12 Days Red Centre Safari

itinerary

Day 1. Wed 20 Jun 2012

Arrive Longreach via Spirit of the Outback rail journey or QantasLink Flight and enjoy a welcome dinner and tour briefing at your motel. Overnight Longreach (D)

Day 2. Thu 21 Jun 2012

Learn about the challenges of working and living on the land first hand from local graziers Bevan and Maree Pearce at Strathmore Station. Discover the unique features of their property. Soak up great Australian stories at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame followed by lunch at Cattleman’s Bar and Grill. Step back in time to the dawn of aviation at the Qantas Founders Museum, including historic 1922 Qantas hanger. View majestic floodplains as the colours fade into starry Outback skies then around the camp fire, be charmed by our entertaining Outback characters and savour the traditional flavours of our Outback-themed cuisine with the Drover’s Extravaganza Dinner. Overnight Longreach (B, L, D)

Day 3. Fri 22 Jun 2012

Travel to Winton and visit the multi-award winning Waltzing Matilda Centre – the only museum to be dedicated to a song. After lunch we check into our accommodation with time to relax before ‘The Ultimate Progressive Dinner & Winton Welcome’. Take a short drive into the majestic mesa country to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs where we toast the glorious outback sunset then savour a delicious barbeque dinner. Our ‘dessert with a difference’ follows back in Winton at the Royal Mail Open Air Theatre with ice-cream and jaffas! Overnight Boulder Opal Motor Inn Winton (B, L, D)

Day 4. Sat 23 Jun 2012

Travel west to Boulia via the vast timeless landscape of the majestic mesas set amongst the open pebbly plains at the Cawnpore Lookout, a landscape found in only 2 places on earth. Enroute stop at the Middleton Hotel to catch up with the locals for morning tea and perhaps listen to a yarn. Explore the famous Min Min Encounter and Stone House prior to checking into your accommodation with time to freshen up. This evening experience Elrose Station for afternoon tea and Macslands Station sunset drinks and station dinner. Overnight Boulia (B, L, D)

Day 5. Sun 24 Jun 2012

Today have an early start and a big day across the northern extremities of the Simpson Desert before arriving at the Tobermorey border crossing into the Northern Territory on the Plenty Highway. Here the landscape changes from the vast open plains of Western Queensland to the Spinifex red centre country of the Hart’s Range and unique geology of Central Australia. Take in the story of Jervois Station with remnants of the bunker from rocket testing in the 1950’s. Enjoy a relaxing dinner at Gem Tree before arriving into Alice Springs tired but satisfied after the biggest day on tour. Overnight Alice Springs (B, L, D)

Day 6. Mon 25 Jun 2012

Today visit Anzac Hill, a lookout offering spectacular views of the rugged MacDonnell Range. Explore the Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve which marks the original site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs. Enjoy a city centre highlights tour to check out your options for Tuesday’s free day. Discover the Desert Park taking an easy walking trail through three desert habitats and discover Desert Rivers, Sand Country and the Woodland Habitat. Witness free-flying birds of prey in the nature theatre, see rare and endangered animals in the spectacular nocturnal house, hear the insights into the interlinking world of plants, animals and people. Overnight Alice Springs (B, L, D)

Day 7. Tue 26 Jun 2012

Today is dedicated to Alice Springs leisure day to explore as little or as much as you like in your own time with the courtesy bus from your motel. Great options to consider depending on your interest are Mbantua Gallery and Cultural Museum, National Road Transport Hall of Fame, Royal Flying Doctor Centre, Todd Mall, and various galleries. Lunch is not included today with great options at the motel or downtown Alice Springs. Overnight Alice Springs (B, D)

Day 8 Wed 27 Jun 2012

Today be surrounded by the majestic MacDonnell Ranges as we travel on the Mereenie Loop Road to Glen Helen Gorge via a morning of absolute beauty and discovery. Our day includes visiting John Flynn’s Grave, Simpsons Gap, Stanley’s Chasm and Glen Helen Gorge. Check in mid afternoon with time to freshen up prior to sunset at the iconic Mount Sounder Lookout followed by dinner. Overnight Glen Helen Gorge (B, L, D)

Day 9. Thu 28 Jun 2012

Departing Glen Helen Gorge continue along the Mereenie Loop Road via Tylers Pass and Gosse bluff west to Kings Canyon surrounded by the ever changing landscape. The feature of Watarrka National Park is indisputably Kings Canyon, a huge formation of ancient rocks. This afternoon enjoy a breathtaking Kings Canyon Creek walk. Its sheer walls rise up 170 metres of breathtaking views of the canyon’s contrasting rim escarpment and lush depths and diversity of vegetation of Kings Creek. Check into your accommodation with time to freshen up prior to dinner. Overnight Kings Canyon (B, L, D)

Day 10. Fri 29 Jun 2012

Leaving Kings Canyon we call into Kings Creek Station for a break prior to travelling onto Mount Connor Lookout with views of the secret salt lake hidden behind the massive red sand dunes on the Lasseter Highway. Enjoy lunch at Curtin Springs Station with a talk about operating Murray Grey cattle in very harsh conditions. Moving onto Uluru (Ayers Rock) for check in at the Outback Pioneer for time to freshen up prior to our Uluru sunset followed by dinner. Overnight Uluru (Ayers Rock) (B, L, D)

Day 11. Sat 30 Jun 2012

This morning visit Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) for a guided walking tour where we hear stories of the Aboriginal people. Explore the spectacular Valley of the Winds and Uluru (Ayers Rock). Learn the spiritual meanings of the surrounding landscapes at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre and hear legendary stories on our guided walk into Mutijulu Water Hole. Tonights’s highlight is the award-winning Sounds of Silence dining experience under the stars – a truly unique event. Afterwards relax by the camp fire and take in an astronomy tour. Overnight Ayers Rock. Optional Helicopter Flight.. Overnight Ayers Rock. Optional Helicopter Flight. (B, L, D)

Day 12. Sun 1 Jul 2012

As we depart Ayers Rock, this icon of the outback, we see the contrast of the landscapes of the central Australian desert. There are scenic views of Mount Connor through to the crossing of the Finke River flowing in its current course for 100 million years. Enjoy a break at Curtin Springs and Stuarts Well for lunch with a chance for a camel ride prior to departing for Alice Springs to join the Ghan rail journey to Adelaide or add on accommodation in Alice Springs, after an unforgettable journey of a lifetime from Outback Queensland to the Red Centre. (B, L)

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