7 Day Fully Escorted Tour to Australia's Red Centre

Our tour commences today with a transfer from Hamilton to Auckland International Airport for our direct flight to Melbourne.   

Upon arrival in Melbourne, we board a private coach for the transfer to our hotel which enjoys a central location overlooking Melbourne’s Yarra River.    

This evening, dinner is served in the hotel dining room.   

Accommodation:  Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne – 1 night 

Following breakfast, we return to Melbourne Airport for our direct flight to Alice Springs. In the heart of Australia’s Red Centre, Alice Springs is a gateway to vast desert landscapes. Surrounded by the rugged West MacDonnell Ranges, this outback town offers a true sense of Australia’s interior with wide open spaces, dramatic sunsets, and a pioneering spirit. 

Arriving in the early afternoon, we begin with a sightseeing tour of Alice Springs including a visit to ANZAC Hill to take in the views, before continuing to the Old Telegraph Station. The Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve marks the original site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs. It was established in 1871 to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide along Australia’s Overland Telegraph Line. This not only connected Australia’s population centres with the north of the country, but also linked Australia to the undersea telegraph network of the British Empire. After our time here, we’ll check into our hotel. 

Just 15 minutes out of Alice Springs is The Earth Sanctuary – a World Nature Centre at The Quandong Homestead. Tonight, enjoy a special Australian bush BBQ with music and entertainment to experience the spirit of the outback through stories of the Aboriginal Dreamtime. We’ll have the chance to learn how to cook a swagman’s damper and enjoy a didgeridoo performance and night-sky talk. 

Accommodation:  Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters Hotel – 2 nights  

Today we have a terrific day in store as we explore the majestic Western MacDonnell Ranges, starting with the Alice Springs Desert Park, which brings Central Australia’s desert environment to life. This award-winning park showcases native plants and wildlife in natural habitats, from kangaroos and emus to birds of prey and nocturnal species.    

Enjoy an early lunch before visiting Standley Chasm and Ormiston Gorge, where towering red cliffs and peaceful waterholes showcase the striking landscapes of Central Australia. On our return to Alice Springs, we stop at Simpsons Gap, an important cultural and wildlife site nestled in the West MacDonnell Ranges.  

The evening is at leisure to relax and reflect on the day’s discoveries. Adjoining the hotel is the Lasseter’s Casino complex, offering several restaurants for dinner options (own cost). 

Before we leave Alice Springs, we’ll make two local visits, starting with the ‘World’s Largest Classroom’. Our time at the Alice Springs School of the Air will leave you enlightened and inspired. The film and guide presentations reveal stories about the school and its students, sharing a distinctive history, outback lifestyle, and world-renowned innovations of this uniquely Australian school. Next we visit the Royal Flying Doctor Base. The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) is one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world. We’ll learn how using the latest in aviation, medical and communications technology, it delivers extensive primary healthcare and 24-hour emergency services to those who live, work and travel throughout Australia.  

Late morning it will be time to depart Alice Springs and start heading towards Uluru. Our lunch stop will be at the remote Erldunda Roadhouse. From here, we travel through vast desert landscapes where red earth stretches to the horizon and native vegetation dots the plains. As the journey unfolds, distant mesas and rocky outcrops rise from the outback, and then gradually the iconic silhouette of Uluru emerges – an unforgettable sight that signals arrival in Australia’s spiritual heart. 

Enjoy some time to settle into your room before we head out to witness the fascinating changing colours of sunset over Uluru whilst enjoying a glass of wine. Dinner awaits at one of the resort restaurants later this evening. 

Accommodation:  Voyages Desert Gardens Hotel – 2 nights  

We have an early start to experience Uluru in a completely different light from the evening before. Our coach takes us to the Sunrise Viewing Area, where the first light of day gradually washes over the desert landscape. As dawn breaks, Uluru shifts through soft pinks, warm oranges and rich reds – a breathtaking display as the rock comes to life with the rising sun. 

Following breakfast at the resort, we spend the morning gaining a deeper understanding of Uluru and its cultural significance. Learn about Aboriginal perspectives of this sacred site, its powerful spiritual meaning, and the partnership between Anangu traditional owners and park rangers in caring for the land. Along the way, see fine examples of Anangu art and storytelling. 

Located within the World Heritage–listed Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park, Uluru rises 348 metres above the desert plain, with much of the monolith lying beneath the surface. We travel around the base of the Rock, stopping for photo opportunities, and take a short walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole. Here, we hear the Tjukurpa stories of Kuniya and Liru and their role in the creation of this remarkable landscape. Time is also provided to explore the Uluru Cultural Centre and the adjoining Maruku Arts gallery. 

Enjoy some time at leisure this afternoon to rest, explore the village or perhaps join one of the several free activities offered at the resort – these may include a Bush Food experience or a Didgeridoo Workshop.  

Tonight’s dinner is a uniquely Australian Outback experience with the Field of Light at Night Dinner. We’ll transfer from our hotel to a remote desert location to see the sun setting to the music of a didgeridoo, enjoy gourmet canapes and chilled sparkling wine. As darkness falls, the incredible Field of Light glows. Created by internationally renowned artist Bruce Munro, the 50,000 spindles of light illuminate the desert floor as far as the eye can see. With magnificent views, our outdoor dinner will consist of a delicious bush-tucker-inspired menu, a fascinating star talk and a self-guided walk through the Field of Light art installation.

Following breakfast, our final sightseeing experience takes us to the Kata Tjuta area ‘place of many domes’, also known as The Olgas. There are excellent views from an observation deck and time for a brief walk before heading to Ayers Rock Airport for our flight to Sydney.    

In Sydney, our hotel is conveniently located directly across from the International Terminal, so in the morning we simply wake up, have breakfast, and walk to the terminal to check in. 

We gather together for a final dinner at our hotel this evening.    

Accommodation:  Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel – 1 night

We have an early start today. Breakfast will be available in the hotel restaurant, after which we take a short walk across to Sydney International Airport to check in for our direct flight back to Auckland.