Highlights
- Unearth the ancient Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
- Head off-road and see surreal lunar landscapes on the iconic Oodnadatta Track
- Fall asleep in a dugout tucked beneath the Earth's surface in Coober Pedy
- Connect with nature on inspiring and rewarding hikes
- Be mesmerised by spiritual sites like Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon
- Connect with Country during authentic Indigenous cultural experiences
- Watch a magical sunset over Uluru
- Stargaze from your swag under the billions of stars of the Milky Way
- Participate in some meaningful conservation work
Includes
- Accommodation - 6 x nights swag camping with facilities & 1 x night underground bunkhouse dorm
- All activities and experiences
- Meals as listed (7 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 5 dinners)
- All national park and entrance fees
- Storyteller Guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
Day 1 : Adelaide to Flinders Ranges
Your eight-day outback adventure begins in Adelaide at 5.30 am, where your Storyteller Guide will greet you. After a caffeine stop at the coastal town of Port Wakefield, arrive in the Southern Flinders Ranges for a morning hike at Alligator Gorge. Located in Mount Remarkable National Park, this is the perfect way to start the tour. After lunch, have a quick stroll around Quorn, famous for the Pichi Richi Railway. Arrive at Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and embark on a hike at Arkaroo Rock, a significant cultural site for the local Adnyamathanha people. This afternoon, experience a Welcome to Country in the Adnyamathanha people's language at Wilpena Pound Resort. Feeling connected to Country and nature, arrive at Skytrek Willow Springs Station. This 70,000-acre working sheep station features secluded bush camping and is our base while we unearth the Flinders Ranges. After a tasty dinner prepared by your Guide, kick back and enjoy front-row seats to one of the most spectacular light shows on Earth. The Flinders Ranges is famed as having some of the Southern Hemisphere's clearest skies. Roll out your swag under a blanket of stars twinkling over the ancient landscape. The driving distance today is approximately 510km. Accommodation Swag camping at Skytrek Willow Springs Station
Meal(s) included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 : Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
The fossils discovered in the Flinders Ranges are so old that geologists had to revise the geologic timeline of Earth's history, identifying a new era called the Ediacaran period. After breakfast, we will unearth more of this amazing park as we pull on our hiking boots for a morning hike through tall river red gums and past waterholes, culminating with breathtaking views over the surrounding wilderness. Regeneration is in our DNA, so today, we will meet with a Park Ranger to learn about conservation efforts within Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. We can also give back by participating in some meaningful conservation work. After lunch, we'll take a magical scenic drive at Brachina Gorge. Quench your thirst with a well-deserved drink at an iconic country pub before returning to camp to relax and have dinner. Driving time today is approximately 3 hours. Accommodation Swag camping at Skytrek Willow Springs Station
Meal(s) included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 : Flinders Ranges to William Creek via the Oodnadatta Track*
Today we are getting off the beaten path and travelling along a section of one of Australia's most iconic unsealed roads, the iconic Oodnadatta Track. Drive through eerie and moonlike desert scenery as the landscape uncovers highlights like Lake Eyre (Australia's largest salt lake) and the Mutonia Sculpture Park. Travel through Anna Creek Station, the world's largest working cattle station. Covering an area of six million acres, it is equivalent to the size of Belgium! Come late afternoon, arrive in the tiny outback settlement of William Creek. In the middle of nowhere, on the way to somewhere, this quirky town with a population of ten is an icon of the South Australian Outback. After dinner, you might like to enjoy a cold drink in the heritage-listed William Creek Hotel, which opened in 1887. Then curl up in your swag under the stars in the campground. The total driving today is approximately 500km. *See the disclaimer in Know Before You Go information regarding road/weather conditions.
