red centre
larapinta & beyond
highlights
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Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park World Heritage Area
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Hike sections of the long distance Larapinta Trail - Mt Sonder & Ormiston Pound
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Explore the upper reaches of Standley Chasm
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Learn about Aboriginal culture from the early days to the first settlers, the "Stolen Generation" and modern issues
Join a small guided group to explore Central Australia’s major icons - as well as getting "off-the-beaten track". We'll also step back in time as we immerse ourselves in the pioneering spirit of the vast Australian outback.
"Red Centre" is a highly appropriate description for this area, both because of it’s location close to the geographical centre of Australia, and also because of the amazing vivid red colour everywhere you look. The colouring comes from iron in the soil and rocks. Walk the best sections of the remote Larapinta Trail with its rugged sandstone gorges, ochre cliffs and majestic mountain ranges. 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.
Stunning gorges and serene waterholes
At the major tourist sites of Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and Uluru (Ayers Rock) we’ll spend more time than most other tour groups, enjoying our knowledgeable guide’s in-depth interpretation of these special places. For the grand finale, sit back and sip champagne under the Southern Cross whilst the sun sets over this evocative landscape and the dingoes howl in the distance.
This Auswalk tour operates with small numbers of people, generally 8-15, so you can have a more intimate experience of this extraordinary region. Our walks enable us to reach special places that most people simply don’t know about. Walking allows us to have chance encounters with the unusual local wildlife. Even though the average rainfall here is very low, there are many animals that have adapted with clever tricks for survival. Plants of the Red Centre are also remarkable, from Australia’s most common tree the river red gum, through to desert species like mallees and mulga. Most people will also be surprised at the large variety of birds that will be seen during the tour.
Central Australia also has a rich Aboriginal culture, with people and the land peacefully co-existing together for many thousands of years.
Typical touring days in Central Australia start early in the morning. Every day on our tour involves some travelling. You will travel in a minibus bus towing a trailer for luggage. Each day also has about 3 to 7 hours of walking.
Click here to read a client's story about this Red Centre trip.
Click here to see clients' photos of this trip.
On the Ormiston Pound Walk Location
location
Starts and finishes in Alice Springs.
travel
Air conditioned mini bus. Total travel distance around 1850km.
grading
40% easy, 50% moderate, 10% more strenuous. 8-18km (3-7 hours) walking each day. The tracks are well formed and easy to follow. Mostly tracks are flat or gently graded. Occasionally there are short rough sections or steps.
NOTE: This trip includes two guides so we are able to offer a range of easier and harder walks on most days.
The walk around Uluru is flat and easy. At the Olgas you can choose a moderate circuit walk or a shorter out-and-back walk. The Kings Canyon Rim walk is moderately challenging, with fitter, stronger walkers being offered the opportunity to hike into the Garden of Eden as well. The walking in the West Macdonnells varies from quite hard to moderate. In general, much of the walking in Central Australia is on rocky tracks so you need sturdy footwear. This trip is best suited to people who enjoy moderate walking with some challenging options along the way.
accommodation
There are less accommodation choices in the Red Centre than in more populated locations in Australia. We’ve chosen a range of accommodations that reflect the special character of the outback – not simply sterile resort properties. Each is special and each is different. Some are so remote that they have to generate their own electricity and supply their own water. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms and most rooms are motel style. Overnight stays are at remote stations at Curtin Springs, Erldunda and Glen Helen plus a motel in Alice Springs.
NOTE: We can arrange pre/post tour accommodation in Alice Springs.
Quality dining is an important aspect of all Auswalk walking holidays. Meals vary a lot, but they will be plentiful, nutritious and wholesome. Most meals are included on this holiday. Each day starts with a hearty cooked breakfast. On some days you will need to carry lunch. It will be packed in an insulated carrier bag (which we supply) to keep it fresh and cool. Dinner is included every night.
regional food highlights
You may have the opportunity to try indigenous foods like kangaroo, emu, crocodile, wattle damper.
Views for hundreds of miles!
what's included
Guiding, all ground transport ex Alice Springs, 6 nights accommodation, 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners, champagne sunset viewing, entry to Alice Springs Desert Park, entry to Standley Chasm, National Park fees, information booklets, insulated lunch bag, map case, maps.
not included
Alcohol, additional meals.
departure dates
26th July 2008, 22nd June 2009
Also available for private groups
itinerary guide - 7 days
(includes 6 nights accommodation)
Day 1: Starts in Alice Springs at 9.00am. A visit to the outback wildlife park provides and excellent introduction to the unique flora and fauna of the Red Centre. The raptor display will have you on the edge of your seat! Travel to Curtin Springs for the night. This outback cattle station of over a million acres is a real remote experience. Accommodation: Curtin Springs outback station
Day 2: Travel to the Olgas, known as Kata Tjuta to the local Anangu people. Our morning walk will be along the Valley of the Winds trail. The gigantic domes, towering rock walls and an array of fascinating plants just don’t seem real. After lunch at the Cultural Centre it’s on to Uluru. For most people the first glimpse of Uluru is a spiritually uplifting experience that never fades. The massive monolith gradually reveals numerous interesting rock formations, gullies, caves and crevices, each of which plays an important role in Aboriginal stories. You will learn about the special Aboriginal connection with this place as you walk around the base of the rock. Uluru reveals its true self as the sun begins to goes down. Witness a display of colours from gentle, dusky blues and purples to fierce oranges and reds, glowing with the last remnants of the day - with champagne in hand of course! Accommodation: Curtin Springs outback station
Day 3: Travel to Kings Canyon, one of nature’s finest creations. The talk meanders through this inspirational landscape, skirting the rim of the canyon then descending into the lush Garden of Eden. During the afternoon, travel to remote Erldunda. Accommodation: Erldunda
Phil, the fearless leader, looks over the edge at Kings Canyon
Kings Canyon wall
Day 4: Today we leave the tourists behind and travel to the more remote West MacDonnell Ranges. Our first walk will be to Simpsons Gap where we often see rock wallabies. Your guide will provide an insight into the spectacular geology and landforms of the MacDonnell Ranges. We’ll walk at Serpentine Gorge to a lookout high above the valley floor and we’ll visit the Ochre Pits. For the next two nights we’ll stay at a remote outback station. Tonight we’ll enjoy a BBQ as the setting sun turns the cliffs 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
Day 5: A major highlight today as we climb Mt Sonder at the western end of the Larapinta Trail, accessible by 4WD only. From the summit you can see for hundreds of miles in all directions. This is truly remote and rugged walking through outback wilderness. Note that we will also offer an easier option. Accommodation: Glen Helen
Rugged, remote countryside
Day 6: Our morning walk today is the Ormiston Pound loop on the 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. Our final walk will be at Standley Chasm, where agile walkers will have the opportunity to scramble up into a rarely visited higher, secondary chasm. Accommodation: Alice Springs
Day 7: The holiday finishes after breakfast.
Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - World Heritage Area
fact sheet
Would you like more detailed information about this trip?
Download our Red Centre Group Guided Walking Holiday Fact Sheet.
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Auswalk Pty Ltd |
4 Red Gum Lease Track |
Halls Gap Victoria 3381 | Australia
Phone +61 (0)3 5356 4971 |
Fax +61 (0)3 5356 4970 | Email info@auswalk.com.au
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