Itinerary

No itinerary yet for this tour, please contact us for more information

More Information

What’s Included

Clare Valley wine tasting. Underground mine tour. Champagne sunset viewing of Uluru. Mala walk and cultural centre visit (Uluru). Hikes at Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and Kings Canyon. Crocodile-spotting boat cruise. Aboriginal art and craft centre visit. Guided exploration of Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Highlights

Bed down outside under the Outback sky, experience a night underground in Coober Pedy, catch the sunset at Uluru, hike the Red Centre, ride the route of Afghan cameleers on the Ghan Train, explore Crocodile Dundee country at Kakadu National Park

Dossier Disclaimer

Itinerary Disclaimer

Important Notes

This tour combines with other G Adventures tours. As such, the staff and some travel companions on your tour may have previously been traveling together with G Adventures prior to Day 1 of your tour. Additionally, this tour is a combination of several G Adventures tours, and your CEO, fellow passengers or vehicle may change between the individual tour sections.

Group Leader Description

This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders, otherwise known as a Chief Experience Officer (CEO). The CEO will be the group manager, leader and driver – this person is experienced in the routes travelled and will organize and lead the meal preparations and has experience in cooking a variety of local and international dishes for large groups.

As the group coordinator and manager, the aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. They will also offer suggestions for things to do and to see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends.

We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.

Group Size Notes

Max 20, avg 16

Meals

Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other’s company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your CEO will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip.

Please note that most included breakfasts will consist of cereal, milk, bread and spreads, juice, tea and instant coffee. Having a simple breakfast together most days allows us the flexibility to get on the road early and get from point A to B all that much faster.

Transport

Private bus, train, 4×4, boat

About our Transportation

Our vans are Mini Coaches (24 seat vans which have been accommodated to occupy 18 people so you have more space while travelling). Occasionally with smaller group sizes we will use smaller, equally comfortable 13 seater vehicles. All Mini Coaches tow a trailer for luggage and camping equipment (when needed). All groups have one CEO/Driver.

The vehicles are factory built, with comfortable seats and air-conditioning. They are fitted with seat belts and it is mandatory to wear them.

On the 4×4 based trips we use purpose-built 16 or 13 seat truck vehicles. They have an air-conditioned customer compartment which is fitted with comfortable coach seats. All seats are forward facing.

On the rail based sections of our trips we use a standard seat, not the sleeping compartment. The trains have have a dinning carriage available.

During the portion of the tour on the Ghan train between Alice Springs and Darwin, larger luggage will be checked in a separate luggage car and inaccessible during the journey. A small to medium day pack is allowed as hand luggage. There is a restaurant on board open late (until 11PM) that has food and drinks for purchase. Outside food is also allowed on board. Blankets and pillows are not provided but may be purchased on board. Please note that there are no outlets on board for charging; be sure to charge any electronic devices prior to boarding.

Solo Travellers

Accommodation

Hostels (6 nts, multi-share), camping in “swag” or tent (5 nts), underground hostel (1 nt, multi-share), overnight train (airline-style seating, 1 nt)

About Accommodation

Accommodation will be varied throughout your adventure. When camping on this tour, you will have the choice between a tent or the truly Aussie ‘swag’—a canvas bedroll with built-in padding and perfect for a night under the stars. We’ll have both with us, so mix it up and try out the Aussie way. Towels and soap are not always provided at overnight stops, so it’s best to bring your own for bathing. Bathroom and showering facilities are shared and are very rarely en-suite.

Multi-share accommodation, on a single-sex basis (typically 4-6 people per room), is very common in Australia and is the way you will be spending most of your nights. We have specifically chosen unique accommodations to give local flavour to your trip.

Couples: Please note that due to the types of accommodation used in Australia, couples will likely be split into separate rooms where we use multi-share hostels. Pending availability, couples may be able to pay extra while on tour to have their own room in some destinations.

Joining Hotel

The start hotel for 2015 is:

Adelaide Paringa Hotel
15 Hindley Street, Adelaide
Adelaide
South Australia
Australia
08 8231 1000

The start hotel for 2016 will be:

Adelaide Central YHA
135 Waymouth Street
Adelaide, South Australia
5000
Tel: +61 8 8414 3021

Joining Instructions

If you are taking a taxi: $30-$40, approximately 20km from the joining hotel and should take no more than 30 minutes.

If you are taking a Shuttle Bus: $10 per person – The shuttle provides a regular scheduled bus service between Adelaide Airport, Keswick Interstate Railway Terminal and the Adelaide central business distrcit (CBD).

Arrival Complications

Emergency Contact

Should you need to contact G Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call our local office in Melbourne. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so we may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
G Adventures Local Office (Melbourne)
During office hours, 9am-5pm Local Time
From outside Australia: +61 3 9413 5820
From within Australia: 03 9413 5820

After office hours emergency number
From outside Australia: +61 430 321 725
From within Australia: 0430 321 725

If you are unable for any reason to contact our local operations manager, please call the numbers listed below, which will connect you directly with our 24 hour Sales team, who will happily assist you.

Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100
Calls from UK: 0844 272 0000
Calls from Germany: 01805 70 90 30 00
Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618
Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307
Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

What to Take

You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. We recommend the use of a well-labeled duffel bag, soft bag or backpack (whichever you find easiest to carry). Suitcases or heavy luggage are not recommended for the health of the CEO! A good size day-pack (20-35L) is also essential as you will have the chance to walk and hike in different national parks during these trips. This daypack will be used to carry your personal gear for the day, your lunch and a water bottle.

