Tour Details - b. 5 Day Central Australia Getaway (Std); Aurora, Outback Pioneer 12/13

Day 1. Arrive in Alice Springs, Town Tour
Arrive in Alice Springs by midday today and transfer to your hotel. After checking in, join a guided tour of the town affectionately referred to as ‘the Alice’. Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service Base, one of the bases for Australia’s famous air ambulance service, which looks after those that live in the remote parts of the Northern Territory and South Australia. You’ll also stop in at the unique School of the Air, established in 1951 to provide children in extremely remote parts of the Northern Territory an education via interactive radio lessons. Today, it is fondly referred to as ‘The World’s Largest Classroom’. Lastly, you’ll visit the town’s Old Telegraph Station, established in 1872 to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide. At the conclusion of the tour, the evening is yours at leisure to relax at the hotel or step out and take in the sights of this quiet town by night.

Day 2. Camel Farm, Station Tour
This morning you’ll farewell Alice Springs and travel to the Camel Farm, where you may choose to take the unique opportunity to go for a camel ride (own expense). Then reboard the vehicle and continue on to APT’s exclusive Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge, set in a typical Central Australian bush environment amongst Desert Oak trees. After meeting the friendly lodge staff and being shown to your tented cabin, you’ll embark on an exclusive tour of the grounds of the cattle station for a chance to spot wild camels, kangaroos and other native animals. On the tour, you’ll also be taken to view ancient Aboriginal petroglyphs (rock engravings) first-hand. Following the tour, you have the unique opportunity to dine this evening in the solitude of the Australian desert around the campfire (weather permitting). Enjoy a freshly prepared meal of gourmet Australian cuisine then relax by the warmth of the fire as the stars of the southern night sky sparkle above.

Day 3. Kings Canyon Guided Walk, Kings Creek Station
After breakfast enjoy a guided walk around the rim of Kings Canyon, a majestic canyon that sits at the western end of the George Gill Range in Watarrka National Park. Tracing the top of the canyon, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the gorge below and of the surrounding landscape. About half way into the walk, you’ll descend into the Garden of Eden, a permanent waterhole surrounded by lush plant life. After absorbing the tranquil surrounds, the last half of the walk passes through a large maze of weathered sandstone domes, reminiscent of the Kimberley’s Bungle Bungle Range. After reboarding the vehicle and returning to the lodge, the remainder of today is at leisure to relax and enjoy this secluded location. A range of optional activities are available from the station including escorted quad bike rides, camel rides and helicopter flights over Kings Canyon (own expense). Once again this evening, you’ll dine in the solitude of the Australian desert around the campfire (weather permitting).

Day 4. Kings Canyon, Uluru (Ayers Rock) Base Tour and Sunset
After breakfast today, return to Kings Canyon and embark on the gentler floor walk, taking you deep into the canyon to a viewing platform. Here, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the canyon walls above, which are over 300 metres tall in places. Afterwards, depart for Uluru, where this afternoon you’ll enjoy the opportunity to visit the Cultural Centre to gain a greater understanding of local Indigenous culture. Then set out on a tour around the base of Uluru on the guided Mutitjulu and Mala walks. Later, enjoy a complimentary glass of wine while watching a beautiful Uluru sunset. This evening, enjoy the Uluru Aussie Barbecue, where you’ll dine in the shadow of Uluru under the magnificent night sky.

Day 5. Uluru Sunrise, Kata Tjuta (Olgas)
Rise early this morning to take in sunrise at Uluru. Then travel to Kata Tjuta, a series of domes weathered down to an intricate maze of valleys and hollows. You’ll enjoy panoramic views of the domes and also take a guided walk into majestic Walpa (Olga) Gorge. Following the walk, your getaway draws to its conclusion as you are transferred to Ayers Rock Airport after midday for your onward flight.