Melbourne to Darwin Tour
Tour Duration
11 Day
Depart From
Melbourne
Arriving To
Darwin
AUD$1,699
AUD$1,699
There isn’t a more fascinating way to make the trip from Melbourne to Darwin, than by joining us on our Melbourne to Darwin Tour! The 11 Day Tour begins in Melbourne, heading to Adelaide, prior to making the journey north to Darwin. The tour covers many iconic sights such as the Great Ocean Road, Grampians National Park, Flinders Rangers and Uluru - just to name a few. Accommodation is a combination of dormitory and sleeping in swags – an awesome way to take in the spectacular night sky of the Milky Way. This is an unforgettable trip across Australia taking in the awesome outback as you journey from south to north.
This Melbourne to Darwin tour is the perfect choice when booking your next adventure! The Melbourne to Darwin tour is separated into small sized journeys, giving you the chance to spend more time in the main destination at the end of each tour. This means you have more time to see new places or simply join the next leg of your tour to Darwin. When making the booking online, just select the dates that best suit you. Your accommodation is included within your journey, but we have left the accommodation between the tours, completely up to you. You can book yourself in a fancy hotel or simply go camping – the choice is yours!
Adult: $1595
Child: $1595 (minimum age 8 years)
Melbourne to Adelaide Tour
Operating days: Monday, Thursday and Saturday
Departs Melbourne: 7:00am Arrives Adelaide: 8:00pm
Adelaide to Alice Springs
Operating days: Tuesday and Saturday (April to November) & Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (November to April)
Departs Adelaide: 6:30am Arrives Alice Springs: Approximately 6:30pm
Alice Springs to Darwin
Operates: Tuesday (November – April) or Tuesday & Saturday (May – October)
Departs Alice Springs: 6:00am Arrives Darwin: Approximately 6:00pm
These tours are recommended for travellers aged 18 – 60 years. We do not recommend this tour for travellers over 60 years, however contact us if you consider yourself young at heart and still wish to join the tour. While the minimum age for travel is 8 years, please consider whether this style of travel is suitable for your child.
Some hikes involve steep climbs in extreme heat during summer and therefore a reasonable level of fitness is therefore required for this tour.
Luggage restriction of 20kg backpack/soft travel bag and one hand luggage size
Sleeping bags are required for the Adelaide to Darwin tour legs. They can be hired for $50 for the Adelaide – Alice Springs tour and $30 for Alice Springs to Darwin (paid in cash on the morning of the tour before each departure).
Sleeping bag, comfortable walking shoes, 1 litre water bottle, insect repellent, sunscreen, weather appropriate clothing (including a rain jacket and a long sleeved cotton shirt), swimmers, camera, towel and hat.
Accommodation upgrades may be available for selected tour legs.
Melbourne to Adelaide:
Hostel Upgrade:
Upgrade to a twin/double/single (shared facilities) – $100 per room
Motel Upgrade:
Upgrade to a twin/double/single (private ensuite) – $175 per room
Adelaide to Alice Springs:
Double/Twin – $900 per room (minimum of 2 passengers)
Single – $695
Night 1 and 2: private room with en-suite bathroom
Night 3: safari tent and linen
Night 4 and 5: dome tent, single swag and sleeping bag
Please note: accommodation upgrades must be booked and paid for at the time of booking. Please contact us to check availability.
Embark on an epic journey through Australia’s rugged and vast landscape our Melbourne to Darwin Tour! Start in Melbourne and travel the scenic route via Adelaide to Australia’s Red Centre before arriving in Darwin.
This Melbourne to Darwin Overland Tour combines our 3 Day Melbourne to Adelaide, 6 Day Adelaide to Alice Springs Tour with Uluru and 3 Day Alice Springs to Darwin Tour. You’d be sure to leave with unforgettable memories after this journey!
The first day of your Melbourne to Darwin Tour is spent exploring the pristine beaches and dramatic coastline along the Great Ocean Road. There are plenty of photo opportunities along the way including Memorial Arch and stunning lookouts. Enjoy the chance to spot koalas, kookaburras and parrots with a bushwalk prior to tucking into lunch in the town of Apollo Bay. In the afternoon we explore the Otway Rainforest with a guided bushwalk before we reach the highlight of day one – the famous 12 Apostles. To conclude your first day, we will experience night-time kangaroo spotting prior to spending a night at the stunning Grampians National Park.
