Intrepid Travel: Best of South Australia & Red Centure

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.

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Staying in:

• Hotel (1 night)

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.

Your travel time today will be approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.

Activities:

• Barossa Valley - Winery visit & tasting
• Adelaide - City Cultural Walking Tour with Aboriginal Guide

Staying in:

• Hotel (1 night)

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.

Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

Activities:

• Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park - Day walks

Staying in:

• Hotel (1 night)

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.

Your guided walk today is on a join-in basis meaning you may be joined by other travellers outside of your Intrepid group.

Activities:

• Wilpena Pound - Yura Udnyu Our Culture, Your Culture walking tour
• Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park - Day walks

Staying in:

• Hotel (1 night)

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 travel time today will be approximately 6 hours. As this is a combination trip, your group leader and some of your group part ways at this location. You'll be unaccompanied tonight and during tomorrow's flight until the next group meeting in Alice Springs.

Activities:

• Clare Valley - Wine Tasting

Staying in:

• Hotel (1 night)

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.

The flight from Adelaide (airport code ADL) to Alice Springs (airport code ASP) is not included. Please book these directly through the airline or through your agent. We recommend booking Qantas flight QF1956 departing Adelaide at 3.35 pm. Please note that flight schedules change frequently. The airport transfers from the hotel to Adelaide Airport and from Alice Springs Airport to your hotel are included. Please provide your flight details to your booking agent.

Staying in:

• Hotel (1 night)

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.

Today’s total travel time is approximately 4.5 hours.

Activities:

• 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

Staying in:

• Hotel (1 night)

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!

Your trekking time today will be approximately 4 hours or 6 km. The King Canyon rim walk today is a Grade 4 walk, which requires a good level of mobility and health. Your leader can suggest shorter options for those seeking an easier walk. Sturdy enclosed shoes are required for all walks within the National Park. If the temperature is over 36 degrees, the Kings Canyon rim walk will be closed and an alternative activity will be provided. To show respect for Uluru’s cultural and spiritual significance to the Anangu people, alcohol is not served on the sunset tour.

Activities:

• 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

Staying in:

• Hotel (1 night)

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.

For those flying out of Yulara's Airport or extending their stay in Yulara, a drop-off at the airport is available at 11.30 am (in time for flights departing after 12.30 pm. Please have your luggage ready and take it with you when you leave the accommodation this morning. If your flight leaves before 12.30 pm, please note that you’ll miss out on this morning's activities. It’s recommended that you stay an additional night in Yulara. Alternatively continue to Alice Springs from here (no additional cost), arriving at about 6.30 pm. Please consider these times when booking onward transportation or flights from Yulara or Alice Springs.

Activities:

• 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