9-Nights Best of the Northern Territory from $4,318

Day 1: Arrive in Uluru/Ayers Rock & Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner

Transfer: Ayers Rock Airportto Ayers Rock

Hotel: Desert Gardens Hotel (3 Star Rating)

Imagine waking up to a sunrise view of Uluru, blazing red under a sunny Outback sky. Desert Gardens Hotel boasts the only rooms with views of Uluru in Ayers Rock Resort. Perched within an oasis of native gardens, the hotel’s 218 elegant guestrooms provide a relaxing retreat from a day of adventure. Accommodation options are diverse, from deluxe rock view rooms to shady poolside rooms, each located under a canopy of towering gumtrees and garden beds dotted with native shrubs and flowers.

Your Wintjiri Wiru experience begins deep in the desert. After a short journey from Ayers Rock Resort, take a gentle evening stroll through the desert along an elevated walkway until you reach the open-air theatre, set upon a dune top. You'll be greeted with delicious cocktails, infused with native ingredients while taking in the incredible views and watch on in awe as the sun slowly sets over Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Embark on a culinary adventure with a gourmet dinner hamper where native ingredients are combined with modern culinary techniques to create a masterpiece for the palette.

With the heart of Australia as the backdrop, a story passed on for thousands of generations, now passes to you. Witness the ancient Mala story re-told like never before with ground-breaking technology. Choreographed drones, lasers, and projections will take flight, lighting up the night sky in a modern, artistic expression of an ancient, Anangu story. Feel a powerful connection to country as you listen to a traditional Inma soundtrack and narration in the local Pitjantjatjara language and immerse yourself in a living story.

As you travel towards Uluru its vast shape rises from the sand dunes as the early dawn light highlights it presence in this country. Your guide will take you to a special location with uninterrupted views to watch the sun rise over this amazing monolith. Enjoy a picnic breakfast before you experience the highlights of Uluru. Your guide will escort you on a short walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole at Uluru where you will learn the creation stories of Liru (poisonous snake) and Kuniya (Python). You will drive around the base of Uluru before returning to the resort.

Travel to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) where your guide will reveal the many attributes of this diverse environment. Arriving at Walpa Gorge you will walk between the mighty conglomerate domes and hear how these 36 domes that makeup Kata Tjuta have evolved over millions of years. Your guide will return you to your hotel in time for those joining Sounds of Silence or Tali Wiru dinner or Field of Lights.

This exclusive dining experience combines the award-winning "Sounds of Silence" dinner under the outback sky with the once-in-a-lifetime Field of Light art installation. With magnificent views of Uluru at sunset, a three-course bush tucker menu, a premium selection of Australian wines and beers, fascinating star talk and a self-guided walk through the Field of Light art installation, your "A Night at Field of Light" experience is complete.

The evening begins with a convenient hotel pick-up and a transfer to the remote desert location with majestic views of Uluru. As the sun sets on the horizon to the music of a didgeridoo, enjoy gourmet canapes and chilled sparkling wine.

As darkness falls and the colored lights of the 50,000 glass spheres gently come to life, join your table of fellow travelers for an exceptional three-course menu infused with bush tucker flavors. As the night ignites with countless stars, settle back and listen to our resident star talker decode the southern night sky.

The host will provide insights into the art installation that awaits you, before you are invited to immerse yourself in the Field of Light, its pathways glistening softly with rhythms of colored light, beckoning you to explore. After dinner, guests are welcomed back at the dune viewing area to enjoy a sweet treat, hot chocolate or port whilst viewing the illuminated installation in the darkness.

Travel from Ayers Rock Resort to Kings Canyon, stopping along the way for a cooked breakfast at Kings Creek Station. Make the rocky climb to the rim of the canyon for breathtaking views of Watarrka National Park. Hike along the rim, stopping to look down into the canyon at key focal points. Along with your Guide you will descend into the lush green oasis of the ‘Garden of Eden' before climbing back up to continue along the rim. The hike takes over 3 hours to complete and is rocky and steep in parts. Or, for something more relaxing, set off on a two-kilometre stroll along the creek bed that leads to impressive views of the canyon rim. After your hike you can take a break for lunch (own expense) at Kings Canyon Resort. Then board your coach to return along Lasseter Highway to Ayers Rock Resort. Keep an eye out for spectacular Mt. Conner along the way as you travel across Curtin Springs Station.

Travel through spectacular desert scenery from Ayers Rock Resort. Pass through Curtin Springs Station and see Atila (Mt. Conner). Call in at Erldunda, a roadhouse located at the junction of the Stuart and Lasseter Highways, where you can purchase afternoon tea. Continue along the Stuart Highway before arriving in Alice Springs.

