Red Centre
|
9 days
2 nights
2 nights
2 nights
1 nights
1 nights |
Saturday 13th June to Sunday 21st June 2009
lodge accommodation at Glen Helen Resort
Hotel accommodation in Alice Springs
lodge accommodation with shared amenities at Kings Canyon Resort
cabin accommodation with shared amenities at Curtin Springs Station
hotel accommodation in Yulara (Ayers Rock Resort) |
A journey to the heart of the Australian continent has all of the makings of a great travel experience. There is the deeply spiritual aspect associated with landmarks such as Uluru, the many testimonies to the tenacity of the early pioneers as seen in the Alice Springs Telegraph Station, and of course the unique character and spectacle of locations such as Kings Canyon. Park Trek has planned a 9-day journey through this ancient area at a time of the year when cool fresh mornings give rise to warm, clear days.
DAY 1
Our trip begins with a pick up in central Alice Springs at 9.00am. Our journey takes us out to Ormiston Gorge, one of the most strikingly beautful locations in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Before we begin our days walking we'll enjoy morning tea and prepare our lunches so we can sit overlooking this fabulous landscape. The days walk can only be described as absolutely stunning and one that very quickly introduces us to the timeless beauty of this area. Then it’s onto Glen Helen Resort, our home for the next 2 nights. Here we enjoy comfortable twin share lodge accommodation with the opportunity for a cosy campfire under a blanket of stars.
11 kilometres walking
DAY 2
Today we follow arguably the best section of the Larapinta Trail taking in the view from Counts Lookout. Our days journey begins at Serpentine Gorge and pauses for lunch atop Counts Lookout. While this is a challenging section the pace fo the walking with only small backpacks is gentle and steady enabling you to absorb your surrounds. We finish at Serpentine Dam and then it’s back to our cosy lodge at Glen Helen for another great night under the stars.
16 kilometres walking
DAY 3
We depart from Glen Helen this morning for a journey into the ancient landscape of Palm Valley along the worlds oldest watercourse, the Finke River. We use four wheel drive vehicles to take us on this journey into an ancient land that is stunning and a real trip highlight. Our By late afternoon we’ll have everyone settling into their rooms (twin share) at the Desert Oasis Hotel in Alice Springs. Tonight we are dining out at the iconic Overlander Restaurant (OE).
8 kilometres walking
DAY 4
Very few visitors to Central Australia venture out to explore the East MacDonnell Ranges yet some inspiring walking and surrounding countryside awaits the more intrepid of us. Leaving Alice Springs early we drive out to the beautiful Trephina Gorge and walk the ridgeline along to John Hayes Rockhole. This is a walk that offers fantastic views and another great place to visit. Our vehicle will be waiting to take us back into Alice Springs and another evening of warm hospitality.
DAY 5
Today we make tracks for Kings Canyon in the Watarrka National Park. The scenery will pass you by outside of your coach window as we journey towards our next port of call. Along the way we'll stop in at Mt Ebeneezer Roadhouse for lunch and the chance to appreciate (and buy if you wish) some of the best Aboriginal art in Central Australia. After our break we'll make Kathleen Springs our next destination where we enjoy a short 3 kilometre walk in and out of this remarkable outback oasis. By late afternoon we'll be arriving into our lodge accommodation at the Kings Canyon Resort. After settling in it will be time to get the wine flowing, the campfire blazing and dinner under a blanket of a million stars.
DAY 6
Todays walking is along the Giles Track that follows the dramatic ridgeline of the George Gill Range. It is a great chance to appreciate the quiet beauty of the outback without the maddening crowds. Over the years that we have been doing this trip the variety of wildflowers, the amazing rock formations and the expansive views have served to make this one of the most endearing days on the entire trip. Then it's back to our lodgings, a shower and an evening sunset.
12 kilometres walking
DAY 7
Today we depart Kings Canyon Resort to go off and explore arguably one of the best gorge walks found anywhere, the Kings Canyon Rim Walk. We’ll take our time to explore this amazing environment and do some extra wanderings of our own before returning to the coach. By evening time we’ll be settling one of Central Australia's iconic cattle stations - Curtin Springs. Our accommodation here are very modern and clean twin share cabins.
9 kilometres walking
DAY 8
A leisurely days walking awaits us as we head out to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). Walks include the Olga Gorge Walk and one of the most beautiful walks in the Red Centre, the Valley of the Winds. We'll then head off to the fabulous visitor information centre at the foot of Uluru. Finally we return to our accommodation in the late afternoon letting you do some wanderings of your own before a final sunset over Uluru. Tonight is s pecial final night's dinner so we have chosen a delightful restaurant to eat at in Yulara (OE).
10 kilometres walking
DAY 9
After breakfast we embark on our final walk, the base walk of Uluru. This will occupy the best part of the morning and makes for a superb finale to our journey through this treasured part of the country. Back at Yulara you can choose from a number of eateries for a quick bite of lunch (OE). Then you have the choice here of deciding whether to catch an afternoon flight from the airport at Yulara and return home. It's worthy of further investigation if you wish to return to work the following day. Otherwise you can remain with us as we make the return journey back to Alice Springs, returning by 6.00pm.
10 kilometres walking
PRICE
Cost: $2,300.00 (inc. GST)
(ex - Alice Springs)
(OE) denotes Own Expense
