10 Day Adelaide to Alice Springs Adventure

10 Day Adelaide to Alice Springs Adventure

The 10 Day Outback Tour explores the fascinating outback regions of Southern and Central Australia in a small group of intrepid travelers. Accommodation is bush camping in a swag around the campfire. We use minimal facility campgrounds and bush camps (no facilities). It’s a backpacker tour with plenty of adventure, it will be hot, it will be dusty, it will be unbelievable.The Tour visits Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (The Olgas, or Mount Olga) and Watarka (Kings Canyon), Coober Pedy and The Flinders Ranges. As well other less well known destinations including Lake Eyre, Finke Gorge, The West Mac Donnell Ranges, Curtin Springs, and of coarse Lake Cadibarrawirracanna.

Itinerary

Day 1: Adelaide to Flinders Ranges

Pass By: Flinders Ranges National Park, Brachina and Bunyerooo Gorges, Hawker, South Australia 5434 Australia
Our epic journey departs Adelaide and heads north visiting coastal villages with their rich maritime history. By lunchtime we are in the Flinders Ranges, one of the oldest mountain ranges on earth. Walk through Mambray Creek National Park, where you have spectacular views of the mountains and Spencer Gulf. Enjoy lunch surrounded by towering peaks that are as old as time itself. Kangaroos and emus are abundant in this area. Travel through the picturesque Pichi Richi Pass to the classic old township of Quorn, which was once the start of the original Ghan Railway.
Head out on the dirt tracks and search for the rare Yellow Footed Rock Wallabies at Warren Gorge Conservation Park before settling in to a wholesome camp-cooked meal. Roll out your swags and sleep happy and contented under millions of stars. These camping spots are normally in pristine wilderness and remote areas, which will make your experience even more special. Tents are provided for those a little nervous about the under the stars experience.
Highlights
Southern Flinders Ranges
Warrens Gorge
Mambray Creek
Yellow Footed Rock Wallabies
Quorn Township
Camp: Bush Camp in the Heart of the Flinders Ranges


Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Bush Camping

Day 2: Flinders Ranges

Pass By: Wilpena Pound Resort Wilpena Road, Via Hawker, Flinders Ranges National Park, South Australia 5434 Australia
Today we visit an Aboriginal ceremonial site, where you will see rock art dating back thousands of years. Continue to Wilpena Pound for a beautiful bush walk with magnificent views of this amazing natural amphitheatre, one of the unique wonders of the world. Lunch is in the heart of Wilpena Pound, followed by an awe-inspiring drive along the northern side of Wilpena through the famous Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges known as the ‘Corridors Through Time’. This spectacular journey will show you 900 million years of geological history where you will see fossils dating back to the beginning of life on earth.
Highlights
Northern Flinders Ranges
Wilpena Pound
Wilpena Pound Hike
Bunyeroo Valley
Brachina Gorge
Activities: Hiking up to 4 km.
Camp: Bush Camp in the Heart of the Flinders Ranges


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Bush Camping

Day 3: Oodnadatta Track

Pass By: Oodnadatta Track, South Australia Australia
We leave the ranges behind and head for the Outback, the roads turn to dirt and sky gets bigger, The next 3 days we get really remote as we travel along a network of bush tracks making our way north towards the Northern Territory.
At Lyndhurst we begin our epic journey up the famous Oodnadatta Track, following the historic route of the Cameleers and the Old Ghan Railway. At Marree we explore this remote outback town which is also the beginning of the famous Birdsville Track. This area has a rich history of Aboriginal culture and pioneering settlements, including many ghost towns.
Cross the Dingo Fence which is the longest man made fence in the world. This helps to keep the wild dogs up north away from the sheep stations further down. Check out Lake Eyre South, which is approximately 11m below sea level.
Visit thermal springs that have been the lifeblood of this arid land for centuries.
Highlights
Oodnadatta Track
Arabunna Aboriginal Centre
Dingo Fence
Lake Eyre
Coward Springs
Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Bush Camping

Day 4: Coober Pedy

Pass By: Coober Pedy Tourist Information Centre, Lot 773 Hutchison Street, Coober Pedy, South Australia 5723 Australia
In the morning, visit the remote and unique William Creek Pub, population currently 6. Then travel through Anna Creek Station, at 30,000 square kilometres it is the same size as Belgium, population about 10 people!
Arriving at Coober Pedy, the opal mining capital of the world, go underground on a mine tour and watch an opal cutting display. You will have the opportunity to purchase this rare gemstone direct from the mine. Meet the locals who live in houses under the ground in one of the most arid landscapes in the world.
End the afternoon by visiting Josephine’s Gallery & Kangaroo Orphanage, a lovely couple rescuing kangaroos and joeys in a region as big as the size of Germany!
We now venture out into the real outback to the Painted Desert and camp amongst the beautiful Arckaringa Hills. No bus tours out here mate!
Highlights
Anna Creek Cattle Station
Moon Plain
Coober Pedy
Go Underground in Coober PedyCamp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Bush Camping

