National parks, nature and dream beaches
From the wild Top End to the Whitsundays, a road trip through sandstone gorges, coral reefs and ancestral rainforests.
Duration
23 days
Ideal seasons
Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Style
Self-drive tour
Comfort
Charm & Character
Travelers
Couple, Solo, With friends
The spirit of travel
An itinerary idea where you enjoy national parks and nature, without wasting time in major cities. A road trip with regularly two or three nights per destination to explore, discover and do activities without rushing. You visit the national parks of the Top-End, spend quality time on the East Coast along the Great Barrier Reef. You observe Australie's terrestrial wildlife in its natural habitat as well as the richness of the marine depths. The highlight with at the end of the journey, a dream stay in the Whitsunday archipelago.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Welcome to the Northern Territory!
Aéroport International De Darwin → Darwin
Upon arrival at Darwin airport, you pick up your rental car and head to your hotel located in the city center.
This coastal and multicultural city marks your first steps in Australie. It opens the way to discovering the Top End, its Aboriginal lands, its wildlife and its freshwater pools, between national parks and outback.
Cultural encounter and sunset at Ubirr
Darwin → Parc National de Kakadu
At the wheel of your car, you leave Darwin to meet a family from the Limilngan-Wulna Land territories. This two-hour included experience invites you to discover the customs and traditions of the Aboriginal people in the Adelaide River region.
You then continue your journey to Jabiru, in the Kakadu National Park, where you spend the night.
Off-the-beaten-path excursion
You set off on an included full-day excursion dedicated to Aboriginal culture and heritage, in Arnhem Land and the north of the Kakadu National Park. You discover hard-to-access places, including ancient rock art sites.
At Oenpelli, you meet Aboriginal artists at the Injalak Arts and Crafts Centre. You spend the night in the park.
Impressive waterfalls and high sandstone cliffs
You can spend the morning exploring other areas of the Kakadu National Park. A crocodile-spotting cruise or a detour to the waterfalls are among the possibilities.
In the afternoon, you head towards the Nitmiluk National Park, known for its 13 gorges carved into sandstone.
Possible activities include a cruise on the East Alligator River or the Yellow Water River at Kakadu, or a dinner cruise through the Nitmiluk Gorges.
Day at Nitmiluk National Park
You follow the trails of the Nitmiluk National Park to discover the Katherine Gorges and their sand banks, at the foot of the cliffs. The region is also home to many Aboriginal art sites.
To explore the gorges differently, you can choose a flyover of the 13 gorges by helicopter or rent a canoe to paddle through the first three gorges over half a day.
On the way to the wonders of Litchfield National Park
You continue your road trip on the Stuart Highway to the Litchfield National Park, where waterfalls cascade down from high plateaus and feed natural pools.
To cool off, we recommend Buley Rock Hole in the late afternoon, then Florence Falls early the next morning.
Return to Darwin at Your Own Pace
Parc National de Litchfield → Darwin
Enjoy Litchfield National Park before heading back to Darwin.
On the way, you can take a detour to the Territory Wildlife Park to observe freshwater stingrays, black kangaroos and emus.
You arrive in Darwin just in time to admire the sunset over Mindil Beach.
Free Discovery Day in Cairns
Enjoy this day in Cairns at your own pace. You can rest, explore the coral islands, fly over the Great Barrier Reef, go rafting or go fishing.
Exploration of Daintree, exceptional biodiversity
You head north towards Cape Tribulation. Along the coast, several stops are possible to enjoy the scenery between the Coral Sea and tropical rainforest.
You can stop at Palm Cove or Port Douglas for lunch facing the sea, or prefer the village of Mossman. You then cross the Daintree River to reach Daintree National Park.
Between Coral Sea and Ancient Rainforest
From the beach of Cape Tribulation, you embark in a small group aboard a speedboat for a half-day snorkeling trip on the Great Barrier Reef. Off the Daintree rainforest, you discover a colorful reef and its marine life.
The rest of the day is free. You can explore the marked trails of the Daintree tropical rainforest, where notably the cassowary lives.
On the way to the highlands in the Tablelands
Cape Tribulation → Atherton Tablelands
You head towards the Atherton Tablelands and reach your lodge, in the heart of the rainforest. Use this stopover to relax in a natural setting.
The Tablelands in Freedom
Explore the Atherton Tablelands at your own pace: take a walk through the rainforest or enjoy a moment of rest in this region rich in birds, wildlife and flora.
You can also discover the historic village of Herberton, try to spot a tree kangaroo or participate in a cooking class based on local products.
Return to the coast via Wooroonooran National Park
Atherton Tablelands → Mission Beach
You traverse the rolling landscapes of the Atherton Tablelands towards the Wooroonooran National Park. Along the way, you can take a break near a freshwater lake or one of the many waterfalls in the region.
You then continue towards the east coast and reach Mission Beach, a small beach resort where you spend the night.
Day on the Great Barrier Reef
From Mission Beach, you board for a day at sea with a local family who takes you to the outer part of the Great Barrier Reef. The sites visited are mainly frequented by locals, in a friendly atmosphere.
You can practice snorkeling or diving, whether it's a discovery dive or if you are already certified.
Free Road Trip
You head towards Townsville. Depending on your preferences, you can take a detour to the Wallaman Falls, a permanent waterfall 268 metres high.
Other options are available to you: skydiving, a rafting trip in the Tully Gorge or a discovery of Magnetic Island, off the coast of Townsville.
