Your 7-day Australia culture tour takes you from the sands of the Red Centre to the waterways of the northern billabongs as you travel by train through the heart of the Outback. Crocodiles will bask in cooling waters and ancient rock art will pop from secluded rock formations. The comforts of the traditional Ghan Train ride will reveal the burning central landscape while Aboriginal guides reveal timeless legends.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Uluru – Welcome to Cultural Wonders
Arrive in the Red Centre ready to be inspired by the wonders of Uluru (Ayres Rock). The sand glows a vibrant red from oxidization that stretches across the depths of the valley. Experience the majesty of the Mutitjulu Waterhole where the orange sandstone surrounds the water and glistens like pastels in the sunlight. The scent of fresh water and barren earth fills the air. The water gently trickles from the earth offering life to the arid region. When the rains come the water careens down the smooth sandy stones and drips into the waterhole, making the rounded rocks look as if they are melting into the earth.
Your day continues with a visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Center where the legends of the region and the famous monolith are kept. The thatched roofed buildings sit beneath the hot sun surrounded by the red sand and desert brush. Uluru stands tall in the distance, the largest monolith in the Southern Hemisphere, glowing in the daylight. Enter the center and feel the deep hum of the didgeridoo echo around the room. The bright colors of the Rainbow Serpent slither around the room offering the creation myth of the serpent and the legend of Dream Time. The Cultural Center is operated by the local Aboriginal tribe in conjunction with the Australian Government to help ensure the lasting legacy of the people, the place, and its majesty. The sunset over Uluru brings with it a delicious glass of wine that will offer a taste of the colors of the setting sun wrapped up in the rich purple of the glass. The sun sinks behind the horizon and changes the bright red hue of Uluru to almost the same shade of the wine as the bright pink of the sky fades to night blue.
What's Included:
Day 2
Uluru – Deep in the Red Centre
Day 3
Ghan Train from Alice Springs to Darwin – Ancient and Current Cultural Magic
Day 4
Darwin – Northern Arrival
Day 5
Kakadu National Park – The Traditions of Kakadu
Day 6
Kakadu National Park – Permission for the Forbidden
Day 7
Darwin – Where the Art Walk Ends
Trip Highlights
- Witness Uluru at sunrise and sunset
- Wander through the incredible landscapes of Kata Tjuta National Park
- Ride the famous Ghan Train
- Experience the mysticism of Aboriginal culture
- Explore the wonders of Kakadu National Park
- See the antiquated strength of ancient rock art
Detailed Description
Venture deep into the culture of Australia on a 7-day tour wandering through the landscaped majesty of the Red Centre and the Northern Territories of Australia. The spring waters sparkle clear blue, bubbling up from the earth. The rocks glisten red and feel smooth on your fingertips. The sky is perfumed with the sweet scent of the sea and the rugged arid desert. Venture across parts of the perilous landscape of Australia and witness its sensational splendor. From the still waters of the northern billabongs to the rock art encircling the famous Uluru, your custom tailored journey through Australia’s Red Centre will bring you deep inside the wondrous culture until the past and the present surround you.
Your cultural adventure begins upon your arrival at Ayers Rock Airport where you will tour the base of Uluru (Ayers Rock) to see the magnificent magnitude of the monolith, along with the rock art hidden within the crevices. A visit to Mutitjulu Waterhole shows the sparkling water glistening from beneath the earth’s surface and rising for the refreshment of the local people and animals. Once inside the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Center you can follow the legend of the Rainbow Serpent around the history of the territory, its people, and the wonderful legends that come with antiquity. Watch the sunrise over Uluru and witness the spectacular colors of the sky reflect off of the famous monolith until the sun sits high in the sky and Uluru returns to its natural shade of bright red. Follow your guide through the majesty of Kata Tjuta, also known as the Olgas, for the collection of large, round boulders that are said to resemble a group of earthen heads. Watch over the Valley of the Winds before arriving in Alice Springs.
In the morning you will follow your Aboriginal guide into the wonders of the desert that surround the Alice, where you will be shown the majesty of the Arrernte People, from their traditions to their survival techniques, along with a visit to the renowned Desert Park. After your visit with the indigenous animals of the Australian desert at Desert Park, you will make your way to the train station and climb aboard the luxurious Ghan Train that will take you north to Darwin.
Arrive in Darwin in the afternoon with the day at your leisure. Whether you wish to wander along the esplanade and sit beside the sparkling waters of the coast, or visit the World War II memorial museum, there are always wonders to see and a variety to take part in when visiting Darwin. The next day you will transfer to the secluded Kakadu National Park known for its wondrous natural landscapes and connection with the local Aboriginal tribes. Rock art fills the area, notably at Nourlangie Rock. Along the Yellow Water Billabong you will feel the warm, salty waters that drift in from the sea, where lily pads sit in the sun and birds spread their wings on the banks.
The next day you will stop in Ubirr to visit the rock art that connotes much of the local tribe’s connection to the land. Cruise along the East Alligator River to see the incredible strength of the local saltwater crocodile. With permission from the locals, follow your guide into the Arnhem Land to visit the Bowali Visitor Center and, possibly, enjoy a flight above the sensational landscape of the Arnehm Land Escarpment before returning to Darwin. Although this particular journey may eventually come to a finish your adventure doesn’t have to end. There is always more to see, making Australia vacations a timeless experience. Your cultural adventure through the outback, and beyond, will be an experience of a lifetime!
Starting Price
$2,900 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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