Outback Contrasts
Outback Contrasts
$3875
Outback Contrasts
6 Days Starting and ending in Alice Springs, Australia
Visiting: Alice Springs, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Uluru
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CRAAF25
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
12-
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Outback Contrasts" tour and immerse yourself in the heart of Australia's Red Centre. Begin your journey in Alice Springs, exploring historic sites and the dramatic West MacDonnell Ranges. Experience the rugged beauty of Kings Canyon with a sunrise rim walk and a luxurious stay at Kings Canyon Resort, complete with a five-course degustation under the stars. Discover the spiritual significance of Uluru and Kata Tjuta, and enjoy sparkling sundowners with breathtaking views. Conclude your adventure with a bush BBQ celebration dinner under the Milky Way in Alice Springs. This tour offers premium accommodation, luxury coach travel, and expert guides, ensuring an unforgettable outback experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Alice Springs
Location: Alice Springs
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters
Meals Included: Dinner
Immerse yourself in the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station precinct and learn about the overland telegraph line as you discover its historic buildings. Explore the West MacDonnell Ranges on a walk through the dramatic Simpsons Gap. Relish spectacular views across Alice Springs from Anzac Hill before some free time to explore the town or relax by your resort pool. Join your fellow guests at the Tali restaurant for a Welcome Dinner.
Day 2: Alice Springs - Kings Canyon
Location: Alice Springs
Accommodation Name: Kings Canyon Resort
Meals Included: Dinner
We head off along the 4WD Giles Track, crossing dry riverbeds and outback landscapes, to Kings Canyon Resort. The flickering glow of this evening's fire, dancing under the canopy of a starry Southern Hemisphere sky, is the perfect accompaniment to your Local Dining Experience Under a Desert Moon. This degustation menu with matching wines is the perfect end to the day. Sit back and listen to the sounds of the outback come alive at night in the company of new friends.
Day 3: Kings Canyon - Uluru
Location: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Accommodation Name: Sails in the Desert Hotel
Meals Included: Lunch
Gaze across the deep chasm at the edge of Kings Canyon as you embark on a sunrise 6km rim walk past the domed ‘Lost City' and down into the luscious ‘Garden of Eden'. Immerse yourself while visiting the Wanmarra Community with local Aboriginal people and learn about the Luritja and Pertame people’s spiritual connection to the land. Discover bush food and bush medicine used for spirituality and healing. Wandering across desert landscapes leaving Kings Canyon behind and arriving for lunch at Curtin Springs Station, a vast farming property. Feel the stirring of something bigger than you as you arrive in Ayers Rock Resort, your launchpad to Australia's fiery heart in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. This afternoon, travelling to Uluru as the day fades, the outback sun bids a fiery farewell. This is the perfect backdrop for included sparkling sundowners while overlooking Uluru.
Day 4: Uluru & Kata Tjuta
Location: Uluru
Accommodation Name: Sails in the Desert Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Enjoy a relaxed start to the day before exploring, and learning about the spiritual connection the local Anangu caretakers have with the land. Skirt the red walls of Uluru, hear ancient tales and see rock art, when visiting the Mutitjulu Waterhole. Relax by the resort pool or take to the skies to see Uluru from above before an afternoon visit to Kata Tjuta for a walk through Walpa Gorge. The evening enjoy dinner at Ilkari Restaurant.
Day 5: Uluru - Alice Springs
Location: Alice Springs
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters
Meals Included: Dinner
Observe the shifting lights of Bruce Munro’s impressive Field of Light art installation as the desert awakens and the sunrise lights up across Uluru. Traverse the vast and fascinating outback before arriving in Alice Springs. Enjoy free time to wander around the town. The Todd Street Mall has cafés and Aboriginal art galleries to explore. This evening, immerse yourself against the backdrop of the outback at our open-air bush BBQ Celebration Dinner. Located off the beaten track in the heart of the East MacDonnell Ranges, you'll enjoy drinks as a bush balladeer sings classic Australian songs and shares stories of outback living, under the Southern Hemisphere’s Milky Way.
Day 6: Farewell From Alice Springs
Location: Alice Springs
Relax this morning as your journey comes to an end. You might choose to take a hot air balloon ride (own expense) to experience the scenic landscapes of the outback before your journey comes to an end.
What's Included
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Quality accommodation
Stay in premium and authentic accommodations such as Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters, Kings Canyon Resort, and Sails in the Desert Hotel.
