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Sip your way through South Australian wine country and learn about Aussie Opal history before reaching the rocky, rugged and deeply moving Red Centre. Immerse yourself in Uluru, see a Kings Canyon sunrise, and stargaze with locals as your Outback dreams and beyond come to life on this 10-day Australia tour.
Sip your way through South Australian wine country and learn about Aussie Opal history before reaching the rocky, rugged and deeply moving Red Centre. Immerse yourself in Uluru, see a Kings Canyon sunrise, and stargaze with locals as your Outback dreams and beyond come to life on this 10-day Australia tour.
Welcome to Adelaide! Begin your 10-day Australia tour in this city famous for its festivals, sporting events, colonial churches and architecture, amazing food, and as the gateway to renowned wine regions the Barossa and McLaren Vale (flights to arrive prior to 12.30pm). Kick off to a tasty start with a guided tour of Adelaide Central Market with a Local Specialist. Get the insider’s perspective stopping at your guide’s favourite stalls in this fresh produce market of more than 80 traders. You’ll shop as the locals do trying artisan cheeses, quirky Australian native foods, and fresh fruits and nuts with a focus on what’s in season. Then get to know your Travel Director and fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception at your hotel’s Luna10 Bar over a local wine or brew as you bask in stunning views from the city's tallest building. Your first big night continues with a celebratory dinner at the Japanese-inspired Koomo Restaurant and Bar toasting to the beginning of your journey into the Outback.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Crowne Plaza
Begin today’s adventures soaking up the local art, culture, and wine. Your first destination is Knappstein Enterprise Winery in the Clare Valley, one of Australia’s oldest and undiscovered wine regions. Sip on the award-winning wines, like the area’s celebrated Rieslings and world-class reds as you tour the Heritage listed property with a Local Specialist. From one beautiful landscape to the next, your next stop is the Jeff Morgan Gallery for an exclusive look at Jeff’s world-renowned panoramic landscapes. Jeff will show you his 30-metre panoramic paintings of the Flinders Ranges that perfectly capture the dramatic scenery of the rugged Australian Outback. Then experience the landscapes for yourself on your stay at Wilpena Pound Resort in heart of the Flinders Ranges. This retreat is nestled in South Australia’s largest mountain range and owned by the Aboriginal Adnyamathanha people who have lived here for thousands of years. After being welcomed by an Aboriginal Elder or member of the local community, you'll better understand the area and know that this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience is contributing towards the future of the Aboriginal people.
History buffs will love today’s “time travels!” Begin at Wangara Lookout for views of Wilpena Pound and a short walk along a creek through bush and pines to Hills Homestead. Learn about the original settlers of this cottage who struggled to survive in this harsh environment. Wind through Pichi Richi Pass, part of the first stage of the Great Northern Railway in 1879 linking Port Augusta and Darwin, to the town of Quorn. Hear how Quorn was an important railway junction during World War II before making your way to Spencer Gulf’s Port Augusta. In Port Augusta’s Outback Centre, walk through their "Tunnel of Time" to the time of the dinosaurs and up to the present learning how the Flinders Ranges and Outback evolved, the people who once inhabited this place, and those who live there now. After a big day of exploring, trade highlights of the day over a three-course dinner at a local Aussie pub with the group.
Today you’re headed out of Port Augusta to the land of opals. Your first stop en route is the Woomera Heritage Centre and Missile Park in Woomera, a fascinating former rocket-testing site of the 1960s. Then continue your journey through history travelling through salt-lake country to Coober Pedy, founded in 1920 and still the “opal capital of the world.” On a tour with a Local Specialist, learn about the different types of opals and their quality as you navigate a labyrinth of old mine shafts, a church, and a private residence - showcasing the different types of early and modern dugout homes. You’ll be amazed to learn that even now over half the population of this town live underground in opal mining caves to escape the heat. Find the perfect souvenir from your visit to their shop before making your way to your unforgettable Stays with Stories overnight in the Desert Cave Hotel. You’ll experience true ‘dugout’ living visiting their underground shopping arcade, underground bar, and historic display on mining, opals.
