On arrival in Adelaide today, explore the major sights of the city before joining a local food expert for a guided tour of the vibrant Adelaide Central Market. Meet the traders and share the history and secrets of this 140-year-old icon. This evening, relax with your Travel Director and fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception and dinner at La Boca Bar and Grill. 

Today travel to the Clare Valley for a wine-tasting at Jesuit-owned Sevenhill Cellars, the region’s oldest existing winery. Explore the picturesque grounds and St. Aloysius Church, and take a stroll through the vines before stopping in Clare at lunchtime. Later, travel through the spectacular Flinders Ranges to Wilpena Pound, a remarkable natural amphitheatre covering nearly 8,000 hectares. As you head to the Flinders Ranges, pass the ruins of deserted pastoral leases and keep an eye out for mobs of emu on the plains as dusk draws near.

Take a walk with your Travel Director to the faithfully-restored Hills Homestead and Wangarra Lookout, which affords panoramic views over Wilpena Pound. Journey through Pichi Richi Pass and the historic town of Quorn, known for its beautiful historic railway station. Your final destination today is Port Augusta, a natural harbour on the Spencer Gulf. Visit Wadlata Outback Centre before dinner at a local restaurant.

Today visit Woomera, an isolated experimental ground used for testing rockets during the 1950s and 1960s. Then travel through salt-lake country and observe the transformation to a stark, barren landscape as you near isolated Coober Pedy, regarded by many as the opal capital of the world. Coober Pedy is world renowned for its underground residences, called ‘dugouts’, which are built in this fashion due to the extreme daytime heat. View an opal demonstration with a local guide, who’ll then lead you through some of the town’s iconic underground buildings, including a church and a private residence.

Day 5: Coober Pedy – Ayers Rock

Cross the border into the Northern Territory today and continue to dual World Heritage listed Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park. Uluru is sacred to the local Indigenous inhabitants and is thought to have begun forming around 550 million years ago. Sparkling wine is served this evening as you watch the sun set at Australia’s most renowned natural landmark and witness the spectacular phenomenon of the changing colours of the massive sandstone monolith.

Day 6: Uluru Sunrise – Kata Tjuta

Rise early this morning to experience a majestic Red Centre sunrise. After a tour of the base of Uluru, you may like to take either a self-guided stroll around its eleven-kilometre perimeter, or a guided walk to Mutiitjulu Waterhole. Your Travel Director will explain the significance of its ancient Aboriginal rock paintings, and you’ll also learn about the area’s flora and fauna and the culture of its traditional owners, the Anangu people. This afternoon’s journey takes you to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). Watch a magnificent sunset while you enjoy sparkling wine.

Awe-inspiring Kings Canyon is your destination today. Stop for a lunch break at Kings Creek Station. Originally vacant crown land, the station now runs cattle and is the largest exporter of wild camels in Australia. Learn the intriguing story of owners, Ian and Lynn Conway, and their dedication to Aboriginal children in the region’s remote communities. Continue to Kings Canyon, a spectacular natural formation whose sheer sandstone walls soar to a height of 100 metres. A 6km rim walk of the canyon will reward you with marvellous views of Watarrka National Park: an easier walk along the boulder-strewn canyon creek bed is another option.

Day 8: Kings Canyon – Alice Springs

Travelling past seemingly-deserted cattle properties today, you’ll develop an appreciation for the magnitude of the Australian Outback. On arrival in Alice Springs, visit the historic Telegraph Station, established in 1872 to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide. It was one of twelve stations along the Overland Telegraph Line, which revolutionised communications on the island continent. Later, drive to Anzac Hill for panoramic views over ‘The Alice’.

Day 9: Alice Springs

After breakfast, join an Aboriginal guide at Alice Springs Desert Park to learn about the culture and traditions of the local Arrernte People. In the Nocturnal House, learn about the endangered animals of the Red Centre. Then enjoy a captivating Birds of Prey show. Continue to the headquarters of iconic Royal Flying Doctor Service. This evening, join the Falzon family for Be My Guest a home-cooked BBQ dinner, and later listen as they share their passion for ecology, astronomy and culture.

Say farewell to your fellow travellers when your holiday comes to an end this morning after breakfast.