| country: | Australia | ||||
| location: | Northern Territory, Aboriginal tours, South Australia | ||||
| departures: | Weekly Monday departures and fortnightly Thursday departures throughout the year | ||||
| price: | From AU $1,715 - AU $1,895 (10 days) excluding flights.
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| more info: | Price includes local payment of AU $200 | ||||
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
10 day adventure tour through the Australian outback.
HighlightsLearn about Aboriginal history and culture Experience Australia's unique wildlife Hike and explore our untamed wilderness Swim in desert hot springs Enjoy outback cooking and campfires Sleep in swags under a million stars Great fun!
This 10-day outback adventure tour through the Australian outback is rated by most passengers as one of the best experiences of their lives. We travel and explore some of the most remote areas on earth. We go where the others only dream of going on this 10-day small-group outback camping safari.
Highlights
This 10-day outback adventure tour through the Australian outback is rated by most passengers as one of the best experiences of their lives. We travel and explore some of the most remote areas on earth. We go where the others only dream of going on this 10-day small-group outback camping safari.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Flinders Ranges Southern and Central. From Adelaide we head north to one of oldest mountain ranges on earth, the Flinders Ranges. Take a walk through Alligator Gorge National Park, where you are greeted with spectacular views of the mountains and Spencer Gulf. Then travel through the picturesque Pichi Richi Pass to the historic township of Quorn, which was once the start of the original Ghan Railway. And in the spirit of the Afghans cameleers you will explore this spectacular area on camels before settling in to enjoy a wholesome meal cooked on the campfire. Tonight we are joined by local Aboriginal elders who will talk about their culture and history. Roll out your swags and sleep happy and contented under millions of stars. |
| Day 2: | Wilpena Pound. Awake to the friendly call of our native birds and marvel at the Australian bush. Today we visit the Aboriginal art site at Yourambulla Caves, where our guide will introduce you to the history of the Flinders Ranges. Then venture into Wilpena Pound for a bush walk and magnificent views of this amazing natural amphitheatre, one of the unique wonders of the world. Enjoy lunch in the heart of Wilpena Pound, followed by an awe-inspiring drive along the northern side of Wilpena through the famous Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges known as the “Corridors through Time”. This is a spectacular experience where you will pass through 130 million years geological history. We may even be lucky enough to spot the endangered Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby. |
| Day 3: | Oodnadatta Track. Leave the splendor of the rugged mountain scenery and head further north into the outback. A morning stop at the Bush Bakery at Copley for a fresh coffee and maybe a kangaroo or emu pie. Bush tucker made easy! Now it is time to hit the famous Oodnadatta track and follow the historic cameleer route and the old Ghan Railway, a constant reminder of our pioneering history. Further north to Marree for lunch and visit the Arabunna Aboriginal Centre, where we see aboriginal art and weapons, culture and local history. Next into the desert, crossing the dingo fence, onto Lake Eyre South, and cool off in a thermal waterhole at Coward Springs. Collect firewood. Old Ghan Railway sleepers make excellent cooking coals. Enjoy a nice cool beer at a real outback pub at William Creek, population 8. Set up camp in the red sand dunes on the world's largest cattle station. |
| Day 4: | Coober Pedy. Sunrise in the dunes heralds a new day of wonder. Head into Coober Pedy, the famous opal capital of the world. Take a well-earned hot shower before touring this amazing place. We take you underground, and learn the techniques of mining and production. Stock up on provisions in Coober Pedy, ready for the Painted and Simpson Deserts. This afternoon, head northeast back to the Oodnadatta Track across dry river beds lined with Coolabah trees and onto the Painted Desert. Set up camp after a walk of a million views, and talk over the day and watch the sun go down as the huge desert red kangaroos bounce by. |
| Day 5: | Simpson Desert. Morning at the Pink Roadhouse at Oodnadatta is an interesting coffee spot in the middle of nowhere. Wander through this old railway town and visit an outback school, and a hospital which is serviced by the Flying Doctor Service. Have a yarn with some local aboriginal people. Push north into the Simpson Desert and perhaps deliver mail and provisions to the remote cattle stations of Mt Sarah and Hamilton. 4WD over the red sand dunes of one of the most spectacular deserts in the world. Watch out for wild camels, horses, dingoes and wedge tail eagles. A swim and lunch at Eringa Waters. The waterholes are great spots for wildlife. At the end of the day we are at Dalhousie hot springs (winter only), where we swim by moonlight in this desert oasis, soak in the 30 degree thermal springs. Big fire, big dinner and into the swags. |
| Day 6: | Finke - Uluru. Today we hit the track early and head to Finke, a traditional aboriginal community, restock with water, maybe get to meet some of the central desert aboriginal people who live in this remote settlement. Our journey then takes us past Lamberts Centre which is the geographical centre of Australia. Then it is the big one; Uluru (Ayres Rock). We will arrive in time for sunset over this spiritual monolith. This is the home of the Anungu, the traditional custodians and protectors of this sacred land. |
| Day 7: | Uluru. This morning you are rewarded with a life long memory of watching sunrise over Uluru. We take you on a guided walk around the rock explaining to you the spiritual importance Uluru has to the aboriginal people. After the 9km hike we make our way to the Cultural Centre for lunch. Relax and learn the ways and listen to stories of Anungu through the displays and educational information. |
