DAY 1
BOARD THE GHAN EXPEDITION IN DARWIN
Settle into the comforts of The Ghan, relaxing in your cabin or mingling with fellow travellers in the Outback Explorer Lounge. Enjoy lunch ahead of your Off Train Experience in Katherine. In a region renowned for jaw-dropping natural assets, Katherine boasts one of the Top End’s best – the incredible Nitmiluk Gorge. (L,D)
DAY 2
THE GHAN EXPEDITION, ARRIVE ALICE SPRINGS
Your eight-day Red Centre Explorer tour commences on arrival at the Alice Springs Rail Terminal. Here, you will be met by the passionate Outback Spirit crew, who will be guiding you as you take in all the Red Centre has to offer over the next eight days. It all starts with a town tour of Alice Springs, including alight lunch at a local eatery. Then, you’ll check-in at DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs, where we'll stay for the first two nights. In the evening, the group will meet for welcome drinks and a short briefing on what you can expect during your tour. Tonight's dinner is at the hotel. (B,L,D)
OVERNIGHT: 2 nights DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs
DAY 3
ALICE SPRINGS
Today, explore Alice Springs and its surrounds, taking in natural rock formations that are truly spectacular. After breakfast, venture to the West MacDonnell Ranges and
enjoy a walk to Simpsons Gap. Known as 'Rungutjirpa' by the Arrernte people, Simpsons Gap is an important spiritual site and home to dozens of rare plants and a host of native wildlife. We'll then visit Standley Chasm – Angkerle Atwatye – a cultural icon of Central Australia, which is 100% owned and operated by the Arrernte community. We'll break for morning tea before departing the West MacDonnell Ranges to visit the Alice Springs Desert Park. Here, enjoy a guided tour that will challenge your perception of the desert, leaving you with an understanding that the desert is full of life.This evening, enjoy a classic-style outdoor BBQ and show under the incredible night sky. (B,L,D)
DAY 4
ALICE SPRINGS TO KINGS CANYON
Today, we say goodbye to Alice Springs as we go deeper into the outback. First up is a visit to Ellery Creek for a short walk and morning tea, then we travel to Ormiston Gorge to see its towering red cliffs. We'll stop for lunch, before journeying to the mighty Kings Canyon and Watarrka National Park. As we drive through the outback, we'll take the scenic Mereenie Loop 4WD track through the West MacDonnell Ranges and arrive at Kings Canyon Resort, where we'll spend the next two nights. Tonight, dinner is at Carmichael’s, a relaxed restaurant situated in Kings Canyon Resort, surrounded by native trees and bushlands. If you’re lucky, you may spot an inquisitive dingo wandering through the grounds. (B,L,D)
OVERNIGHT: 2 nights Kings Canyon Resort
DAY 5
KINGS CANYON – WATARRKA NATIONAL PARK
Experience the wonders of majestic Kings Canyon with your choice of walk, including the 6km rim walk, featuring breathtaking views of the Watarrka National Park, or a less arduous 2.6km walk along the canyon floor. After returning to the resort in the afternoon, there is the opportunity to take a 15-minute helicopter flight over Kings Canyon and the Watarrka National Park. As afternoon turns to evening, enjoy sunset drinks and canapes at Light-Towers, an immersive sound and light installation by acclaimed artist Bruce Munro, who also created the Field of Light. Tonight, we'll enjoy dinner at the newly renovated Kings Canyon Bar & Grill.
PLEASE NOTE: Additional costs are applicable and weight limits apply to all scenic flights. (B,L,D)
DAY 6
KINGS CANYON TO ULURU KATA TJUTA NATIONAL PARK
We depart Kings Canyon for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, passing through Kings Creek Station to enjoy an informative talk on paper-making and lunch at Curtin
Springs, a million-acre cattle station. In the early afternoon, we arrive at the award-winning Sails in the Desert Hotel, part of the Ayers Rock Resort. This evening, we attend the Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner. This is a breathtaking cultural storytelling experience, told through choreographed drones, lasers and projections illuminating the night sky.
