Adventure Tours Australia
Small Groups...Big Adventure!
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Adventure Tours Australia was established in 1993 and is now the largest small group, soft-adventure tour operator in Australia. We specialize in offering active tours for the adventurous traveller and last year carried over 90,000 passengers. Most of these passengers experienced at least two of our safaris. Our Head Office is in Adelaide, with Operations Centres in Darwin, Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Broome, Perth, Hobart, Melbourne, Adelaide and Cairns, and Marketing Offices in Sydney, London and Germany.
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Expertise and Specialisation
Adventure Tours Australia is an award winning company specialising in active, small group safaris for the adventurous traveller. We offer an extensive range of tours exploring the highlights and hidden delights of the Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Our tours are nature-based with the emphasis on the unique scenery, wildlife and Aboriginal culture of each area and they cater for everyone from the fit and adventurous who want to get off the beaten track to those who prefer the sound of 'soft adventure' and more comfortable facilities!
Our core operation is camping and accommodated safaris catering for budget travellers as well as private charters and deluxe 'Safari in Style' tours in the Northern Territory. Our tours cater for everyone fit and adventurous who want to get off the beaten track and experience the highlights of Australia. Our tours range from 1 to 18 days with regular guaranteed departures.
The Directors who started the company 12 years ago are actively involved in the day to day operation of the business and have endeavoured to make 'Adventure Tours' large enough to offer professional service and support, but small enough to care for every passenger carried. This, along with our modern vehicles, professional guides, premium camping equipment and unique accommodation equals budget tours of the highest quality and value.
Licences and Associations

Adventure Tours Australia is a National Accredited Tourism Business. Our emphasis on quality and service has been rewarded with the presentation of numerous awards over recent years including:
2004 NT Tourism Brolga Award
2003 NT Tourism Brolga Award
2002 NT Tourism Brolga Award
2001 Australian Tourism Award for 'Tour and Transport Operator - Major'
2001 Northern Territory 'Exporter of the Year' Award
2001 ORD 'Services' Award for NT Export
2001 NT Tourism Brolga Award for 'Tour and Transport Operator - Major'
2000 Australian Export Award for 'Business Services'
1998 Australian Tourism Award for 'Tour and Transport Operator - Major'
1998 Northern Territory 'Exporter of the Year' Award
1998/1999/2000 Malaysia Airlines 'Professional and Business Services' Award for NT Export
1998 NT Tourism Brolga Award for 'Tour and Transport Operator - Major'
Responsible Travel
Adventure Tours Australia puts its time and money into sustaining our future and yours and as such supports 'Greening Australia' and 'Conservation Volunteers'.
Tours
Transport
Our modern fleet of air-conditioned vehicles includes specially designed 4WDs and mini-buses so you can explore the Outback with ease. Our 4WDs (16seaters) have spacious cabs with ample legroom and forward facing seats for increased comfort and a better view for greater appreciation of the scenery. We use our coaches in locations where there are large driving distances on sealed roads as the larger vehicles provide greater comfort. In all other circumstances, we focus on providing a small group experience with an average maximum group size of 16.
Local Guides
Adventure Tours Australia guides are not your average tour guide! They act not only as the source for valuable information relating to the geology, botany and Aboriginal culture of the area, but also as the mechanic, the cook, the entertainer. Our comprehensive in-house training program, incorporates training from the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) as well as St John's Ambulance Service in addition to mechanical training through the Centralian College. This ensures that our guides are professional and in possession of vast and accurate information, as well as having the necessary skills to conduct a quality, safe and fun tour! Our comprehensive in-house training program for professional tour guides (incorporating training from National Parks & Wildlife and St Johns Ambulance first aid) ensures all guides possess vast knowledge of geology, botany and Aboriginal culture. We have a fleet of over 90 vehicles including minibus, coach and specialty 4WD vehicles. All our guides undergo an intensive training course which involves:
Speciality information and Company procedures and requirements
St. John 1st Aid course (if req`d) incorporating CPR and other lifesaving measures.
An accredited National Parks certificate teaching the guide insights into aboriginal culture and the geography of the surrounding regions.
Basic mechanical operations and safety checks.
A driver training program instructing the guides on driving in all on and off road conditions.
Bushcraft skills and a vast knowledge of Geology, Botany, History and Aboriginal Culture
Cooking skills: food preparation, hygiene etc.
Customer relations, communication skills to manage large groups and deal with language barriers.
Guides are trained to the highest standard. We take the responsibility for the safety and well-being of our passengers very seriously. Some of the locations we visit are remote and conditions can be difficult, sometimes extreme.
Age Restrictions
Children 7 years and under are not permitted to travel on any tour. Children 12 years and under are not permitted to travel on 4WD tours. Child prices apply for children between the ages of 8 and 12 only.
How much Luggage can I bring?