Meal(s) included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 : William Creek to Coober Pedy
After breakfast, journey to the famous underground town of Coober Pedy. The opal capital of Australia features a sun-baked lunar landscape, fascinating history and a unique way of life. Visit the town's main attraction, Umoona Opal Mine & Museum. Go 'noodling' or fossicking and learn about these precious stones during an opal-cutting demonstration. Afterwards, visit Josephine's Gallery & Kangaroo Orphanage. Established in 2008 to take in orphaned kangaroos from the far north of South Australia, it is about the size of Germany! 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. The rest of the day is yours to do whatever you please, and there is plenty to explore. Stay in a unique underground bunkhouse tonight and grab dinner at one of the many underground eateries. Today, the driving distance is approximately 170km. Accommodation Umoona Opal Mine - underground bunk, multi-share
Meal(s) included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 : Coober Pedy to Watarrka/Kings Canyon
Today we have some distance to cover. Travel north, past the Dingo Fence and the Aboriginal Heritage site, The Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park, where you will be mesmerised by the scenery of the Moon Plains. Then, crossing into the Northern Territory, travel onwards to Watarrka National Park, the site of Kings Canyon. Come late afternoon, arrive at our campsite at the Kings Creek Station. Relax, soak up the serenity, and, on warmer days, enjoy a swim in the pool. Have your camera ready for a stunning desert sunset from the sunset viewing platform before dinner at the Station restaurant eatery and settling in for the night. Today, we drive approximately 770km. Accommodation Swag camping at Kings Creek Station
Meal(s) included : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 : Watarrka/Kings Canyon to Uluru
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. After lunch, rest your legs on the drive to our final destination, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Late this afternoon, watch an unforgettable sunset over Uluru before retreating to camp for dinner. Then, roll out your swag upon the red Earth and under billions of stars after dinner at camp. Driving today is approximately 350km. Accommodation Swag camping at Ayers Rock Resort Campground
Meal(s) included : Breakfast
Day 7 : Uluru
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 this natural wonder. 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 Uluru and learn its stories. Relax beside tranquil waterholes, take a break under a magnificent Sheoak tree and peer into hidden caves. Afterwards, stop for lunch and visit the Cultural Centre to deepen your understanding of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. You can learn about Anangu culture and the park's natural environment through exhibits and free presentations with Anangu and park rangers. This afternoon experience 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. This afternoon, return to camp for some free time. Relax by the pool or enjoy 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 60km. 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
Meal(s) included : Breakfast
Day 8 : Kata Tjuta to Yulara
On the final day of the tour, an early start is rewarded with a spellbinding Kata Tjuta sunrise. Translating to the Pitjantjatjara word for 'Many Heads', the 36 domes of Kata Tjuta are a defining feature of the Red Centre landscape both topographically and spiritually. Rising 546 metres above the surrounding plain, its tip is the highest point for miles, while the site's ridges and ravines are closely connected with numerous Indigenous creation-time stories. 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 on a rewarding hike. Your outback adventure ends in the late morning on our return to Yulara. For those departing from Uluru Airport, complimentary transfers are available from the resort. There are also bus transfers from Yulara to Alice Springs. See the Know Before You Go information below. The driving distance today is approximately 120km.
Meal(s) included : None
Departs: Select Thursdays.
Pick Up: 5:30am from 91 Franklin Street (outside of the Adelaide Bus Station).
Returns: Late Morning at Yulara.
Please note at certain times of the year, a shuttle connection from Uluru to Alice Springs is available on day eight of the tour.
Transfers from Uluru to Alice Springs are operated by AAT Kings and depart from the Desert Gardens Hotel on the last day of your tour (Thursday) between 12:30 pm and 1 pm from March to November.
Our tour finishes in the late morning on day eight, so our Guide will ensure any passengers catching this shuttle are at the departure point with plenty of time to spare. The shuttle arrives in Alice Springs at approximately 7 pm.
Please note that this shuttle does not operate on Thursdays from December to February.
During these months, passengers can opt to fly out of Ayers Rock Airport (Yulara) after lunch on the last day of the tour or stay an extra night and travel to Alice Springs the following day.
The rate is currently $199pp; however, it will increase from April 2024 to March 2025 to $225pp.
What to Bring
Sleeping Bag
Travel Pillow
Weather-appropriate clothing
Waterproof rain jacket
Water bottle &/or Camelbak (2L minimum)
Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
Swimmers and beach towel
Hand sanitiser and insect repellent
Hat and sunscreen
Torch or headlight
Snacks for the bus in your day bag
In cooler months (Oct, Nov, March & April), pack thermals, bed socks, warm clothes and a hot water
No Extra Costs
