OVERVIEW

From Vegas’s extravagance to remote national parks, it’s the perfect mix of culture, nature, and majestic solitude. Driving through American Southwest vistas sparks the same sense of awe as Australia’s Outback—but with towering red-rock cliffs, surreal canyons, and starry skies that feel worlds apart. Plus, the itinerary is well-paced: manageable drives, bucket-list sites, easy hiking, and wow-factor photo stops. It’s a seamless blend of adventure, comfort, and spectacular scenery—ideal for Aussie travellers craving a bold jump into wild, iconic America.

This iconic 7–10 day self-drive journey begins in Las Vegas, Nevada’s glittering desert oasis. Roar down the famous Strip, try your luck at 24‑hour casinos, enjoy superstar shows, and shop at luxury malls or outlet bargains. A scenic detour to Valley of Fire State Park (Nevada’s oldest) offers a stark contrast—150‑million‑year‑old sandstone formations, ancient petroglyphs, and nocturnal wildlife like bobcats and coyotes.

Next, drive about 4 hrs (403 km) to Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. Wind through the Virgin River Gorge and Cedar Breaks. At Bryce, embark on the 61 km scenic drive, then hike into the epic Bryce Amphitheater, surrounded by thousands of vividly coloured hoodoos. Highlights include Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration, and Bryce Points. At night, gaze at the planet’s most spectacular dark sky.

Continue roughly 4 hrs to Moab, via Capitol Reef National Park—admire white sandstone domes and Cathedral Valley monoliths. In Moab, explore Arches National Park, home to over 2,000 natural arches, and enjoy river rafting on the Colorado or Green rivers.

The next leg brings you to Page, Arizona (just under a 4.5‑hr drive), your gateway to Lake Powell. Visit Antelope Canyon, Navajo Canyon, Rainbow Bridge, and the iconic Horseshoe Bend—and consider a helicopter or balloon flight for epic overhead views.

Then it’s 2.5 hrs north to Zion National Park, Utah. Hike along the Virgin River, explore waterfalls and hanging gardens, or trek through The Narrows—a photogenic slot canyon with towering cliffs. Don’t miss a scenic drive along Kolob Canyons Road.

Return 3 hrs to Las Vegas via Lake Mead National Recreation Area and the iconic Hoover Dam, where easy hiking, hot springs, and photo ops await.

Highlights

  • Las Vegas nightlife, shows & themed resorts

  • Valley of Fire’s petrified landscapes

  • Massive hoodoo amphitheaters at Bryce

  • Over 2,000 arches in Arches NP

  • Lake Powell + Antelope/Navajo Canyons and Horseshoe Bend

  • Zion’s dramatic slot canyons & waterfalls

  • Hoover Dam and Lake Mead exploration

  • And much more…

     6 days

     From $3,985* per person, twin share

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Inclusions

  • 7-Day Car Rental
  • 8 Nights Accommodation

Itinerary

Begin your adventure under the neon lights of Las Vegas, an oasis in the desert of southern Nevada. You’ll lose track of time along the Strip, where resorts with elaborate themes offer an array of options, including 24-hour casinos, innovative dining options from big-name chefs, and variety shows and concerts starring legendary headliners.

Whether you choose to stay in a luxury resort or in more modest accommodation, excitement is in store. If you like high-end shopping, prepare to stroll through The Forum Shops at Caesars or The Shops at Crystals and Via Bellagio. For budget-friendly shopping, head to the north end of the Strip to the Fashion Show Mall or to the Las Vegas Premium Outlets.

For a unique experience, visit the Downtown Container Park, an open-air center with boutiques, restaurants, bars and live music. Less than an hour from the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, Valley of Fire State Park features spectacular attractions of a very different sort.

At the oldest state park in Nevada, you’ll see magnificent sandstone formations that are 150 million years old, ancient petroglyphs and abundant wildlife. Many of the park’s animals, including bobcats, jackrabbits and coyotes, are nocturnal, giving a different meaning to ‘nightlife’.

Accommodation: Las Vegas, Nevada

Talk to us about including one or more days in the ‘Windy City’ along with a Chicago GoCity Pass to enhance your experience.

 

Las Vegas, Nevada to Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah (4 hours 12 minutes / 403 km)

Today, travel to Bryce Canyon National Park through Virgin River Gorge and the natural amphitheater of Cedar Breaks National Monument. Once in Bryce Canyon, take the park’s 38-mile (61 km) scenic drive to acclimate yourself and select where to return to sightsee or hike.

Do not miss a hike to the expansive Bryce Amphitheater. This impressive natural landscape sits below the Rim Trail hiking path and is filled with hoodoos, which are brightly coloured, tall, thin rock spires.

Plan to spend several days at the park so you can experience both sunrise and sunset, photographing the views from overlooks such as Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point and Bryce Point. Stay after dark to see the vast, star-filled night sky.

Accommodation: Panguitch/Bryce Area, Utah

4 hours 20 minutes / 403kms

Travel through Capitol Reef National Park, famous for its white sandstone domes and the towering monoliths of ‘Cathedral Valley’.

Arches National Park is the site of more than 2,000 natural arches, many accessible through a variety of hiking trails that accommodate all levels. Moab is at the confluence of the Colorado and Green rivers and is an epicenter of river rafting, so you may wish to stay longer and explore.

Accommodation: Moab, Utah

4 hours 26 minutes / 439 kms

Today, explore Canyonlands National Park, carved by the Colorado River and featuring a dramatic desert landscape of mesas and canyons, before visiting Natural Bridges National Monument with three natural bridges viewable from Bridge View Drive or from hiking trails to the bridges themselves. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is known for its towering sandstone buttes and has been the location for many Hollywood movies.

The nearby town of Page, Arizona, straddling the border of Utah and Arizona, is the gateway to Lake Powell, popular for houseboating, fishing, kayaking and rafting. Plan to visit Antelope and Navajo canyons, Rainbow Bridge National Monument and Horseshoe Bend, one of the most photographed curves in the Colorado River.

For a truly memorable experience, take a helicopter or hot-air balloon ride to see it all from above. Extend your stay here to enjoy the many activities available.

Accommodation: Page, Arizona

2 hours and 23 minutes / 191km

Zion National Park is famous for its steep red cliffs, canyons and towering rock formations as well as cascading waterfalls and rivers. A hike along the Virgin River to explore its waterfalls and hanging gardens is a must-do as well as a hike through water in the narrowest section of Zion Canyon, with walls 1,000 feet tall (300 meters) and the river just 20 to 30 feet (six to nine meters) wide. This area is a favourite for photographers of all levels due to its amazing light and structure.

If you are lucky, you may get to view some of the park’s wildlife, including California condors, mountain lions and bighorn sheep. A five–mile (eight km) scenic
drive along the Kolob Canyons Road allows visitors to experience the crimson canyons and view the dramatic overlooks.

Accommodation: Springdale/Zion Area, Utah

 

 

LAKE MEAD NRA/HOOVER
DAM, ARIZONA/NEVADA

3 hours and 9 minutes / 313km

Returning to Las Vegas, explore Lake Mead National Recreation Area and the spectacular Hoover Dam with great hiking trails to the dam’s base or natural
hot springs and activities for all interests and ages.

Accommodation: Las Vegas, Nevada

*Pricing and inclusions correct at the time of publishing.

The itinerary listed above is a sample itinerary. Please contact your local travel professional to discuss tailoring the itinerary to your specific needs.