Duration:11 Days/10 Nights
Availability : Every Friday
Departure Location: Melbourne
Destination Location: Alice Springs
Min Age : 17
Max People : 24
Travel from Melbourne, sweeping along the Great Ocean Road and through the Grampians National Park, before stopping in the south coast city of Adelaide. Head up to the heart of Australia, the Red Centre, and experience a magical sunrise over Uluru. .
Route: MELBOURNE – PORT CAMPBELL – GRAMPIANS NATIONAL PARK – ADELAIDE – QUORN (FLINDERS RANGERS) – COOBER PEDY – MARLA – ULURUFROM MARLA – KINGS CANYON – ALICE SPRINGS
Day 01 – MELBOURNE – GRAMPIANS NATIONAL PARK (-/-/D)
Day 02 – GRAMPIANS NATIONAL PARK – PORT CAMPBELL (B/-/D)
Day 03 – PORT CAMPBELL – MELBOURNE (B/L/-)
Day 04 – ADELAIDE (-/-/-)
Day 05 – ADELAIDE – QUORN (FLINDERS RANGERS) (B/-/D)
Day 06 – FLINDERS RANGES & WILPENA POUND (B/L/D)
Day 07 – QUORN – COOBER PEDY (B/L/D)
Day 08 – COOBER PEDY – MARLA (B/L/D)
Day 09 – MARLA – ULURUFROM MARLA (B/L/D)
Day 10 – ULURUFROM MARLA – KINGS CANYON (B/L/D)
Day 11 – KINGS CANYON – ALICE SPRINGS (B/L/-)
We pass Geelong and check out the surfing town of Torquay then to the renowned surfing location of Bells Beach and Lorne before arriving in the coastal township of Apollo Bay.
At Kennett River we spot for koalas and watch and listen to the abundant birdlife. After lunch we hit the cool temperate rainforest of the Otway National Park, where we spend time at the Otway Fly Tree Top Walk (included).
Rejoining the Great Ocean Road we will visit the amazing Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Late afternoon we arrive into the township of Port Campbell, a colourful seaside village sheltered by cliffs and pines. (D)
Before leaving the coast and trailing towards the end of the Great Ocean Road, we explore some of the other geological phenomena along this remarkable stretch of coastline.
Discover The Arch, London Bridge and the Bay of Martyrs, just to name a few. Our destination this afternoon is the Grampians National Park, one of Victoria’s most popular holiday destinations.
We embark on a hike in the National Park to take in the breathtaking rocky views. This area is rich in Aboriginal culture set in a rugged ancient landscape. (BD)
This morning we visit the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre to learn of the local dreamtime stories. Test your local artistic skills as we create our very own personalised souvenirs. Leaving via Halls Gap, we say farewell to the ‘Grampians’. Crossing the mighty Murray River, passing through the Adelaide Hills we arrive into Adelaide, South Australia’s capital. (BL)
Enjoy a FREE day to relax or explore the city of Adelaide. (B) Overnight dorm accommodation included
Leaving Adelaide we travel through the Clare Valley as we make our way towards the stunning Flinders Ranges. On our journey we enjoy a lunch break at a local Clare Valley Winery, with some tastings thrown in. We have the opportunity to then gain a bird’s eye view from the top of Mt Remarkable as we look out over this beautiful region. We check into our “private” accommodation at the historical “Mill” before enjoying a classic pub dinner & drink with the locals! This great Aussie Atmosphere sets our scene for this evening. (BD)
This morning we enter the National Park where adventure, spirituality and tranquillity co-exist in one majestic destination. We set out on a hike for some spectacular views of the “Flinders Ranges”, named one of Australia’s outstanding national landscapes. See the natural amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound – a lost world, located inside a giant stone crater. On our return to Quorn we visit the Yourambulla Caves for a glimpse at some local Aboriginal rock paintings and the stories that go with them. This evening enjoy a casual BBQ dinner. (BLD)
Leaving Quorn we travel through Port Augusta, then head north into the open landscapes and join the Stuart Highway (one of the longest highways in the world). Passing several salt lakes, you can capture a great photo opportunity of the vastness of Central Australia before we arrive in the “Opal Capital of the World”, Coober Pedy. A diverse township renowned for its many underground attractions! On arrival we enjoy a local town tour which includes a visit to an underground mine & museum. Our bunkhouse for tonight is – you guessed it – underground. (BLD)
After breakfast we check out the sites of Coober Pedy on a town tour which includes an opal cutting demonstration and mine tour with the opportunity to try your luck ‘noodling’ for opals! We continue our drive north and you will see the flat topped mesas, ‘The Breakaways’. During the afternoon we drive through the rugged desert country to the small outback township of Marla. (BLD)
We cross the Northern Territory border and arrive at the Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park. Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) will fascinate you, and you will discover some of the secrets of this ancient landform during the Valley of the Winds hike. You’ll be mesmerised as the desert sun sets over Uluru, and as the night grows darker, curl up in your swag (Aussie bedroll) under millions of stars. (BLD)
It’s an early start this morning, but you’ll be rewarded with a glorious Uluru sunrise. 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).
Explore the many caves of the Mala people, learning how they lived and prepared for ceremonies. Your Aboriginal guide will also share the sensitive story of the Mala people who lived at Uluru with their friend the Itjaritjari (marsupial mole).
There is also a visit to sacred Kantju Gorge, a quiet water hole at the base of a dramatic rock face. 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)
