: Jindabyne to Lakes Entrance Via Snowy River
Country After breakfast, a hike along an alpine track rewards you with stunning views of the glacial Blue Lake and the top of Mt Kosciuszko (Australia's highest point). During winter, we've got time to play in the snow at the ski resort of Perisher/Smiggins (optional toboggan hire or snow tube at own expense). After lunch, it's a spectacular drive along Barry Way, with the Snowy River winding along below us. Crossing state borders into Victoria, we take a break in the afternoon to fly down the zip wire (optional activity at own expense) before arriving at our overnight stop at the coastal town of Lakes Entrance. Here, we've at the Gateway to the Gippsland Lakes and Australia's longest beach - Ninety Mile Beach. (Breakfast and Dinner included)

Day 3: Lakes Entrance to Wilsons Promontory National Park and Melbourne
If you've an early bird, it's a great chance for a walk before we drive to Wilsons Promontory National Park. There's heaps of time to hike and explore. Walk along gleaming beaches, watch the ocean pound onto the southernmost point of the mainland, hike along amazing granite rock formations and learn about coastal flora and native wildlife. You might even see emus and wombats. We'll finish our tour travelling to Melbourne through pastoral landscapes in South Gippsland. Overnight dorm accommodation included. (Breakfast included)

Day 4: Melbourne via Great Ocean Rd to Princetown
Our trip begins as we leave Melbourne and head through Geelong towards the coast to Torquay, with a stop to shop at Quiksilver and Rip Curl before we continue to world famous Bells Beach. Our Great Ocean Road journey begins here as we wind our way along one of the most spectacular coastal roads in Australia. We stop to see some koalas before passing through the seaside town of Lorne on our way to Apollo Bay, where we'll stop for lunch (own expense). Next we hit the cool temperate rainforest of the Otway National Park, spending some time at the magnificent Otway Fly, 25 metre high elevated tree top walk. We cap off the day watching the sun set over the Twelve Apostles. We'll stay overnight in the coastal township of Princetown. (Dinner included)

Day 5: Princetown to Grampians National Park
Climb down the Gibson Steps to the beach to get a different angle of the Twelve Apostles. Next we head on to check out Loch Ard Gorge and the western end of the Great Ocean Road including London Bridge, the Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands. You may spot a whale or two (seasonal) at Warrnambool, where we have a stop. From here we travel through country Victoria, arriving at the magnificent Grampians National Park to the challenge of a hike to the top of the Pinnacle. The day is topped off by a walk to The Balconies and Reeds Lookout, before we get to our overnight Grampians accommodation. (Breakfast and Dinner included)

Day 6: Halls Gap to Adelaide
Get your legs working this morning with hikes at Hollow Mountain and the amazing MacKenzie Falls, where youll experience the breathtaking views stretching over the north of the Grampians. Leaving this magical place, we travel west, stopping for lunch at Horsham (own expense) before continuing through the agricultural region of Victoria and in to South Australia. Bordertown is home of the rare White Western Grey Kangaroos. Crossing the mighty Murray River, king of Australia's rivers, we wind our way through the picture-pretty Adelaide Hills before arriving into Adelaide city. Overnight dorm accommodation included. (Breakfast included)

Day 7: Adelaide
A FREE day to explore the sights of Adelaide. Overnight dorm accommodation included. (Meals at own expense)

Day 8: Adelaide to Quorn
Leaving the city behind, we travel through the Clare Valley then on to the frontier town of Melrose where we take a short walk across a swinging bridge and enjoy panoramic views from the Mt Remarkable lookout. Soon after we arrive in Quorn, the quaint and historical railway township nestled at the entrance to the Richman Valley. Eat a hearty lunch, because this afternoon we hike to the summit of Dutchman's Stern for stunning 360° views of Quorn, Spencer Gulf and the Flinders Ranges! We return to Quorn where we stay two nights in private accommodation at the historical 'Mill'. Get ready for tonight’s BBQ dinner - it doesn’t get any more Aussie than this! (Lunch and Dinner included)

Day 9: Flinders Ranges and Wilpena Pound
The Flinders Ranges has been recognised as one of Australia’s National Landscapes and today you’ll get to experience and explore this magical region! Wilpena Pound is a natural amphitheatre located in a huge stone crater and you will spend the morning hiking and exploring its wonder! After lunch, it’s a short walk to Yourambulla Caves to view Aboriginal rock paintings. Learn about the hardships of sheep farming in the mid 1800’s as you view the ruins of Kanyaka Homestead. As we travel back to Quorn, there’s an opportunity to spot for the shy and elusive Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby on a quiet stroll through peaceful Warren Gorge. Overnight at the Quorn 'Mill'. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