Stop in Airlie Beach, the essential gateway to the Whitsundays
You follow the Bruce Highway until Airlie Beach, the starting point to discover the Whitsundays archipelago and its 74 islands.
In the Heart of the Archipelago at Hamilton Island
Airlie Beach → Whitsundays Islands
This morning, you can discover the Whitsundays archipelago from the air: by helicopter, by seaplane or during an outing combining boat and flight.
You then return your rental car before taking the boat to Hamilton Island, the largest inhabited island in the archipelago. Upon arrival at the marina, a shuttle takes you to your bungalow, where you settle in for three nights.
The Whitsunday Islands
Enjoy your stay on Hamilton Island at your own pace, just a few minutes' walk from Catseye Beach.
If you want to explore more of the archipelago, you can plan a boat day trip to Whitehaven Beach.
See you soon!
You join Hamilton Island airport by shuttle to take your return flight.
Price per person
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- International flights, domestic flights, airline taxes or fuel surcharges associated.
- Meals (excluding breakfasts, dinners and lunch specified).
- Drop-off fees for one-way car rental trips (when applicable).
- The entrance fees to national parks.
- The crossing of the Daintree River by ferry ($31 AUD to be paid on site)
- A change in GST rate or the introduction of a new government tax.
- Possible surcharges for public holidays and special events.
- Petrol, possible tolls and parking fees
- Tips and personal expenses throughout the trip.
- Supplementary insurance for this trip to Australie.
Included
- 20 nights in Australie with suitable accommodation at each stage of your stay (Lodge, Cabin or 3* Hotel).
- The meals indicated.
- Recent car rental from Darwin (airport) on day 1 to Darwin (airport) on day 8 in SUV category with unlimited mileage, 2nd driver and comprehensive insurance with no excess.
- Recent car rental from Cairns (airport) on day 8 to Airlie Beach (city center) on day 18 in SUV category with unlimited mileage, 2nd driver and comprehensive insurance with no deductible.
- Aboriginal culture initiation tour at Mary River (2 hours).
- Excursion to Arnhem Land from Kakadu including access fee, lunch and refreshments (8 hours).
- Half-day boat trip departing from Cape Tribulation (4 hours).
- Full-day cruise on the Great Barrier Reef departing from Mission Beach including lunch and snorkeling equipment (8 hours).
- Boat crossing from Airlie Beach to Hamilton Island.
- The GST (local tax).
- Personalized itinerary in digital format on mobile application.
- I need the actual French travel documents to translate. Please provide the specific text, document content, or details you'd like me to translate into English.
- English-speaking assistance by our agency during your stay in Australie.
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below applies to travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and Canada traveling to Australia for a tourist stay. Entry requirements may change, so we recommend verifying information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Australia, your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. It is, however, strongly recommended that it remain valid for at least six months after your planned return date.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn, or altered pages).
Electronic Visa (eVisitor or ETA)
Australia does not grant visa exemptions in the traditional sense. Nationals of the European Economic Area and Switzerland are eligible for the eVisitor visa (subclass 651), while Canadian nationals must apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA, subclass 601). Both of these electronic authorizations are free or low-cost, electronically linked to the passport, and do not result in any stamp or visa label.
These authorizations permit tourist stays of up to 3 months per visit, with overall validity of 12 months from the date of issue. They may allow multiple entries during this period.
The application must be completed online before departure, via the official website of the Australian Department of Home Affairs or the Australian ETA application. Authorization is generally issued quickly, sometimes within minutes.
Authorities may request:
proof of an outbound ticket (return or onward flight),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay.
Declaration on Arrival
Before or upon arrival in Australia, travelers must complete an Incoming Passenger Card. This form provides customs and biosecurity services with:
personal and passport information,
flight and travel details,
customs declarations (food, plants, animals, medications, currency, etc.).
Australia enforces strict biosecurity rules: certain food items, plants, animal products, and wooden articles may be prohibited or subject to inspection. It is essential to declare any item that may be affected, as failure to do so can result in substantial fines.
Traveling with Children
Minors must hold their own valid passport as well as their own electronic authorization (eVisitor or ETA).
In certain European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an exit authorization may be required according to the regulations of their country of residence.
Health
No vaccinations are mandatory to enter Australia for travelers from Europe or Canada. However, it is recommended that you ensure that routine vaccinations are up to date. Travel insurance covering medical expenses is strongly advised, as healthcare in Australia can be costly for non-residents.
Other Nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Affected travelers should inquire with the Australian embassy or consulate in their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to be covered for repatriation assistance and medical expenses abroad.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific contract developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
Choose the plan that best suits your needs:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer'Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claims declaration procedures is available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the claims declaration procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them for the entire duration of their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
An electronic travel authorization (ETA or eVisitor) is mandatory and must be requested online before departure (approximately 20 AUD). The authorization is valid for 12 months and allows multiple entries, with a maximum stay of 3 months per visit. Your passport must remain valid for the entire duration of your stay. Before booking your trip, check with the embassy or consulate of your country for the specific conditions applicable to your nationality, as travel authorization requirements may vary depending on your country of origin.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, budget between €270 and €430 per day per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transport and activities. International flights (€1,300-2,000 return) are additional. Distances require domestic flights and car rentals.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We tailor every itinerary to match our travelers' profiles. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to captivate children with age-appropriate stories and anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) coverage that protects 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Northern Territory
Architect of Australia's Great Journeys, based in Sydney
Australia is lived through distances, light and contrasts. My role is to help travellers transform this vastness into a smooth, coherent and truly personal itinerary.
— Yann
