Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Depart Alice Springs or Ayers Rock Resort/Airport. Good morning fellow “shutter bugs” – a bright and early 6:00 departure from our Alice Springs accommodation and its along the Stuart Highway, south of Alice to our destination today – Uluru. Our journey of approximately 6 hours is interspersed with rest breaks at Stuarts Well Camel Farm, Mt Ebenezer and the Imanpa art gallery, Mount Conner (Atila - the iceman), Salt Pan remnants of the Amadeus Basin and Curtin Springs Cattle Station. Along the way Grenville will talk about photography and answer your technical and creative questions. There will be plenty of excellent photo opportunities mixed with the aboriginal history and early European bravery, which opened up this wonderful region. The contrast of colors is a photographer's dream.
Arriving at our bush camp at Yulara approximately 12:30 we will lunch and then depart for the afternoon at Uluru (Ayers Rock). For those joining us at Uluru, we will collect you from a point previously arranged dependent on your arrival time. The afternoon will provide excellent photo opportunities at specially selected locations around Uluru plus the Mala, Kuniya and Base Walk. No day at Uluru is complete without the Sunset. Mother Nature, embracing the natural phenomenon which is Uluru combines to display an amazing changing of color. Relax and “click away” whilst enjoying a sparkling wine or cold refreshment. Tonight is your first night in a swag in the outback, evening meal cooked over the open wood fire and above us, the million stars of the Milky Way. What a great way to conclude your first day, stories aplenty no doubt while downloading and printing today's images. Includes: (L), (D).
Day 2: It's up before the birds, breakfast, pack and break camp as we depart to a location whereby we will view the dawning of the new day, sunrise over and on Uluru and Kata Tjuta. The freshness of the new day, new light and the early morning sky color is a breathtaking and moving experience, and the ideal for capturing that perfect landscape. We now travel a short distance to Kata Tjuta to commence the “Valley of the Winds” walk. This 3-4 hour experience will leave you speechless combined with a feeling of inferiority as we wind our way through the massive domes which were so important in the Anangu life. We would suggest that camera batteries will be nearly exhausted after this experience.
After an early lunch and a brief stopover at Yulara we travel to Curtin Springs Station. Here the tour changes significantly as we lock in the hubs (4x4) and things get serious as we take you to the “real outback”. The “bush track” between Curtin Springs and Kings Creek Station opens the door to everything the outback is rough, tough, spectacular scenery, peaceful and wildlife rich. This is home to the rarely seen Red Kangaroo, wild Camels and Dingo. This track is exclusive to Wayoutback and a visual feast for the photographer. The color in the outback as the day recedes must be seen to be believed. Tonight our campsite will be at a remote location – nobody within miles, absolute solitude – this is what the masses will never experience. This is true way outback. If you thought the stars the night before were good – hold onto your hat – tonight will simply blow you away. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 3: This morning we will capitalize on the morning dawn with a sunrise photo shoot to capture the magic hour (the half hour before and after sunrise) as no doubt the outback bird choir will have us up early. Breakfast, pack and it's time to move along the track towards Kings Creek Station. The combined landmass of these two properties is nearly 6,000 square kilometers and we will not see another person. We will catch the early morning animals still feeding or moving to waterholes. These are what we refer to as “Kodak moments” – be prepared. Arriving at Kings Creek mid morning we will rest, shower, swim and possibly a brunch as we prepare for what we believe is one of the greatest wonders and best-kept secrets of Central Australia – Kings Canyon.
Normally a 3-4 hour walk, we will spend most of the afternoon at this location. The views are gob smacking, they are more stunning as the western sun displays the full natural beauty. The Canyon within the Watarrka National Park is a botanists delight, is steeped in Luritja cultural history and the natural sites such as Corroboree Rock, The Amphitheatre, Garden of Eden and the Lost City will leave you euphoric, and keep the telephoto lens busy. Late this afternoon we will return to our remote campsite at Kings Creek Station. Our unique bush shower and toilets will add a further lighter side to the day. Another superb camp fire meal, and yes more stars, more stories and laughs, and more downloading. What a great day. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 4: A casual morning and the usual routine will be followed with a short stop at Kings Canyon resort before we tackle the infamous Mereenie Loop Road to our next destination Hermannsburg. At Hermannsburg, the site of the first Lutheran based Aboriginal Community we will visit the old Historical Centre, The Namatjira Family Gallery and the Silk Painters. Should the Hermannsburg Potters be available we will find time to view this unique art form. This afternoon we will venture along the world's oldest river system, the Finke River, through Cycad Gorge into an area rich in Western Arrente culture – Palm Valley. The valley is home to the rare giants – The Red Cabbage Palm (Livistonia Palms) - relic palms from pre-Jurassic period.
