Central Australia Self-Drive Walkabout

Central Australia Self Drive Walkabout 5 or 8 days

Beyond the standard tourist route by 4WD

Explore Central Australia’s major icons - as well as getting "off-the-beaten track". Step back in time as we re-discover the original "Alice Spring" and immerse yourself in the pioneering spirit of the vast Australian outback. Walk the best sections of the remote Larapinta Trail with its rugged sandstone gorges, ochre cliffs majestic mountain ranges and idyllic swimming holes. The stark contrasts of azure blue skies, deep earthy reds and the brilliant greens and whites of the ghost gums combine to create stunning photographs. Travel the 4WD Mereenie Loop through Aboriginal lands, stopping to see the effects of a comet that crashed to earth 140 millions years ago - the impact released one million times more energy that the WW2 Hiroshima bomb! At Kings Canyon walk the Canyon Rim, descending into the Garden of Eden. At Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), walk the Valley of the Winds circuit, finishing as the sun sets over this evocative landscape and the dingoes howl in the distance. At Uluru you’ll see the sunrise and walk right around the base of the rock, learning Aboriginal creation stories en route. Nest you’ll leave all the tourists behind and head for remote Ooraminna cattle station where you’ll have the option of sleeping in a swag under the stars (or staying in a comfortable cottage). The final morning is spent exploring the remote and seldom-visited eastern MacDonnell ranges. Note: No 4WD experience is necessary.

LOCATION: Starts and finishes in Alice Springs

GRADING: Walking is 40% easy, 50% moderate, 10% more strenuous. 8-16km (2-6 hours) walking each day. Driving is on sealed highways, minor roads and a slow unsealed sections. NOTE THAT IT IS ESSENTIAL TO HAVE A 4WD VEHICLE FOR THIS ITINERARY. Total driving distance is 1830km (8 days).

TYPICAL ACCOMMODATION: Two choices available. STANDARD A - Resorts, outback stations (ranches), motel, B&B, swag (or cottage). STANDARD B – Lodges (communal bathrooms), outback station, motel, swag.

REGIONAL WINE & FOOD: Indigenous foods like kangaroo, emu, crocodile, wattle damper.

WHAT'S INCLUDED: Double/twin share accommodation, meals as per itinerary, information booklets, insulated lunch bag, map case, walking notes, driving notes, maps.

NOT INCLUDED: 4WD car hire, alcohol, meals not listed in itinerary. (we can arrange car hire)

THE BEST TIME TO GO: The best months for walking in Central Australia are in winter – from June through September. From October it starts to get very warm to hot and the months of January, February and March are usually too hot for walking. In April the temperatures slowly start to decrease.

DEPARTURE DATES: Self drive itineraries depart any day from March to November, with a minimum of 2 people booking together.

8 DAY ITINERARY (includes 7 nights accommodation)

Day 1: Starts in Alice Springs any time during the day. A visit to the outback wildlife park provides an excellent introduction to the unique flora and fauna of the Red Centre. The raptor display will have you on the edge of your seat! Finish the day with a visit to the original Alice Spring followed by a walk to hilltop overlooking the Alice. Accommodation: Alice Springs

Day 2: The day begins with a walk into Standley Chasm with its sheer red walls. Then travel on a 4WD road to remote Wallace Rockhole Aboriginal community. A walk here will take you to some rare ancient petroglyphs (rock engravings). Finish the day hand-feeding cute wallabies. Accommodation: Alice Springs (B,L)

Day 3: Touring and walking in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Walk the Ormiston Pound loop on the outback Larapinta Trail. This dramatic gorge country usually contains deep permanent waterholes. The ochre coloured cliffs of the gorges contrast with the shimmering white of the ghost gums, made famous by Aboriginal artist, Albert Namatjira. There’s also time for a swim in a billabong. Stay at a remote outback station and watch the setting sun turn the cliffs into vivid orange. Surely there could be no better place in the world to view the thousands of stars in the night sky. Accommodation: Glen Helen (B,L,D)

