Australian Outback Vacation: Luxury Outback and Sydney
From crocodile-filled wetlands to sacred cultural sites to a remote Outback ranch, this journey takes you deep into the Northern Territory’s most remote and meaningful places—places most travelers never access. You’ll swim beneath waterfalls, fly over floodplains, fish in wild streams, and dine under desert stars in view of Uluru. Just as the red dust begins to settle, you’ll trade it all for Sydney’s polished harbor, world-class dining, and coastal energy—a bold contrast to the wild landscapes that came before.
At a Glance
- 2 nights Darwin
- 3 nights Arnhem Land
- 1 night Darwin
- 3 nights Finniss River
- 1 night Darwin
- 2 nights Uluru
- 3 nights Sydney
Trip Highlights
Bucket List, Elevated
Dine under the stars at the iconic Sounds of Silence dinner, where Uluru glows in the distance and the Milky Way unfurls overhead. This open-air feast combines fine dining with a sense of wonder only the Outback can deliver.
Special Access
Walk through ancient rock art galleries, accessible only by special permission from the Amurdak people. These sacred sites are not open to the general public, making this an intimate and powerful encounter with one of the world’s oldest living cultures.
Unique Stays
At Longitude 131°, wake to the first light striking Uluru—seen from your bed through floor-to-ceiling glass. This desert retreat takes glamping to a new level, blending high design, indigenous storytelling, and remote luxury like nowhere else.
Suggested Itinerary
The itinerary below is just one example of what we can create. At Down Under Endeavours, we use 25+ years of hands-on expertise to design bespoke adventures inspired by you. Get in touch to make your dream trip a reality!
Darwin
Cultural Excursion in Litchfield National Park
Pictured: Mindil Beach, Darwin
Day 1: Arrival in the Top End
Touch down in Darwin and feel the tropical warmth settle over you. Enjoy a relaxed evening stroll along the waterfront as the sun sinks low, casting golden light across the harbour. It’s a gentle beginning to a journey into Australia’s wild heart.
Overnight: Darwin (Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront)
Day 2: Sacred Lands & Waterfalls
Venture into Litchfield National Park on an Indigenous-led journey that reveals ancient wisdom and sacred landscapes. Swim beneath jungle waterfalls, learn about bush medicine, and gain access to sites closed to the general public. The stories and spirit of this land will stay with you long after the day ends.
Overnight: Darwin (Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront)
Wild Top End: Arnhem Land + Finniss River
Luxury Lodges with Optional Excursions
Pictured: Davidsons Arnhemland Safaris (Tourism Australia)
Day 3: Into the Wilderness
Today, leave the city behind and venture into Arnhem Land for an extraordinary stay at Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris. This sacred, rugged wilderness—still owned and protected by its Traditional Custodians, the Amurdak people—is rich with rock art and wildlife, shaped by tens of thousands of years of cultural history. Settle into your bush lodge, where al fresco dining decks overlook the pool and the sandstone escarpment rises dramatically in the distance.
Overnight: Mt Borradaile (Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris)
Days 4-5: Rock Art & Billabongs
Spend two full days immersed in the rich cultural and ecological heritage of Arnhem Land. Cruise through glassy billabongs where saltwater crocodiles glide silently below the surface, with rugged red escarpments towering above you on either side. Spot wallabies at the water’s edge, turtles sunning themselves on the rocks, and kingfishers flashing through the trees. Each guided outing reveals new life—and new layers of connection to the land.Discover living records of 50,000 years of Amurdak history, wandering through sandstone overhangs that shelter ancient rock art galleries, ceremonial grounds, and burial sites still being uncovered today. Whether you’re fishing, hiking, or marveling at the rich cultural heritage, every moment here feels like a gift from the land itself.
Overnight: Mt Borradaile (Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris)
Day 6: Darwin Layover
Bid farewell to the ancient wilds and return to Darwin for a restful night. Let the contrast sink in—from sacred escarpments to city comforts, your journey continues to unfold.
Overnight: Darwin (Novotel Darwin Airport)
Day 7: A Grand Arrival
Take to the skies in a private helicopter for a jaw-dropping arrival at Finniss River Lodge. Below, the Top End unfolds in bold brushstrokes—emerald wetlands, copper floodplains, and silver river channels stretching to the horizon. As you land, you’ll be welcomed to an ultra-luxurious outback lodge set on a working cattle station, where glass-walled suites look out over miles of untouched country. As evening falls, sip a craft cocktail on the deck and watch golden light ripple across the landscape.
Overnight: Finniss River (Finniss River Lodge)
Days 8-9: Top End Adventure
Spend your days at Finniss River Lodge immersed in wild Top End landscapes and the rhythms of cattle station life. Set out on guided buggy or airboat tours through paperbark forests, coastal wetlands, and floodplains alive with magpie geese, wallabies, and crocodiles. Fish for barramundi in remote estuaries, or take to the skies on a heli-fishing excursion to reach creeks only accessible by air.
Back at the lodge, slow the pace with hands-on station experiences—like foraging for bush tucker cuisine, learning traditional survival skills, or meeting the resident cattle. Cool off in the pool with a gin and tonic in hand, then enjoy a gourmet dinner that draws from indigenous ingredients and local flavor.
Overnight: Finniss River (Finniss River Lodge)
Day 10: City Reset
Ease into your final morning at the lodge with a slow breakfast, a last swim, and one last look across the floodplains. After lunch, you’ll depart for Darwin, leaving behind the wide-open stillness of the bush and returning to the relaxed pace of the city.
Overnight: Darwin (Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront)
Uluru/Ayers Rock
Sounds of Silence Dinner | Luxury Lodge with Optional Excursions
Pictured: Longitude 131°
Day 11: Welcome to the Red Centre
Fly to the heart of Australia and transfer to the luxurious tented pavilions of Longitude 131°. As Uluru rises on the horizon, you’ll feel the magnetic pull of this place—sacred, powerful, and unforgettable. Tonight, enjoy a peaceful evening at the lodge as the sun sets and the stories begin.
Overnight: Uluru (Longitude 131°)
Day 12: Desert Wonders
Spend your day immersed in the beauty and mystery of the Red Centre. This morning, you can enjoy an optional tour: Wander through Kata Tjuta’s towering domes, ride a camel or motorcycle across the dunes, or take a scenic helicopter flight to soak in the scale of this ancient land. This evening, you’lll head out an hour before sunset to the Uluru sunset viewing area. Watch as the colors of the rock change before your eyes. You will then be transferred to a spectacular outdoor dining venue, where you’ll have an unforgettable dining experience under the star-filled night sky.
Overnight: Uluru (Longitude 131°)
Sydney
Leisure Time
Pictured: Harbourside dining (Tourism Australia)
Day 13: From Outback to City Lights
Fly from the quiet power of the desert to the buzz of Sydney. With its glittering harbour, iconic skyline, and laid-back sophistication, Sydney greets you with open arms and endless possibilities.
Overnight: Sydney (Four Seasons Sydney)
Days 14-15: Coastal Icons & Hidden Corners
Spend your final days soaking up Sydney’s sunshine and cosmopolitan delights. Stroll the Opera House promenade, explore boutique shops, and walk the relaxed Bondi to Coogee coastal track. Evenings invite you into the city’s vibrant dining scene, where every meal comes with a view.
Overnight: Sydney (Four Seasons Sydney)
Day 16: Farewell to Australia
It’s time to say goodbye to the land Down Under—but the colors, tastes, and stories of this journey will stay with you long after your flight home.
About this vacation
Cost Per Person
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