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Outback Experience

OUTBACK EXPERIENCE

Melbourne –– Ouyen – Loxton – Burra – Coober Pedy – Alice Springs – Earth Sanctuary – West MacDonnell Ranges – Kings Creek Station – Kings Canyon – Uluru- Kata Tjuta National Park

9 Days

This economical, value for money Outback Experience provides the opportunity for students to experience the vast outback of Australia, its fascinating landscapes and to introduce the Indigenous culture of the first Australians. The level of engagement with the Aboriginal peoples of Australia can be tailored to meet the needs of the school, whilst experiencing the adventure of travelling across Australi

Melbourne to Ouyen, Loxton and BurraDay1

Your journey today takes you the most direct and picturesque way to Central Australia. Travel the Calder and Ouyen Highways through the Riverina, across the Murray River to the historic Cornish mining town of Burra for an overnight stay in the historic Burra Hall, which is listed in the National Heritage Register.

 

 

Meals:
Dinner
Accommodation:
Burra Hall – mattresses supplied

To Coober PedyDay2

The journey this morning takes you through the town of Peterborough, an historic railway township, across the lower Flinders Ranges to Port Augusta to your destination of Coober Pedy. En route visit the rocket-testing town of Woomera and stop to photograph a vast salt lake. At Coober Pedy your guide will take you on a town tour including a visit to an underground church and underground home. Whilst your cook is preparing an evening meal, view an opal cutting demonstration in the famous mining town.

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation:
The Opal Cave – Underground multi share bunk rooms

The Vastness of the Australian OutbackDay3

This morning head out of Coober Pedy, from here it is back to the Stuart Highway to travel north to the Northern Territory. Lunch stop at South Australia’s most northerly town of Marla. Today’s destination is Alice Springs – overnight accommodation at Desert Palms Resort. Time to unwind and relax.

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation:
Desert Palms Resort – multi share room with private facilities

Alice Springs Visits & Sightseeing including Indigenous CultureDay4

Travel to the West MacDonnell Ranges, to Simpson’s Gap to see the rock wallabies; see the ochre pits where Aboriginals collected ochre for trading and ceremonial purposes. Visit beautiful Ormiston Gorge for a swim and onto Glen Helen, a resort complex with its spectacular gorge which was carved out by the mighty Finke River, the world’s oldest river course. You will see the magnificent outback scenery that is so typical of the paintings by famous Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira. Return to Desert Palms Resort for overnight

 

Evening meeting with our Indigenous colleagues who will talk about their culture, bush tucker, the traditional lifestyle of their ancestors. Also a chance to try playing a didgeridoo.

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation:
Desert Palms Resort – multi share room with private facilities

A Day In The Town Of AliceDay5

Today a relaxing day discovering Alice Springs. Time to walk to Alice Springs Reptile Centre to enjoy a fun and informative talk on lizards, pythons and reptiles of Central Australia which may involve the feeding and handling of the friendlier reptiles. Visit the nearby Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame for an interesting insight into the lives and stories of Australian women. Visit the Alice Springs Cultural Precinct, with the many art galleries, the museum, aviation museum and Strehlow Research Centre. Buy a didgeridoo or souvenir and see many other attractions at the Cultural Precinct. Climb to the top of Anzac Hill for panoramic views of Alice Springs and the West MacDonnell Ranges.

 

Free time in the afternoon to swim in the resort pool or enjoy a game of basketball.

 

No coach touring today.

 

Lunch today is at students expense.

Meals:
Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation:
Desert Palms Resort – multi share room with private facilities

Alice Springs To Kings Creek StationDay6

Depart Alice Springs after breakfast. The first stop is at Camel’s Australia for an optional camel ride (at own expense). Lunch stop at Mount Ebeneezer Roadhouse which is owned and run by the Imanpa Community. Mt Ebenezer is an outlet for the artwork produced by members of the community with an art gallery showcasing the items such as paintings, traditional wood carvings and necklaces fashioned out of nuts and seeds. Travel on to Kings Creek Station, which lies 36 kilometres from the magnificent Kings Canyon (Watarrka) and is set amongst majestic desert oaks. This working cattle/camel station is the largest exporter of wild camels in Australia and sells camels for live export, live domestic sales and meat. It is owned by an Indigenous family. A community member may join us around a campfire tonight.

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation:
Kings Creek Station – tents, twin share

Kings Canyon and Ayers RockDay7

Morning departure from Kings Creek Station, travel to Watarrka National Park for a spectacular self guided Kings Canyon Rim Walk. Afternoon departure for your journey to Uluru. Stops will include Attila (Mt Conner), Lake Amadeus a huge salt lake and see many desert oak forests and a brief stop at Curtin Springs Station. Arrive at Ayers Rock Resort Campground to set up camp and with time permitting travel into the National Park and photograph spectacular Uluru at sunset.

(*School to apply for Park entry exemption)

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation:
Ayers Rock Resort Campground

An Amazing Experience Discovering Uluru & Kata TjutaDay8

A day to explore Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Wake up early to travel into the National Park to see Uluru from the new sunrise viewing platform. This morning meet with a National Park Ranger for an informative talk and briefing, then walk, explore and learn about the legends and mythology of Uluru including the Mala Walk and Kuniya Walk. Return to the Ayers Rock Campground for lunch. This afternoon embark on the Valley of the Winds walk or Walpa Gorge walk at Kata Tjuta and return to the viewing lookout to witness both Uluru and Kata Tjuta for a spectacular sunset.

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation:
Ayers Rock Resort Campground – tents, twin share

Ayers Rock Resort Town Square, Ayers Rock Airport To HomeDay9

After packing up camp time permitting you may have time to catch the Resort Shuttle Bus or walk over the sand dunes to visit the Ayers Rock Resort Information Centre and the Town Square for some last minute souvenirs. Return to the Camp Ground for your transfer to Ayers Rock Airport for your flight home.

Meals:
Breakfast

From $1499

 

Tour cost includes:

  • The provision of a suitable touring vehicle to fit the needs and size of the group.
  • The services of an experienced and accredited driver / guide
  • Airport Transfer from Ayers Rock Resort Campground to Ayers Rock airport
  • The provision of a Tour Manager responsible for tour operations and catering safari style
  • The provision of all accommodation on a multi-share 3 or 4 students per room, or twin-share pyramid tents with inbuilt vinyl floors and comfortable mattresses, teachers twin-share, or swag as per itinerary. Single supplement additional cost.
  • The provision of all catering equipment
  • The provision of cooked breakfasts and light breakfasts, salad and sandwich lunches with fruit, cake and juice and 3 course evening meals as per itinerary.
  • Please note Austour’s Conditions of Travel, refer our website.
  • Empty coach running return to Melbourne. A reduction in fare can be achieved if school books a back to back two group charter.

 

Not included:

  • Morning, afternoon tea and evening supper.

Bring your own individual dilly bag with personal knife, fork and spoon, cup, bowl and plate, 2 tea towels. (no paper or soft plastics)

  • Transport from home to departure point and airport to home.
  • Travel Insurance – recommended for students. (Return forms to Austour for discount)
  • Linen, (bring your own sleeping bag, liner and small pillow).
  • Towels and items of a personal nature.
  • Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park entry fee, school to apply for exemption 
  • Airfare not included for return flight to home port

Please contact our reservation team regarding enquiries and bookings.