Journey Beyond: Red Centre Spectacular

Experience the magic of the Australian outback on this Ghan Journey. Witness the mesmerising beauty of the Red Centre as you travel in luxurious comfort. Savour exquisite dining experiences featuring regional Australian produce and premium wines. Immerse yourself in the fascinating stories of the Outback with informative commentary and engaging guides. Explore iconic destinations such as Alice Springs, Kings Canyon, and Uluru, experiencing the Indigenous culture and captivating scenery. The Red Centre Spectacular is an unforgettable travel experience that connects you to the spirit and splendour of the Australian outback.

Start your morning off with a 'Welcome Experience' where, after being transferred by coach to the Darwin Convention Centre, you will check in, enjoy a light breakfast and mingle with the other guests before being transferred to the the train station. Depart Darwin and, once settled in your cabin, head to the restaurant carriage for lunch, including a selection of Australian wines. Your first stop is in the township of Katherine early afternoon, where you will hop off the train and head out to explore the jaw-dropping natural assets showcasing the beauty of the region on the Nitmiluk Gorge Cruise or delve into the fascinating Indigenous rock art sites on a relaxing Nitmiluk Rock Art Cruise. Alternatively, you may choose the Katherine Outback Experience. This outback experiences provides an insight into the lives of those who call the outback home, interactive experiences, cattle dog demonstrations and live music performances. Or perhaps choose to explore the Cutta Cutta Caves, found 15 metres below the surface (high level of mobility recommended for this off the train experience).

You may also choose to upgrade your off-train experience today to a Nitmiluk Gorge Helicopter Flight. Take to the skies to fully grasp the scope of Nitmiluk Gorge and all of its unique formations. There is limited availability for this activity so please let your sales consultant know ahead of time if you would like to book this.

Back on board the train, you will enjoy the delicious cuisine the Ghan has to offer, while you journey through the night towards the Red Centre town of Alice Springs.

Wake up this morning to stunning views of a sunburnt Red Centre. Today, farewell the Ghan and depart the train at the Alice Springs Rail Terminal where your Red Centre tour begins with the team at Outback Spirit. Over the next 8 days, experience all the Red Centre offers.
Your Red Centre tour begins with a town tour of Alice Springs including a light lunch at a delicious local eatery. 
Later, check into the DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs, your home for the next two nights. In the evening, enjoy a welcome drink with your new group companions and a short briefing about what to expect on tour before dinner is served at the hotel. 

Following breakfast in your Alice Springs accommodation, venture out to the West MacDonnell Ranges, 'Tjoritja', with your Outback Spirit guides. Enjoy a guided walk of Simpsons Gap on the Larapinta Trail, known as ‘Rungutjirpa’ by the Arrernte people. Here in this peaceful outback location, you may spot resident wildlife and native flora. Following Simpsons Gap, visit Standley Chasm - Angkerle Atwatye – a cultural icon of Central Australia, 100% owned and operated by the Arrernte community. Before departing the West MacDonnell Ranges, enjoy some morning tea in this beautiful region. Afterwards, visit the Alice Springs Desert Park for a guided tour, leaving you with a better understanding of the desert region of Australia and how full of life it is. 
This evening, enjoy a delicious classic-style outdoor BBQ and show under the outback night sky. 

Today you will journey from Alice Springs, deep into the Red Centre, arriving in Kings Canyon. Enjoy a brief rest in Ellery Creek for a short walk and morning tea, then continue to Ormiston Gorge, located in the West MacDonnell Ranges. The Gorge is a geological wonder with a permanent natural pool and incredible landforms. After a lunch stop in Glen Helen, begin the final journey to the Kings Canyon and Watarrka National Park. While driving through the outback, take in the scenic Mereenie Loop 4WD track through the West MacDonnell Ranges and arrive at Kings Canyon Resort, where you'll spend the next two nights. 
This evening, enjoy dinner at Carmichael's, a relaxed restaurant situated in the Kings Canyon Resort. If you're lucky, you could spot a dingo wandering through the grounds. 

