You'll be in great hands with our partners at Topdeck, the specialists in travel for 19-39-year-olds. They are a company built on the spirit of adventure – a spirit reflected in this wonderful tour.
It’s the perfect trip for anyone who wants to see all the best that Australia has to offer! Stay in classy hotels, lodges and cabins – for something a bit different also spend a night on a yacht and a night in a swag for a true 'Aussie Outback experience’.
As with any Topdeck trip, expect some amazing meals, with local, authentic ingredients – how does Kangaroo steak sound?
There are also loads of great activities included in the trip such as a 4WD experience on the beautiful Fraser Island.
This 27-day ‘Grand Aussie’ Itinerary showcases a comprehensive covering of the delightful East Coast and the unique landscapes of the Northern Territory.
This trip can be broken down into shorter sectors covering one of the regions. The trip also runs in both directions with departures from Sydney and Darwin.
Itinerary
Day 1: Sydney to Crescent Head (via Hunter Valley)
Get your grape stomp on at the Hunter Valley wine tasting before settling into surf camp.
Day 2: Crescent Head to Byron Bay
Let the wave chasing begin! Cruise down the coast to the surfing cloud nine of Crescent Head. Grab some BBQ before a private surf lesson on one of the best right-handers in the world. Here's your chance to become a bona fide shredder.
Day 3: Byron Bay
Byron is glitzy on the outside but small town-hearted underneath. Hit the shops, test out those newly acquired surfing skills, paddle a sea kayak, or watch whales from the Lighthouse in winter. This is the town where peace and tranquillity go to relax. You should too.
Day 4: Byron Bay to Gold Coast
Head to Springbrook National Park and its major draw card, Natural Bridge. Next, swap the national park for a theme park for party central, aka Surfers Paradise.
Day 5: Gold Coast to Fraser Island
Next stop: BrisVegas (aka Brisbane). Get your city centre fix before burning up the highway to catch a ferry bound for the island with the longest beach in Oz - all 75 Miles (120kms) of it.
Day 6: Fraser Island
Fraser is literally one huge pile of sand - as if someone dropped the Sahara Desert into the Pacific Ocean and scattered it with dingoes and rainforests. Four-wheel-drive along the beach highway of 75-mile Beach to mingle with the Pinnacles Coloured Sands, Eli Creek and Maheno Shipwreck.
Day 7: Fraser Island to Kroombit Park
Sand and salt got your goat? Trade the beach for the bush and enjoy an 2,500-acre cattle station. Enjoy a hearty home cooked farm-style dinner before you take to whip cracking and lassoing.
Day 8: Kroombit Park to Emu Park
Take to the life of a cowboy with an adventure-packed morning of horse riding and motor biking. Or get your boots dirty, milk your first cow, or go walkabout on a real Aussie farm. Then we head back to the coast for Emu Park.
Day 9: Emu Park to The Whitsundays (sailing)
Feeling like you need more air in your hair? Board your own private yacht for our overnight sailing trip in the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. Take the diva option and let the crew do the work whilst you feast, swim and snorkel.
Day 10 and 11: Long Island Resort (Whitehaven Beach)
Keep those sunnies on as the blinding white sands of Whitehaven stretch before seeing a sea of diamonds and swim with the resident Maori Wrasse at Blue Pearl Bay. Back on board, keep help set the sails or steer at the helm as we set course for two nights at Daydream Island Resort.
Day 12: The Whitsundays to Cairns
Do your best Scuba Steve impression as we pull into Cairns - gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
Days 13, 14 and 15: Cairns
Two days in Cairns will get your heart started with trips to Tully River (with ziplining over crocodiles) then a scuba trip to the Great Barrier Reef and take home that elusive selfie with a photobombing fish.
Day 16: Cairns to Alice Springs
Make your own way and take to the skies to meet up with your Northern Territory crew in Alice Springs.
