Uluru & Alice Springs via Flinders Ranges    

 

8 Days / 7 Nights - June 25-July 2, 2009 - see latest at All Tours

From Sydney via Mildura - Wilpena Pound - Flinders Ranges - Oodnadatta Track - Coober Pedy - Kata Tjuta - Uluru

Songline Journey from Sydney to Uluru - Optional flights over Lake Eyre, Wilpena Pound & tours to Roxby Downs/Olympic Dam mine, Chambers Pillar, Rainbow Valley.

Uluru - Ayers Rock	Uluru- Mutijulu waterhole	Sign at end of Universe

Day 1 - Thursday 25 June 2009 - Depart from Sydney - travelling via the famous "Dog on the Tucker Box" over the Great Dividing Range to Wagga Wagga, and on to Narranderra in the Heart of Australia food bowl, the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, then Hay for a hearty local meal and overnight stop.

Day 2 - See the Shearers Hall of fame at Shear Outback and learn of the rich life in the wool industry in early NSW. We travel through the Western Plains parallel to the Murray River to the junction of the Darling River at Wentworth - a mighty sight of Australia's 2 great rivers. See evidence of giant wombats (Diprotodon) and Australia's megafauna who roamed this ancient land. Enjoy sunset over the River as we relax before overnight in wine country in Renmark.

Flinders Ranges - Wilpena Pound	Murray River Steamer "Melbourne"

Day 3 - We have entered South Australia and now travel through rural river towns in the rich South Australian wine growing districts from Renmark. We leave the river and head for the hills, on our way to Peterborough (great railway junction) and the Flinders Ranges National Park to overnight at Wilpena Pound.

Day 4 - Enjoy a walk in Wilpena Pound with the magnificent River Red Gums and scenic Flinders Ranges. Visit stunning Aboriginal rock art before we travel via picturesque Brachina Gorge. Enjoy tasty treats at the Quandong Cafe before heading to Marree (visit the old Afghan mosque) on the route of the Overland Telegraph and Old Ghan Railway for the Oodnadatta Track a notorious outback route that paved the way to the Australian inland. Overnight camp at Coward Springs oasis.

Optional alternative - Scenic flight from around $100 for 40 mins over Wilpena Pound, Arkaba Station, Elder Range, Edeowie Gorge, Lake Torrens, Heysen Range St Mary’s Peak and the Pound Gap.

Day 5 - Relax at the springs or join an optional Roxby Down and Olympic Dam mine tour. This is likely the worlds largest and richest mine. After lunch we continue on the Oodnadatta Track, passing Lake Eyre, the old Ghan Railway track - take an optional scenic air flight over Lake Eyre during a lunch stop at remote William Creek. Relax with a hearty meal at the opal town of Coober Pedy and a cozy underground bed dug into the earth the opal mining way. Try your luck at opal mining !  

Sunset over the Simpson Desert	Chambers Pillar

Day 6 - Highway desert travel & salt lakes lets you appreciate the remote and vast outback. Witness modern outback "oasis" centres and the bustling life of the outback roadhouses. Marvel at Mt Connor looming large in the desert landscape. Arrive at Yulara and Uluru for sunset and full friendly BBQ feed. Overnight Uluru

Day 7 -  Visits to Aboriginal cultural centre. Meet local Aboriginal elder and welcome to country. Walk at Kata Tjuta “Valley of the Winds”. Lunch at Kata Tjuta. Witness the majestic sunset at Uluru. Uluru base walks. Campfire and evening meal. Community elders meetings when available. Overnight Uluru

Day 8 - Sunrise at Uluru. Breakfast by the rock. Uluru base walks available. Tour ends 10 am - options to extend time for personal time at rock.

Tour ends after breakfast or join us on the next leg to the Western MacDonnell Ranges.  Or travel to Alice Springs (option) and join an optional trip to Chambers Pillar & Rainbow Valley or Palm Valley & Hermannsburg.