51动漫

17 July 2028 – 9 days

Register for 2028 and we will contact you shortly when聽 prices are available and we start taking reservations very soon.

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Experience over five minutes of totality in Western Australia after immersing yourself in the rugged beauty and rich heritage of its outback.

Your journey will be led by renowned astronomer and eclipse-chaser Jamie Carter, who will be with you throughout, delivering fascinating talks, detailed eclipse briefings and guided stargazing sessions under the pristine southern hemisphere skies. Gill Carter will also be on hand to explain how eclipses confuse the animal kingdom.

Begin your adventure in Darwin, a laid-back yet vibrant city celebrated for its tropical lifestyle and cultural diversity. From there, venture into the lush landscapes of Litchfield National Park, famous for its cascading waterfalls, crystal-clear swimming holes and towering termite mounds. Discover the park鈥檚 ecology, geology and Indigenous heritage with your local guide and enjoy a refreshing dip in its natural pools. As you travel south east, you will explore the majestic beauty of Nitmiluk National Park with it鈥檚 stunning Gorges. Ancient rock art sites dot the park and the dreaming stories told by Jawoyn people bring the silent gorge walls to life.

Next, settle in Kununurra, a charming outback town that blends wilderness, culture and character. As the gateway to Western Australia鈥檚 natural wonders and some of the darkest night skies on Earth, it offers an unparalleled opportunity for celestial observation. Here, Jamie will help you unlock the secrets of the cosmos in skies of extraordinary clarity.

For the eclipse itself, we鈥檝e chosen an outback location in the Kimberley region, perfectly positioned near the line of totality. This tranquil rural oasis provides catering and endless space to spread out and savour the awe-inspiring spectacle of the solar eclipse.

In partnership with Intrepid Travel.

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Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Darwin

Arrive at Darwin International Airport and transfer to the Hilton Darwin Hotel for a two-night stay.

In the late afternoon, meet your fellow travellers and experts Jamie and Gill Carter, for a welcome talk followed by dinner – an excellent introduction to the adventure ahead.

Day 2: Litchfield National Park

Today, journey into the lush landscapes of Litchfield National Park, renowned for its waterfalls (Wangi and Florence), natural swimming holes, guided nature walks, iconic magnetic termite mounds and ancient rock formations.

Accompanied by knowledgeable local guides, you鈥檒l learn about the park鈥檚 ecology, geology and Indigenous heritage. Enjoy a shared lunch and take the opportunity for a refreshing swim in one of the park鈥檚 pristine natural pools.

Day 3: Nitmiluk National Park

Depart early for a scenic four-hour drive through the outback to Nitmiluk National Park, located on the lands of the Jawoyn people. Known for its dramatic gorges and significant rock art sites, the park offers a powerful sense of scale and cultural richness. In the Jawoyn language, Nitmiluk means “place of the cicada dreaming”. The park features 13 dramatic gorges carved through ancient sandstone by the Katherine River.

In the late afternoon, arrive in Katherine鈥攐ften referred to as the 鈥渃rossroads of the north鈥�, and check in to Discovery Parks for dinner together.

Day 4: Journey to Kununurra and stargazing

Travel from Katherine to Kununurra on a classic 515-kilometre outback drive along the sealed Victoria Highway. This approximately seven-hour journey (with stops) showcases a striking transition from rugged red escarpments to the boab-dotted landscapes of the Kimberley.

Enjoy interesting stops along the way, including Timber Creek and the Victoria River Roadhouse. During this and other longer journeys, Jamie will provide a series of engaging short talks on the well equipped coach.

Upon arrival in Kununurra, check in to the Lily Lagoon Resort.聽In the evening, you will venture out of town and away from the lights of Kununurra for some naked eye stargazing led by Jamie.

Day 5: Pre-eclipse briefing and barbeque dinner

After breakfast, Jamie and Gill will deliver a series of talks including the essential pre-eclipse briefing, covering what to expect, how to view the eclipse safely, and its cultural and scientific significance. This session will be around 90 minutes, with plenty of time for questions at the end. Guests at our previous eclipse events have expressed how useful they found this briefing session, allowing them to make the most out of the eclipse experience.聽

In the evening, a relaxed outdoor dinner at the hotel and then early to bed.

Day 6: Eclipse Day

An early start takes you just over an hour south to the carefully selected viewing site. Arrive well before first contact to settle comfortably and secure your ideal viewing position.

Camping-style seating, refreshments, lunch and facilities will be provided, along with eclipse glasses for safe viewing. The site has been chosen for its proximity to the central line of totality, offering optimal viewing conditions and maximum duration. 

Following the eclipse, enjoy lunch on site while Jamie answers questions and shares insights.

Later, return to Kununurra for a relaxed afternoon, including a post-eclipse debrief and an additional talks from Jamie and Gill, followed by dinner together in the evening.

Day 7: Return to Katherine

Drive back to Katherine at a comfortable pace, checking once again into Discovery Parks.

Day 8: Darwin and Farewell Dinner

Continue on to Darwin and return to the Hilton Darwin Hotel. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring the city or enjoying the hotel鈥檚 amenities.

In the evening, gather for a final talk from Jamie followed by a farewell dinner to celebrate the journey.