At certain times of the year, some services may operate using smaller vehicles.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters (4 Star Rating)

Crowne Plaza brand to Alice Springs – the town in Australia’s “Red Centre”. Nestled under the MacDonnell Ranges and is just a few minutes from Alice Springs CBD and 10 minutes from the Alice Springs Airport. Adjacent to key Alice Springs visitor attractions such as Alice Springs Convention Centre and the casino, Crowne Plaza® Alice Springs Lasseters is one of the town’s largest hotel, offering guests quality, convenient accommodation.

This tour through the West MacDonnell Ranges from Alice Springs reveals the deep layers of Central Australia’s history, culture, and natural beauty. Explore the towering cliffs of Simpson’s Gap, where elusive rock wallabies hide among rugged landscapes. Wander through the vibrant sandstone walls of Standley Chasm, learn about the integral School of the Air, then step back in time at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station and discover its pioneering past.

Transfer: Alice Springs - Outer Suburbs to Alice Springs Airport

Transfer: Darwin Airportto Darwin - City Centre

Hotel: Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront (4 Star Rating)

If you want to be in the middle of the action and close to the Darwin CBD, Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront is the place for you. Choose to stay in one of the hotel's 121 well-appointed guest rooms.

Perfectly positioned amongst the entertainment and dining hub of Darwin’s seafront promenade, Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront is surrounded by great shopping, a range of Territorian pubs, as well as some of the most amazing restaurants and cafés in the NT. Whether you're tasting craft beers at The Precinct Tavern, enjoying hand crafted menus at Il Lido or Wharf One, or trying NT favourites at the Oyster Bar or Hot Tamale, you'll feel right at home at this picturesque location.

Depart Darwin and travel along the Arnhem Highway, their major river systems and wetlands, into Kakadu National Park. Located 257 kilometres east of Darwin, this national park covers 20,000 square kilometres of landscape from rocky escarpment home to historic Aboriginal rock art dating back thousands of years, to floodplains abundant with wildlife. Visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre to view the informative displays depicting the traditions of the Aboriginal people in Kakadu. Join your local guide on a cruise of Yellow Water Billabong. Search for saltwater crocodiles and the colourful range of birdlife for which this region is renowned. After lunch, stop at Nourlangie, where your Driver Guide will lead you on a walk to view the rock art galleries. There is the opportunity for an optional 50-minute scenic flight (own expense).

Hotel: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel (4 Star Rating)

Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel is an idyllic retreat located in Kakadu National Park. Situated in the township of Jabiru, this hotel is the perfect base to start exploring Kakadu's most significant natural attractions such as Ubirr, Jim JIm and Twin Falls, Gunlom Falls, Cahills Crossing & Mamukala Wetlands. Cool off in the large outdoor pool, the perfect oasis for relaxing in between discovery tours around Kakadu before feasting on Kakadu bush tucker & gourmet dining at the Escarpment restaurant and bar.

Meal(s): Lunch

This morning travel by 4WD vehicle into Western Arnhem Land and the Mikinj Valley. The scenery includes forests, sandstone outcrops, escarpments, floodplains and billabongs. You'll visit places inaccessible to most, including ancient rock art sites. Learn about traditional land ownership, bush skills, hunting, food gathering, and bush tucker preparation. Most tours are accompanied by an Aboriginal guide.

Hotel: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel (4 Star Rating)

Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel is an idyllic retreat located in Kakadu National Park. Situated in the township of Jabiru, this hotel is the perfect base to start exploring Kakadu's most significant natural attractions such as Ubirr, Jim JIm and Twin Falls, Gunlom Falls, Cahills Crossing & Mamukala Wetlands. Cool off in the large outdoor pool, the perfect oasis for relaxing in between discovery tours around Kakadu before feasting on Kakadu bush tucker & gourmet dining at the Escarpment restaurant and bar.

Meal(s): Lunch

This morning join your Driver Guide to explore the World Heritage Area of Ubirr, where you'll climb up through the ancient Aboriginal rock art galleries, believed to be 20,000 years old, to the lookout for the view over the surrounding wetlands. Join the Guluyambi Cruise along the East Alligator River. An Aboriginal guide will provide an insight into their culture, including local mythology, the river's abundant food chain, as well as bush survival skills. With special permission of the local people, you are able to go ashore in Arnhem Land. Visit the Marrawuddi Art Gallery before returning to Darwin, where your short break concludes.

Meal(s): Lunch

Hotel: Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront (4 Star Rating)

If you want to be in the middle of the action and close to the Darwin CBD, Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront is the place for you. Choose to stay in one of the hotel's 121 well-appointed guest rooms.

Perfectly positioned amongst the entertainment and dining hub of Darwin’s seafront promenade, Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront is surrounded by great shopping, a range of Territorian pubs, as well as some of the most amazing restaurants and cafés in the NT. Whether you're tasting craft beers at The Precinct Tavern, enjoying hand crafted menus at Il Lido or Wharf One, or trying NT favourites at the Oyster Bar or Hot Tamale, you'll feel right at home at this picturesque location.

Transfer: Darwin - City Centre to Darwin Airport