Depart Perth and travel in our custom built 4WD vehicle through some of the countries most remote regions. Explore Hyden, Kalgoorlie and Warburton as you make your way to King Canyon and Uluru National Park. Your adventure concludes in Alice Springs.
Day 1. Perth, York, Wave Rock
Depart Perth and cross the Darling Ranges on the way to historic York. Enjoy a tour with a local guide and, after time to explore, continue to the Outback town of Hyden. Explore the mesmerising natural wonder of Wave Rock, rising 15 metres high. This rock formation appears ready to crash onto a prehistoric surf, now frozen in time.
Day 2. Coolgardie, Kalgoorlie
Journey through the wheat belt to Coolgardie, the original site of Western Australia’s gold rush. Visit the Gold Museum, offering an excellent introduction to the early history of the Coolgardie goldfields. Continue to Kalgoorlie, known as the City of Gold, producing more than half of the gold mined in Australia. Travel Kalgoorlie’s Golden Mile, reputed to be the richest square mile in the world.
Day 3. Lake Ballard, Leonora
Set out along Outback roads this morning, stopping at the Ora Banda Historical Inn. Travel onwards to Lake Ballard, where you’ll stop for lunch and discover the statues created by world-renowned artist Antony Gormley. Situated around the salt lake, these ghost-like steel figures shimmer in the heat, fusing art and nature to moving effect. From Menzies, head to the ghost town of Gwalia, deserted since the closure of the major employer, a gold mine, in 1963. The mine was once managed by a young geologist named Herbert Hoover, who later became the 31st president of the USA. Frozen in time, the town is now a monument to its own fascinating history.
Day 4. Great Central Road, Warburton
This morning’s journey will start early and take you along the Great Central Road, known as The Outback Way. Special permits are required to travel this road, renowned as one of the country’s great 4WD odysseys. A mass of geological and cultural landmarks await you on this journey, including vast salt lakes, scenic nature reserves, waterholes, natural springs and caves. See the gnamma holes, a useful source of water for the local Ngaanyatjarra people, then continue to Warburton.
Day 5. Gunbarrel Highway, Lasseter’s Cave, Giles Weather Station, Uluru
The remote community of Warburton is famed for extraordinary glass work and traditional Aboriginal art. This morning, visit the Warburton Arts and Cultural Centre. See the collection produced by local artists and learn about the amazing Ngaanyatjarra world. The next stop on your tour is Giles Weather Station, where you’ll learn about the fascinating work done by some of the country’s top meteorologists. Then, travel a short section of the original Gunbarrel Highway to visit Lasseter’s Cave, named after the eccentric man who claimed to have discovered a rich gold reef in central Australia, and died in mysterious circumstances on an expedition to recover it. After such an action-packed day, there is no better way to relax than with sunset drinks at magical Uluru. Unwind and enjoy the incredible red and orange hues of the dusk sky.
Day 6. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Today you’ll have the opportunity to experience the magic of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Rise early this morning and witness the desert come alive as the sun rises over Uluru. Then, with a local guide, enjoy a base tour including Mutitjulu waterhole, before visiting the Cultural Centre to discover the history of this park. This afternoon travel to Kata Tjuta (Olgas) and hike through the massive domes of Walpa Gorge. This evening is at leisure. You may like to try a mouth-watering VIP barbecue, or enjoy the Sounds of Silence experience - a feast of Australian delicacies under the desert night sky (both at own expense).
Day 7. Mt Conner, Kings Canyon
Your tour continues as you leave Yulara and Ayers Rock Resort this morning. See Mt Conner, also known as Attila, a rocky flat-top mountain located just off the Lasseter Highway. When approaching Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park from Alice Springs Mt Conner is often mistaken for Uluru. You’ll then move on to the remarkable formation of Kings Canyon where you have a choice of guided walks. The 2.5 hour walk takes you to the canyon rim and through the Lost City to the Garden of Eden (requires a good level of fitness). The easier canyon floor walk takes you deep into the canyon between the towering orange walls. Afterwards, head to APT’s exclusive wilderness lodge, located among Desert Oak trees in a secluded part of Kings Creek Station. In the heart of central Australia, APT’s luxurious Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge will give you a memorable Australian Outback experience.
Day 8. Palm Valley, Finke River, Glen Helen
Today you’ll travel the Mereenie Loop Road to the remarkable Palm Valley. Located in the heart of Finke Gorge National Park, Palm Valley is home to more than 400 species of plant life, creating a colourful oasis among the rugged rocks and gorges of the harsh central Australian desert. This afternoon, travel past Tnorala (Gosse Bluff) Conservation Reserve, to Glen Helen Gorge, cutting its way through the West MacDonnell Ranges to make a path for the Finke River. The mesmerising contrast of colours formed between the blue sky and the red sandstone of Glen Helen Gorge is a sight to behold.
Day 9. West MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs Sightseeing
Today you’ll visit the highlights of the West MacDonnell Ranges including Ormiston Gorge, the western boundary of the MacDonnell Ranges. Next you visit Standley Chasm, gouged by flood water over millions of years. You’ll then by taken to the red gorge and towering cliffs of Simpsons Gap. On arrival in Alice Springs, take a sightseeing tour of the famous Outback town.
Day 10. Alice Springs
This morning tour the town’s historical and industrial landmarks such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service base, the Old Telegraph Station and School of the Air. Your tour concludes with a transfer to the airport.
