State: Northern Territory
Operator: Australian Eco Adventures
Minimum Price: AUD $ 2,995

Across the Top, between Cairns and Darwin is a must for adventurers who yearn for the wilderness and the history of the Gulf Savannah and Australia’s Top End. You’ll follow in the tracks of Leichhardt and Gregory and cross the path of the illfated Burke & Wills Expedition. You’ll visit historic Gulf Towns, Lawn Hill National Park , Hell’s Gate and Borroloola on the way to Mataranka, Katherine Gorge and the fabulous Kakadu National Park… Surely a Great Australian Safari.

DAY 1 (LD) Visit the Atherton Tableland's unique Curtain Fig Tree and “The Crater”National Park on the way to our first camp at Undara. Here you can explore the Lava Tubes (optional), acclaimed as the largest and longest lava tube system in the world.

Day 2 (BL) Pass through the historic gulf towns of Mt Surprise, Georgetown and Croydon. Visit Normanton, home of the historic "Gulflander" train on the way to our camp at Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Day 3 (BLD) Across the "Plains of Promise" to Burke & Wills camp #119, the most northerly camp of the ill-fated 1860 expedition. On to Leichhardt Falls, Burketown and our Escott Barramundi Lodge camp.

Day 4 (BLD) Mitchell Grass plains, spinifex clad ranges and the inviting Gregory River on our way to Lawn Hill National Park, our two-night camp.

Day 5 (BLD) A leisurely day in Lawn Hill National Park to relax, swim, canoe (optional) and explore the many walking tracks at this unbelievable oasis. In the afternoon a chance to take a tour to the World Heritage listed Riversleigh Fossil Fields (optional).

Day 6 (BLD) At one of Queensland's most remote cattle stations, Bowthorn, Kerry McGinnis, author of "Pieces of Blue" and "Heart Country" relates tales of outback life during a fascinating tour of the homestead. Travel on Hell's Gate to camp overnight.

Day 7 (BLD) On the Queensland Road , once used by the legendary “Overlanders” (now “Savannah Way”), we cross into the Northern Territory to Borroloola, frontier town. On to Butterfly Springs for two nights.

Day 8 (BLD) Today we venture into Limmen National Park to see spectacular carved sandstone pillars known as "Lost City" formations. Millions of years of water and wind erosion have sculptured an ancient seabed into these incredible shapes.

Day 9 (BL) On to remote Roper Bar, where explorer Ludwig Leichhardt crossed in 1845. On to Mataranka Hot Springs to swim and relax in the crystal clear thermal pool. We camp at Mataranka tonight.

Day 10 (BLD) Supplies in Katherine before Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park where you can relax, bushwalk or enjoy a cruise up the famous gorge (optional). We camp in the National Park tonight.

Day 11 (BLD) Kakadu National Park today. First we visit Pine Creek, an historic goldmining town, then explore and swim at Maguk (Barramundi Gorge). On to our three night base camp at Cooinda with time to visit the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre.

Day 12 (BD) Spectacular Aboriginal rock art at Nourlangie Rock and the world class Bowali Visitor Centre. A sunset cruise (optional) on Kakadu's world famous Yellow Waters Billabong to see a myriad of birds and wildlife, including saltwater crocodiles.

Day 13 (BL) A leisurely start to travel to the Arnhem Land escarpment to walk and swim at magnificent Jim Jim Falls. Return to camp after a wonderful day of discovery, swimming and 4WD adventure.

Day 14 (BL) This morning we visit Ubirr, famous for its rock art and views of the East Alligator River floodplain. Now we cross the South Alligator River and the Marrakai Plains en-route to Darwin bringing to an end your safari of adventure and discovery in Australia's Tropical Savannahs.

The "Overlander" Camping Safari can also be taken in the opposite direction - Darwin to Cairns - and the reverse itinerary is:

• Day 1 (.LD) Darwin to Kakadu camp at Cooinda.
• Day 2 (BL.) Jim Jim Falls.
• Day 3 (B.D) Nourlangie Rock & Yellow Waters.
• Day 4 (BLD) Barramundi Gorge, Katherine Gorge National Park.
• Day 5 (BLD) To Mataranka
• Day 6 (BL.) To Butterfly Springs.
• Day 7 (BLD) "Lost City" and Limmen National Park.
• Day 8 (BLD) Hell's Gate.
• Day 9 (BLD) to Lawn Hill Nat.Park.
• Day 10 (BLD) Relaxing at Lawn Hill Nat.Park.
• Day 11 (BLD) Lawn Hill to Escott Station
• Day 12 (BL.) to Karumba.
• Day 13 (BLD) Normanton, Croydon and Undara.
• Day 14 (BL.) Atherton Tableland to Cairns

Notes:

Tour Code: A113
Special Departure Dates: 2005 Departures :Cairns to Darwin: Jun 15; Darwin to Cairns: Aug 12
Trip Duration: 14 days
Departs from: Cairns
Tour Ends: Darwin
Departure Time: 8.30 a.m
Return Time: 5.30 p.m
All Prices: $2995 pp twin share Single Supplement $250 pp