 Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (Olgas)
Much more than an incredible geological wonder, Uluru or Ayers Rock, contains deep significance to the Anangu aboriginal people. Walk around the base of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and discover the Tjukurpa (creation stories), see millions of years of geology unfold in front of your eyes. Visit Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and walk through ancient domes - a very sacred place to Anangu people. No Northern Territory tour is complete without a visit to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park
Small group touring with a knowledgeable guide is the best way to appreciate this World Heritage area. Leaving mid-aftenoon, our guide will explain the nature of the desert and it's development. A short walk to the dune lookout puts one in touch with your environment and lets you delight in the spectacular panormaic view of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) - a very sacred place to the Aboriginal people. Arriving at Walpa Gorge (Olga Gorge) we walk into this mystic place, to hear how it has evolved over millions of years. The scale of the walls and the wind far above, add a sense of mystery here, which profoundly affects all that participate. The sky blue deepens and the great domes of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) flush red as the tour retires to the sunset viewing area to celebrate the fantastic colour changes wrought by the sunset with the complimentary champagne. Sit back and absorb the desert solitude or relax and chat to your guide about Australia's red centre. The spectacle fades as you return to Yulara beneath a sky of brilliant stars.
 This is an 11-hour guided vehicle tour of Watarrka National Park (6:30am-5:30pm). It includes the 6km Canyon Rim Walk. This walk requires a medium level of fitness. The tour will give you the opportunity to see native animals in the wild and experience outback Australia. We set out early from Ayers Rock Resort and head east along the Lassiter Highway with stops at Mt Conner lookout and for a picnic breakfast. We then head west beside the George Gill Range and arrive at Watarrka National Park. This scenic National Park rugged ranges, rock holes and gorges acts as a refuge for many plants and animals, making the Park an important conservation area and major attraction of central Australia. Kings Canyon features ancient sandstone walls, sculptured by the elements. Accompanied by your guide, we set out on The Canyon Walk a spectacular 6 km loop walk which is a photographers dream. The walk begins with a steep climb to the top of the Canyon, through a plateau of rocky domes, along the Canyon rim and, half way along, the 'Garden of Eden', a delightful area of cool waterholes and riverine vegetation communities. This walk requires a medium level of fitness. We have a leisurely late lunch with time to explore the Canyon floor and the short walks along the main range. Early afternoon we set off for Yulara watch for wildlife along the road including dingoes, red kangaroos and camels. This tour is for those who love to walk in spectacular landscapes, escape the crowds and experience firsthand the beauty and solitude of the Australian outback. Please note that parts of this tour are conducted in remote areas and itineraries advertised may have to be varied at short notice due to road and weather conditions.
Small group walking with a knowledgeable guide is the best way to appreciate this World Heritage area. This is a 6 hour guided walking tour around the base of Uluru. A reasonable level of fitness is required. Sunrise viewing and picnic breakfast included. For Uluru this is the most comprehensive tour that provides an opportunity to best understand the natural and cultural significance of Uluru. The Uluru Walk tour commences prior to sunrise and places you in the most grand and deeply moving places of Uluru. During this 13km amble, our guides will introduce you to the geology of Uluru and describe how plants and wildlife have adapted and survived in such a forbidding environment. But most fascinating is the relationship of the Anangu people to Uluru. This place was shelter, provided water and is a tangible link with their creation ancestors. As you walk around the base you will hear and see the creation time stories of these ancient people unfold. See where the people lived and carried out ceremonies. Here, the beliefs of the poeple are embodied in one of the great places of this world. From a distance Uluru is spectacular; from close up it is powerful and deeply moving. This is the only fully guided walk around the complete base of Uluru.
This 3 hour tour including a short walk through Walpa Gorge is designed to arrive back to Ayers Rock Resort approximately half an hour before the Sounds of Silence dinner, so that there is time for those booked on the dinner to freshen up. The tour departs early afternoon for the domes of Kata-Tjuta (the Olgas). As you arrive at Walpa Gorge (Olga Gorge) your guide will descibe the geology of the area and how it has evolved over millions of years. As you walk through the Gorge learn how the Aboriginal people used the plants of the area in their daily life.
 At the Sounds of Silence experience you can dine under the canopy of the desert night, while your very own storyteller shares tales as told in the stars. Your journey begins on a lone sand dune. A path takes you to an uninterrupted, three hundred and sixty degree view of this vast landscape. In front of you is the fabled Uluru; behind you are the domes of Kata Tjuta and, possibly the most spectacular sunset you have ever seen. Here you enjoy sparkling wine and a selection of delectable canapés. As the sun sets, you feast on a BBQ buffet of authentic Australian delicacies examples include barramundi, kangaroo, emu and crocodile, bush salads and classic desserts, complemented by Australian wines. Attention then turns to some of the world's best stargazing, as our startalker takes you on a tour of the spectacular southern night sky. As you wind down after dinner, you are offered a choice of tea, coffee or port. The Sounds of Silence Dinner is highly recommended.
