Outback to Ocean with Kakadu 2024 – Deluxe Suite

Board The Ghan in Adelaide for an iconic showcase journey of inland Australia. As the train leaves the city heading for the Flinders Ranges and beyond, the dramatic changes in landscape will ignite your imagination over the next two days. (L,D)

OVERNIGHT: 2 nights The Ghan

After your first night enjoying the fine dining and relaxed comfort of this iconic train, you’ll wake to an unforgettable outback sunrise at Marla – a remote outpost 160 kilometres from the Northern Territory border that marks the start of the Oodnadatta Track. Enjoy the magnificent outback scenery as you make your way onwards to Alice Springs. (B,L,D)

When the landscape transforms into rocky gorges and fast-flowing canyon streams, prepare to experience one of the Top End’s most impressive natural wonders, Nitmiluk Gorge. Continue to Darwin, where you will be transferred to your overnight accommodation. After checking in, you may wish to explore the Waterfront Precinct with its many restaurants and bars. (B,L)

OVERNIGHT: 1 night Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront

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 an 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, you will 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)

OVERNIGHT: 2 nights Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel

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)

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 Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront

Take a walk along Stokes Hill Wharf to visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service or why not join an evening sunset dinner cruise aboard Charles Darwin.(B)

This morning is yours to explore Darwin at your leisure. In the afternoon, you will be transferred from your accommodation to the Port of Darwin to board Le Laperouse for your Kimberley cruising. Settle into your elegant cabin, make yourself comfortable, enjoy dinner and perhaps have a nightcap at the Blue Eye, a multisensorial underwater lounge. (B,D)

OVERNIGHT: 10 nights Le Laperouse

The journey up the King George River is nothing short of breathtaking. The 80-metre-high sides of the gorge display varying degrees of weathering of the ancient Warton sandstone. The colours and textures change with the light creating a continually changing vista that is simply stunning. The journey culminates at the King George twin falls, the highest single-drop falls in the whole of the Kimberley. Your Expedition Team will escort you to the foot of the twin falls and explain the stunning geological formations of the canyon. (B,L,D)

Jar Island contains ancient rock art galleries depicting the Gwion Gwion style unique to the Kimberley region. Gwion Gwion art may extend back to over 30,000 years before our time and represents the first wave of seagoing colonisers of the Australian continent. As it is, these are the oldest detailed depiction of human figures in the world. Join your Expedition Team ashore for a short walk, past some fascinating rock formations, to the site of the Gwion Gwion art galleries. (B,L,D)

Located 600km north of Broome, on the edge of the continental shelf, Ashmore Reef consists of 3 low-lying tropical islands surrounded by coral reef. the islands have a combined land area of approximately 54 hectares and are a designated important bird area (IBA). Visitation to Ashmore Reef and Islands is strictly controlled and most of the reef is designated as a sanctuary zone where access is prohibited. Our visit to Ashmore Reef is required to ensure we comply with Australian government regulations. Should weather, sea and tide conditions permit, there may be an opportunity for guests to undertake a zodiac tour of the vicinity of West Island. (B,L,D)

Careening Bay was named by Lieutenant Phillip Parker King after his ship, HMC Mermaid, was careened there during his third voyage of discovery in 1820. At a high tide, on a warm September afternoon, King ran the leaking Mermaid onto the sands. As the crew worked hard to re-float the vessel, the ship’s carpenter carved the name of the vessel and the year into a conspicuous boab tree. The boab tree is now three metres wide and National Heritage listed. (B,L,D)

The Bonaparte Archipelago consists of a rugged maze of islands stretching almost 150kms along Western Australia’s coast. Its remote location has ensured it remains a remarkably pristine location to explore and experience. The ‘T’ shaped bay is composed of heavily fractured sandstone providing an abundance of rock shelters. On the walls of these shelters are examples of Wandjina and Gwion Gwion style rock art. Join your Expedition Team ashore for a guided walk to a number of rock art galleries depicting these unique rock art styles. (B,L,D)

Arguably one of the most scenic parts of the Kimberley coast, Prince Frederick Harbour and the Hunter River are lined with pockets of ancient rainforest, pristine mangroves, and mosaic sandstone cliffs. The sandstone escarpment at the river mouth, known as “Kampamantiya” rises over 200 metres high before giving way to extensive mud banks and mangrove forests home to numerous bird species and the saltwater crocodile. The Expedition Team will share their knowledge as you explore by Zodiac, keeping a lookout for wildlife. You will also have the opportunity to reach the Mitchell Falls by helicopter from Naturalist Island beach. (B,L,D)

Lying to the east of the Buccaneer Archipelago, the ancient landscapes of Collier Bay have been shaped by massive tidal movements, creating a photographer’s paradise. With a tidal range exceeding 14 metres, this movement of water creates unique phenomena. Nestled in the centre of the bay is Montgomery Reef, the world’s largest inshore reef system. As the tide falls a raging torrent of water cascades off the top of the reef, creating turbulent ‘rivers’ and mini waterfalls. (B,L,D)

At the southern end of the Bay, Talbot Bay is home to the world’s only ’Horizontal Falls’, described by Sir David Attenborough as “One of the greatest wonders of the natural world.” Hidden in the many caves and grottos of this ancient landscape are a multitude of ancient rock art galleries. Activities here will be determined by the weather and tide conditions. (B,L,D)

The Lacepede Islands are Western Australia’s most important breeding habitat for Green Turtles and have been named by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA). The breeding colony of Brown Boobies is possibly the largest in the world and up to 20,000 Roseate Terns have also been recorded here, amongst the plethora of other birdlife. Join your Expedition Team for a guided Zodiac tour to view the prolific wildlife. (B,L,D)

The town of Broome is reputed for its history and its glorious pearling era. This is where your Kimberley cruising will come to an end. Early this morning, Le Laperouse will dock in the Port of Broome, where you will disembark and be transferred to your hotel. The day is yours to enjoy at leisure. Visit the fascinating Chinatown district; which is the historic city centre, and the Japanese Cemetery, dating back to 1896, with a past marked by the immigration of numerous Chinese and Japanese workers, attracted by the pearl industry at the end of the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century. (B)

OVERNIGHT: 1 night Oaks Cable Beach Resort

Take in any last-minute sights in and around Broome as your rail and sail adventure concludes. (B)