Day 17: Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock)
We're hitting the red ground running with a visit to a camel farm and then onto Yulara. It's off to Uluru in the afternoon for a guided tour, and a glass of bubbles as the glow of sunset morphs through 50 shades of red, providing a rockin' live show. Tonight hone your Aussie BBQ skills and cook your own grub.
Day 18: Uluru, Kata-Tjuta National Park (the Olgas)
Start your day with a big bowl of 'oh my god' thanks to a breathtaking sunrise back at Uluru. Follow in the footsteps of the traditional owners of this sacred World Heritage site with a full base walk, where you can escape the crowds and check out hidden waterholes. Do your best Attenborough narration as you keep watch for wedge-tailed eagles, spinifex hopping mice and thorny devils. Or splurge on a Harley ride or scenic flight and see the original Top of the Rock.
Day 19: Uluru to Kings Canyon
Get ready for soul searching as we venture into the heart of sacred Kata-Tjuta (The Olgas) and walk amongst the 36 red sandstone giants through the Valley of the Winds. After a Dreamtime archaeology lesson, and a drive into Watarrka National Park, live the life of a jolly swagman as we sleep under the stars.
Day 20: Kings Canyon to Alice Springs
Make it through the toughest part of the Rim Walk - Heart Attack Hill. The Kings Canyon Rim Walk is the real deal and the most famous canyon in Oz.
Day 21: Alice Springs
Get to know Alice with a free day, smack bang in the epicentre of Australia.
Day 22: Alice Springs to Tennant Creek
Think your old Nokia was out-dated? Wait till you see the Overland Telegraph line at the Barrow Creek Hotel! Text mum to let her know you're heading off in Morse code. To round off the afternoon, we've got some pretty epic granite boulders for you at the sacred site of Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles).
Day 23: Tennant Creek to Katherine
Re-hydrate with an ice-cold beer at the Daly Waters Pub. Located 'in the middle of somewhere', this place was the site of Australia's first international airport back when flights to London took eight days.
Day 24: Katherine Gorge & Edith Falls
You've got a front row seat for the wicked wildlife and scenery while canoeing along the Katherine River - the Gorge is yours to explore. But if you'd rather not be up the creek with a paddle upgrade to a three-gorge cruise and venture even further into the wilderness.
Day 25: Katherine to Kakadu National Park
If this place looks familiar, you've probably seen Crocodile Dundee one too many times. Still too freaked out to swim? Take a scenic flight for a bird's eye view.
Day 26: Kakadu
At half the size of Switzerland, there's a lot of Kakadu to see. Get ready to rock early and check out some Aboriginal Rock Art sites and cruise the East Alligator River to see how many crocs we can snap. We've also got special permission to enter Arnhem Land for a lesson in traditional Aboriginal hunting methods. Climb to the top of Ubirr Rock (Crocodile Dundee style) and take in the fiery sunset.
Day 27: Kakadu to Darwin
Seen one waterfall, seen 'em all? Well no. Our trip ends at the refreshing waterfalls of Litchfield National Park. Switch off and towel off for one last swim. Go on, you deserve it-you've got outback in your soul for good now.
What’s included?
24 nights in hotels, lodges and cabins, 1 night in a swag, 1 night live-aboard sailing
26 Breakfasts, 6 lunches, 12 dinners
Modern, air-conditioned vehicles
Flights and transfers within the itinerary
Entrance fees to National Parks
Sunrise and sunset at Uluru
Wine tasting and grape stomping at Hunter Valley
Surf lesson at Topdeck’s surf retreat
Paint your own boomerang at an Aboriginal cultural centre
Fraser Island 4WD tour including Lake MacKenzie
Visit to stunning Whitehaven Beach
“Valley of the Winds” walk at Kata Tjuta
Guided hike of King’s Canyon
West MacDonnell Ranges
Awesome Driver/Guide
Prices
27 day Grand Aussie starts from £3520, various departures throughout the year
14 day Island Suntanner (East Coast) starts from £1760, various departures throughout the year
12 day Rock ‘n’ Top (Northern Territory) starts from £1560, various departures throughout the year