See it all and journey in style with our 3 Red Centre Ecotours. Travel from Alice Springs to Palm Valley (Finke National Park) and then Kings Canyon (Watarrka National Park) to walk the rim of this botanically diverse canyon. Your final destination is Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the World Heritage Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. This is one of our best Northern Territory tours. This small group tour includes resort accommodation. note: This tour will depart on TUESDAY and FRIDAY to link in with the GHAN Train arrival into Alice Springs (we can also meet the departure from Alice Springs with an additional cost, please enquire) This three day tour, enables you to experience the isolation of the Red Centre, along with the unique ecological and cultural values unique to Central Australia. The highlights of the trip include the World Heritage listed Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park, the rich Watarrka (Kings Canyon) National Park and the striking Fink National Park (Palm Valley) - all in a small group.
DAY 1 from Alice Springs 06:30 to Kings Canyon via Hermannsburg. note: our ability to visit Palm Valley is dependant on weather and road conditions. The itinerary may be changed at short notice when access is not possible. Includes lunch (overnight Kings Canyon)
DAY 2 from Kings Canyon to Ayers Rock (Uluru) 13:00 via Kings Creek Station
note 1: Olgas tour could also be done the next day if staying 2 nights at Ayers Rock Resort)
DAY 3 from Ayers Rock (Uluru) to Ayers Rock (Uluru) note: This tour may be exchanged for the Uluru Walk tour with notice and subject to availability. Our Red Centre tour concludes at the Ayers Rock Resort.
These all inclusive Kakadu tours also extend to Litchfield National Park and Katherine Gorge in Nitmilluk National Park. Our tour operators are renowned for their quality small group Kakadu tours and safaris in the Top End.
After pick up from your accommodation in Darwin, we head out for a drive along the beautiful esplanade past Governor Generals House and Parliament House, overlooking Darwin Harbour and an area rich in Territory history. We then head toward the Stokes Hill Darwin Wharf to visit the Coral Reef by Day. On this tour we discover amazing natural eco-system of the coral reefs of the Darwin Harbour. Showcasing displays of living coral ecosystems and the diversity of animals associated with coral reefs such as sea horses, clown fish and butterfly fish. Upon arrival visitors are introduced to the exhibition with a brief film, which interprets life on a coral reef. From here we head toward the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory a complex of permanent galleries and an exhibition Gallery, featuring Cyclone Tracey and the famous icon of the Territory Sweet Heart the Crocodile and a range of rich and diverse Aboriginal art and craft. Our next stop is Crocodylus Park to meet and discover some of the local animals and their habitat, the famous Crocodiles. Crocodylus Park is a unique world class attraction which with a 30- year history of research and conservations on crocodiles. You will learn about the animal biology and behavior that will leave you astounded. You can watch or maybe even feed these amazing animals.
We head south on the Stuart Highway, past the relicts of the WW2 airfields and mango farms and have a quick stop at Batchelor Village for a morning snack. We then head into Litchfield National Park where we can discover Magnetic Termite Mounds. We visit Florence Falls and at Tolmer Falls we explore caves inhabited by endangered Ghost Bats and rare rock wallabies.
Into four wheel drive and off the bitumen, we now enter a shallow river crossing and explore the remote and largely unvisited southern section of the park. Here we encounter the historic Blythe Homestead and learn about the hardships of early pioneers, cattle raising and tin mining. A highlight of the trip is lunch at Minjungari Safari Camp, the only safari camp inside Litchfield National Park. Lunching by the Reynolds River Billabong. After lunch 2 kilometer walk into the remote and isolated Tjaynera Falls where, away from the crowds, we can enjoy a pristine plunge pool swim. Don't forget mask and snorkel for fish spotting. We have a leisurely drive back north through the Park briefly stopping at Wangi Falls before heading back to Darwin.
This 3 Day Safari explores the beautiful perennial waterfalls of Litchfield National Park and the cultural landscape of Kakadu National Park whilst utilizing quality lodge & resort style accommodation in the evenings. Lake Bennett Wilderness Resort, north of the Township of Adelaide River and the Gagudju Lodge Cooinda, which is ideally situated in the heart of Kakadu and just minutes from the Yellow Water wetlands where you will enjoy a boat cruise.
ITINERARY
Day 2 Cooinda to Lake Bennet
Day 3 Lake Bennet to Darwin
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