Again the afternoon light best displays this spectacular and peaceful location for the photographer. The Arankaii Walk will best display the wonderful reds and greens with the stark pure white of the authoritative Ghost Gums (Eucalyptus papuana). Surprises could include sighting the endangered Black Footed Rock Wallaby and the mighty predator, the Perentie (Varanus giganteous). You guessed it – another night wild camping – there is no other way to immerse yourself into the relaxed environment, whichis the outback. ncludes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: Up with the birds, (they are usually very active) breakfast, pack and break camp we travel back towards the community of Ipolera where we turn north along the Namatjira towards the West MacDonnell Ranges. As has been witnessed each day – the countryside and the natural environment has been in a flux of constant change. This contributes to the enormous range of photographic experiences available in Central Australia. Mid-morning we will witness Tnorala (Gosse Bluff) a 130-million-year-old meteor crater. Its visual impact set amongst the desert swail is stunning and an image that you will want to capture. A further short drive and we will arrive at one of the West MacDonnell's best secrets – Redbank Gorge (Rachoopma - Kangaroo man dreaming). Located at the foot of Mount Sonder this 2 hour Gorge walk is simply impressive. The walk is bordered by the brightest Orange Rock Walls and massive River Red and Ghost Gums.
The end of the walk is a beautiful 30m deep swimming hole. The location symbolic to the Western Arrente ladies is also home to the Long Snouted Dragons and Black Footed Rock Wallabies. This walk creates many a neck injury – because you don't know where to look and what to photograph next – it is stunning. Tonight we will journey towards Glen Helen Lodge and the beginning of the mighty Finke River system. Our camping location for the last night will be near one of only 8 permanent waterholes in Central Australia. Permanent Water means an opportunity to swim (for those that can absorb the chill) but also means plenty of animal and bird life, and the chance for a great wildlife picture. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 6: Many of you may not want to move let alone contemplate returning to the business world once you photograph the sun's rays on Mount Sonder and the plethora of natural beauty and wildlife at this location. It does defy description, however we must move on to a location which will justify relocation – The Ormiston Pound Walk (Kwatooma – Emu birth Dreaming). This 4-hour walk, a part of the famous Larapinta Trail (Eagles Flight Dreaming), will leave you in awe, the rugged multi-color quartzite walls, the expansive pound structure, the white sands of the Ormiston Creek, the brilliant purple quartzite within the pound, the water/swimming holes, the geological formations and the serenity is uplifting and quickly fills the CF card.
This afternoon as we journey our last kilometres towards Alice Springs you will be provided two more multicolored spectacular visions – The Ochre Pits and Ellery Creek Big Hole. Arriving back at your chosen Alice Springs accommodation at approximately 17:30 will be the realism of return to a domesticated lifestyle. We are positive that your previous 6-day experience will be one of the great revelations and senses of achievement. Your memories will be the thousand plus photographs taken that in years to come will rekindle what has been a truly amazing experience. Tonight, dine at one of Alice Springs finest restaurants, a few refreshments, plenty of stories and laughs and we say Palya (thank you and goodbye) to many new friends. Includes: (B), (L).
*Note:
- What to bring: torch, wide brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, fly net, water bottle, walking shoes/boots, warm clothing in winter, personal items such as toiletries and medications and towel
- Purchase of alcohol can be arranged with your guide on the day prior to departure
- Please note some areas of Central Australia are governed by alcohol restrictions
- Conditions: outback track access dependent upon weather conditions at time of travel
- Special tours outside the dates above can be arranged on request.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
2010 Departure Dates (Alice Springs 6am, Yulara 1pm): - 10th Jun (SOLD OUT), 8th Jul, 5th Aug, 2nd Sept, 7th Oct, 4th Nov
Price Includes:
- 1 night tour accommodation
- All camping equipment including swags, pillows, sheets and sleeping bags.
- All park entry fees and admissions costs.
- Pick up from Alice Springs accommodation and return to Alice Springs accommodation
- All meals and snacks and hot/cold non alcoholic beverages whilst touring
- Meals included are indicated on itinerary
- Fresh drinking water, reference books, chilled face cloths in summer
- All sightseeing as per itinerary.
*Note: Cancellation Fees
- Outside 14 days prior to departure - 25%
- Between 8-13 days prior to departure - 50%
- Within 1-7 days prior to departure - 100%.
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