Day 5: Painted Desert

Pass By: Painted Desert, Arckaringa, South Australia 5723 Australia
We wake up early to catch the sunrise over the Arckaringa Hills and start the day with a nice walk through the hills of the Painted Desert. Maybe only talented painters would be able to catch the variety of colours in this unique landscape!
Depending on the time of year we have the option to push east into the Simpson Desert region or north to the Northern Territory border and onto Uluru.
Many beautiful locations await including Oodnadatta, Mount Dare, Lambert Centre, Eringa Waterhole, Musgrave Ranges and Dalhousie Springs. Spend the afternoon travelling into the heart of Central Australia, exploring this unique and diverse land, which is alive with desert animals of all types.
Our flexible travel style means that we can take advantage of any weather condition to see the best of the Outback, summer, winter, rain or shine. Heading Bush is currently the only company to take our intrepid travellers to experience this incredibly remote outback area.
One thing is guaranteed, at the end of the day we will be setting up camp around a small fire in a seriously remote and beautiful part of Central Australia, after cooking up a feast we’ll fall asleep in our swag with our now familiar bed partner, the Milky Way.
Highlights
Oodnadatta
Sunrise over the Arckaringa Hills
Red Sand Hills
Eringa Waterhole
Mount Dare
Painted Desert
Northern Territory Border
Musgrave Ranges
Activities: Swimming and hiking up to 3km
Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Bush Camping

Day 6: Uluru

Pass By: Uluru Rd, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory 0872 Australia
An exciting morning heading to Uluru. Spend time at the cultural centre where we can relax
and learn the ways and listen to stories of the Anangu through displays and educational
information. Join our guided walk around the base of Uluru which introduces you to the
traditional food sources and spirituality of this area. Witness sunset over this ancient monolith
with your small group of fellow adventurers.
Highlights
Uluru
Uluru Sunset
Uluru Base Walk
Cultural Centre
Activities: Walk up to 10km
Camp: Wilderness Camp or Campground with showers and toilets


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Bush Camping

Day 7: Kata Tjuta

Pass By: Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, Lasseter Highway, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory Australia
unrise at Uluru then head out to another sacred area for the Anangu and hike through the
spectacular canyons and rock formations of Kata Tjuta/ The Olga’s.
Learn about some of the bush tucker that grows in the area and photograph some of the most
beautiful scenery the desert has to offer.
After lunch we travel north towards Watarrka National Park and set up camp in the red sand
hills protected by the majestic desert oak trees.
Highlights
Kata Tjuta
Valley Of The Winds Walk
Activities: Hiking up to 8km.
Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Bush Camping

Day 8: Kings Canyon

Pass By: Kings Canyon, Watarrka National Park, Red Centre, Northern Territory Via Luritja Road Or Larapinta Drive, Northern Territory Australia
Regarded as one of the most rewarding walks of the tour, we spend approximately four hours exploring Kings Canyon.
Trek to places like the Amphitheatre and the Lost City in this land of the Luritja Aboringinal people. Protected from the wind, enter the Garden of Eden, take time and soak up this ancient and special area. It will take your breathe away!
In the afternoon, continue north west through more red desert sand dunes covered with an amazing diversity of native flora and set up camp in the home of wild horses.
Highlights
Watarrka National Park
Kings Canyon Rim Hike
Activities: Hiking up to 7km.
Camp: Private Wilderness Camp on Station Country


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Bush Camping

Day 9: Finke Gorge National Park

Pass By: Finke Gorge National Park, Larapinta Dr, Alice Springs, Northern Territory 0872 Australia
Tnorala Conservation Reserve (Gosse Bluff crater) will be our first stop of the day, and what a special place it is! Enjoy the quiet surroundings and listen to stories about the comet that crashed to Earth around 142.5 millions years ago…
If you enjoy 4WD, you will absolutely love today. Driving into Finke Gorge National Park is one of our most exciting drives of the tour and discovering Palm Valley, one of the most impressive place of central Australia, as we like to rate. The Arankaia Walk will take us into the heart of the palm groves. Then, depending on the weather and if you’re up for a challenge, the Mpaara Walk will take us through some gorgeous sandstone country up to the Kalaranga for another spectacular sunset.
Highlights
Tnorala Conservation Reserve?
Palm Valley
Activities: Swimming and hiking up to 8km.
Camp: Bush Camp in the Heart of Palm Valley


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Bush Camping

Day 10: Ormiston Gorge to Alice Springs

Pass By: Ormiston Gorge, Namatjira Drive, Alice Springs, Northern Territory Australia
Stop and say g’day to the outbush folks at Glen Helen then onto Ormiston Gorge located in the breathtaking West Macdonnell Ranges National Park. We will be able to swim at Ellery Creek Big Hole or Simpson Gap before entering Alice Springs at around 5.00pm.
Then get cleaned up, and hit the town with your new Heading Bush mates!
These last ten days together, sharing this unique experience will leave you with a great sense of
achievement, fulfillment and new friends for life.
Highlights
Ormiston Gorge Hike
Swimming In Outback Waterholes
Activities: Swimming and Hiking up to 3km


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Drop off at your Alice Springs accommodation (not included)