Welcome to Australia’s Red Centre! Your adventure begins in Alice Springs (Mparntwe in the language of the traditional owners of the land on which Alice Springs is now located). On arrival at Alice Springs Airport, you'll be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel. A welcome meeting will take place at 1pm today where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. Begin with an Acknowledgment of Country, then your leader will introduce you to the sights of Alice Springs. Start with a visit to the Araluen Arts Centre, then head out to the historical Telegraph Station, the site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs. Drive up to Anzac Hill and take in panoramic views of Alice Springs and the surrounding landscape. Pay a visit to the grave of First Nations artist Albert Namatjira, finishing with a deeper understanding of the town and its history. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with your group.
After breakfast, hit the road once more and enjoy splendid views of the Western MacDonnell Ranges before stopping at the colorful ochre pits, learning about their place in Aboriginal culture. Continue to Ormiston Gorge. With a beautiful waterhole as its centrepiece, the gorge is the perfect place to stop for a relaxing lunch. Your picnic lunch is provided by a 100% Indigenous owned supplier. Try smoked river mint kangaroo and saltbush damper, then take a short walk to a lookout point to appreciate the landscape from a different perspective. Next, drive on to Ellery Creek Big Hole, where rugged cliffs plunge into a water-filled gorge below. There will be time for a swim here if you’d like to cool off (or just dip your ts if the water is too cold), then pay a visit to the Standley Chasm, a dramatic geological formation that is culturally significant to the Western Arrernte people. Return to Alice Springs for an optional dinner at the Northern Territory institution, Hanuman.
Rise bright and early to begin the journey south towards Kings Canyon, one of the Northern Territory’s most spectacular sights. On arrival, get to know the incredible landscape on foot by visiting Karrke on the edge of Watarrka National Park. Here you’ll gain a unique insight into First Nations culture as you join a guide to learn about the landscapes, bush tucker, bush medicines and how they are used for healing and their spiritual significance to the Luritja and Pertame people. Return to your accommodation in the afternoon to get ready for dinner this evening – you’re in for a real treat! Dine under the stars for a true outback experience, and tuck into a fabulous five course meal made with seasonal and locally sourced products paired with complimentary wines.
Before saying goodbye to Kings Canyon, go on the iconic Kings Canyon rim walk, taking approximately 3-4 hours. First, climb the stairs to the top of the canyon (there’s plenty of places to stop for photos or to catch your breath!) then things get a bit easier. Walk through Priscilla’s Crack, made famous after featuring in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, a classic Australian film. Continue to the sandstone domes of the Lost City, resembling the remains of ancient civilisation. From here you can continue to explore the top of the canyon, or descend into the Garden of Eden, where a waterhole gives life to abundant flora and fauna. In fact, Kings Canyon is home to over 600 unique species of native plants and animals – your leader will point out some interesting examples as you walk. If you’re feeling like an easier walk you can also take the Kings Creek Walk by yourself – it’s shorter but won’t miss the spectacular views of the canyon. You may also choose to spend your morning relaxing at the hotel instead. Then, carry on to Mt Conner and stop at a viewpoint where you can admire the flat-top mountain’s unusual shape. Stop off at an ancient salt lake then carry on to Yulara, your gateway to the enormous sandstone monolith of Uluru. Tonight’s Feature Stay accommodation is really something special. Modern, bright and airy, the hotel combines first-class service with a relaxed atmosphere, providing a perfect base for your explorations. This evening, make the most of your first night near Uluru. Sample canapes while watching the sun set over the majestic Field of Lights. Seeing the colours of the landscape change as day turns into night is really something else. The Field of Lights is an art installation of more than 50,000 artificial lights which illuminate the landscape as far as the eye can see.
This morning, drive to Kata Tjuta, an impressive series of massive red domes. Here you’ll embark on a fascinating 1-hour walk into the Walpa Gorge, alive with pink flowers and native wildlife. Your leader will be on hand to point out rare plants, and if you’re lucky, you may see wallaroos hopping around the rocks! Head back to your accommodation to relax and pick up some lunch in town. After a little rest, get out to experience the big rock for yourself – seeing this iconic formation for the first time is a memory that will stay with you. Explore the base of Uluru on the Mala walk, where you will enter ancient caves and rock art as your leader teaches you about the history of the Mala people. After a full day of exploring, get ready for a dinner experience like no other, the Sounds of Silence. Sit down to a fantastic meal created with native bush ingredients. Set beneath a sky full of stars and to the sounds of the didgeridoo, this is the perfect finale to your Premium Red Centre adventure.
Before your tour concludes, join an Anangu guide for a walk to the beautiful Mutitjulu Waterhole at the base of the rock. Your guide will explain what makes this waterhole sacred while sharing stories of the incredible landscape and its connection to the Anangu people. Return to your accommodation in Yulara, at which point your Red Centre adventure comes to an end, or alternatively travel back to Alice Springs.
