Red Centre Spectacular

After boarding the train, settle into the comforts of The
Ghan, relax in your cabin, or mingle 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 and a cruise is on offer to showcase the beauty of this spot. Alternatively, the Katherine Outback Experience lets you into the lives of those who call the outback home, while the Cutta Cutta Cave system is home to a variety of native wildlife and is rich in Indigenous culture and modern European history. Alternatively, take it all in from the air, with an optional upgrade helicopter flight over Nitmiluk.
Back on the train, you’ll enjoy the cuisine and creature
comforts of The Ghan, including a delectable on-board
dinner, as you continue on towards Alice Springs. (L,D)

OVERNIGHT: 1 night The Ghan Expedition

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 a
light lunch at a local eatery.
Then, you’ll check-in at your Alice Springs hotel, 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 Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters

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)

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. After lunch, we’ll travel on 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

This morning, we depart early to experience the beauty of
Kings Canyon. Two walks are available, including the
spectacular 6km rim walk, which features breathtaking
views of the Watarrka National Park before descending
into the ‘Garden of Eden’. For those who wish to save
energy, a more relaxed walk is also available along the
creek on the canyon floor (2.6km).

There is also the opportunity to take a 15-minute
helicopter flight over Kings Canyon and Watarrka National
Park (at own expense).
After the morning’s activities, we return to Kings Canyon
Resort for lunch and to rest and refresh.
For those wishing to take the optional helicopter flight over
Kings Canyon, this afternoon offers some time to enjoy
Kings Canyon from the air (at own expense), or you can
enjoy a relaxing afternoon at your leisure.
As afternoon turns to evening, we’ll enjoy sunset drinks
and canapes at Light-Towers, an immersive sound and light installation by the acclaimed artist Bruce Munro. Tonight, we’ll enjoy dinner at the newly renovated Kings Canyon Bar & Grill and gather to recall the day’s adventures. (B,L,D)

Today is special. This morning we visit Karrke Aboriginal
Cultural Experience and Tours, an indigenous owned and
operated cultural tour. In the Aranda language, Karrke is
the Aboriginal name for the western Bowerbird, which is
native to Central Australia, and our guide will teach us
about bush tucker and bush medicines used for spiritual
and physical healing.
We then depart Karrke for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park,
passing through Kings Creek Station to enjoy 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 are transferred to the Wintjiri Wiru Sunset
Dinner. A breathtaking cultural storytelling experience
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 upon a dune top. Enjoy cocktails
infused with native ingredients while taking in the
incredible views of Uluru. As darkness descends, enjoy a
gourmet dinner hamper where native ingredients are
combined with modern techniques to create a balanced
and flavourful palette 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

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 around
the base of Uluru, which stands 348 metres above the
desert plains. Learn about traditional Anangu culture and
why Uluru, one of the largest monoliths in the world, is
such a sacred site.
This afternoon is at your leisure. You may choose to
explore the Town Square, arrange a scenic flight (own cost)
or relax in the comfort of your hotel.
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 will be at approximately 9.00pm). (B,L,D)

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 or other informative guest
activities.
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)

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

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 a
gourmet lunch in the most unique of locations:
underground. Off Train Experiences on offer include
exploring the majestic Breakaways, touring the town,
learning more about mining history on the Opal
Experience, or an optional upgrade with the Painted Hills
and Lake Eyre scenic flight.
Dinner is served back on the train, where you can enjoy a
nightcap as your journey continues. (B,L,D)

This morning, you’ll see a dramatic change in landscape as
the rich ochre tones of the outback make way for the
green fields 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)