10 Day 4WD Ayers Rock Tour - Adelaide to Alice Springs

Departs:	Adelaide 6.30am Mon & Some Thu.
Group Size:	10 max
Vehicle:	4WD
Accomm:	Bush Camping
Price:	$1495 AUD ($1420 with hostelTXT, YHA, VIP card)
Pay on Tour:	Sleeping Bag $20, Local Payment $120

Tour Itinerary Show Map

Base Walk, Ayers Rock

The 10 Day 4WD Ayers Rock Tour explores the fascinating outback regions of Southern and Central Australia in a small group of 10 passengers. Accommodation is bush camping in a swag around the campfire at minimal facility campgrounds and bush camps (no facilities). It’s a backpacker tour with plenty of adventure, it will be hot, it will be dusty, it will be unbelievable.

The Tour visits Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (The Olgas, or Mount Olga) and Watarka (Kings Canyon), Coober Pedy and The Flinders Ranges. As well other less well known destinations including Finke Aboriginal Community, Lake Eyre, Dalhousie Springs, Mt Connor (Atila), Mt Ebenezer, Kings Creek Station, Curtin Springs, and of coarse Lake Cadibarrawirracanna.

National parks visited on this tour include Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, which is a world heritage area, Watarrka National Park, Flinders Ranges National Park, Witjira National Park and Lake Eyre National Park.

Hikes include the Ayers Rock base walk (8km), Valley of the winds walk at Kata Tjuta (6km) and the rim walk at Watarrka (6km), plus a selection of other walks throughout the expedition. There is also time to climb Ayers Rock if you wish.

Aboriginal culture is very strong in Central Australia, the tour visits a number of locations where there are opportunities to meet Aboriginal People and experience this culture, especially at Iga Wartha Aboriginal Community where we spend a night camping. The tour also visits the Cultural centre in Ayers Rock Kata Tjuta National Park. Your guide will also be able to discuss with you the many aspects of this rich and varied culture, and will be able to show you sacred sites and ancient rock art.

Day 1, Set off towards the Flinders Ranges:

Day 1, Devils Peak, Flinders Ranges

You will picked up from your accommodation in Adelaide at around 6.30am and head north to one of the oldest mountain ranges on earth, the magnificent Flinders Ranges. We lunch at beautiful Alligator Gorge National Park and do a great 2-hour walk through the Gorge itself, breathe the mountain air and relax with nature.

After winding our way in the 4WD through the southern Flinders Ranges, it is off to an early camp in Warren Gorge. This spectacular conservation park is surrounded by towering mountain peaks.

A peaceful evening is generally spent exploring the gorge which is home to the endangered Yellow Footed Rock Wallabies, and an abundance of bird life. Everybody helps to set up camp, roll out the swags and enjoy a wholesome meal, cooked on the camp fire. Fall asleep in your swag under millions of stars. Welcome to Australia.

Alligator Gorge
Southern Flinders Ranges
Warrens Gorge

Day 2, Flinders Ranges:

Day 2, Bunyeroo Valley, Flinders Ranges

It not unusual to awake to the friendly call of a kookaburra in Warrens Gorge. After breakfast, we follow the mountain tracks north to an Aboriginal art site at Yourambulla Caves, and let our guide introduce you to the Aboriginal culture and history of the Flinders Ranges.

The stories of the Andyamantha people of the Flinders are the beginning of your journey into learning and respecting the Aboriginal people of our ancient land.

Spend the afternoon bush walking and photographing Wilpena Pound, one of the unique wonders of the world. There are a number of hike to chose from, including the challenging Mount Olsen Bagge

We steer our way up and around the Pound on the dirt tracks, winding through this ancient and awe-inspiring mountain scenery and set up camp in the huge Parachilna Gorge for the night. A sunset walk for views over the plains is a must before dinner.

Yourambulla Caves
Wilpena Pound
Pound Hike

Day 3, Oodnadatta Track:

Day 3, Lake Eyre

Leave the splendor of the rugged mountain scenery and head further north into the outback. A morning stop at the Bush Bakery at Copley for a fresh coffee and maybe a kangaroo or emu pie. Bush tucker made easy!

Now it is time to hit the famous Oodnadatta track and follow the historic cameleer route and the old Ghan Railway, a constant reminder of our pioneering history. Further north to Marree for lunch and visit the Arabunna Aboriginal Centre, where we see aboriginal art and weapons, culture and local history.

