Melbourne to the Red Centre: Rainforests & Mountain Ranges
13 days from Melbourne to Alice Springs
From $ 2139
Duration13 days
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If you really want to get Down Under and experience Australia’s highlights without feeling rushed, you’ll have to get off the big coaches. Explore Melbourne before hitting the Great Ocean Road and cutting through the Outback to the Red Centre. Here you’ll experience the mysteries of Uluru and gain insight into Aboriginal Australian culture. Buckle in and enjoy the ride!

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 13 days
    Service level: Basic
  • Starts in: Melbourne
    Physical Grading: Average
  • Ends in: Alice Springs
    Ages: 18+
Melbourne to the Red Centre - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Melbourne

Start place: Melbourne

There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore the city. If you arrive early enough, head into the city to take in the 'cultural capital of Australia'. Get lost in the city's famous laneways, go on the hunt for the perfect flat white (hint: Melbourne loves its coffee shops), catch the tram to St. Kilda, or wander around the über-cool Fitzroy neighbourhood.
Arrive at any time. Please ensure to arrive before 7pm for an important group welcome meeting where you can meet your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and the other group members.

End place: Melbourne

Day 2: Melbourne/Port Campbell

Start place: Melbourne

Depart early morning for the journey to Port Campbell. Check out the famous surf coast, visiting the towns of Lorne and Apollo Bay en route. Make a stop at Great Otway NP for an included rainforest walk. Explore the scenic attractions of the Great Ocean Road including the picturesque 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.
Travel past world-famous surf beaches along the Great Ocean Road. Enjoy views of the 12 Apostles and walk through the rainforest in Great Otway National Park.

End place: Port Campbell

Meals: B
Day 3: Port Campbell/Halls Gap

Start place: Port Campbell

Start the day visiting more attractions of the Great Ocean Road including The Arch and the now broken London Bridge. Visit Tower Hill State Wildlife Reserve for a chance to see animals endemic to Australia such as koalas, emus and kangaroos. Opt to visit an Aboriginal Cultural Centre to learn about the significance of the area to the indigenous people. End the day with an evening walk in the Grampians NP.
Visit the Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve en route to Grampians National Park, known for its sandstone mountain range and impressive rock art. Trek through the forest, lush with vegetation and wildlife.

End place: Halls Gap

Meals: B
Day 4: Halls Gap/Adelaide

Start place: Halls Gap

Early start to explore more of Grampians NP. Walk to the stunning Jaws of Death Balconies, visit MacKenzie's Falls, and travel onto Adelaide, the capital of South Australia.
Explore Grampians NP. Enjoy waterfalls, lakes and beautiful vistas. Later, travel to Adelaide.

End place: Adelaide

Meals: B
Day 5: Adelaide

Start place: Adelaide

If you're travelling between mid-September to late-April, opt to pre-book the "Dolphin Swim and Cruise" activity on the checkout page, to include this optional on your tour.
Enjoy a free day in Adelaide. Opt to take the tram to Glenelg beach, visit a nearby winery, grab lunch at the Central Market, or spend some time getting lost in the city. New travellers may join you for the rest of your adventure. You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening, followed by an optional dinner.

End place: Adelaide

Day 6: Adelaide/Ikara-Flinders Ranges

Start place: Adelaide

Hit the road in the morning. Admire scenic views across the Clare Valley and enjoy a local food experience featuring some of South Australia's best regional produce. Travel to the Ikara-Flinders Ranges, an ancient mountain range and your base for two nights.
Meals: B
Day 7: Ikara-Flinders Ranges

Start place: Flinders Ranges

Head to Wilpena Pound for a walk to a natural amphitheatre sacred to the Aboriginal Adnyamathana people. Learn about Aboriginal art and early settler history.

End place: Flinders Ranges

Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Ikara-Flinders Ranges/Adelaide

Start place: Flinders Ranges

Journey back to Adelaide via the historic township of Quorn. Stop for a waterside lunch at Port Pirie.

End place: Adelaide

Meals: B
Day 9: Adelaide/Alice Springs

Start place: Adelaide

Board your flight to Alice Springs, gateway to the Red Centre of Australia. Relax this afternoon, or opt to visit the Royal Flying Doctors Museum or hike up ANZAC Hill.
Meals: B
Day 10: Alice Springs/Kings Creek
Opt to get up early for a hot air balloon flight, before departing Alice Springs to journey to Kings Canyon. Spend your first night under the stars in a true Aussie desert swag (padded canvas bedroll).

End place: Kings Creek

Meals: B, D
Day 11: Kings Creek/Uluru

Start place: Kings Creek

Enjoy the morning taking in the scenery or by going on an optional 6km walk through the gorges and valleys of Kings Canyon of Watarrka National Park.
Enjoy a morning walk through the gorges and valleys of Kings Canyon. Drive to Uluru, where Australia's most iconic view awaits. Experience the colourful sunset at Uluru while enjoying a glass of bubbly.

End place: Uluru

Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Uluru

Start place: Uluru

This morning, awake before the sun so you can watch it rise over Uluru (Ayers Rock). Then, do the Mala Walk around part of the base of Uluru while learning its significance to the local Aboriginals. Visit the cultural centre to get a better understanding of the area.

Opt to pre-book the "Uluru & Kata Tjuta Helicopter Ride" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Enjoy the Mala Walk at Uluru to learn the importance of the rock to the Aboriginal Australians.

End place: Uluru

Meals: B, L
Day 13: Uluru/Alice Springs

Start place: Uluru

Travel to the rock formations of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and, temperature permitting, walk through the Valley of the Winds to explore the surrounding area before continuing onto Alice Springs.

The tour ends upon arrival to Alice Springs in the evening.
Discover more of the Red Centre with a hike through the beautiful Valley of the Winds in Kata Tjuta. Transfer to Alice Springs, where the tour ends upon arrival in the early evening.

End place: Alice Springs

Meals: B
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Inclusions

Included

  • Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Adelaide Your Foodie Moment: Local Food Experience, Clare Valley
  • Rainforest walk in Great Otway NP
  • Aboriginal cultural centre visit
  • Tower Hill Reserve visit
  • Champagne sunset viewing of Uluru
  • Mala Walk around Uluru and cultural centre visit
  • Hikes at Grampians NP, Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), and Kings Canyon
  • Entrance fees to Uluru NP, Ikara-Flinders Ranges, Grampians NP, 12 Apostles/Port Campbell NP
  • Internal flight
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

  • Transport

    Private vehicle, Walking, Plane

  • Accommodation

    Hostels (8 nts), Swag camping (4 nts) All nights multi-share

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