| Day 8: | Kata Tjuta – The Olgas. This morning we head out to another sacred area for the Anungu and hike through the spectacular canyons and ancient rock formations of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). Learn about some of the bush tucker that grows in this area and photograph some of the most beautiful scenery the desert has to offer. After lunch we travel on towards Watarrka National Park and set up camp in the red sand hills protected by the majestic desert oak trees. |
| Day 9: | Kings Canyon. Regarded as one of the most rewarding walks of the tour, we spend approximately 5 hours exploring Kings Canyon. Trek to places like The Amphitheatre, and the Lost City. If it is hot enjoy a swim in the Garden of Eden water hole. You will be fascinated by the amazing colours and spectacular scenery. Spend the afternoon exploring the huge comet crater at Gosses Bluff, and perhaps search for the elusive Thorny Devil. If time permits we will visit such places as Hermannsburg and Palm Valley. At days end, we settle down for our last night together, camped in the centre of Australia. Roll out your swag in front of the fire and fall asleep under the desert sky. |
| Day 10: | Western MacDonnell Ranges - Alice Springs. A well-earned sleep in today is the reward for our hardy outback explorers. We travel along the Western MacDonnell Ranges stopping at Glen Helen Gorge then Ormiston Gorge. Have a swim at Ellery Creek Big Hole or Simpson Gap before entering Alice Springs at around 5.00pm Tonight it is time to get cleaned up, let your hair down and hit the town. The last ten days together, sharing this unique experience will leave you with an enormous sense of achievement. Our trips are led by experienced driver/guides who have a genuine interest in aboriginal history and culture. |
travellers' tales
Most memorable? The wonderful walks - canyons, gorges, other natural features - that revealed to us the natural riches of the Outback, from birds and other creatures to the land itself. (more)
travelling with a local operator
This holiday is operated by a company based in the holiday destination and they will be able to provide expert local knowledge. They will be able to tailor make your holiday to suit your requirements not only concerning the dates of travel but also typically the standard of accommodation, and thus price. It is rare for local operators to be able to help with the booking of your flights.how this holiday makes a difference
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We support local businesses and communities throughout the duration of our tours. We visit many small outback towns from Adelaide to Alice Springs. We support Iga Warta Aboriginal Community with a commitment that is included in our itinerary for all of our tours.
We pay the community to camp there and join in some uniquely Indigenous Australian activities (eg. Mud pit painting and songs and storytelling around their campfire). During our trips we visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the Oodnadatta School (primarily Aboriginal), the Oodnadatta Hospital and the School of the Air. We make donations to these enterprises and encourage any passengers so inclined to do the same. The nature of outback communities ensures that local staff and produce are utilised at all times. In the remote outback towns that we visit, almost all of the businesses are run by locals and while some produce is transported in we always give preference to local fresh produce. We promote close relationships with our outback suppliers and have long standing partnerships with many. We are a certified Eco Tourism Australia Tour company. This certification involves an in-depth submission regarding economic, environmental and social sustainability. Camp sites are always chosen to ensure little or no impact to the environment occurs. Due to the arid and isolated nature of the areas we visit an understanding of minimal water use is essential. All water is carried in and grey water carried out. We purchase reusable items (utensils and containers) and buy food in bulk with minimal packaging. All waste is carried out and disposed of in an appropriate manner. Our vehicles are serviced and maintained after each trip by a certified mechanic to ensure that they operate at peak efficiency. Part of the outback experience is to see native animals and local flora in their environment. Our guides all have a keen interest and respect for our flora and fauna. Wildlife is viewed but never provoked, chased or cornered. We explain to our passengers that noise must be kept to a minimum, to avoid rapid or sudden movement and to avoid camera flashes and to use safe night lights. Disturbance of flora is kept to an absolute minimum. The primary social/political situation in the areas that we visit relates to indigenous issues. Our guides have broad understanding of all the issues involved and are sensitive to the indigenous perspective. These issues are present and discussed with passengers throughout the tours. As an example, the traditional owners view Uluru/Ayres Rock as a sacred place and prefer it not to be climbed. Whilst climbing the Rock is an accepted Tourism activity with most companies, our guides explain the spiritual significance and the vast majority of our passengers take pride in not doing so. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |












The primary social/political situation in the areas that we visit relates to indigenous issues. Our guides have broad understanding of all the issues involved and are sensitive to the indigenous perspective. These issues are present and discussed with passengers throughout the tours. As an example, the traditional owners view Uluru/Ayres Rock as a sacred place and prefer it not to be climbed. Whilst climbing the Rock is an accepted Tourism activity with most companies, our guides explain the spiritual significance and the vast majority of our passengers take pride in not doing so.