Outback Camping Adventure from the Red Centre

Yulara & Uluru Sunset (Sun)

Your eight-day adventure begins at 2 pm, where you'll meet your Storyteller Guide in front of the Desert Gardens Hotel. After a meet and greet, visit the Cultural Centre in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to soak up its mesmerising natural beauty and rich culture. Uluru and Kata Tjuta both hold great spiritual significance as they are places where many creation stories converge. Many of these stories are kept secret from outsiders, but you'll learn a little about the local Anangu culture and appreciate the beauty of their land through exhibits and free presentations with Anangu and park rangers. After setting up camp this evening, head to a viewing platform to experience the famous changing colours of the magical Uluru at sunset. This is a great time to contemplate the vastness of the desert. Tonight, get to know your fellow travellers over our first campfire dinner. And roll out your Aussie swag for the first time underneath a sky full of sparkling stars. Today we only drive around 60km. * For those passengers who wish to book a bus transfer from Alice Springs to Yulara, please see the Know Before You Go information below.

Accommodation Swag camping at Ayers Rock Resort Campground Meals Included |D

Uluru (Mon)

Rising early, breathe deep and soak up the serenity of a sunrise over Uluru. As the sunlight plays with the landscape, the rock formations change colour before your eyes. Next, it's time to get close to Uluru, one of the world's greatest natural wonders. At 348 metres high and some 550 million years old, feel a powerful presence the moment you set eyes on it. A guided 10km Uluru base walk is your best opportunity to connect with the rock and learn its stories. Relax beside tranquil waterholes, take a break under a magnificent Sheoak tree and peer into hidden caves.

After lunch, participate in a fun and inspiring dot painting workshop with a talented local Anangu artist and interpreter. During this wonderful 1.5-hour authentic experience, you will learn about ancient symbols used in Anangu art and teachings and will be taught some introductory Pitjantjatjara words (the local language spoken by Anangu). Use this knowledge to create your own artwork to take home and treasure forever. Return to camp for some free time. Relax by the pool or engage in some of the activities at Ayers Rock Resort, such as a didgeridoo performance, a guided garden walk or discovering artifacts at the museum. Enjoy a tasty dinner at camp tonight. Today we only drive around 50km. You may walk up to 10km today if you do the full Uluru base- walk. However, shorter Uluru walks are available.

Accommodation Swag camping at Ayers Rock Resort Campground Meals Included B | L |D

Yulara to Kings Canyon / Watarrka (Tues)

This morning, we depart Yulara and make our way towards Watarrka National Park and Kings Canyon. But first, it's time for another untamed moment as Kata Tjuta materialises before you. Rising 546 metres above the ground, this sacred site is a defining feature of the Red Centre. Translating to the Pitjantjatjara word for 'Many Heads', the site's ridges and ravines are closely connected with numerous Indigenous creation-time stories. Embark on the Valley of the Winds guided walk for a moment in nature you will never forget. A sanctuary for plants and animals, including wallabies and gorgeous wildflowers, we'll wander along the narrow creek valley between two of Kata Tjuta's largest domes. This afternoon, arrive at our camp at Kings Creek Station and enjoy some chill time before dinner at your leisure. Today you will cover about 325kms.

Accommodation Swag camping at Kings Creek Station Meals Included B| L | -

Kings Canyon to Coober Pedy (Wed)

It's an early start this morning for the spellbinding Kings Canyon Rim Walk, which is guaranteed to be one of the most magical experiences of your life. With its 300-metre-high sandstone walls, hidden waterholes, fern forests, chasms, canyons and caverns, Watarrka National Park is central Australia's answer to an oasis. Take in the 360-degree views and journey through Priscilla's Crack, made famous

by the classic Australian movie Priscilla Queen of the Desert. From there, see the sandstone domes known as the Lost City and the lush greenery and watering hole of the aptly named Garden of Eden. Rest your legs and settle in for a long drive today as we travel across the Northern Territory and South Australian border. There are plenty of stops along the way before we arrive in Coober Pedy, 'The Opal Capital of the World'. Due to scorching temperatures, most of the town is underground, with residents living in cave-like houses carved into the hillsides. Tonight, you will stay in a unique underground bunkhouse and have some free time to explore and grab dinner at one of the many eateries. It's big numbers today, covering approximately 760km.

