Tour Overview
Explore the Red Center, Australia’s Outback from Alice Springs to Ayers Rock to Coober Pedy. This is where you will find the true spirit of Australia. The Aboriginal presence is strong, with a spiritual and cultural connection to these lands. Alice Springs, founded in the 19th Century as a telegraph station, is surrounded by the natural wonders of the MacDonnell Range, the Todd River and Stanley’s Chasm. Uluru, Ayers Rock, is a monolith, higher than the Empire State building, which changes colors before your eyes at sunrise and sunset. This is an Aboriginal sacred area. Coober Pedy, the ‘Opal Capital of the World’ has one-half of its population living in underground dugouts to escape the high temperatures of summer. Your journey takes you across these stunning landscapes, shares with you the Aboriginal culture and art, and gives you an opportunity to see an underground community.Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: Ayers Rock (Uluru) Kata Tjuta National Park, AustraliaArrive Ayers Rock airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
This afternoon, en route to Kata Tjuta (Olgas), you will stop to view the immense scale of the 36 domes, thought to have once been a single rock many times the size of Uluru (Ayers Rock). On arrival at Kata Tjuta, take a guided walk into majestic Walpa Gorge (Olga Gorge). Marvel at the sheer walls that flank you as you enter the gorge. Learn of the domes’ formation and of the flora and fauna of the region. Later in the day, re-board the coach and return to watch the sunset over mighty Uluru. Admire the ever-changing colors of the monolith while the sun sinks below the horizon. Enjoy a glass of complimentary wine as the dusk deepens into night, unveiling a dazzling carpet of stars in the Outback sky.
Sails in the Desert is named after the soaring white sails that crown its roof. Its interior décor focuses on Aboriginal heritage and culture with a gallery in the lobby. With over 65 tours, local activities attractions within the resort and the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, your stay will be action packed.
Sails in the Desert Day 02: Ayers Rock
This morning depart on a sunrise tour and see “The Rock” change colors before your eyes. Join a guided walk to the Mutitjulu waterhole. As you tour the base of Uluru, visit Kantju Gorge, a sacred waterhole. A stop at the Cultural Center and the Maruka Arts & Craft Cooperative provides the opportunity to see Aboriginal artists at work. This afternoon is at leisure to enjoy some of the amenities of your hotel. This evening depart on the Sounds of Silence dinner tour where you will dine under the stars amongst the serenity of the outback desert.
Dinner
Sails in the Desert Day 03: Ayers Rock - Alice Springs
Transfer to Ayers Rock airport for your flight to Alice Springs. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Voyages Alice Springs Resort is situated on the banks of the famous Todd River with its magnificent river red gums. Afternoon at leisure. From here you could sail above the mighty MacDonnell Ranges in a hot air balloon or enjoying bush tucker under the stars. No matter what you do in and around Alice Springs you will discover the beauty of outback Australia. The early days of European settlement are well preserved with buildings still standing from that era. You will many signs of the Aboriginal culture extremely well presented in Alice Springs. This evening you will be taken to the Red Center Dreaming dinner and Aboriginal Experience. You will gather in an open-air bush setting just five minutes from Alice Springs. Relax and enjoy an evening of fine Australian dining, entertainment and ancient Aboriginal culture. Delight in a delicious three-course dinner, inclusive of wine then sit back with a drink while, on a stage of red earth, Aboriginal dancers and performers take you on a journey through the culture and legends of their land. Witness tribal dances performed to traditional music. Enjoy the melody of the didgeridoo. See displays of the weaponry used by Aboriginals and learn the history and myths of this spiritual culture.
Dinner
Alice Springs Resort Day 04: Alice Springs - MacDonnell Ranges
Today spend a full day touring the West MacDonnell Ranges. Travel alongside the rugged West MacDonnell Ranges, stopping to visit Flynn’s grave. Founder of Australia’s Royal Flying Doctor Service, Reverend John Flynn is one of Australia’s greatest Outback heroes. Then explore the dramatic feature of Simpson’s Gap, where the river cut through solid rock now providing a pleasant home for the elusive rock wallabies. Arrive at majestic Angkerle (Stanley Chasm) and walk through this five-meter break in the range, with its towering fiery red walls. These huge rock walls almost touch allowing the sun to reach the base of the gap for only 15 minutes a day. Enjoy a picnic lunch with traditional Aussie billy tea. From atop Anzac Hill enjoy stunning views of the MacDonnell Ranges and Alice Springs. Continue to Alice Springs Desert Park and explore the landscapes and wildlife of the region learning about their traditional use and management by Aboriginal people. Return to your hotel at 5.00 pm.
Lunch
Alice Springs Resort Day 05: Alice Springs - The Ghan Rail to Coober Pedy
This morning at leisure and then transfer to the Alice Springs rail station to board The Ghan at 12:45PM bound for Manguri, finally arriving in Coober Pedy late evening. Upon arrival you will be transferred to you hotel, the Desert Cave Hotel. This hotel has both aboveground and underground guest rooms so you can experience staying underground like the locals.
Desert Cave Hotel Day 06: Coober Pedy
Coober Pedy is the “opal capital of the world”. Opal was first found in Coober Pedy in 1915 and since then, has been supplying the world with the majority of gem quality opal. Coober Pedy is also known for its unique style of underground living, due to the harsh summer desert temperatures. Morning at leisure. This afternoon depart on a comprehensive four-hour tour featuring the sights and history of Coober Pedy, visiting a working opal field to observe opal mining methods. Also see the Breakaways (a range of colorful exposed sandstone outcroppings), the Moon Plain, a scene from any movies (Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome), the Dog Fence stretching 5,300km across Australia and the Serbian Underground Church. At the Underground Pottery, you can shop for either finished stones or jewelry. Your day concludes with a refreshing drink in the underground bar.
Desert Cave Hotel Day 07: Coober Pedy - Depart to Adelaide
This morning enjoy a half-day tour of Coober Pedy. Upon conclusion transfer to airport for your departing flight (cost of flight not included) to Adelaide where your tour concludes.
