Overview
Discerning travellers will tell you
There is far more to a Central Australia holiday experience than simply booking a crowded Ayers Rock coach tour packaged in an overnight "fly in - fly out" rush to see "the Rock", in a magical sunrise or sunset.
Take your time to explore an evocative and sublimely beautiful landscape with a geological history dating back a billion years.
Immerse yourself in Australia's Red Centre or Red Heart
- in ancient contorted landscapes and desert habitats
- vivid colour, vast space, uncanny silence and clear star filled night skies.
300 to 400 million years ago
- Violent earthly upheavals tipped layers of settled rock and sand on their sides creating magnificent ranges rivalling the Himalayas and Canadian Rockies
- The world’s greatest monolith, Uluru (Ayers Rock) accompanied by Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) were created.
These most ancient of lands, are of world heritage significance.
- They are the symbolic and cultural connection to an ancient people, the very foundation of Aboriginal Anangu life,
- An oral culture encompassing moral beliefs, creation of the land and the people's connection to the land and its features.
Your 11 day Central Australia holiday explores the Rugged Red Heart of creation,
- magnificent landscapes of pounds, glowing red chasms, gorges and gaps, ancient river beds,
- strikingly natural features profoundly highlighted by the clarity of atmosphere and strength of the sun.
Calling this home is a biologically diverse abundance of animal and plant species.
Your tour will certainly include but also explore beyond the icons contained in mainstream Red Centre Tours marketed extensively to the world.
The perfect journey for:
- Both leisure and active holiday seekers
- People who enjoy walking in the wild.
- Small private groups of extended family and friends
- Groups and individuals with a special interest in nature, wildlife and landscape photography
- Over 50’s seeking an active holiday with a spirit of adventure, quality accommodation and services.
- Guests seeking an authentic insight into Australia’s indigenous culture and communities.
If you are interested in this tour you can:
- book direct and secure your place with a deposit
- email us with any further questions you may have
- telephone us on (+61) 0407 126603
Part Tour Departures:
Flexible tour design and departure dates by application for exclusive bookings only. April to August period. (Price variations may apply)
Itinerary
Pre departure administration, meet ‘n greet function and tour briefing the afternoon before the tour in Alice Springs or Ayers Rock Resort, Yulara as guest arrivals determine.
Day 1 (Departing Alice Springs)
Commence your tour with visits to the smaller gaps/gorges and features of the East MacDonnell Ranges, including a short circuit walk in beautiful Trephina Gorge with its rich rust red walls, clean sandy river bed and magnificent River Red Gums. Then return to Alice Springs to visit a selection of local features including the historic Overland Telegraph Station, museum or Aboriginal art gallery, before a late afternoon drive to Rainbow Valley to absorb this magnificent icon in its full sunset glory.
Accommodation : Alice Springs Resort 1 night
Day 2
You spend a few hours at the world class Desert Park for a comprehensive introduction to the evolution of Central Australia, the landform, plants and wildlife and the indigenous people’s occupation. Perhaps some inspirational time with an Aboriginal Ranger as he takes you back into an ancient peoples way of life, surviving in the desert. You then enjoy short leisurely walks to the iconic Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap before heading to the Glen Helen Gorge and resort.
Accommodation: Glen Helen Resort 3 nights
Day 3
An outstanding walk awaits you into the Ormiston Pound and down the Gorge surrounded by countless millions of years of geological wonders, brilliant colours, delightful beaches and waterholes. Later a visit to Serpentine Gorge and the Aboriginal Ochre Pits from which centuries of overland trade by the Aborigines originated.
Day 4
Enjoy a comfortable day walk over a select section of the celebrated 223kms Larapinta Trail snaking its way through the ancient and contorted landscape of the West MacDonnell National Park. You might like to complete the day relaxing in the soothing beauty of Ellery Creek Big Hole.
Day 5
Today you’ll depart early along 4WD back roads to Gosse Bluff reflecting on the event which rocked the world, causing global climate change, 140 million years ago. The journey takes you through Tyler Pass with its rolling hills of spinifex and a diversion to Hermannsburg, the historic site of a remote indigenous mission and community before travelling through Aboriginal lands to the Kings Canyon Resort. Time and road conditions permitting, a drive down the most ancient of river beds to the botanical paradise of Palm Valley might be possible.
Accommodation: Kings Canyon Resort 2 nights
Day 6
Today you can complete a walk around the rim of the spectacular Kings Canyon with its unusual geological formations and precipitous cliffs inflamed by the morning sun. Further walking deep inside the Canyon and to other remote features of the range country is possible.
Day 7
A relaxed travel day takes you from Kings Canyon resort to two remote stations, one boasting a million acres and a legendary bushman guide who will acquaint us of the realities of running a cattle property in this arid desert environment. Then it is on to Ayers Rock Resort at Yulara.
Accommodation: Ayers Rock Resort 4 nights
Day 8
An easy extended base walk around Uluru together with Cultural Centre interpretations and later a visit to nearby displays of desert creatures and a stroll in native gardens of the resort make for a relaxed and informative day. At night, you can go star gazing into the southern galaxies with astronomer experts
Day 9
Today is dedicated to a sunrise and sunset viewing of Uluru together with walks in nearby Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) followed by a revisit to the Cultural Centre and perhaps an opportunity to join indigenous artists at their work.
Day 10
You’ll travel south with a partnering operator on desert back tracks to the South Australian border for exclusive entry into the Anangu Pitjantjatjara homelands. Meet your indigenous hosts, the traditional custodians of the land and listen to their dreamtime stories passed down by descendants of the ancient peoples. You’ll visit Cave Hill, a magnificent rock art site filled with the finest of ancient cave paintings. Late in the day you return to the Ayers Rock Resort and prepare for dinner.
Day 11
This morning you celebrate the holiday over a hearty breakfast before heading to the airport and departing on mid-day flights
Reverse itinerary applies – Ayers Rock to Alice Springs program
Note access to Aboriginal lands and cultural features are subject to indigenous community acceptance at all times. The itinerary may be subject to change given events beyond our control, which may occur with limited notice at any time.