Top End & Central Australia Explorer (3381)

11 Days from Darwin to Uluru

2025 Tour Details

Landscapes like no other and an abundance of cultural heritage, this is just some of what you can expect to uncover on this 11-day tour through Central Australia. Starting in Darwin, you’ll travel south through the Northern Territory, ending in Uluru (Ayers Rock), with overnights in Darwin, Kakadu, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs, Kings Canyon and Uluru.

Start your morning in Darwin with an orientation of the city’s main highlights then onwards to the Adelaide River for a thrilling Jumping Croc Cruise. In Kakadu, enjoy spotting local wildlife from your guided Yellow River Cruise; at Nitmiluk National Park, see the famous Katherine Gorge and enjoy a swim in Edith Falls; Kings Canyon, where your Tour Director will take you on the incredible Kings Canyon Rim Walk; and of course, at Uluru, where you’ll enjoy walks to the base of "the Rock" and Mutitjulu Waterhole.

Throughout this tour of Central Australia, you’ll also learn a lot about the traditional custodians of the land, Australia’s Indigenous Aboriginal people and culture. Enjoy a guided walk in Kakadu National Park to the Nourlangie ancient rock art site; visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre where you’ll learn about local Aboriginal culture; discover Aboriginal Rock paintings at Uluru and learn about their stories and their historic significance.

These are just some of the many highlights of this Central Australia tour featuring awe-inspiring scenery, fascinating cultural history and fun-filled experiences.

Small-Group Discovery Dates Available

Cosmos offers Small-Group Discoveries on select South Pacific tour dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Cosmos escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.

Adventure is knocking with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!

Dates & Prices Book Online
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Top End & Central Australia Explorer map

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

Breakfast daily, 3 dinners

 Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN DARWIN

Welcome to the Northern Territory! Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in. A pre-night is not required for early check-in. Please schedule flights to arrive by 4pm in time for a welcome meeting and drink.

Day 2 DARWIN

Start your day with an orientation tour of Darwin and see some of the city’s highlights. Next, travel down the murky waters of the Adelaide River and be thrilled and awed on a Jumping Croc Cruise. It’s your chance to see these prehistoric creatures up close and in their natural habitat. Have your cameras ready for some fantastic photo ops! Return to Darwin where the remainder of the day is at leisure. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for additional sightseeing, shopping, and dining.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 3 KAKADU NATIONAL PARK

This morning, visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre to learn more about the local aboriginal people who have lived in the region for up to 50,000 years. Afterward, cruise the unspoiled waterways of the Yellow Water Billabong. Enjoy incredible scenery with the opportunity to spot water buffalo, crocodiles, and an abundance of bird species. The remainder of the day is at leisure. You may want to take an optional helicopter flight to see more of this vast park or just relax with a cool drink at your resort's pool. This evening, enjoy a dinner featuring local delicacies and bush food. Perhaps try some of the Northern Territories’ famous Barramundi.

Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 4 KAKADU NATIONAL PARK–NITMILUK NATIONAL PARK–KATHERINE

Visit Nitmiluk National Park and enjoy a walk to Edith Falls where there is time for a swim in this amazing setting. Arrive in Katherine and enjoy a cruise through the dramatic Katherine Gorge. See dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and pristine wilderness. You'll have the chance to see wildlife including cockatoos, eagles, and wallabies plus learn the history and culture of the local indigenous people. This evening is at leisure.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 5 KATHERINE–MATARANKA–TENNANT CREEK

Start your day with a visit to Mataranka Thermal Springs where you can relax and enjoy this tropical oasis. Later, make a stop for a long cool drink at the historic Daly Waters Pub. Hear stories about the pub's history, meet some of the friendly locals, and see the treasures left behind by visitors from around the world. After dinner, your evening is at leisure in the Northern Territory's "Heart of Gold", Tennant Creek.

Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 6 TENNANT CREEK–DEVILS MARBLES–ALICE SPRINGS

Discover the iconic Devils Marbles, a collection of massive granite boulders. The boulders stand 6 meters (19 feet) high and were formed over millions of years. Enjoy a short walk and hear the ancient mythology of how the local aboriginal people believe them to be the fossilized eggs of the Rainbow Serpent. Before arriving at the hotel, make a stop at Alice Springs Brewing Co to sample some of their locally brewed craft beer. This evening is at leisure.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 7 ALICE SPRINGS

This morning, visit remarkable Standley Chasm, a geological and cultural icon. Explore the history of this land as well have the chance to walk "the Gap of Water," a striking geological formation with a Local Indigenous Guide. Afterward, visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service to learn about the medical care required to service the remote region of the Outback. The remainder of the day is at leisure. You may wish to enjoy a bike hire and explore more on your own, browse the local art galleries and shops, try your luck at the casino, or relax by your resort's pool.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 8 ALICE SPRINGS–KINGS CANYON

This morning, travel to majestic Kings Canyon. After a relaxed lunch, lace up your walking boots for the incredible Kings Canyon Creek Walk. Other walks are available as well as scenic helicopter tours. Tonight, enjoy a refreshing drink as you watch the sunset.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 9 KINGS CANYON–ULURU

You may wish to rise early to join in the Kings Canyon Rim Walk. Enjoy amazing views and iconic sites such as the Garden of Eden, Priscilla's Crack, and the weathered domes of "the Lost City." Continue to Uluru and enjoy a locally guided tour at the base of the rock and visit the Mutitjulu Waterhole. Discover aboriginal rock paintings and learn their stories and historic significance. This evening, witness the sunset at Uluru with nibbles and drinks.

NOTE:
The optional Kings Canyon Rim Walk is challenging. There is a steep portion at the beginning of the walk which requires an acceptable level of fitness. Suitable footwear should be worn. Please speak to your Tour Director if you are unsure of your ability.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 10 ULURU

For those that wish, choose to rise early and see the sunrise over Uluru. Later, enjoy a walk at Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), a geological splendor of some 36 brilliant domes. The afternoon is at leisure. You may want to take an optional scenic helicopter flight, take part in a bush food experience, or participate in a walking tour. This evening, join your Tour Director for a festive farewell dinner.

Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 11 ULURU

Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. You may also choose to extend your time in Uluru and explore more on your own. Extra nights are available for purchase.

Breakfast Breakfast

 Tour Director

With COSMOS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

JULIET HUDSON

Escorting tours for more than 15 years

“Passionate about sharing the best of what Australia and New Zealand has to offer and ensuring that each of our guests experience the trip of a lifetime is why I love being a Tour Director. I enjoy finding ways to showcase and immerse our guests in the destinations we visit, bringing the itinerary to life, and adding special touches with "meet the locals" experiences, morning "power walks," "local wine tastings," and "where to eat" menu boards. I love sharing my destination knowledge and helping guests, with beaming smiles on their faces, make wonderful holiday memories.”

Tour Director - JULIET HUDSON

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)

No Excursions are available at this time.



The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include International airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).

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