22nd July, Solar Eclipse 2028

Day 1

Our adventure begins early as we pick you up in Darwin and travel south into the vast landscapes of the Northern Territory.

Our first stop is at the fascinating Magnetic Termite Mounds, where you'll see the remarkable structures built by magnetic termites. Carefully aligned to minimise exposure to the harsh tropical sun, these tall, blade-like mounds are one of the Top End's most distinctive natural sights.

Continuing south, we travel through the Katherine region, an important crossroads in the Northern Territory and an area with strong connections to the Jawoyn and Dagoman peoples.

We'll make a stop in Katherine before continuing towards Mataranka, famous for its clear, warm thermal springs.  There will be an opportunity to enjoy the Mataranka Thermal Pool, where spring water emerges at around 34°C and flows through a beautiful palm-lined setting.

We finish the day travelling towards Three Ways, the famous junction where the Stuart Highway meets the Barkly Highway.

Overnight: Three Way

Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner at own expense

Day 2

Today is the highlight of the adventure.

After breakfast, we travel towards Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve, one of Australia's most recognisable outback landscapes. Huge, rounded granite boulders are scattered across the red earth, creating a spectacular natural setting for one of the rarest events on the astronomical calendar.

Today, 22 July 2028, the Moon will pass directly between the Earth and the Sun, producing a total solar eclipse across part of the Northern Territory.  Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles lies within the path of totality, and we will experience several hours of changing light and atmosphere until we succumb to complete darkness for approximately 5 minutes.

Our priority is to be in a suitable location within the eclipse path to give us the best practical opportunity to experience totality.

The exact positioning and timing of the day may remain flexible. Weather, road conditions and local circumstances can all influence the best viewing location, so guests should be prepared for adjustments to the itinerary if required.  It is a rare experience that you will remember long after the journey is over.

After the eclipse, we'll continue towards Tennant Creek.  Here we'll explore some of the area's fascinating outback history, including the Tennant Creek Telegraph Station Historical Reserve. The station formed part of the Overland Telegraph Line, the enormous communications network that connected Australia with the rest of the world. The original line stretched approximately 3,600 km and followed the route of John McDouall Stuart's 1862 expedition.

From Tennant Creek we turn north again, travelling through the vast Barkly and Top End landscapes towards Daly Waters, one of the Territory's most famous outback stopping places.

Overnight: Daly Waters

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch included, Dinner at own expense

Day 3

After breakfast we begin our journey north towards Darwin, with a final opportunity to experience the changing landscapes of the Northern Territory.

Our journey takes us towards Leliyn (Edith Falls) in Nitmiluk National Park. Surrounded by rocky escarpments and monsoon forest, the falls and swimming areas provide a beautiful contrast to the dry inland landscapes experienced during the eclipse journey.  We'll stop for a swim and a chance to explore the area before continuing north towards Darwin.

As we travel back towards the Top End, the landscape gradually changes once again. Dry inland country gives way to savannah woodland and tropical vegetation, bringing our three-day eclipse adventure full circle.

We arrive back in Darwin later in the day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at own expense

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Kapalga Travel reserves the right to alter the route or itinerary schedule to adapt to seasonal changes or if one of our stops becomes closed.