After a short journey from the resort, we venture to an open-air theatre set atop a dune. Enjoy cocktails infused with native ingredients while taking in the incredible views
of Uluru. As darkness descends, dine on a gourmet dinner hamper, where native ingredients are combined with modern techniques to create a balanced and flavourful
meal as the night sky lights up before our eyes. Witness the ancient Mala story re-told and feel a powerful connection to country listening to a traditional Inma soundtrack and narration in the local Pitjantjatjara language. (B,L,D)
OVERNIGHT: 3 nights Sails in the Desert Hotel
DAY 7
ULURU KATA TJUTA NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, we depart to discover Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and admire the stunning rock formations on a guided walk into Walpa Gorge, an ancient temple crafted by nature. Take in the cultural centre and take a guided tour aroundthe base of Uluru, which stands 348 metres above thedesert plains. Learn about traditional Anangu culture and why Uluru, one of the largest monoliths in the world, issuch a sacred site.In the afternoon, we will let our creativity shine during a Maruku Arts dot painting workshop. A local Anangu artist will teach us about traditional art, symbols, tools, andmore. Through the workshop, you'll have the opportunity to create something to take home with you.Departing the resort before sunset, we head to an exclusive dune-top location, again with majestic views of Uluru. Enjoy drinks and canapes as artist Bruce Munro's global phenomenon Field of Light gently illuminates. Aptly named Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku (looking at lots of beautiful lights), Field of Light features 50,000 slender stems, crowned with radiant, frosted-glass spheres, spread across an area the size of seven football fields. After your host provides insight into this remarkable installation, you can explore the stunning display via dedicated pathways.This evening, return to the hotel for dinner.
PLEASE NOTE: Dinner this evening will be at approximately 9pm. (B,L,D)
DAY 8
ULURU-KATA TJUTA NATIONAL PARK
Early risers can experience the sun rising over Uluru this morning and the colours of dawn spreading across the landscape. Breakfast is at the hotel, before we depart for the Mala Walk. Admire the fine examples of rock art along this walk before arriving at Kantju Gorge, a place of profound peacefulness surrounded by sheer vertical walls. We return to the hotel for lunch with an afternoon ahead of us. You can spend this time at your leisure or participate in additional touring of the area, including a visit to the Gallery of Central Australia and Bush Tucker Experience. This evening, enjoy the unique Sounds of Silence dining experience under the stars. Offering the best of the Red Centre distilled into four magical hours, the evening begins with canapes and chilled sparkling wine served on a viewing platform overlooking the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. As the sun sets and darkness falls, listen to the sound of the didgeridoo and enjoy a premium bush tucker-inspired buffet incorporating native bush ingredients. Afterwards, settle back and listen to the resident star talker decode the southern night sky. After this incredible experience, we return to Sails in the Desert for our final night. (B,L,D)
DAY 9
ULURU-KATA TJUTA NATIONAL PARK TO ALICE SPRINGS, THE GHAN EXPEDITION
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel before making the journey by road from Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to the Alice Springs Rail Terminal, where your Red Centre Explorer tour comes to an end. Re-join The Ghan Expedition and enjoy a unique dining experience this evening. Tuck into a mouthy-watering meal as you sip on a cold beer or a glass of fine wine under a chandelier of stars at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. (B,L,D)
OVERNIGHT: 2 nights The Ghan Expedition
DAY 10
THE GHAN EXPEDITION, COOBER PEDY
From your morning stop at Manguri, you’ll venture into the weird and wonderful opal mining township of Coober Pedy, where more than half of the residents live underground. Here, you’ll enjoy a day of discovery and lunch in the most unique of locations: underground. Dinner is served back on the train, where you can enjoy a nightcap as your journey continues. (B,L,D)
DAY 11
THE GHAN EXPEDITION, ADELAIDE
This morning, you’ll see a dramatic change in landscape as the rich ochre tones of the outback make way for the greenfields of South Australia. Enjoy a leisurely brunch as you pass through the majestic Flinders Ranges before your arrival into Adelaide, completing one of the world’s great rail journeys. (B)
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