Accommodation: Dormitory accommodation
Optional Activity: Take a helicopter flight over the 12 Apostles: $145 per person
Meals included: Lunch
Wake up refreshed and ready to tour the iconic Grampians National Park. Throughout the day, keep your eyes peeled for the unreal collection of native animals on display such as kangaroos, wallabies, emus, echidnas and koalas. Spend the day hiking through the scenic mountains, visiting Halls Gap at the centre of the Grampians, and learn about the history of the area. Prior to departing the Grampians for Adelaide, we will experience the stunning views from Reed’s Lookout or Lake Bellfield, explore McKenzie Falls or Silverband Falls, and check out the ancient cave paintings in the area.
Accommodation: Not included. Please arrange your own accommodation in Adelaide.
While visiting Adelaide, check out our other day tours from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island and Barossa Valley.
Meals include: Breakfast
We depart from the Adelaide CBD and travel through the vineyards of the Clare Valley wine region, prior to heading towards the outback town of Melrose, the gateway to the Flinders Ranges. We take a leisurely stroll through Alligator Gorge, which at times is sprouting with wildflowers, prior to settling in at Flinders Ranges for the night.
Accommodation: Swag camping (summer) / Dormitory accommodation (winter)
Meals included: Lunch and Dinner
On the fifth day of our Melbourne to Darwin Tour, we travel to Coober Pedy, the opal capital of the world. En-route you will notice an incredible changing landscape. Take the opportunity to spot native Australian wildlife including kangaroos, emus and eagles. In a guided tour of an underground mine, an opal mine and a museum, you will learn about the significant history of Coober Pedy. Josephine’s Kangaroo Orphanage offers a real eye-opening experience for visitors, as you get the chance to get up close and personal with rescued kangaroos and baby joeys. At Josephine’s Kangaroo Orphanage, you can take home a piece of Aboriginal art memorabilia such as a didgeridoo. The night is spent sleeping like the locals in the area do, in underground bunkhouse accommodation.
Accommodation: Dormitory accommodation
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day six is a big day, as we journey to reach the picturesque Watarrka National Park (also known as King’s Canyon). We spend the day driving up the Stuart Highway, with several pit stops along the way. We spend the night camping in an authentic station.
Accommodation: Swag camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
We have an early wake up prior to exploring Watarrka (King’s Canyon). At King’s Canyon, don’t miss the opportunity to photograph the ginormous sandstone walls, vast canyon floor and picturesque gorges. The Canyon Rim walk is approximately 3-4 hours in duration, covering the spectacular Garden of Eden, and enlightens guests about the local Aboriginal culture. A well earnt lunch stop is shortly followed by a journey into Uluru. Ayres Rock is a stunning sight and a must visit destination for all visitors to Australia. At Uluru, we learn about the Aboriginal History at the Uluru Kata Tjuta Aboriginal Cultural Centre before finding a spot to enjoy the spectacular Uluru sunset. Sit back and relax as you take in the change of colours across the vast desert landscape, before bedding down under the unforgettable night sky.
Accommodation: Swag camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
We begin day eight at dawn with a 3.5 hour walk around the base of Uluru. When hiking through acacia woodlands and grassy clay pans, you will have the chance to spot wildlife at the various waterholes. The geological features of the rock formations in the area are unique, and your professional guide will teach you more about the different formations, and indigenous interpretations of the rocks throughout the day. We spend the rest of the day relaxing at the campground.
Accommodation: Swag camping
Optional activities: Camel Safaris, Helicopter Flights, Segway Tours and Skydiving at Uluru.
These upgrades are available for purchase from the driver on the morning of your tour, and cannot be pre-booked.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
On our ninth day of our Melbourne to Darwin journey, enjoy a delicious breakfast, before soaking in the stunning Kata Tjuta sunrise for one last time. We spend the day hiking various lookouts around Kata Tjuta, prior to exploring the Valley of the Winds. At the Valley of the Winds, appreciate the unique rock formations and unbelievable views on offer before we hit the road and arrive in Alice Springs in the evening.
Accommodation: Not included. Please arrange own accommodation in Alice Springs
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Depending on your travel date, you may have some free days in Alice Springs between the two tour legs. Explore the town or check out our Alice Springs tours.
