Current Specials
The Red Centre - Best value for money Centre tour with Swagman Tours....Australia's favourite...
COST AUD
TWIN: $1095
SINGLE SUPP: $140
DEPARTURE DATES: 2008
21 Mar, 18 May, 29 June, 17 Aug and 28 Dec
HIGHLIGHTS
• Barossa Valley
• Uluru & Kata Tjru Tjuta
• Simpsons Gap
• Coober Pedy - Town Tour
• See sunset on Ayers Rock
• West MacDonnell Ranges
• Alice Springs and lots more!!!
ITINERARY
DAY 1. MELBOURNE – BAROSSA VALLEY
Board your luxury air-conditioned safari coach at your appointed pick-up
spot
and travel the Western Highway skirting the edge of the picturesque Grampians.
Cross the border into South Australia, passing through Tailem Bend and
Murray Bridge.
(Adelaide passengers may join the coach at Murray Bridge or Nurioopta)
Overnight: Barossa Valley T(D)
DAY 2. BAROSSA VALLEY – COOBER PEDY
Travel through the Barossa Valley on your way to Port Augusta at the top
of the
Spencer Gulf. All roads and rail from north, east and west intersect here.
Enter the outback today passing vast gibber plains and salt pans on our
way to
the opal mining centre,
Coober Pedy. After dinner time to see an opal polishing and cutting demonstration.
Tonight sleep underground like the locals do.
Overnight: Coober Pedy UB(BLD)
DAY 3. COOBER PEDY – ALICE SPRINGS
Our local guide boards the coach for a town tour visiting an underground
mine,
church and house. Travel north crossing the border into the Northern Territory
through the cattle stations of Victory Downs and Mt Cavenagh. Continue
onto the
heart of the outback - Alice Springs stopping off at Camels Australia for
a
ride of a lifetime (Optional).
Overnight: Heavitree Gap Resort T(BLD)
DAY 4. ALICE SPRINGS
For those interested maybe go hot air ballooning at sunrise (Optional).
For the
rest after a leisurely breakfast enjoy a tour of Alice Springs to see The
School
of the Air, Anzac Hill Lookout and visit the Royal Flying Doctor Base.
Free afternoon
for private sightseeing. Maybe take the opportunity to visit the Alice
Springs Desert
Park with its nocturnal house and Birds of Prey display. An evening to
dine out
and possibly try the famous ‘Drovers Blowout’ at the Overlanders Steakhouse
(own expense).
Overnight: As above T(B)
DAY 5. ALICE SPRINGS – KINGS CANYON
Travel out along Larapinta Drive to visit the beautiful West Mac Donnells.
The scenery is where Albert Namatjira, the famous Aboriginal painter chose
to
depict his many works of art. Highlights include: Twin Ghost Gums, the
Rock Wallaby
Colony in Simpson's Gap, John Flynn Memorial and see Namatjira’s and Lasseter’s
graves before travelling through stands of desert oak trees and red sand
dunes
toward Kings Canyon.
Overnight: Kings Canyon T(BLD)
DAY 6. ALICE SPRINGS – ULURU-KATA TJUTA
After breakfast under the enchanting desert oak trees on with the walking
shoes
to climb into the unique and beautiful Kings Canyon. Marvel at the beauty
of the
Canyon itself, the Lost City and the Garden of Eden. Afterwards travel
through
the stands of desert oak trees on Angus Downs Station before catching your
first
glimpse of the three great tors - Artulla, Uluru and Katajuta - better
known
as Mt. Conner, Ayers Rock and The Olgas. (Entry fee to Uluru Kata Tjuta
National Park – own expense)
Overnight: Yulara Campground T(BLD)
DAY 7. ULURU & KATA TJUTA
For the energetic, this morning is your opportunity to make the climb to
the
summit of the rock. After enjoying the view from the top, time spent with
a
base tour including Maggie Springs. Spend time in Yulara at the Aboriginal
Cultural Centre then visit The Olgas to view the enchanting ‘Valley of
the Winds’.
(Optional scenic flights available) Tonight watch the changing colours
of
the rock at Sunset.
Overnight: As above T(BLD)
DAY 8. ULURU – COOBER PEDY
Sadly depart Yulara passing through Curtain Springs & Mt. Ebenezer
Stations.
Heading south cross the border back into South Australia and see the unique
outback Oodnadatta Track road sign at Marla. Enjoy another night
underground in Coober Pedy tonight.
Overnight: Coober Pedy UB(BLD)
DAY 9. BUSH CAMP – ADELAIDE
After an early breakfast head south down the Stuart Highway stopping off
at
Woomera Rocket Range township before leaving the outback behind us as we
approach
Port Augusta. Continue further down the highway to Adelaide for our last
night
together.
Overnight: Adelaide T(BLD)
DAY 10. ADELAIDE- MELBOURNE
After your hearty breakfast we travel home, arriving in Melbourne at approximately
6.30pm and Geelong 8.00pm.
(B)
LEGEND
C = Cabin - Quad Share UB = Underground bunkhouse - Quad Share
T = Tent - Twin Share H = Hotel - Twin Share
B = Breakfast L = Lunch
D = Dinner