14 Days The Ghan & Red Centre Sensation 2020

itinerary

DAY 1 Friday – Arrive Adelaide, Hahndorf (L,D)

Flights arrive in Adelaide where we are met by our coach captain and taken to Mt Lofty, the highest peak in the Lofty Ranges. From here we make our way to Australia’s oldest German settlement, Hahndorf, for lunch and free time to wander the main street. A visit to Melba’s Chocolate & Confectionery Factory is a must! We get to see the factory in action making everything from old fashioned liquorice blocks to chocolate coated fruit and nuts. 2 Night Stay: Peppers Waymouth, Adelaide

DAY 2 Saturday – Murray Mouth cruise, McLaren Vale (B,MT,L,D)

Today we explore the Fleurieu Peninsula en-route to Goolwa where we take a 2-hour Murray Mouth cruise. Sit back over a cuppa and listen to an informative commentary as we cruise past the sand dunes separating the river from the Southern Ocean. Gaze at beautiful scenery and birdlife as we learn the history of the area and the role of the locks in maintaining the river environment. Our afternoon takes us to Horseshoe Bay for lunch, then on to McLaren Vale before returning to Adelaide.

DAY 3 Sunday – City SIghts Tour, The Ghan (B,L,D)

Enjoy a morning city sights tour including North Terrace, home to the city’s most important cultural institutions. Stop at St Peter’s Cathedral and see the spectacular Adelaide Oval and Botanic Gardens. At midday we are scheduled to board The Ghan, one of the great train journeys of the world, bound for Alice Springs. Watch the rolling pastoral lands of South Australia merge into rugged Mallee scrub and marvel as the spectacular Flinders Ranges disappear into the horizon as we make our way north into the Red Centre. 1 Night Stay: The Ghan in Gold Service

DAY 4 Monday – Marla, Alice Springs (B,L,D)

The Ghan makes a two hour stop in Marla where we enjoy a cuppa and sunrise experience. We continue on our epic rail journey arriving in to Alice Springs (scheduled at 1:45pm) to join our private charter for transfers to our hotel. Overnight Stay: Lasseters Hotel, Alice Springs

DAY 5 Tuesday – Uluru (B,L,D)

Leaving Alice Springs we take a leisurely drive passing Stuarts Well then stop for lunch at Mt Ebenezer. Continuing on we head to Uluru, breaking for a photo stop at Mt Connor then arriving at Ayers Rock. This evening before dinner we re-board the coach to witness the ever changing colours of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) at sunset with drinks and canapés. 3 Night Stay: Sails in the Desert Hotel, Ayers Rock

DAY 6 Wednesday – Uluru, Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) (B,L,D) GGP

Witness the field of light just before sunrise and then watch dawn over Uluru – just magical. We then take a guided walk to the Mutitjulu Waterhole and continue along to the Mala Walk. We drive around the base of Uluru, followed by a visit to Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. Our afternoon has us climbing into the saddle for a camel trek for another way to enjoy fabulous views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. An outback adventure led by an expert cameleer who shares knowledge of the desert’s wildlife and ecology along the way.

DAY 7 Thursday – Helicopter Flight over Uluru, Sounds of Silence Dinner (B,D) GGP

Enjoy the thrill of taking an aerial tour of Australia’s Red Centre during a scenic 25-minute helicopter flight showcasing the famous landmarks Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Our afternoon takes us to Maruku Arts for a dot painting workshop under the expert guidance of local Indigenous artists. Tonight, toast the beauty of Uluru as you watch the sun’s dwindling rays light the rock up one final time before making a hasty retreat before the evening’s magic of a delightful dinner set under a canopy of stars. Savour four magical hours dining under the starry outback sky where storytellers share tales as told in the stars. Enjoy pre dinner drinks and canapés, and as the sun sets we will feast on a BBQ of authentic Australian delicacies and classic desserts, all complemented by Australian wines. **Lunch is at own expense today.

DAY 8 Friday – Kings Canyon (B,L,D)

Leaving Ayers Rock we make our way to Kings Canyon stopping for lunch at Kings Creek Station. After lunch we have an enjoyable Aboriginal Cultural Experience seeing spear & boomerang displays and learning about bush tucker, bush medicine and much more before checking-in to Deluxe Spa Rooms at Kings Canyon Resort, each with a private balcony offering a magnificent outlook over the rocky escarpment. Overnight Stay: Kings Canyon Resort, Petermann

DAY 9 Saturday – Kings Canyon, Ayers Rock (B,L,D)

This morning we take a walk at the canyon which meanders along Kings Creek, ending at a viewing platform with stunning views of the sheer canyon walls. We return to Alice Springs taking in the scenery and stopping at Erldunda for lunch along the way. 2 Night Stay: Lasseters Hotel, Alice Springs

DAY 10 Sunday – Alice Springs (B,L,D)

We begin our day with views of the rugged MacDonnell Ranges from Anzac Hill lookout. Next we discover the Outback Telegraph Station before visiting the Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame then on to the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Enjoy some free time this afternoon. Tonight we enjoy an authentic bush BBQ celebrating the spirit of the Australian Outback. The evening is spent in the style of an old time cattle camp with a bush balladeer singing timeless Australian songs whilst locals share with you the epic story of their life and survival in this harsh land.

DAY 11 Monday – West MacDonnell Ranges, Standley Chasm, The Ghan (B,L,D)

We discover the West MacDonnell Ranges, stopping at Flynn’s Grave before a visit to Ellery Creek Big Hole. We take time at Standley Chasm renowned for the red rocks, blue skies and white ghost gums. Enjoy lunch at Glen Helen Homestead before departing for Ormiston Gorge and Simpsons Gap. We then board the Ghan to leave Alice Springs for the final leg of this once in a lifetime rail journey. 1 night Stay: Gold Service on the Ghan

DAY 12 Tuesday- Katherine Gorge, Darwin (B,L,D)

Early this morning the Ghan stops in Katherine for 4 hours, during this time there are several whistle stop touring opportunities available. Continuing our journey, we arrive in Darwin and transfer to our hotel. 2 Night Stay: SKYCITY Hotel & Casino, Darwin

DAY 13 Wednesday – Litchfield National Park (B,L,D)

Today we discover Litchfield National Park taking in the inspiring views of Tabletop Range, a sandstone plateau adorned with a curtain of cascading waterfalls. Marvel at the termite mounds and learn how these astonishing structures are built by armies of tiny insects. We then make our way to Florence Falls look-out before making our way to Litchfield Café for lunch. Our afternoon takes us to nearby Wangi Falls, where year-round currents pour into a large swimming hole. Enjoy a refreshing dip before we make our way back to Darwin.

DAY 14 Thursday – Darwin Military Museum, flights home (B)

Today we make a visit to the Darwin Military Museum to learn the story of this extraordinary, yet little known chapter in Australian history. We then make our way to the airport and our respective flights home.

B = Hot & Continental Breakfast; MT = M/Tea; L = Lunch; AT = A/Tea; D = Two Course Dinner

dates & pricing