Next into the desert, crossing the dingo fence, onto Lake Eyre South, and cool off in a thermal waterhole at Coward Springs. Collect firewood. Old Ghan Railway sleepers make excellent cooking coals. Enjoy a nice cool beer at a real outback pub at William Creek, (population 3) and Set up camp in the red sand dunes on the world's largest cattle station (Anna Creek Station)

Oodnadatta Track
Coply
Arabunna Aboriginal Centre
Dingo Fence
Lake Eyre
Coward Springs
William Creek Pub
Anna Creek Cattle Station

Day 4, Coober Pedy

Day 4, On the way to Coober Pedy

Sunrise in the dunes heralds a new day of wonder. Head into Coober Pedy, the famous opal capital of the world. Take a well-earned hot shower before touring this amazing place. We take you underground, and learn the techniques of mining and production. Stock up on provisions in Coober Pedy, ready for the Painted and Simpson Deserts.

This afternoon, head northeast back to the Oodnadatta Track across dry river beds lined with Coolabah trees and onto the Painted Desert. Set up camp after a walk of a million views, and talk over the day and watch the sun go down as the huge desert red kangaroos bounce by.

Coober Pedy
Painted Desert
Walk of a million views

Day 5, Oodnadatta & Dalhousie Springs

Day 5, Dalhousie Springs

Morning at the Pink Roadhouse at Oodnadatta is an interesting coffee spot in the middle of nowhere. Wander through this old railway town and visit an outback school, and a hospital which is serviced by the Flying Doctor Service.

Push north into the Simpson Desert and perhaps deliver mail and provisions to the remote cattle stations of Mt Sarah and Hamilton. 4WD over the red sand dunes of one of the most spectacular deserts in the world. Watch out for wild camels, horses, dingoes and wedge tail eagles.

A swim and lunch at Eringa Waters. The waterholes are great spots for wildlife. At the end of the day we are at Dalhousie hot springs (winter only), where we swim by moonlight in this desert oasis, soak in the 30 degree thermal springs. Big fire, big dinner and into the swags.

Pink Road House Oddnadatta
Simpson Desert
Eringa Waters
Dalhousie Springs

Day 6, Finke & Ayers Rock

Day 6, Ayers Rock Sunset

Today we hit the track early and head to Finke, a traditional aboriginal community, restock with water, maybe get to meet some of the central desert aboriginal people who live in this remote settlement. Our journey then takes us past Lamberts Centre which is the geographical centre of Australia.

Then it is the big one; Ayers Rock (Ayres Rock). We will arrive in time for sunset over this spiritual monolith. This is the home of the Anungu, the traditional custodians and protectors of this sacred land.

Finke
Lamberts Centre
Ayers Rock (Ayers Rock)
Ayers Rock Sunset

Day 7, Ayers Rock

Day 7, Base Walk, Ayers Rock

This morning you are rewarded with a life long memory of watching sunrise over Ayers Rock. We take you on a guided walk around the rock explaining to you the spiritual importance Ayers Rock has to the aboriginal people. After the 9km hike we make our way to the Cultural Centre for lunch. Relax and learn the ways and listen to stories of Anungu through the displays and educational information.

Ayers Rock
Ayers Rock Base Walk
Cultural Centre

Day 8, Kata Tjuta (Olgas)

Day 8, Valley of the Winds, Kata Tjuta

This morning we head out to another sacred area for the Anungu and hike through the spectacular canyons and ancient rock formations of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) Learn about some of the bush tucker that grows in this area and photograph some of the most beautiful scenery the desert has to offer and complete the best hike in the area, The Valley of the Winds.

After lunch we travel on towards Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon)and set up camp in the red sand hills protected by the majestic desert oak trees.

Kata Tjuta
Valley of the Wind Hike

Day 9, Kings Canyon & West Mac Donnell Ranges

Day 9, Rim Walk, Kings Canyon

Regarded as one of the most rewarding walks of the tour, we spend approximately 5 hours exploring Kings Canyon. Trek to places like The Amphitheatre, and the Lost City

If it is hot enjoy a swim in the Garden of Eden water hole. You will be fascinated by the amazing colors and spectacular scenery.

Spend the afternoon exploring the huge comet crater at Gosses Bluff, and perhaps search for the elusive Thorny Devil. If time permits we will visit such places as Hermannsburg and Palm Valley. At days end, we settle down for our last night together, camped in the centre of Australia. Roll out your swag in front of the fire and fall asleep under the desert sky.

Kings Canyon
Kings Canyon Rim Walk
West Mac Donnell Ranges
Gosses Bluff

Day 10, West Mac Donnell Ranges & Alice Springs

Day 10, West MacDonnell Ranges

A well-earned sleep in today is the reward for our hardy outback explorers. We travel along the Western MacDonnell Ranges stopping at Glen Helen Gorge then Ormiston Gorge. Have a swim at Ellery Creek Big Hole or Simpson Gap before entering Alice Springs at around 5.00pm

Tonight it is time to get cleaned up, let your hair down and hit the town. The last ten days together, sharing this unique experience will leave you with an enormous sense of achievement. Our trips are led by experienced driver/guides who have a genuine interest in aboriginal history and culture.