Archive for January 11th, 2009

Darwin to Alice Springs Day 1

We didn’t hang around Darwin too long as there wasn’t a lot to see or do. We booked a tour from Darwin to Alice Springs and Uluru with the renowned Adventure Tours Australia.  The hefty $2,000 AUS  included a flight from Alice to Cairns where we hope to really start our own little adventure in a camper.

Day 1: Darwin to Katherine Gorge.  The tour itinerary said “Leaving Darwin, we stop for a break at Adelaide River on the way to Katherine.  We spend the whole afternoon at the majestic Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk), which is part of the Nitmiluk National Park.  Experience the striking beauty while canoeing or cruising through the gorge itself.  Tonight we stay at our permanent camp near Katherine Gorge”.

What it should have said was “Get on the bus Gus and stay there for 8 hours, we can’t show you the real Katherine Gorge or take you on a cruise because it’s wet season and everywhere is flooded.  Tonight you will stay at our leaky campsite and taste the delights of our rancid food, oh, and you have to prepare yourself”.

Some tour this is turning out to be.  Thankfully the folks on the bus are a delight and the craic is good.  Almost everybody is on a downer having been stuck on a bus for so long and not being able to see what we paid for.  This is not a $70 tour, it’s bloody expensive and at the moment we don’t feel we are getting value for money, not even close.

Let’s see what tomorrow brings.

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Posted on January 11th, 2009 by Davey  |  3 Comments »