Accommodation: Not included. Please arrange your own accommodation in Alice Springs
Meals: Not included
In the morning, we will depart Alice Springs and head north up the Stuart Highway to Karlu Karlu (formally known as The Devil’s Marbles). The Devil’s Marbles are a series of naturally formed boulders which are of spiritual significance to the Indigenous community who reside in the area. From Karlu Karlu, we continue to Banka Banka where we will be spending the night.
Accommodation: Swag camping
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
After a hearty breakfast, we make our way to our first stop for the day – the historic Daly Waters Pub. This pub is famous among travellers to the outback in the Northern Territory for its rich history among explorers and drovers. Enjoy a drink or a look around before we continue on to the Mataranka Hot Springs. Here you will have the chance to kick back and relax in these thermal pools. After an extensive soak, we continue on to Katherine where we will spend our last night.
Accommodation: Swag camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Our final day involves an early wake up, as we head up north and enjoy a well-deserved relaxing swim at the peaceful Katherine Gorge in the Nitmiluk National Park. Check out all of the waterfalls and waterholes as we spend most of our day here. After the swim and explore, our Melbourne to Darwin tour concludes as we drop you back in Darwin at approximately 6:00pm.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
As your Melbourne to Darwin journey ends, you can check out some of the wonderful day tours we offer from Darwin to Kakadu.
Melbourne to Adelaide Tour Pickup
| Location | Address | Time |
| Athenaeum Theatre | 188 Collins Street | 7:15am |
| Base Backpackers | 17 Carlisle St, St Kilda | 7:10am |
| Crown Promenade Hotel | 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank | 7:40am |
| Holiday Inn Melbourne | 575 Flinders Lane, Melbourne | 7:35am |
| Ibis on Therry Street | 15/21 Therry Street, Melbourne | 7:00am |
| Immigration Museum | 400 Flinders St, Melbourne | 7:10am |
| Pegasus Apartment | 206 A’Beckett St, Melbourne | 7:05am |
| Pullman Albert Park | 65 Queens Road, Albert Park | 7:00am |
| Savoy Hotel | 630 Little Collins Street | 7:30am |
| Space Hotel | 380 Russel St, Melbourne | 6:55am |
Adelaide to Alice Springs Pickup List
| Location | Address | Time |
| Adelaide Backpackers & Travellers Inn | 268 Hindley St, Adelaide | 6:55am |
| Adelaide Backpackers Inn | 112 Carrington St, Adelaide | 6:45am |
| Adelaide Central Bus Station | 85 Franklin St, Adelaide | 6:30am |
| Adelaide Paringa | 15 Hindley Street, Adelaide | 6:55am |
| Adelaide Rivera Hotel | 31-34 North Terrace, Adelaide | 6:55am |
| Adelaide Rockford | 164 Hindley St, Adelaide | 6:55am |
| Adelaide Travelers Inn | 220 Hutt Street, Adelaide | 6:45am |
| Adina Apartment Hotel | 2 Flinders St, Adelaide | 6:30am |
| Ambassador Hotel Adelaide | 107 King William St, Adelaide | 6:55am |
| Backpack Oz and the Guest House | 144 Wakefield St, Adelaide | 6:45am |
| Breakfree Directors Studios | 259 Gouger St, Adelaide | 6:30am |
| Breakfree on Hindley | 255 Hindley Street, Adelaide | 6:55am |
| Bus Stop 5 | O’Connell Street, West Side (Opposite Quality Hotel Old Adelaide) | 6:55am |
| Bus Stop W2 | Pulteney Street (Hindmarsh Square) | 6:45am |
| Bus Stop Z1 | King William Street Western Side | 6:55am |
| Chifley on Sout Terrace | 226 South Terrace, Adelaide | 6:45am |
