HIGHLIGHTS
- Alice visit during the annual Alice Springs 'Parrtjima Light Festival'
- Enjoy the grandeur of the West MacDonnell ranges
- Visit Standley Chasm
- Visit Ellery Creek Big Hole, and Simpsons Gap
- Visit Ormiston Gorge
- Experience Palm Valley by 4WD
- Visit Hermannsburg, renowned for its indigenous art collection
- Enjoy a Kings Canyon walk
- Witness the sunset view of Uluru, while enjoying a glass of wine
- Visit Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)
- Sunrise tour, Field of Light
PRE TOUR – SUNRISE OUTBACK 60 MINUTE HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT
Requires arrival at least day prior to tour commencement
Floating gently in the air, appreciate the vast remoteness of the Australian outback. Keep an eye out for kangaroos as the balloon crosses above spinifex grasses, mulga scrub & cattle stations. Enjoy light refreshments & bubbles once landed.
DAY 1
Alice Springs. Parrtjima Light Festival
Welcome to The Red Centre! Today, arrive to Alice Springs Airport and make your way from the airport to our group hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.
This week is the annual Parrtijima Light Festival. An early dinner together then we head out to the site, not from town to wander around the installations.
Meals: Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Meet & Greet with your driver-guide
- Group dinner
- Evening return transfer to Parrtjima Light Festival
SPECIAL NOTES
- Evenings are a lot cooler than the day; bring a warm jacket with you.
- Parrtjima Light Festival is a week of festivities; other evenings may have scheduled events and entertainment and you can come back other nights by your own arrangements.
DAY 2
Alice Springs. West MacDonnell Ranges
Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before heading out for the beautiful West MacDonnell Ranges. Our discoveries today include the major sights surrounding Alice Springs including Ormiston Gorge, Ellery Creek, Standly Chasm and Simpsons Gap.
- A part of the West MacDonnell ranges is Ormiston Gorge offering spectacular geology and landforms. The rugged scenery of the gorge is complemented by a near-permanent waterhole, which attracts an interesting variety of native fauna and flora.
- At Standley Chasm (Angkerle) take a walk along the stony watercourse, where spring-fed pools attract a great variety of wildlife and birds.
- Ellery Creek Big Hole is a spectacular waterhole in the mighty Ellery Creek, which cuts through a gorge in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Thousands of years of massive floods have carved out this beautiful waterhole and unlocked some amazing geology. At this location you can see the natural ochres in the cliff face that have provided a source of materials for Indigenous people for thousands of years.
- The finale to the day is Simpsons Gap. Surrounded by towering cliffs, incredible Simpsons Gap is one of the best known destinations in the ranges and features a number of walking tracks. Walk through Simpsons Gap to the waterhole, keeping an eye out for the elusive black-footed rock wallabies hiding among the rocks.
Enjoy the late afternoon sun reflecting on the MacDonnell Ranges as you return to Alice Springs. The evening is at your leisure to either dine in your hotel or find a local spot for dinner.
Meals: Bushman's Lunch
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
West MacDonnell Ranges discoveries including;
- Stop at Fynn’s Grave Memorial
- Simpsons Gap
- Standley Chasm
- Ormiston Gorge with time for lunch
- Ellery Creek Big Hole
FREE TIME EXTRAS:
Take the option to return to Parrtjima Light Festival. Events and entertainment scheduled on various nights.
DAY 3
Alice Springs. Palm Valley 4wd Day Out
An adventure today as we travel in our custom-designed 4WD vehicle, reaching off-road destinations that are otherwise difficult to access. Through the Central Australian landscape we take you down the very edge of Finke River and into the amazing Palm Valley.
Aptly named, as it is the only area in Central Australia where red cabbage palms survive, Palm Valley is an incredible outback oasis. Despite the harsh conditions, the gorge is supported by small pockets of spring-fed pools that ensure the survival of a diverse range of plant species. From the 4WD on foot, you’ll be amazed by the enormous rock formations, pinnacles, gorges and endless palm trees in the area.
Sit back and relax as you enjoy a picnic lunch in the Finke Gorge National Park. Covering a staggering area of 46,000 hectares, it’s noted for its ancient palms. The park holds great cultural significance for the Arrarnta people and there is also evidence of early European settlement.
Visit Hermannsburg, known to the Arrarnta people as ‘Ntaria’. Established as an Aboriginal mission in 1877, the land was returned to the Traditional Owners in 1982. It is the birthplace of celebrated Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira in 1902 and is renowned for its indigenous art collection. Here you can wander through the amazing artworks at the gallery and explore the historic buildings, many of which are now protected by the National Trust.
Afterwards, sit back and enjoy the view as we take you back to Alice Springs. The evening is at your leisure.
