4 Day 4WD Red Centre Explorer

Itinerary: day by day

Day 1 – Alice Springs to Kata Tjuta and Uluru

DEFAULT PICK UP (begin Alice Springs): Haven Backpacker Resort, 06:10am

DEFAULT PICK UP (begin Ayers Rock): Desert Gardens Hotel, 1:45pm

Welcome to the Outback! Our first stop is the Outback Camel Farm where you can see the world from the top of a camel if you choose to take a ride (own expense). Next we travel to the Ayers Rock Resort for your first glimpse of Uluru, located in the heart of the Red Centre. After lunch, we explore fascinating Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) on a guided walk through the Valley of the Winds. We make it back in time for an enthralling desert sunset at Uluru. After dinner, curl up in your permanent tent or try sleeping in a swag (Aussie bedroll) and watch the stars come out to play in the darkening sky. (LD)

Day 2 – Uluru to Kings Canyon

Sunrise over Uluru is magical and it’s an early start to catch it. While the morning’s fresh (and your legs are too) enjoy an unguided walk around the base of Uluru. You will then deepen your understanding of the land and the Mala people as you take a cultural interpretive walk with an Aboriginal guide (and interpreter)*. It is a unique opportunity to share experiences, connect with and learn about the oldest culture on earth. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to purchase Aboriginal arts and crafts at the Cultural Centre before we travel to our exclusive campsite within the Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) where we sleep for the night. (BLD)

Day 3 – Kings Canyon to Glen Helen

There’s a lot to explore at Kings Canyon and we check out the Amphitheatre, Lost City, the lush and ancient Garden of Eden and the sheer outcrops of the North and South walls. After lunch, we travel along the well known Mereenie Loop Track (also called the Red Centre Way). We pass the 140 million year old meteorite crater, Gosse Bluff as we travel towards Glen Helen where we camp tonight nestled at the western end of the MacDonnell Ranges. (BLD)

Day 4 – Glen Helen to Alice Springs

During a morning hike you will discover the spectacular geological features of Ormiston Gorge and spot for wallabies and other wildlife. Then we travel along the 4WD tracks of the Finke River to access the remarkable scenery of Palm Valley and Cycad Gorge, exploring what was once a prehistoric inland sea. Keep your eyes out for the Livistonia Mariae, a tropical palm and one of the rarest trees in the world. The spectacular Western MacDonnell Ranges will continue to impress you all the way back to Alice Springs. (BL)

NOTES: Tour may commence in either Alice Springs or Ayers Rock, however, must finish in Alice Springs. Flight must arrive at Ayers Rock Airport before 1:20pm to connect with the Yulara Airport Shuttle (free) to Desert Gardens Hotel. Passengers arriving on flights after this time may forfeit day 1 afternoon activities.