Best of South Australia & Red Centre

Trip Type:
Australia | 9 Days | 1 - 15 People
Starts From:

NZD 5,725.00 /Person

On this eye-opening, soul-enriching journey through South Australia and the Red Centre, you’ll sip world-class wine at world-famous wineries, explo...

Best of South Australia & Red Centre

On this eye-opening, soul-enriching journey through South Australia and the Red Centre, you’ll sip world-class wine at world-famous wineries, explore a wild landscape of geological wonders and learn about a culture that’s prevailed for thousands of years. On this nine-day trip, you’ll take a walk through Ikara (Wilpena Pound) with a First Nations guide, wine and dine in the famed Barossa Valley, stay on the outskirts of the vast Flinders Ranges and learn about the importance of preserving and caring for Country. Then, travel from Adelaide to the Outback, home to some of the country’s most incredible natural wonders. Here, you’ll delve deeper into First Nations culture, visit the iconic Western MacDonnell Ranges National Park (Tjoritja) and see Kings Canyon, Uluru, Kata Tjuta and more. With different perspectives at dawn and dusk and some Aussie Outback stars to end each night – what more could a comfortable journey through Australia's hotspots could you need?

Welcome to South Australia! Your adventure begins in Adelaide, or Tandanya in the language of The Kaurna people – the traditional owners of the land. If you arrive in Adelaide early, there is much to see and do, from the Central Market to a footy game in the Adelaide Oval. Your trip will start with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel. After, the night is yours. Maybe get your group together and head to one of the best restaurants in the city.

After breakfast this morning, meet with a local Aboriginal guide with whom you'll discover the city from a First Nations perspective. Learn about the wonderful and tragic colonial history on a walk through the heart of Adelaide. Next, head out of town to Hahndorf, a historic village nestled in the Adelaide Hills, originally settled by German immigrants in the 1830s. Enjoy some time to explore, then enjoy lunch made from locally sourced ingredients at a historic pub in another nearby village. After lunch, continue your drive to the famed Barossa Valley. A renowned region of wine, the Barossa is home to a string of rural towns, sun-kissed rolling hills and world-famous wineries – with shiraz grapes the local speciality. Enjoy an included wine tasting here, take in the gorgeous scenery and then sit down for a group dinner.

After breakfast this morning, you’ll drive to the Flinders Ranges – the largest mountain range in South Australia, stretching for over 430 km. Stop in Ikara (Wilpena Pound) – a natural amphitheatre of mountains. Your base for the night is a stunning spot on the outskirts of this geological marvel. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore, search for the perfect spot to watch the sunset or relax at your eco-style accommodation.

In the morning meet with a local First Nations guide for a walk around the magnificent Ikara (Wilpena Pound) area with your group. Your expert guide will share ancient stories of the landscape that have been passed down from generation to generation, provide insight into the region’s biodiversity and the life it sustains, and explain the relationship between the land and the Adnyamathanha people. Once you have a better understanding of the landscape, the rest of the day is yours to explore – maybe join your leader on a hike, opt to go it alone or simply sit back and relax while enjoying the incredible scenery.

It's time to head back to Adelaide this morning after breakfast. Along the way, make a stop in the Clare Valley at a local winery for a delicious tasting paddle of their favourite wines. Maybe grab some lunch here and share some stories with your fellow travellers. You’ll arrive back in Adelaide at about 4 pm, where your leader and some of your travel group will end their journey. The rest of the night is free to enjoy Adelaide’s nightlife.

Your included airport transfer will take you from the hotel to Adelaide Airport today. Fly to Alice Springs (flight not included), Mparntwe in the language of the traditional owners of the land on which Alice Springs is now located. Alice Springs is the quintessential laidback Aussie town and when you arrive tonight, you’ll have a second welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your local leader and the new travel companions joining you on the next leg of your Aussie adventure.

This morning, you’ll hit the road for Simpsons Gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park (Tjoritja). Keep an eye out for rock wallabies as you take part in a guided walk through the important spiritual site. A First Nations guide will share their insights on the local flora and fauna and will tell the story of the great Tjunba (Perentie) totem that protects the gorge and its present importance to the Eastern and Northern Arrernte People. The walk will also take you along the riverbed that marks the boundary between the Eastern and Northern Arrernte tribes. Next, drive along the Stuart and Lasseter Highway and through the colourful semi-desert to Watarrka National Park, home of the majestic Kings Canyon. Your leader will take you along the Kings Creek Walk, following the trail between soaring cliffs and ethereal rock formations. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more magical place! Tonight enjoy an included dinner before visiting the Light Towers - an immersive visual and aural display.

