Outback to the Red Centre—Adelaide to Alice Springs

Arrive in Adelaide at any time. There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore the city. Please try to arrive before 6pm for an important group welcome meeting where you can meet the Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and the other group members. If you arrive early enough, you'll have time to explore the city to visit a museum or visit a local vineyard.

Early departure. Travel through the Clare Valley wine area, making a stop for another wine tasting and demonstration to learn about the development of the vineyards in the area. South Australia has earned its place as one of the top wine regions in the world. Continue to Alligator Gorge in Remarkable National Park. Enjoy a walk in the national park to take in the stunning, rugged scenery. A stop at Quorn Historic town provides a nice chance to explore before going to a remote sheep station for the night.

Estimated travel time: 4 hours
Travel distance: 350 km

Take the day to explore the amazing scenery of Flinders Ranges. Wilpena Pound is a stunning natural amphitheater of mountains. Visit Aboriginal Art sites while on a guided tour of the area by your CEO. Your CEO will explain about the early settler history before settling in at Beltana Homestead for the night.

Estimated travel time: 1 hour
Travel distance: 50 km

We follow the Oodnadatta Track, strewn with ruins of failed early settler activity, along the route of the equally unsuccessful original Ghan Railway route. Stop to explore a number of historic settler sites along the way. Visit the Arabunna Aboriginal Centre to learn about the importance of the area to indigenous people. Visit the dry salt lake of Lake Eyre and take a dip in the remote thermal springs. Overnight at the Historic William Creek Hotel. Due to the size of the town the accommodations here are rather basic.

Estimated travel time: 3 hours
Travel distance: 200 km

Travel a very basic track to the unique opal mining town of Coober Pedy, where people live underground to avoid the heat. A guided mine tour gives insight to the mining process and then importance of opal to the area. Overnight like the locals by sleeping in an underground hostel, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Estimated travel time: 3 hours
Travel distance: 150 km

Cross the border to the Northern Territory, where Australia's most iconic view awaits. Experience the colourful sunset at Uluru, while enjoying a glass of bubbly. Marvel at the night sky while bunking down in a swag (canvas bedroll) for the night. If you would like a bit more coverage, tents are also available.

The next morning, awake before sunrise to do the Marla Walk around part of the base of Uluru (Ayers Rock) while learning its significance to the locals. Visit the cultural centre to get a better understanding of the area.

Estimated travel time: 9 hours
Travel distance: 750 km

Travel to the rock formations of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and, heat permitting, walk through the Valley of the Winds to explore the surrounding area before continuing onto Kings Canyon. Enjoy another night under the stars the traditional way, by sleeping in a swag (canvas bedroll). If you would like a bit more coverage, tents are also available.

NOTE: The itinerary has been modified. It originally visited the Western MacDonnell Ranges, but due to poor road conditions, we have removed this night stop in favour of another night at Uluru.

Estimated travel time: 5 hours
Travel distance: 450 km

Enjoy the morning taking in the scenery or by going on an optional 4 hour walk through the gorges and valleys of Kings Canyon of Watarrka National Park. Travel to Alice Springs via the homestead of Erldunda. Located halfway between Adelaide and Darwin, Alice Springs is the base for all trips through the Red Centre.

The tour ends upon arrival to Alice Springs in the evening at approximately 6pm. Opt to join the group for a night out in Alice Springs. Feel free to book onward travel from 8pm or later today.

Estimated travel time: 4.5 hours
Travel distance: 375 km