Central Australia: 9 days from Melbourne only (Coach/Flight)

central-australia
Experience the life-changing impact of the outback as you camp in the wilderness and learn about ancient Aboriginal culture. Absorb the beauty and wisdom of sites such as Uluru and Kakadu National Park, witness an opal cutting and polishing demonstration at Coober Pedy and lose yourself among sandstone cliffs and natural rock pools at Kings Canyon.
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Day 1 Hello Adelaide
Travel to Adelaide
Arrive in Adelaide
Dinner
Day 2 Adelaide--Coober Pedy
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Details: Travel to Coober Pedy
Travel to Coober Pedy via Port Augusta and through the desert country.
Details: Umoona underground cinema visit and watch a documentary
Enjoy a 20 minute award winning documentary in the underground cinema.
Details: Umoona opal cutting and polishing demonstration
Learn about the quality and different types of opals at an opal cutting and polishing demonstration at the Umoona Opal Mine.
Details: Coober Pedy guided sightseeing tour
Explore Coober Pedy, a unique town, famous for its opals and underground population. Visit hand dug and modern dugouts to showcase modern living, an original opal mine, and one of the local underground churches!
Day 3 Coober Pedy--Alice Springs
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Details: Travel to Alice Springs
Begin your journey to Alice Springs. Alice Springs or 'Alice' as locals call it, is known as the heart of the Outback, nestled between the beautiful mountain ranges of the East and West MacDonnell Ranges. The town has a strong Aboriginal culture which is embedded into the community's way of life. The Aboriginal Arrernte (pronounced arrunda) people are the traditional custodians of Alice Springs and the surrounding region and Mparntwe (pronounced m’barn-twa) is the Arrernte name of Alice Springs.
Day 4 Alice Springs
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Details: Royal Flying Doctors guided visit
See, experience and learn through the wonder of technology as the heroic stories of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) are brought to life. Through the use of holograms and touchscreen portals, interact with John Flynn, founder of the RFDS, who tells of the heroic tales of its birth and growth.
Details: School of the Air guided visit
Appreciate the unique, and first of its kind, educational facility that is Alice Springs School of the Air. Discover its history and its success in providing schooling and daily lessons to children in remote locations since 1951.
Details: Evening reptile experience
Tonight the reptiles come to you! Enjoy a fun and informative talk on the local reptiles followed by supervised handling of selected species.
Day 5 Alice Springs
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Details: Standley Chasm visit
Explore this culturally significant place at your own pace, taking in the breathtaking views of the 3 metre wide and 80 metre high gorge known traditionally as Angkerle Atwatye, meaning 'Gap of Water'.
Details: ANZAC Hill lookout
Take in the panoramic view of Alice Springs and the beautiful surrounding ranges from the peak of Anzac Hill. The Anzac Hill Memorial is dedicated to those who have served in defence of their country during all wars Australia has participated in.
Details: John Flynn's Grave
Located 7 kilometres west of Alice Springs, visit the historic grave site of John Flynn, the founder of the Royal Flying Doctors Service who establishing communication and medical services in the Northern Territory.
Details: Simpsons Gap
Located just 18 kilometres from Alice Springs, Simpsons Gap is the most prominent gaps in the MacDonnell Ranges. There are several short walks that pass native plants and lead you to the towering cliffs of the ranges and the Simpsons Gap area.
Details: Glen Helen Gorge
Located 132 kilometres from Alice Springs, Glen Helen Gorge is the perfect vantage point to view the West MacDonnell Ranges. The area includes views of Mount Sonder, one of the highest points in Central Australia, which changes colours with the light.
Details: Ormiston Gorge
Just a 500 metre walk from the visitor centre, cool down and take a dip in the waterhole surrounded by cliffs of the West MacDonnell Ranges.
Day 6 Alice Springs--Watarrka
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Details: Travel to Watarrka
Begin your journey to Watarrka. Watarrka National Park is a scenic landscape of rugged ranges, rockholes and gorges full of native plants and wildlife that take refuge here. Home to the impressive Kings Canyon, see giant red rock cliffs and spectacular views that stretch across the desert.
Details: Karrke Aboriginal Cultural experience
Delve into an authentic Aboriginal cultural experience and learn about seasonal bush tucker food and the importance of grinding stones, the types of plants that are used as bush medicine by the Luritja and Pertame (Southern Aranda) people and understand the history and meaning of Aboriginal dot paintings.
Day 7 Watarrka--Uluru
Breakfast
Lunch
Travel to Uluru
Dinner
Details: Watarrka National Park visit
Watarrka National Park is home to the mighty Kings Canyon, a truly majestic destination featuring towering sandstone walls rising 300 metres high, palm-filled crevices, and breathtaking views that stretch across the vast desert landscape. Please note: This activity is subject to weather conditions and may be moved to a different day, or cancelled depending on safety considerations.
Details: Rim Walk
This iconic hike to the top of Kings Canyon is an unforgettable experience. Start with the hardest part of the walk by climbing 500 steps before Rim Walk officially starts. This 6km circuit will take you through Priscilla's Crack, to the marvelous sandstone domes known as the Lost City, before transcending down to the Garden of Eden. The hike can take around 3-4 hours so make sure to take plenty of snacks and water!
Details: Garden of Eden
This permanent waterhole brings an abundance of life to the area, with lush greenery and rock formations, take some time to enjoy the shaded oasis.
Details: Lost City
These bee-hive like domes resemble those within an ancient city. Explore the rock formations and take in the magical views before beginning your journey to the Garden of Eden.
Details: View sunset on Sunset Strip
Witness the unforgettable sunset over Uluru from the Sunset Strip. Watch as the sunlight plays with the landscape and the rock formations change colour before your eyes.
Day 8 Uluru
Breakfast
Lunch
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Valley of the Winds walk
Dinner
Details: Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre visit
Explore the many meanings and practices encompassed within the religion, law and moral systems of the Anangu culture, the traditional owners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta. Explore the base of Uluru and absorb its magnificence, including Aboriginal rock paintings and caves. Renowned for its breathtaking sunsets, see the stunning changes of colour on the rock from red to orange to purple.
Details: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park guided visit
Discover the natural and cultural wonders of Uluru and Kata Tjuta, featuring spectacular geological formations that dominate the vast red sandy plain of Central Australia. Uluru and Kata Tjuta form part of the traditional belief system of one of the oldest human societies in the world. The traditional owners of this land are the Anangu people.
Day 9 End Tour
Breakfast
Lunch
Depart Uluru
Fly to Melbourne
Tour Includes:
  • Transportation as per itinerary
  • 7 overnight stays at accommodation
  • Meals as per itinerary
  • Guided sightseeing tours and city walks as per itinerary
  • Visits to select attractions as per itinerary
  • Experienced coach driver and services of a camp cook
  • WorldStrides Tour Journal (available upon request)
  • Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees. Please view our Terms & Conditions for a full list of items that may not be included in the cost of your tour.

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