| Cnr Brougham Place and O’Connell Street | Cnr Brougham Place and O’Connell Street (Western Side) | 6:55am |
| Coopers Alehouse | 316 Pulteney Street, Adelaide | 7:30am |
| Gilbert St Hotel | 88 Gilbert Street, Adelaide | 6:45am |
| Grand Chancellor on Hindley | 65 Hindley Street, Adelaide | 6:55am |
| Hostel 109 | 109 Carrington Street, Adelaide | 6:45am |
| Hotel Metropolitan | 46 Grote Street, Adelaide | 6:30am |
| iStay Precinct | 185 Morphett Street, Adelaide | 6:30am |
| Majestic Minima Hotel | 146 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide | 7:00am |
| Mantra on Frome | 88 Frome Street, Adelaide | 6:45am |
| Mercure Grosvenor Hotel Nth Tce | 125 North Terrace, Adelaide | 6:55am |
| My Place & Adelaide Backpackers | 257 Waymount Street, Adelaide | 6:30am |
| Princess Lodge Motel | 73 Lefevre Terrace, North Adelaide | 7:00am |
| Rydges Southpark Hotel | 1 South Terrace, Adelaide | 6:45am |
| Sage Hotel | 208 South Terrace, Adelaide | 6:45am |
| Shingos | 118 Carrington Street, Adelaide | 6:45am |
| Stamford Plaza | 150 North Terrace, Adelaide | 6:55am |
| Sunny Backpackers | 139 Franklin Street, Adelaide | 6:30am |
| Tequila Sunrise | 123 Waymouth Street, Adelaide | 6:30am |
| Tattersals Hotel | 17 Hindley Street, Adelaide | 6:55am |
| The Chifley on South Tce | 226 South Terrace, Adelaide | 6:45am |
| The Old Exchange & Producers Bar | 235 Grenfell Street, Adelaide | 6:45am |
| Umoona Opal Mine and Bunkhouse | 14 Hutchison Street, Coober Pedy | 1:00pm |
| YHA Hostel | 135 Waymount Street, Adelaide | 6:30am |
Alice Springs to Darwin Pickup List
| Location | Address | Time |
| A Good Rest B&B | 51 Dixon St, Alice Springs | 5:45am |
| Alice Lodge Backpackers | 4 Mueller Street, Alice Springs | 6:00am |
| Alice Motor Inn | 27 Undoolya Road, East Side | 6:00am |
| Alice on Todd | Cnr South Terrace and Strehlow Street, The Gap | 6:10am |
| Alices Secret | 6 Khalick Street, Alice Springs | 6:00am |
| Aurora | 11 Leichardt Terrace, Alice Springs | 5:00am |
| Crown Plaza | 93 Barrett Dr, Alice Springs | 5:45am |
| Desert Palms Resort | 74 Barrett Dr, Alice Springs | 5:45am |
| Desert Rose Inn | 15 Railway Terrace, Alice Springs | 6:00am |
| Diplomat | 20 Gregory Terrace, Alice Springs | 6:00am |
| DoubleTree Hilton | 82 Barrett Drive, Alice Springs | 5:45am |
| Elkira Court Motel | 65 Bath Street, Alice Springs | 6:00am |
| Gday Mate Tourist Park | 23 Palm Circuit, Alice Springs | 6:15am |
| Heavitree Gap Resort | Palm Circuit, Alice Sprints | 5:00am |
| Hillsview Tourist Apartment | 16 Bradshaw Dr, Alice Springs | 6:00am |
| Jump Inn | 4 Traeger Ave, The Gap | 6:10am |
| Kathy’s Place | 4 Cassia Ct, Alice Springs | 5:45am |
| MacDonnell Range Holiday Park | 3 Palm Place, Alice Springs | 6:15am |
| Mercure Hotel | 34 Stott Tce, Alice Springs | 6:00am |
| Nthaba Cottage | 83 Cromwell Drive, Alice Springs | 5:45am |
| Quest | 10 South Terrace, Alice Springs | 6:10am |
| St Phillip Roundabout | Schwarz Crescent, Alice Springs | 6:10am |
| Stuart Caravan Park | 70 Larapinta Drive, Alice Springs | 5:45am |
| Swagman’s Rest | 67-69 Gap Road, The Gap | 6:10am |
| Todd Tavern | 1/1 Todd Street, Alice Springs | 6:00am |
| White Gum Motel | 17 Gap Road, The Gap | 5:45am |
| Wintersun Caravan Park | North Stuart Highway & Head Street, Alice Springs | 5:45am |
| YHA Alice Springs | 26 Parson St, Alice Springs | 6:00am |
2 Days
AUD$325
2 Days
AUD$440
3 Days
AUD$495
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