Travel north today for a bucket list day in World Heritage listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, proudly a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Here in the heart of the Red Centre, with its vibrant blue skies and desert landscapes, you’ll make your first of many visits to the iconic Uluru over the next two days. Experience its rusty red, 348 metres high majesty over a classic sundowner of appetizers and sparkling wine. You’ll be mesmerised and enchanted by 'The Rock’s’ beauty as the surrounding grasses blow and the sky lights up in red and orange. This first sunset encounter with Uluru is the perfect introduction the land - and there’s more to come. Tonight’s Stays with Stories experience at the indigenous owned Desert Gardens Hotel surrounded by the red dirt and desert trees will give you an even deeper appreciation for the surrounding nature. Take it all in on your own or join an Optional Experience Uluru Barbecue Dinner and stargazing tour of the spectacular Southern sky.
From sunset to sunrise, Dive Into Culture and enjoy another view as you greet the dawn in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Watch the sun illuminate Uluru and its surroundings cosied up with a cup of cocoa. Your exploration of the park continues with a scenic drive with your Travel Director before exploring on a guided walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole at the base of Uluru. Learn all about the ancient rock art that has been preserved for hundreds of years, telling stories of the people who called this land home. After a morning in the sun, you have some time to relax at the hotel pool or visit the shops and galleries in town before another fascinating walk and spectacular sunset. At Kata Tjuta’s thirty-six domes of red-hued sedimentary rock, you’ll follow a trail through Walpa (meaning “wind”) Gorge to a lookout. Snap a few photos to remember your last night in the park. Tonight’s grand finale is a secluded sunset paired with canapes and sparkling wine - a beautiful way to conclude your day in this beautiful place.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 7
Towering Red Rock Cliffs of Kings Canyon
Get an early start and take advantage of one last Uluru sunrise with a private Optional Experience at the Field of Light. Artist Bruce Munro’s light installation displays 50,000 frosted glass spheres lighting up an Uluru backdrop in shades of violet, blue, and white against its dramatic desert backdrop. With this colourful start to the day, it’s sure to be one of grand adventure. Next up is an epic drive through wide open desert lands from Uluru to Watarrka National Park (named for an Indigenous word meaning “umbrella bush”). Here you’ll admire the ancient walls of Kings Canyon rising 100 metres above Kings Creek. A guided walk along the sandy creek bed immerses you in its striped cliff walls of golden yellow, orange, and red. Wind down your day at Kings Canyon Resort for sundowners and a sunset dinner highlighting desert-scapes and Carmichael Crag.
Why not treat yourself to another memorable desert sunrise, this morning in Kings Canyon? Join your Travel Director for a trek to top of the canyon and a walk around its semi-circular edge lined with sandstone formations. Then drop into the canyon to the Garden of Eden’s shaded, lush oasis of greenery. After an active morning there’s time to relax and refresh before driving through the Outback to central Australia’s Alice Springs. Go right to the source at the circa 1871 Telegraph Station. The true origins of Alice Springs, the station’s start at sending messages between Darwin and Adelaide with a single wire not only connected Australia’s north and south but was also the first communication link between Australia and England. Now that you’ve learned a bit about the town, get a better view of ‘The Alice’ from Anzac Hill. Visit the hilltop Anzac Memorial and soak in the views of the Western and Eastern MacDonnell ranges makes for the perfect end to another incredible day in the Outback.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - DoubleTree by Hilton
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 9
Sights of Alice Springs
Jump into culture at Alice Springs Desert Park as a local Aboriginal guide shares the local Arrernte People’s culture and traditions as well as the local birds and animals including the Barn Owl, emu, and Princess Parrot and the dingo, red kangaroo, and Western Quoll. Then learn another kind of culture when you meet the magnificent Royal Flying Doctor Service learning how they provide emergency medical assistance in the Outback. Tour their centre exhibits including a replica of one of their small planes as you gain an appreciation for their incredible work across the region. You’ll celebrate the last night of the trip with a Be My Guest Farewell Dinner under the stars at the Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre. Connect With Locals brothers Tom and Danny Falzon who’ll tell you about their sustainable, wind and solar powered lifestyle as well as stories of ecology, culture, and life in the rugged Outback. Toast the adventure with a few drinks as you feast on a home-cooked Australian BBQ dinner as before being entertained by the brothers’ informative star talk complete with telescopes and even a didgeridoo accompanied sing-a-long a big finish to your Australia tour.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest
Day 10
Farewell Alice Springs
After ten days of Outback adventures, it’s time to say a fond farewell to your travel mates. Say farewell over breakfast before your transfer to the Alice Springs Airport for your onward flight (flights anytime).