Day 4: Travel the 4WD Mereenie Loop though Aboriginal lands. Along the way there are some fascinating geological formations to see and short walks in very remote locations. Climb to Mt Sonder lookout, walk to Redbank Gorge and visit Gosse Bluff. Continue the drive to Kings Canyon Resort. Accommodation: Kings Canyon (B,L)

Day 5: Kings Canyon is one of nature’s finest creations. The first walk is to Kathleen Springs where you’ll learn the Aboriginal legend of the Luritju Serpent. The second walk meanders through this inspirational landscape, skirting the rim of the canyon then descending into the Garden of Eden. The afternoon is spent travelling to Ayers Rock Resort, in time to watch the sun set over Uluru – a stunning display of colours from gentle, dusky blues and purples to fierce oranges and reds, glowing with the last remnants of the day. Accommodation: Ayers Rock Resort (B)

Day 6: For most people a visit to Uluru is a spiritually uplifting experience that never fades. As you walk around the base of the massive monolith, it gradually reveals numerous interesting rock formations, gullies, caves and crevices, each of which plays an important role in Aboriginal Dreamtime stories. As you walk, learn about the special Aboriginal connection with this place. In the afternoon you’ll visit the Olgas, known as Kata Tjuta to the local Anangu people, then walk the Valley of the Winds trail. The gigantic domes, towering rock walls and an array of fascinating plants just don’t seem real. Kata Tjuta reveals its true self as the sun goes down. Accommodation: Ayers Rock Resort (B)

Day 7: Travel on to Henbury Meteorite Craters for a short walk in this eerie landscape. Finish the day at remote Ooraminna Cattle Station (ranch). Share dinner with your hosts whilst you learn about the running of this huge station. Then bed down in a swag! A swag is a traditional Aussie bedroll – sheets and blankets are made up on a soft mattress, then the whole lot is slipped inside a heavy canvas cover and then rolled up. It’s warm and waterproof and a great way to enjoy sleeping under the stars of the southern sky. Alternatively you can choose to spend the night in a comfortable cottage on the station. Accommodation: Ooraminna (B,D)

Day 8: Visit Ewaninga Aboriginal rock engravings then spend the rest of the day exploring the remote and seldom visited eastern MacDonnell ranges. A walk at dramatic Trephina gorge is the finale. (B)

5 DAY ITINERARY (includes 4 nights accommodation)

Day 2: Touring and walking in the West MacDonnell Ranges. The day begins with a walk into Standley Chasm with its sheer red walls. Walk the Ormiston Pound loop on the outback Larapinta Trail. This dramatic gorge country usually contains deep permanent waterholes. The ochre coloured cliffs of the gorges contrast with the shimmering white of the ghost gums, made famous by Aboriginal artist, Albert Namatjira. There’s also time for a swim in a billabong. Stay at a remote outback station and watch the setting sun turn the cliffs into vivid orange. Surely there could be no better place in the world to view the thousands of stars in the night sky. Accommodation: Glen Helen (B,L,D)

Day 3: Travel the 4WD Mereenie Loop though Aboriginal lands. Along the way there are some fascinating geological formations to see and short walks in very remote locations. Continue the drive to Kings Canyon for a walk that meanders through this inspirational landscape, skirting the rim of the canyon then descending into the Garden of Eden.. Accommodation: Kings Canyon (B,L)

Day 4: Walk to Kathleen Springs where you’ll learn the Aboriginal legend of the Luritju Serpent. Travel to the Olgas, known as Kata Tjuta to the local Anangu people, then walk the Valley of the Winds trail. The gigantic domes, towering rock walls and an array of fascinating plants just don’t seem real. Kata Tjuta reveals its true self as the sun goes down. Accommodation: Kings Canyon (B)

Day 5: For most people a visit to Uluru is a spiritually uplifting experience that never fades. As you walk around the base of the massive monolith, it gradually reveals numerous interesting rock formations, gullies, caves and crevices, each of which plays an important role in Aboriginal Dreamtime stories. As you walk, learn about the special Aboriginal connection with this place. In the afternoon travel back to Alice Springs (B)

Prices per person:
5 days = standard A: AU$895 (S/S $495), standard B: $595 (S/S $295)
8 days = standard A: AU$1495 (S/S $795) standard B: $895 (S/S $395)