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Outback Top End and Barrier Reef

Trip For Exchange Students and Overseas Colleges –   (MC IS 01 22 15 V1)

Melbourne – Wedderburn – Sea Lake – Ouyen – Loxton –

Burra – Coober Pedy – Alice Springs –

West MacDonnell Ranges- Kings Canyon – Uluru

Home via Coober Pedy & Adelaide –  9 Days & 9 Nights Tour Code: MM DSS 04 09 16 V1

Introduction                           

This economical 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 Australia.

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.

Meals:
Dinner
Accommodation:
Burra Hall – mattresses

Destination Coober Pedy – The Opal FieldsDay2

A brief guided tour of Burra and a photographic stop of the Burra jail where the film Breaker Morant was shot. The journey this morning takes you through the town of Peterborough, an historic railway township. Cross the lower Flinders Ranges to Port Augusta and continue 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 our driver guide will take you on a brief town tour. Overnight accommodation at Bedrock your underground home for the night. 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 on a short detour to photograph the Dingo Fence & the unusual Breakaway Country – a vast area of eroded mountains that occasionally take floodwaters into Lake Eyre. 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. Afternoon stop at Camel’s Australia for an optional camel ride (at own expense). Today’s destination is Alice Springs – upon arrival check in at the Big 4 MacDonnell Range Holiday Park and set up camp. Time permitting enjoy a game of basketball.

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Big 4 MacDonnell Range Holiday Park – tents

Alice Springs Visits & Sightseeing including Indigenous CultureDay4

This morning travel to Simpson’s Gap to see the rock wallabies and visit Standley Chasm(Angkerle) a narrow and deep canyon gouged from tough sandstone by floods over millions of years. In the afternoon visit Anzac Hill for an excellent panorama of the West MacDonnell Ranges and the town of Alice Springs, The School Of The Air – at own expense and Royal Flying Doctor Service – at own expense. Return to Big 4 Holiday Park.

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Big 4 MacDonnell Range Holiday Park – tents

Alice Springs, Mt Ebenezer, Kings Creek Station to Watarrka National ParkDay5

This morning travel the Stuart and Lasseter Highway en route to Uluru. Stops are made at Mt Ebenezer Roadhouse which is also an outlet for the artwork produced by members of Imanpa community. The building houses an art gallery showcasing the items made by people from the bush community, such as paintings, traditional wood carvings, and necklaces fashioned out of nuts and seeds. Kings Creek Station a large camel and cattle property. On arrival at Kings Canyon in the Watarrka National Park commence your self guided rim walk with spectacular scenic views from the top of the canyon. Arrive at Kings Canyon Camp Ground set up camp in time to view the stunning sunset over the George Gill Range.

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Kings Canyon Camp Ground – tents

Journey to Uluru Kata Tjuta National ParkDay6

Our journey today is to Uluru your highlight of the Central Australian trip. Stops this morning to view and photograph Artila (Mt Conner) another unusual rock formation and sacred sight sometimes confused with Uluru, Lake Amadeus a huge salt lake and many desert oak forests then Curtin Springs Station a 416,400 hectares (1,028,947 acres) working cattle station and roadhouse. Arrive at Ayers Rock Resort Campground to set up camp and travel into the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park to attend your ranger briefing at the Cultural Centre. Sunset time permitting drive around Uluru and stop to photograph the fantastic colour changes over Uluru at sunset.

*Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park entry ticket -School to apply for Park entry exemption. Contact Austour for details.

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

An Amazing Experience Discovering Uluru and Kata TjutaDay7

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 whilst enjoying a light breakfast as the sunrises. Walk, explore and learn about the legends and mythology of Uluru including the Mala Walk and Kuniya Walk. This afternoon embark on the Valley of the Winds 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

Ayers Rock Resort for South Australia and Coober PedyDay8

Pack up camp. Visit the Yulara Town Centre and Tourist Information Centre for some last minute souvenir shopping. Time permitting held in the town square Indigenous hosts offer interactive activities such as spear and boomerang throwing (approx 30 mins 11am – 11.30am) and bush yarn at the circle of sand (approx 30 mins 1100 – 11.30, 1130 – 1200). View dot paintings in progress with local artists. Purchase lunch and breakfast snack Day 9 – own expense at the Yulara Town Square or our first stop Mt Ebenezer.

Depart Ayers Rock and travel to Coober Pedy. Our first stop is at the community owned Mt Ebenezer Roadhouse here you can purchase a snack – own expense and have a look in the art gallery which offers an excellent selection of Punu – wooden carvings, jewellery made from seeds of local trees and art displays. J

Join the Stuart Highway and travel South past the town of Kulgera and onto South Australia. Short break at the small town of Marla. Our destination is Coober Pedy – arrival approx 7pm. Multi-share dorm.   Dinner – at own expense.

Meals:
Breakfast
Accommodation:
The Opal Cave –multi share dorm

Adelaide to MelbourneDay9

Depart 7am and travel to Adelaide with comfort stops en route. Dinner stop in Adelaide – own expense.

Depart Adelaide approximately 9pm. Evening comfort stops en route Your journey overnight will take you across the Mt. Lofty Ranges through the town of Murray Bridge and onto Victoria.

Arrival at your school approximately 6.30am . (Day 10 )

Meals:
Nil
Accommodation:
Nil

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
  • The provision of a Tour Manager responsible for tour operations and catering safari style
  • The provision of all accommodation on a multi-share 4, 5 or 6 students per room, or twin-share pyramid tents with inbuilt vinyl floors and comfortable mattresses, teachers twin-share. Single supplement additional cost.
  • The provision of cooked breakfasts and light breakfasts, salad and sandwich lunches with fruit, cake and juice and 3 course evening meals. Meals as per itinerary
  • The payment of all accommodation, visits, attractions and entry fees as per itinerary

Not included:

  • Morning, afternoon tea and evening supper.
  • Transport from home to departure point and airport to home.
  • Travel Insurance.
  • The provision of all catering equipment inclusive of an individual dilly bag with personal knife, fork and spoon, cup, bowl and plate.
  • 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 – contact Austour.
  • Travel Insurance – contact Austour for a quote and generous rebate

Please contact our reservation team regarding enquiries and bookings.

Testimonials

Thank you so much for such a special experience. I have listened and learnt a lot! Although I think I’m leaving with more questions with is great. An experience I’ll treasure forever. Cheers Amy