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| From Sydney to Alice Springs Aboriginal Culture | |
| Code | AD-SAPBN15 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 14 Days |
| Tour Price APR 2012 - MAR 2013 | $1475 per person |
| Frequency | APR, OCT-MAR*: Mon Wed Sat |
| Style | Aboriginal Culture |
| Transport | 4WD |
| Suitability | 18-39 Years |
| Start | Sydney @6.30am |
| End | Alice Springs Early evening |
Day 1 – Sydney to Thredbo Alpine Village* (via Canberra)
Our first stop today is the capital city of Australia – Canberra - where the Prime Minister hangs out. See for yourself how a custom-made capital city is built as you take in the view from Mt. Ainslie, take a tour of Parliament House, check out a few embassies and see other city highlights. We travel via Cooma, learning about the historically important Snowy Hydro-Electric Scheme on our way to Thredbo. *In ski season (Jun-Sep) we stay in Jindabyne and during winter Perisher/Smiggins (D).
Day 2 - Thredbo to Lakes Entrance via Snowy River Country
Grab your hiking boots, we're going to the 'Roof of Australia'. There's a chairlift express up the mountain (seasonal) and you can either walk to the summit of Australia's highest mountain, Mt Kosciuszko (weather permitting), or to the viewing point. During winter, we have time to play in the snow at the ski resort of Perisher/Smiggins (optional toboggan hire or snow tube at own expense). It's a spectacular drive along Barry Way, with the Snowy River below. Tonight we stay at Lakes Entrance, the Gateway to the Gippsland Lakes and Australia's longest beach – Ninety Mile Beach. (BD)
Day 3 – Lakes Entrance to Wilsons Promontory NP and Melbourne
We travel to mainland Australia's most southerly point, Wilsons Promontory National Park. Walk along gleaming beaches, hike along amazing granite rock formations and learn about coastal flora and native wildlife. You might even see emus and wombats! We finish our tour travelling to Melbourne through pastoral landscapes in South Gippsland. (B)
Day 4 - Melbourne via Great Ocean Rd to Port Campbell
We pass Geelong and check out the surfing town of Torquay and world famous Bells Beach. Our Great Ocean Road journey begins here as we wind our way along one of the most spectacular coastal roads in Australia. At Kennett River we spot for koalas and watch and listen to the abundant birdlife. Next we hit the cool temperate rainforest of the Otway National Park, where we spend time at the Otway Fly Tree Top Walk (included) then watch the sun set over the Twelve Apostles. (LD)
Day 5 – Port Campbell to Grampians National Park
Start the day with an optional helicopter ride over the amazing 12 Apostles or walk down the Gibson Steps to the beach to get a different angle of the limestone stacks. Next we head on to check out Loch Ard Gorge and the western end of the Great Ocean Road including London Bridge, the Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands. You may spot a whale or two (seasonal) at Warrnambool, where we have a stop. From here we travel through country Victoria, arriving at the magnificent Grampians National Park to the challenge of a hike to the top of the Pinnacle. The day is topped off by a walk to The Balconies and Reeds Lookout, before we get to our overnight Grampians accommodation. (BLD)
Day 6 - Halls Gap to Adelaide
Get your legs working this morning with hikes at Hollow Mountain and the amazing McKenzie Falls, where you'll experience the breathtaking views stretching over the north of the Grampians. Leaving this magical place, we travel west, stopping for lunch before continuing through the agricultural region of Victoria and in to South Australia. Bordertown is home of the rare White Western Grey Kangaroos. Crossing the mighty Murray River, king of Australia's rivers, we wind our way through the picture-pretty Adelaide Hills before arriving into Adelaide city. Overnight accommodation included. (BL)
Day 7 – Adelaide
Enjoy a FREE day in Adelaide to relax or explore the city. Overnight dorm accommodation included. (Meals at own expense)
Day 8 – Adelaide to Quorn
Leaving the city behind, we travel through the Clare Valley to Quorn, a quaint and historical railway township nestled at the entrance to the Richman Valley. Eat a hearty lunch, because this afternoon we hike to the summit of Dutchman's Stern for stunning 360° views of Quorn, Spencer Gulf and the Flinders Ranges! We return to Quorn where we stay two nights in private accommodation at the historical "Mill". Get ready for tonight's BBQ dinner – it doesn't get any more Aussie than this! (LD)
Day 9 – Flinders Ranges & Wilpena Pound
The Flinders Ranges has been recognised as one of Australia's National Landscapes and today you'll get to experience and explore this magical region! Wilpena Pound is a natural amphitheatre located in a huge stone crater and you will spend the morning hiking and exploring its wonder! After lunch, it's a short walk to Yourambulla Caves to view Aboriginal rock paintings. Learn about the hardships of sheep farming in the mid 1800's as you view the ruins of Kanyaka Homestead. As we travel back to Quorn, there's an opportunity to spot the shy and elusive Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby on a quiet stroll through peaceful Warren Gorge. Overnight at the Quorn "Mill". (BLD)
Day 10 – Quorn to Coober Pedy
We travel north through Port Augusta and the small township of Glendambo (population 30!) passing ancient salt lakes which are the remnants of an inland sea. The Opal Capital of the World is our destination and our bunkhouse for tonight is – you guessed it – underground. (BLD)
Day 11 – Coober Pedy to Marla
After breakfast we check out the sites of Coober Pedy on a town tour which includes an opal cutting demonstration and mine tour with the opportunity to try your luck 'noodling' for opals! We continue our drive north and you will see the flat topped mesas, 'The Breakaways'. During the afternoon we drive through the rugged desert country to the small outback township of Marla. (BLD)
Day 12 – Marla to Uluru
From Marla, we cross the Northern Territory border and arrive at the Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park. Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) will fascinate you, and you will discover some of the secrets of this ancient landform during the Valley of the Winds hike. You'll be mesmerised as the desert sun sets over Uluru, and as the night grows darker, curl up in your swag (Aussie bedroll) under millions of stars. (BLD)
Day 13 – Uluru to Kings Canyon
It's an early start this morning, but you'll be rewarded with a glorious Uluru sunrise. While the morning's fresh (and your legs are too!) enjoy an unguided walk around the base of Uluru. You will then deepen your understanding of the land and the Mala people as you take a cultural interpretive walk with an Aboriginal guide (and interpreter). Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to purchase Aboriginal arts and crafts at the Cultural Centre before we travel to our exclusive campsite within the Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) where we sleep for the night. (BLD)
Day 14 – Kings Canyon to Alice Springs
Get your hiking shoes on today as we head out to explore the impressive formations of Kings Canyon. You'll be left breathless by the sheer beauty of the canyon as we trek through the Amphitheatre, the Lost City, the lush and ancient Garden of Eden and the North and South Walls. Lunch is a welcome prospect, before we make our way to Alice Springs. (BL)