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About this trip
About this trip
What's included
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9 nights
Accommodation
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15 Meals
1 Be My Guest, 1 Regional Dinner, 1 Welcome Reception, 3 Dinners, 9 Breakfasts
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On-trip Transport
All transport shown
The Trafalgar difference
Connect with Locals
Meet the Falzon family, who have entertained and informed visitors for over 20 years in the outback of Australia, for a Be My Guest Outback Dinner and Show. You will hear stories of ecology, culture and astronomy and learn about the sustainable lifestyle the family has created.
Dive into Culture
Experience sunrise at Uluru, tour the base of Uluru and learn about the Anangu.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
Your stay at Wilpena Pound Resort directly assists the future of the local Aboriginal people as well as the environment.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
Your visit to Australia's National Parks helps contribute to protecting our wildlife and wilderness.
Stays with Stories
A family owned property that brings Coober Pedy dugout living to life, the Desert Cave Hotel offers guests an opportunity to gain insights into the town's opal mining heritage and the unique experience of sleeping underground.
Stays with Stories
Discover the stunning heart of the Red Centre at Ayers Rock Resort. Revealing natural beauty of this unique landscape, the accommodation offer incredible views of towering gums, flowering native shrubs and flowing red dunes.
Sightseeing highlights
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Discover Adelaide and Alice Springs
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Explore Adelaide Central Market, Coober Pedy, and Alice Springs Desert Park with a Local Specialist
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View Wilpena Pound, an opal demonstration in Coober Pedy, sunset and sunrise at Uluru, and Aboriginal rock art
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Visit former rocket testing site Woomera, historic Telegraph Station and Royal Flying Doctor Service Alice Springs
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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Optional Experiences and free time
Live, unedited & independent traveller reviews
Outback Explorer trip reviews
Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, their feedback fuels our innovation, inspiring us to improve continuously and craft Simply The Best vacations. That's why we ask each of our guests to leave a third-party verified, independent review after every trip. As testament to our commitment we have been given the Trusted Service Award from Feefo, recognising we deliver exceptional experiences as rated by real guests.
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Trip Rating
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4
Hotel at Tennant Creek ordinary. Food when I was in isolation at Katherine Hotel Coduit poor.
I thought travelling straight up the centre there would not be a lot to see. However I was wrong. We saw it on the ground, from the air and on the water. Nothing disappointed. Most of all we had a good crew and a good group of people to travel with.
Definately recommended to anyone who wants a great holiday. Filled with extra things like helicopter rides above Kings Canyon. Importantly we had a good crew, nothing was too much trouble. Would do another trip with them.
I would have loved to complete the tour- due to Covid I missed 11 days of the tour. I’ve been given a credit from Trafalgar to use in the future, and I hope I’ll eventually see the remainder of the trip I booked for
This trip is operated in conjunction with our sister company and South Pacific Specialists - AAT Kings.
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA). Does not apply to trips operated by Inspiring Journeys & our Mini-stays.
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.
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Your selected departure date will feature some seasonal itinerary changes to what is displayed. Click 'VIEW ITINERARY' below to see full details.
Active Trip Details
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What is an Active Trip? This is an "Active" lifestyle itinerary, with walks and hikes most days. Hikes will range from easy/moderate to strenuous. No technical climbing skills are required but a reasonable level of fitness is required to make the trip more enjoyable. Understanding that not all people want to hike at the same pace or even on the same trail we will, where possible, host map orientation and then let everyone disperse to enjoy the trails best suited to them.
What to Pack Guests should bring lightweight hiking shoes or boots, broad brimmed sun hats, sunglasses, layered clothing, reusable water bottle(s), a hiking day pack and hiking poles (optional)
Weather & Altitude While the itinerary is laid out below, we are at the mercy of the weather and so reserve the right to adjust the program as necessary. Please keep in mind that the higher elevations and possible variations in weather and temperature can increase the perceived level of difficulty of our activities. Elevation ranges up to 9,000 feet for Utah’s Mighty Five and up to 11,000 feet for California High Country Adventure.
Everyone reacts differently to altitude and so if you do have any health issues you should check with your doctor that this trip is suitable for you.