Spend the morning exploring the rugged landscape of Kings Canyon and enjoy the 3-hour rim walk up and across the famous Kings Canyon plateau, from the sandstone domes of the 'Lost City' to the oasis of the 'Garden of Eden'. You’ll walk across the red rock cliffs that protrude from the land and take in views of the palm forest below. Then hit the road again for a scenic drive across the red landscape to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Keep your eyes out, there’s chance that you might spot brumbys, camels or wallabies on the drive. First up today, you’ll arrive in Kata Tjuta (formerly known as The Olgas) – a towering collection of 36 domed rock formations. Here, you'll embark on a walk to a popular lookout to admire the stunning red formations that make up Kata Tjuta – these ochre-coloured shapes are a mesmerising sight. After, you'll make your way to one of Australia’s most spiritually significant and iconic sites, Uluru. From a prime location, you’ll enjoy the view as the sun sets over the epic sandstone monolith – watching the incredible landscape shift in colour is a sight you won’t soon forget!

You'll start the day early in one of the best ways imaginable – watching a spectacular sunrise over Uluru. Embark on a short walk across the rust-coloured landscape to a nearby waterhole and marvel at some of the traditional art sites. Your leader will shed light on the history and nature here and explain how the Anangu people are deeply connected to the lands. After, stop by the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to continue learning about First Nations culture. After some time here, stop by Yulara for any travellers flying out of Uluru to catch the free airport shuttle. Then, for those finishing the trip in Alice Springs, hit the highway just after lunch. Arrive in Alice Springs in the evening, where your Outback adventure will come to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.

Meals
7 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(s), 3 Dinner(s)

Transport
Private vehicle

Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights)

Included Activities
  • Barossa Valley - Winery visit & tasting
  • Adelaide - City Cultural Walking Tour with Aboriginal Guide
  • Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park - Day walks
  • Wilpena Pound - Yura Udnyu Our Culture, Your Culture walking tour
  • Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park - Day walks
  • Clare Valley - Wine Tasting
  • Tjoritja-West MacDonnell Ranges - Simpsons Gap Guided Aboriginal Cultural Walk
  • Watarrka National Park - Kings Canyon Creek Walk
  • Watarrka National Park - Kings Canyon Light Towers by Night
  • Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Kata Tjuta Walpa Gorge Walk
  • Watarrka National Park - Kings Canyon Rim Walk
  • Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Uluru Sunset Viewing
  • Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Kuniya Walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole with local Anangu Guide
  • Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Uluru Sunrise Viewing
  • Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Cultural Centre
  • Taste the best of South Australia’s famous wines in this gorgeous region of rolling hills, barren bush and world-famous wineries including in the Barossa Valley and the Adelaide Hills.
  • Stay on the fringe of Ikara (Wilpena Pound) – a remarkable natural amphitheatre – and join a local First Nations guide to learn about the biodiversity of the landscape and its relationship to the Adnyamathanha people.
  • Discover the ever-changing colours of Uluru, one of Australia’s most spiritually significant sites, as you marvel at the epic sandstone monolith at both sunrise and sunset.
  • Embark on a guided walk through Kata Tjuta (formerly known as The Olgas) – a towering collection of 36 domed rock formations – with your knowledgeable local guide.
  • Enjoy a hike across the famous Kings Canyon plateau, from the sandstone domes of the 'Lost City' to the oasis of the 'Garden of Eden', walk the red rock cliffs and take in views of the palm forest below.
  • Flights from Adelaide to Alice Springs are not included. Please see the itinerary for information on recommended flight details. Temperatures in Northern Territory can be extreme, so you will need to be well prepared. Depending on the time of the year, daytime can be very hot (and the Australian sun is very strong year-round) so always use sun protection and drink plenty of water. In the evenings temperatures can really drop, so bring sufficient warm clothing. On some days of the trip, you’ll spend many hours driving through very remote areas of Australia. Sit back and enjoy landscapes that you would miss in any other form of travel. The days can be long, but you’ll want to fit as much of this amazing place in as you can in four short days! As sunrise and sunset times as well as weather conditions vary throughout the year, the order of activities may change to ensure you have the best experience possible. On occasion, the First Nations experiences may not be available should your guides have other cultural commitments, in which case there will be alternative activities.

Departing

Finishing

Availability

Price: NZD 5,725.00
Provided by
Intrepid Travel
Reference Code:
PZKBC
Trip Location
Trip Starts:
Adelaide, Australia
Trip Finishes:
Alice Springs, Australia
Countries Visited:
Australia
map

Booking Enquiry

Destination Details
Australia | 9 Days | 1 - 15 People

More Experiences From Australia