Beat the heat this morning with an early walk around Kings Canyon. Choose either a 6km rim walk with stunning views of Watarrka National Park or a less strenuous 2.6km walk along the canyon floor with the red cliffs on either side. Returning to Kings Canyon Resort for lunch and a chance to rest.
There is the opportunity to take a 15-minute helicopter flight over Kings Canyon and the Watarrka National Park (own expense) in the afternoon. Enjoy an aerial perspective of the region on this helicopter flight. Spend the afternoon learning about Aboriginal culture with Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience and Tours. Your guide will teach the group about bush tucker and bush medicine used for many years for spiritual and physical healing.

In the evening, enjoy sunset drinks and canapes at Light Towers, an immersive sound and light installation by acclaimed artist Bruce Munro. Afterwards, enjoy dinner at the Kings Canyon Bar & Grill.
PLEASE NOTE: Additional costs are applicable and weight limits apply to all scenic flights.

Farewell the rugged peaks and gorges of Kings Canyon and embark on an unforgettable adventure to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Enjoy an informative paper talk and lunch at Curtin Springs, a million-acre cattle station. In the early afternoon, arrive in the township of Yulara, located about 30 minutes from the 'red rock', Uluru. In the evening you'll attend the Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner, a unique experience where storytelling is combined with choreographed drones, lasers and projections that illuminate the night sky. Dine on a gourmet dinner hamper and sip on cocktails infused with native botanicals while listening to the ancient Mala story, traditional Inma soundtrack and narration in the local Pitjantjatjara language.

Wake up this morning in Australia's Red Centre, and enjoy breakfast in your accommodation before travelling to Kata Tjuta to admire the rock formations on a guided walk into Walpa Gorge.Afterwards, embark on a guided tour around the base of Uluru and learn about the Anangu Culture. Stop into the Cultural Centre for a chance to the Art Galleries and learn more about the traditional owners of Uluru, Anangu. In the afternoon, visit Maruku Arts for a dot painting workshop. Guided by a local Anangu artist, you will learn about the traditional art, symbols, tools and the opportunity to create something to take home. 
Departing the resort just before sunset, head to an exclusive dune-top location before sunset and be mesmerised by the turning colours of the sky as you stand at the Field of Lights during sunset. Enjoy drinks and canapes while wondering through 50,000 slender stems, crowned with radiant, frosted glass spheres, spread across the size of seven football fields. 
Afterwards, enjoy dinner back at your hotel. 

Wake up early and experience an unforgettable sunrise over Uluru before breakfast at the hotel. Later in the morning, depart for the Mala Walk to see ancient rock art before arriving at Kantju Gorge, a place of profound peacefulness surrounded by sheer vertical walls.
Afterwards, enjoy lunch at the hotel with the afternoon for yours to explore the township of Yulara or relax by the hotel pool. You may wish to visit the Gallery of Central Australia or the Bush Tucker Experience.

This evening, enjoy the Sounds of Silence dining experience under the stars. This unique experience begins with canapes and sparking wine overlooking the stunning Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. As the sun sets, listen to the didgeridoo and enjoy a premium bush tucker-inspired buffet. Settle in as the resident star talker decodes the night sky.

Soak in the final moments with a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, before making the journey by road to Alice Springs Rail Terminal, where you'll rejoin the Ghan Expedition. 
In the evening, complete your Red Centre bucket-list adventure with a unique dining experience at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. With white tablecloths under your fingertips, red earth at your feet and the Southern Cross constellation high in the sky this will be a night to remember.

This morning you will make a stop at Manguri before venturing into the opal mining town of Coober Pedy. More than half of the population of this opal mining town live underground to escape the summer heat. Your off-train activities today may include a tour of the dramatic landscape of the Breakaways Reserve, exploration of the Coober Pedy township, or a half day tour of the Umoona Opal Mine and Museum.
You can choose to upgrade your off-train experience today to a scenic flight over the Painted Hills & Lake Eyre. Please let your consultant know so that we can pre-book this for you to avoid missing out on this high demand activity.
Continue back onto the train, where a delicious dinner will be served this evening, as you journey south.

This morning wake up to the passing scenery as you travel through the many outback lakes near the remote towns of Tarcoola and Pimba, and watch as the landscape changes as you enter the small coastal city of Port Augusta. Farewell the sunburnt outback as you enjoy brunch on board with your fellow travellers, and welcome the farming plains and rolling countryside before you arrive into the beautiful city of Adelaide. Alighting at the Adelaide Parklands Terminal located 3km from the city centre, it is a short taxi ride to the heart of the Festival State.