The vehicles you will be travelling on have limited space so please keep your luggage to a maximum of 15 kgs in a backpack or soft overnight bag with a small day pack for easy access to camera, film, sunblock etc Please try and keep to that limit so we can ensure we can carry everyone's luggage in our trailers. If you can try and keep your belongings in one pack or case then this also assists packing. As a general rule if you can't carry it, we won't either. It's your responsibility to pack bags into the trailer. If your trip returns to the place your are starting your trip from, think about storing excess luggage to await your return. If you're not returning to the place you started your trip, think about freight forwarding luggage. All luggage that is more than 20kg must be marked as "HEAVY" so our staff avoid injury by picking it up off the ground without knowing.
General Conditions
Adventure Tours Australia reserves the right to alter the route or itinerary of any of its tours and arrange alternative carriers to those advertised if necessary. No refunds will be given in these circumstances or in the event of any delay, curtailment or alteration of a trip resulting from any cause including severe weather conditions or mechanical failure. A minimum number of passengers is required to operate each tour. It may therefore be necessary to cancel a scheduled departure and to offer an alternative or full refund for that tour. Adventure Tours can't guarantee pick up or drop off times and are not liable for passenger failure to connect with other services. We accept no responsibility for loss or damage to personal belongings or baggage. The Aboriginal Components of our Top End Tours are subject to cultural conditions. Participants may be absent due to Cultural commitments with little prior notification and Adventure Tours Australia reserves the right to amend the itinerary in these circumstances and no refunds will be given.
Itinerary Disclaimer
Our itineraries are correct at time of printing and may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements based on comments from past travellers and our own research. Our brochure is printed in December for release in April, therefore if you have booked from a previous brochure there may have been changes to improve the itinerary.
Cancellation Policy
Adventure Tours Australia will charge the following fees in event of booking cancellations:
48 Hours - 30 Days: 25% of Fare
24 Hours - 48 Hours: 50% of Fare
Within 24 Hours: 100% of Fare
Other operator cancellation fees may vary from the above and are available on request. Cancellations should be made with your booking agent, who may charge an additional fee.
Children
Children 7 years and under are not permitted to travel on any tour
Children 12 years and under are not permitted to travel on 4WD tours (bookings will be accepted for the NTK3 & AR4 - full adult fare).
Children over 12 years of age pay full adult fare
Children aged 8-12 years receive a discount on most tours. Prices available on application.
Children under 16 years of age are not permitted to travel unless accompanied by an adult.
Liability
Whilst we make every effort to safeguard our clients, we cannot be held responsible for personal injury or loss due to events which are beyond our control. Passengers should note that adventure travel involves a higher than normal risk and a signed release will be required from all participants before tour departure.
Insurance
Travel insurance is NOT included, we strongly recommend that passengers have their own travel insurance against illness, injury, loss/damage to personal belongings and not being able to travel on the confirmed departure date.
Do I need to reconfirm my tour?
YES! FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN THE CANCELLATION OF YOUR BOOKING.
You must call us on 1300 654 604 before 16.00hrs the day prior to travel with the name of your accommodation and room number.
How fit do I have to be?
Our tours are active so a reasonable level of fitness and swimming ability is needed. If you enjoy hiking through gorges, swimming in waterfalls and directly experiencing the environment then our tours are perfect for you. If you have any doubts about your suitability for our tours, see here for more information about whether our tours are for you or please check with our Reservations Department before making a booking.
Do I have to participate?
Part of the enjoyment of our tours is bonding with a group of like-minded adventurers so we make them active and hands on. With the exception of our ‘Safari in Style’ tour, passengers are expected to help with the preparation of food, washing of dishes and general assistance to the guide as directed.
What do I eat?
Our emphasis is on fresh food wherever possible and our meals are nutritious and varied. If you are vegetarian or gluten intolerant we can cater for you, but if you have very specific dietary needs you may need to provide your own food, please discuss this at time of booking. For breakfast we supply cereals, toast, tea and coffee. Lunch is usually a self-serve sandwich and salads; in the evening we have a cooked dinner. We always carry water in the vehicle and you will often have the chance to buy your own drinks, ice-creams etc at stops.
How much water do I need to drink?
Doctors advise that between 2 and 3 litres (10-12 glasses) of water per day is essential when travelling in Australia. All vehicles carry adequate water supplies.
Where do I meet the tour?
Please ask your agent for your pick-up details at time of booking.
National Park Entry Fees
Note: subject to change. Per person Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park: AUD$25 Boat transfer to Twin Falls (Kakadu NP): AUD$12.50 Tasmanian National Parks: AUD$10 per entry.
Can I smoke and drink in the vehicle?
Australian Government regulations prohibit smoking and the drinking of alcohol inside tourist vehicles in Australia (smoking and drinking should be limited to stops along the route).
What’s the climate like in Australia?
Australia is by nature a warm and friendly place. You can expect high temperatures in the summer but be prepared for lower temperatures at night and during the Australian winter. Conditions can change quickly, especially in Southern Australia, and you should be prepared for rain and snow at times.
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