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Travel by luxury coach
Travel comfortably in a luxury coach throughout the tour.
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Experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
Benefit from the expertise of a specialist highly experienced Driver Guide with specialist accreditation at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and Watarrka National Park.
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Local Dining Experiences
Enjoy unique dining experiences such as a 5-course degustation at Kings Canyon Resort and a bush BBQ Celebration Dinner in the East MacDonnell Ranges.
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Guided Tours and Walks
Participate in guided tours and walks, including a visit to the Alice Springs Telegraph Station, a walk through Simpsons Gap, and a sunrise 6km rim walk at Kings Canyon.
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Cultural Experiences
Immerse yourself in local culture with visits to the Wanmarra Community and learning about the spiritual connection of the Luritja and Pertame people to the land.
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Scenic Highlights
Experience the scenic wonders of the West MacDonnell Ranges, Walpa Gorge, and the Field of Light art installation by Bruce Munro.
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Small Group Size
Travel in a small group with an average of 16 guests for a more personalized experience.
What's Not Included
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Flights
Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and optional activities like hot air balloon rides are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Fitness Requirements
Certain activities, such as the Kings Canyon Rim Walk, require a high level of fitness and may not be suitable for all guests.
Mode of Transport
Travel comfortably by luxury coach, crossing dry riverbeds and outback landscapes, with a specialist highly experienced Driver Guide and local specialists at key locations.
Accommodation
Stay in premium and authentic accommodations including Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters, Kings Canyon Resort, and Sails in the Desert Hotel, offering modern spacious rooms with private balconies and stunning views.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of fitness level is required for the Kings Canyon Rim Walk?
The Kings Canyon Rim Walk requires a high level of fitness. The 6km hike includes a 30-minute incline that is considered 'Difficult'. For those unable to hike to the rim, an easier alternative walk along the creek bed is offered.
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What is the minimum age requirement for this tour?
The minimum age requirement for the Outback Contrasts tour is 12 years old.
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What kind of dining experience can I expect at Kings Canyon Resort?
At Kings Canyon Resort, you can indulge in a five-course degustation menu with matching wines under the stars, accompanied by the sounds of the outback.
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Are flights included in the trip price?
No, flights to and from the start and end of the trip are not included in the trip price.
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What should I bring for the tour?
You should bring comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, warm layers for cooler months and evenings, a camera, and a sense of adventure. Note that only one piece of medium-sized luggage per passenger is allowed due to limited stowing capacity on the coach.
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes quality accommodation at places like Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters, Kings Canyon Resort, and Sails in the Desert Hotel.
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What kind of guide will be leading the tour?
The tour will be led by a specialist, highly experienced Driver Guide with specialist accreditation at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and Watarrka National Park, along with local specialists.
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What activities are included on the first day of the tour?
On the first day, you will immerse yourself in the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station precinct, explore the West MacDonnell Ranges, and enjoy spectacular views from Anzac Hill. You will also have some free time to explore the town or relax by your resort pool before joining your fellow guests for a Welcome Dinner at the Tali restaurant.
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What can I expect during the visit to the Wanmarra Community?
During the visit to the Wanmarra Community, you will learn about the Luritja and Pertame people’s spiritual connection to the land, discover bush food and bush medicine used for spirituality and healing, and immerse yourself in the local Aboriginal culture.
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What is the highlight of the final evening in Alice Springs?
The highlight of the final evening in Alice Springs is an open-air bush BBQ Celebration Dinner in the heart of the East MacDonnell Ranges, where you will enjoy drinks, classic Australian songs, and stories of outback living under the Southern Hemisphere’s Milky Way.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a holiday with us is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
It is important to adhere to departure times while on tour for the comfort of everyone on-board, and to make sure no one misses out on the planned experiences. The coach will not be able to wait for you, and in some instances, if you miss a departure time you will need to make your own way to the next destination to re-join the tour.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
AAT Kings operated Guided Holidays have competitive single supplement rates available if you prefer to confirm your own room. Or we can match you to share with a guest of the same gender at no extra cost. If we fail to match you, we will accommodate you in a single room at no extra cost.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 100 years
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
We will email your documents to you approximately four weeks before your departure date provided you have completed your pre trip registration using the My Travel Portal. If you’ve booked through a travel agent, your documents will be emailed directly to your agent.
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Low Deposit
AAT Kings requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of aat kings charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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