Day 9: Departure

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward journey, or enjoy a relaxed final morning in Darwin.

The journey doesn鈥檛 have to end here. 51动漫 is arranging optional post-trip extensions including a curated tour of Australia鈥檚 natural and cultural highlights.

Booking administration 

This tour is operated by our trusted partner Intrepid Travel on behalf of 51动漫 Discovery Tours. Their dedicated specialist team will be your main point of contact from booking until you return home, handling your reservation, payments, travel documents, pre-departure information and any questions about your tour or travel arrangements.

Highlights

• Witness a total solar eclipse from a central location with over five minutes of totality
• Accompanied throughout by eclipse expert and astronomer Jamie Carter
• Explore waterfalls, gorges and ancient landscapes across northern Australia’s national parks
• Discover Indigenous culture through rock art, storytelling and immersive sunset experiences
• Explore the vibrant city of Darwin and historic town of Kununurra
• Travel the outback with expert-led insights into astronomy, science and the natural world
• Stargaze under pristine dark skies with guided sessions revealing the southern hemisphere heavens

Meet the experts

Jamie Carter

Jamie is an award-winning journalist writing about the night sky and eclipses. He is the recipient of the 2023 Popular Media Award from the American Astronomical Society’s Solar Physics Division, and is the world’s foremost solar eclipse journalist, an experienced science, travel and photography journalist, and a stargazer writing about exploring the night sky, moon-gazing, astro-tourism, astronomy and space exploration.

Jamie is the editor of WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com and SmartTelescopeReviews.com, and author of When Is The Next Eclipse? A traveler鈥檚 guide to total solar eclipses 2026-2034 and A Stargazing Program for Beginners: A pocket field guide. He also writes for publications and websites including Space.com, Live Science, Sky & Telescope magazine, BBC Sky At Night magazine, The Planetary Society, 51动漫, Travel+Leisure, T3, the South China Morning Post and Digital Camera World.

Gill Carter

Gill is an experienced eclipse chaser who has witnessed six total solar eclipses in Chile, the U.S., Australia, and Antarctica, and curates WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com. With an academic background in Zoology and a longstanding interest in animal behaviour, Gill brings a distinctive perspective to eclipse expeditions, sharing insights into how wildlife responds to the sudden darkness and environmental changes during totality. Her expertise adds an engaging natural-history dimension to the eclipse experience. 

A passionate photographer, Gill enjoys exploring the technical side of capturing totality, from camera settings to composition. However, she is equally committed to reminding first-time eclipse chasers that no photograph can replace the experience of witnessing totality with their own eyes. For her, eclipse chasing is the perfect blend of science, travel and discovery 鈥� an opportunity to explore remarkable destinations while sharing one of nature鈥檚 most extraordinary spectacles.

What’s included

• Accompanied by an astronomy expert throughout  
• Eclipse experience at private viewing site 
• All accommodation on a bed-and-breakfast basis 
• Seven dinners and three lunches.
• Arrival/departure group airport transfers for those on the suggested group flights 
• English-speaking tour leader throughout 
• Eclipse-viewing glasses 
• All transport by air-conditioned coach 
• 24-hour support

What’s not included

• Travel insurance 
• International flights 
• Visa/ETA (if applicable) 
• Single supplement 拢2,288
• Optional add-on tours聽

Accommodations

Hilton Darwin Hotel

Centrally located in the heart of Darwin city, the five-star hotel offers spectacular views over the harbour and city from its spacious guest rooms.

The award-winning restaurant, PepperBerry showcases modern Australian cuisine combined with bush spices, open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hotel also features an outdoor pool, fitness centre and the Palm Court Bar & Lounge offering an extensive selection of wines, champagnes and cocktails in a relaxed stylish setting.

Discovery Parks Hotel, Katherine

At Discovery Parks, Katherine, guests find spacious, well-equipped deluxe bedroom and studio cabins, an inviting pool, and lush tropical gardens frequented by birdlife. The on-site restaurant and bar offer easy, sociable dining, while its central location provides seamless access to Nitmiluk Gorge, hot springs, and the town鈥攂alancing practicality with a quietly immersive outback experience.

Lily Lagoon Resort, Kununurra

Overlooking tranquil Lily Lagoon, this relaxed retreat in Kununurra pairs cooling breezes with Kimberley views. Comfortable rooms, a poolside setting and an easy-going restaurant create a welcoming base. Evenings glow with sunset reflections on water, while days lead out to Ord River landscapes rich in wildlife, geology and luminous skies.

We have limited twin rooms here. Most are doubles.

Please note: If required for reasons beyond our control, we reserve the right to substitute alternative accommodation of equal or higher quality or adapt the itinerary if required.

Total solar eclipse viewing

A total solar eclipse is one of nature’s most extraordinary spectacles, but it is also a natural phenomenon that can never be guaranteed. While every effort has been made to position the group in the best possible location based on historical weather patterns and eclipse predictions, cloud cover and local weather conditions are beyond anyone’s control. Even if the Sun is partially obscured, the dramatic changes in light, temperature and the surrounding environment can still make for a remarkable experience. Our itinerary has been carefully designed to maximise the chances of witnessing totality, while also ensuring a rewarding and enriching journey regardless of the weather on eclipse day.