For days in the outdoors, we recommend the use of lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics made of wool or synthetic fibers. Cotton is not recommended for days spent hiking as it does not allow for heat or moisture to enter or escape, and it will not dry easily once wet.

Checklist

Documents:
•Passport (with photocopies)
•Travel insurance (with photocopies)
•Airline tickets (with photocopies)
•AUD cash
•Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
•G Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information and dossier
•Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required

Suggested Items:
-Sleeping bag/sleep sheet
-Travel pillow (optional)
•Light fleece top
•Light windproof/waterproof jacket
•Towel
•Swimwear
•Sun hat
•Personal clothing for mild to hot weather (check weather forecast for time of year you’ll be visiting)
•Sturdy walking shoes
•Sunblock
•Sunglasses
•Toiletries (biodegradable)
•Watch or alarm clock
•Water bottle
•Money belt
•Flashlight or headlamp
•Camera, memory card(s) and charger
•Electricity plug adapter
•First-aid kit
-Insect Repellent

-Day pack
-Camera with extra memory cards and batteries
-Personal Entertainment
-Binoculars
-Waterproof backpack cover

Visas

All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. It is your own responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. Visa requirements for your trip will vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. We keep the following information up to date as far as possible, but rules do change and sometimes without warning. While we provide the following information in good faith, it is vital that you check the information yourself and understand that you are fully responsible for your own visa requirements.

A valid passport and visa is required. For some nationalities, the visa can be issued by your Travel Agency or the Australian Embassy via Electronic Travel Authority (ETA).

To apply for an ETA online, travellers must hold a passport from one of the following countries:
– Brunei – Darussalam
– Canada
– Hong Kong
– Japan
– Malaysia
– Singapore
– South Korea

More information about the ETA and how to apply can be found here:
https://www.eta.immi.gov.au/ETA/etas.jsp

If you do not hold a passport from any of the above countries, you cannot apply for an ETA online. You may be eligible to apply for an ETA through a travel agent, airline or an Australian visa office. Alternatively, you may be eligible to apply for other types of electronic visitor visas. See: www.immi.gov.au

Spending Money

Money Exchange

The Australian currency is the Australian Dollar (AUD).

Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere in Australia and can be used to purchase small and large items. When purchasing products or services with a foreign credit card you may be charged additional fees by your credit card company for foreign purchases.

Credit cards and debit cards are very useful for cash advances but you must remember to bring your PIN number (be aware that many ATM machines only accept 4-digit PINs). Both Cirrus and Plus system cards are the most widely accepted debit cards. Both Visa and Master Cards are the most widely accepted credit cards. While ATMs are commonly available, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work check with your bank before you travel. A visit to an ATM can be arranged on Day 1 and other days of the trip.

Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money. A combination of local currency (preferably smaller bills, 5’s, 10’s and 20’s), traveller’s cheques and credit cards is best. Currency exchange is best obtained prior to travel or at the airport, currency exchange is easy to find in Australia in the gateway cities and most banks do accommodate.

Always take more rather than less, as you don’t want to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds.

As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com

Emergency Fund

Tipping

It is not customary in New Zealand or Australia to tip service providers, but if you do experience outstanding service it is good to do so. Such service would only usually be in places like quality restaurants and it would be very rare that you would tip more than 10%. Unless specifically asked to do so at the time (by your CEO) – do not tip your local guides. Also at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures Chief Experience Officer did an outstanding job, you may consider a small tip – but it certainly isn’t expected.

Optional Activities

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES ON TOUR
All prices are per person, in AUD amounts and are subject to change as services are provided by third party operators.

OUTBACK
Camel Rides $15-$20

WILLIAM CREEK
Flight over Lake Eyre – $120

ULURU
Helicopter Ride $120

KING’S CREEK
Camel Ride – $7

Safety and Security

Trip Specific Safety

Between November and March, there is extreme heat with temperatures averaging between 43-46°C in the middle of Australia, especially around Uluru and Kings Canyon. This can lead to heat exhaustion and potentially become very dangerous. Be sure to drink plenty of water and replenish electrolytes by drinking sports drinks, coconut water or water mixed with electrolyte powder packets. Our CEOs have been trained in first aid and are well-versed in the risks associated with this heat. 

As a result of this heat some included walks may be closed in the interests of travellers health.  Certain walks around central Australia including Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon are closed when weather is forecast to exceed 36°C. During these hot months, we will endeavour to offer all walks early in the day to avoid the heat. Our CEOs will monitor the weather conditions to gauge the safety of any included walks and may need to call off a given day’s walk due to extreme heat.

Medical Form

Our small group adventures bring together people of all ages. It is very important you are aware that, as a minimum, an average level of fitness and mobility’ is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travellers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum. Travellers with a pre-existing medical condition are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their physician. This is to ensure that travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While our CEOs work hard to ensure that all our travellers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day’s activities unaided. Please refer to the physical ratings in this Trip Details document for more information.

The medical questionnaire can be found online at:

www.gadventures.com/medical-form.

A Couple of Rules

Travel Insurance

Planeterra-The G Adventures Foundation

Feedback

Newsletter

Travel Forum – The Watering Hole

Max Pax

20

Group Leader

Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.

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