Darwin in the Northern Territory is a small town with some great pubs and is a good introduction to Australia before I head off to the outback.
Kakadu National Park is close by and is a marvel of wildlife and aboriginal rock art. The park is great for walking with a variety of landscapes and it is probably here that I get to see my first kangaroo in Australia. The jumping crocodile tour will get me close and personal with some of Australia’s most feared residents – saltwater crocs !
Katherine gorge is also a beautiful sight where 13 gorges are separated by rapids offering great boat trips through fantastic scenery.
On my route south I have a chance to wet my whistle at NT’s oldest bar, the Daly Waters Pub. This is a real Aussie outback hangout where I am bound to bump into a character or two.
My desert journey south is broken up by the Devils Marbles, huge bouldersnaturally formed and piled up in the middle of nowhere.
Basing myself in Alice Springs I now have the option to visit Australia’s icon – Uluru (Ayers Rock). As the world’s biggest monolith, Uluru is an awesome spectacle, as are the nearby smaller collection of red rocks known as the Olgas.
Further south I visit the small opal mining town of Coober Pedy where a day’s outing will take me underground and show me the old prospectors way of life and a visit to the Kangaroo Rescue Sanctuary will ensure I get a feel for these amazing marsupials.
I continue into the Blue Mountains and camp near the quaint town of Katoomba where I get to explore the areas fantastic scenery by means of the world’s steepest railway, gondolas over gorges and bush-walks.
Arriving in Sydney the Opera House, Harbor Bridge and Bondi Beach make this a great end to an unforgettable expedition – LONDON TO SYDNEY OVERLAND !
BUT FOR ME THIS ADVENTURE IS NOT THE END – WATCH THIS SPACE !