Meals: Bushman's Lunch
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Palm Valley 4WD Day Out including;
- The Historic Precinct of Hermannsburg
- Stop at the Amphitheatre as we enter Palm Valley
- Experience the 4WD drive into Palm Valley and Cycad Gorge
FREE TIME EXTRAS:
Take the option to return to Parrtjima Light Festival
DAY 4
Alice Springs. Town Tour & Kangaroo Sanctuary
MORNING TOWN TOUR
On this half day tour, learn about the town of Alice Springs and how it has evolved into the central hub of the Australian outback. Australia’s most famous outback town is now the central headquarters to a range of services and a thriving tourism industry.
KANGAROO SANCTUARY GUIDED SUNSET TOUR
The Kangaroo Sanctuary is a place to celebrate the beauty of the Red Kangaroo – an Australian icon. Experience a leisurely walk through the Sanctuary’s 188 acre wildlife reserve where you might meet the kangaroo characters from Kangaroo Dundee (BBC/Nat Geo Series) and many others. The Sanctuary is located just outside Alice Springs (the centre of Australia) and is home to Brolga and Tahnee’s kangaroo family. As kangaroos sleep during the day the guided tours are in the late afternoon…just when the kangaroos are starting to wake from their day-time sleep.
Meals: none
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Alice Springs Town Tour including;
- Royal Flying Doctors
- School of the Air
- Springs Old Telegraph Station
Kangaroo Sanctuary Guided Sunset Tour
FREE TIME EXTRAS:
From lunch until late afternoon departure for the Kangaroo Sanctuary there are some hours at leisure. A good chance to wander around the town centre and visit a local café.
SPECIAL NOTES:
Kangaroo Sanctuary visit includes the tour & return transfers from the group hotel by the sanctuary. Our group driver-guide does not join the group.
DAY 5
Alice Springs to Kings Canyon
We set off early for our drive to Kings Canyon for early access to the Canyon. By mid morning we arrive and get set out for the highlight canyon rim walk. Or, if you want to seek out a more leisurely walk, opt for the creek bed walk.
KARRKE ABORIGINAL CULTURAL TOUR
After lunch enjoy this one-of-a-kind authentic aboriginal cultural experience. This 1‑hour tour is a short walk and talk including insights on bush tucker and bush medicines used for spiritual and healing and a lot more, as used by the Luritja and Pertame (Southern Aranda) people.
Learn about;
- Seasonal bush tucker food, including the Witchetty Grub!
- Mai (meaning food in the Luritja language) edible tree seeds and grass seeds and the important grinding stones.
- Explanation of an Aboriginal dot painting in great detail.
- Local wood made Aboriginal artefacts
- An impressive large scale display of various other seeds of trees gathered from our region
- Bush medicine plants and their uses by our Aboriginal people.
Notes:
Not recommend to eat the bushfoods.
Photographs are very welcome. We respectfully ask that there be NO filming and or voice recording on the tour.
Meals: none
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Alice Springs Town Tour including;
- Royal Flying Doctors
- School of the Air
- Springs Old Telegraph Station
Kangaroo Sanctuary Experience - pick up at 4.15pm
FREE TIME EXTRAS:
From lunch until late afternoon departure for the Kangaroo Sanctuary there are some hours at leisure. A good chance to wander around the town centre and visit a local café.
SPECIAL NOTES:
Kangaroo Sanctuary visit includes the tour & return transfers from the group hotel by the sanctuary. Our group driver-guide does not join the group.
DAY 6
Kings Canyon to Uluru
This afternoon, watch the sunset at Uluru while enjoying complimentary wine and canapes. After sunset, an outback barbeque dinner under the stars.
This afternoon the iconic visits to Kata Tjuta National park and setting your eyes on Uluru including a sunset view with a BBQ dinner and sparkling wine.
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Travel Kings Canyon to Uluru
- Afternoon visits of Uluru & Kata Tjuta National Park
- Sunset view of Uluru with an Aussie BBQ with sparkling wine
FREE TIME EXTRAS:
Tonight at leisure, take a walk around Ayers Rock Resort with dining options in the village or at one of the hotel restaurants.
SPECIAL NOTES:
Fly Nets highly recommended (pack them before you leave home)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7
Depart Ayers Rock Resort
Up before sunrise to visit The Field of Lights.
Today you will depart Ayers Rock. Depending on your flight time, you may want to do a free activity offered at the Ayers Rock Resort. Contact Ayers Rock Resort to ask about the list of activities or click here to visit their website. Your hotel provides a free shuttle service to the airport. There is the option to extend your stay at the time of booking your place on the tour.
Meals: Breakfast
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Field of Lights excursions
Itineraries may be subject to change, due to circumstances outside of our control. IF there is any itinerary change prior to departure of significance we aim to inform you prior to travel. Itinerary changes while on tour will be informed by your tour leader/guide while on tour.