Accommodation Umoona Opal Mine - underground bunk, multi-share Meals Included B | - |-

Coober Pedy to William Creek (Thurs)

After breakfast, visit the Umoona Opal Mine and Museum. Here you will learn about Aboriginal and European settlement, see how the early miners lived, and try your hand at 'noodling' for opals. Next, spend time with some rescued joeys at Josephine's Gallery and Kangaroo Orphanage. Established in 2008 to take in orphaned kangaroos from the far north of South Australia, it is about the size of Germany! It just so happens the gallery here is a world-class Aboriginal Art Gallery with an extensive range of Aboriginal artefacts and significant works by many of Australia's best-known Indigenous artists. Next, travel into areas seldom seen by most tourists as we leave the sealed roads of the Stuart Highway behind us and travel on unsealed roads to one of the remotest towns in the world, William Creek. On the way, travel through the largest cattle station in the world, Anna Creek. Gaze out at the endless horizons as we pass by the lake with the longest name in the world, Lake Cadibarrawirracanna. Arriving in town, set up camp and have a hearty counter meal at the heritage- listed William Creek Hotel. Fall asleep as you count shooting stars snuggled up in your swag. Today we travel approximately 170km.

Accommodation Swag camping at William Creek Meals Included B | - |D

William Creek to Flinders Ranges via the Oodnadatta Track* (Fri)

Today, continue off the beaten path and travelling along a section of one of Australia's most iconic unsealed roads, the Oodnadatta Track. Drive through eerie lunar-like landscapes and, along the way,

uncover highlights such as the mind-bending Mutonia Sculpture Park and Lake Eyre, Australia's largest salt lake. Grab lunch at one of the quirky outback towns along the way before we arrive at Skytrek Willow Springs Station in the magnificent Flinders Ranges. This 70,000-acre working sheep station features secluded bush camping, walking trails, natural springs and Aboriginal rock etchings. The Flinders Ranges is famed as having some of the Southern Hemisphere's clearest skies. So, for the next two nights, enjoy front-row seats to one of Earth's most spectacular light shows. After a campfire dinner, roll out your swag under a sea of stars blanketing the ancient landscape and spend the evening marvelling at the Milky Way and counting constellations. Today we drive approximately 500km. * See the disclaimer in Know Before You Go information regarding road/weather conditions. Accommodation Swag camping at Skytrek Willow Springs Station Meals Included B | - |D

Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park (Sat)

This morning, it's time to unearth the magnificent Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. Experience the geological grandeur forged over more than 540 million years. Ancient gorges invite exploration, and beauty reveals itself at every turn. So, pull on your hiking boots for a hike through tall river red gums and pines, past waterholes and a historic ruined homestead, culminating with breathtaking views over the surrounding wilderness. Regeneration is at our core, so meet with a Park Ranger to learn about conservation efforts within Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. Then, give back by participating in meaningful conservation work, which will vary depending on the time of year. After a picnic lunch, take a beautiful scenic drive at Brachina Gorge, Finally, head back to camp to relax and have our final dinner together. The total driving distance today is approximately 160km.

Accommodation Swag camping at Skytrek Willow Springs Station Meals Included B | L |D

Flinders Ranges to Adelaide (Sunday)

After our final breakfast together, it's time to roll up your swag one last time and set out on the Arkaroo Rock Trail, which has impressive views over the Chace Range. Arkaroo Rock is also a significant cultural site for the Adnyamathanha people. It has an incredible example of Adnyamathanha rock art depicting the Yura Muda (Dreaming or creation story) of Ikara.

Enjoy a picnic lunch before travelling to Alligator Gorge in the Southern Flinders Ranges. Located in Mount Remarkable National Park, this is the perfect way to end the tour. Our last stint on the road will see us travel through the picturesque Clare Valley wine region before arriving in Adelaide at around 6 pm. Today we travel approximately 450km. Meals Included B| L