Day 10: Quorn to Coober Pedy
It’s time to go underground! We journey north through Port Augusta and the small town of Glendambo (population 30!) and visit ancient salt lakes which are the remnants of an inland sea. We arrive in plenty of time to check out the sites of Cooper Pedy on a town tour which includes an opal cutting demonstration and mine tour with the opportunity to try your luck ‘noodling’ for opals! Our bunkhouse for tonight is - you guessed it - underground. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

Day 11: Coober Pedy to Uluru
Driving through the rugged desert country, we reach Yulara in time for infamous Uluru (Ayers Rock) sunset. Tonight, lend a hand as we cook dinner at our permanent campsite then consider the option to sleep under the outback stars in a traditional ‘Aussie swag’. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 12: Uluru to Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon
Sunrise over Uluru is magical and it’s an early start to catch it! While the morning’s fresh (and your legs are too!) take a walk around Uluru’s base (unguided), or climb to the top if you choose - however, the Anangu traditional owners prefer it if you don’t, before we take a guided interpretive walk at Mala. After visiting Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) we head to Kings Canyon, where we camp for the night. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

Day 13: Kings Canyon to Alice Springs
There’s a lot to explore at Kings Canyon, including the Lost City, the lush and ancient Garden of Eden and the sheer outcrops of the North and South Walls. After lunch, relax and enjoy the harsh desert scenery as we travel to Alice Springs. (Breakfast and Lunch included)

Programme Orientation

Drivers and guides are all fully trained and we make sure that they offer you the highest standards of service and support. They will take the time to welcome you, run through every detail of the tour, and will always be happy to answer your questions and offer advice.

Accommodation and meals

Accommodation varies depending on the tour. It may include hostels, motels, sheep stations, wilderness lodges & camping. Some meals are provided as indicated on itineraries with emphasis on fresh, nutritious food.

Free Time

You will not really have any free time on this trip, as it is pretty jam packed with exciting activities - though you will have a little if you decide to not take part in the optional activities.  You will have time to relax after your dinner every evening, and can use this time to get to know your fellow travellers or get out to sample the local nightlife.

Getting There

You should arrange your flights to arrive at Sydney Airport, and your return flight from Alice Springs.

Project Dates

Regular start dates all year round. Please contact a travel adviser for specific start dates

Prices and Durations

Australia Sydney - Alice Springs 13 day £1,129

Australia Alice Springs - Sydney 13 day £1,129

What’s Included in the Programme

Itinerary as detailed

Activities as indicated

Meals as indicated

All accommodation

Experienced guide

Full staff support and access to 24 hour emergency assistance

What’s Not Included in the Programme

• All flights
• Personal travel insurance
• Visas
• All items of a personal nature
• Extra activities, excursions and transport during free time
• Some meals as indicated
• Some park entrance fees

Australia

Australia attracts many visitors each year due to its broad range of things to see and do. The varying landscape offers many beautiful attractions and fantastic activities, from surfing and white water rafting to trekking and skiing. As well as natural beauty, Australia’s cosmopolitan cities offer a wide variety of cultural attractions from sports to art.

Australia is a huge country size wise, and therefore offers a diverse population and landscape, creating a perfect environment for travelling and working.

Time
Australia is such a big country that it has three time zones:

Eastern Standard Time (Queensland) – 10 hours ahead of GMT depending on Daylight Savings
Central Time – 9.5 hours ahead of GMT
Western Time  - 8 hours ahead of GMT

Climate

The summer months in Australia (November to March) can get very hot. Up north, in Queensland for example, the summer period brings the rainy season and the weather can be very hot and humid with lots of rainfall. The winter months (June to August) in Queensland bring much dryer weather but still heat. The further south you go the colder and wetter winter becomes and in some mountainous areas of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania skiing is possible.

The sun in Australia can be very intense so we strongly advise that you always use sunscreen (at least factor 30) when you are outside, even when you think you don’t need it. You will be constantly reminded of the slogan “Slip, slop, slap”; the government approved catchphrase reminding you to slip on a T-shirt, slop on some sun block and slap on a hat. To prevent headaches and to protect your eyes, it’s a good idea to wear sunglasses.

If you have any further enquires, please do not hesitate to contact the team at the Real Gap office on 01892 516164 or info@realgap.co.uk

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Real Gap Experience, 1 Meadow Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2YG Real Gap Experience is a trading name of Real Travel Ltd.

Company registered at Companies House UK. Registration number 3977046.

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