8 DAYS AUSTRALIA WINELAND TO OUTBACK

Transfer to hotel upon arrival. Once a staid city dubbed “City of Churches”, Adelaide has blossomed with cutting-edge bars and cafes along its windswept beaches and colonial sandstone architectures. Stroll down Rundle Mall shopping precinct. Visit the new Adelaide Oval, and climb the roof (optional) for 360° views of River Torrens and the city. Watch the sunset over Glenelg beach.

Embark on a full day tour of Adelaide Hills, part of the Mount Lofty Ranges east of the city. Cuddle a koala at the Cleland Wildlife Park, enjoy a little slice of Deutschland in the German settlement of Hahndorf, have a quiet tipple in one of the many cellar doors, saunter through the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens or scale Mount Lofty itself for sweeping views of the region.

After breakfast at the Adelaide Central Market, whose 80 stalls attract 8 million visitors yearly, step aboard the legendary Ghan’s private cabin for train journey through South Australia’s mid north pastoral fields. Indulge in pre-dinner drink and lively discussion with fellow diners as you anticipate tomorrow’s inspiring outback experience. A multi-course dinner awaits, with regionally-inspired menu and all-inclusive fine wines and beverages.

Alight for sunrise over the Australian desert, then brunch at train as you cross state border into Northern Territory, MacDonnell Ranges and arrive at Alice Springs in the afternoon. Disembark and meet your guide to visit aboriginal art galleries and Royal Flying Doctor Museum.

Greet the morning with hot air balloon flight (optional). Next, explore the secular West MacDonnell mountain range with its gorges and natural water holes. Stop by Simpsons Gap, Ormiston Gorge, Standley Chasm and Glen Helen Gorge, where the water remains cool year-round. Look for wildlife such as lack-footed rock wallaby, Pacific heron and white-faced heron. En-route, stop by Tnorala crater, formed 20km diameter wide by an enormous comet on the sacred Arrernte land 140 million years ago! Continue to Kings Canyon at the heart of Watarrka National Park and check into your hotel.

Leave early for a Rim Walk in Kings Canyon, a highlight of the Red Centre. This afternoon, drive 3h to Ayers Rock. As darkness falls and Uluru is thrown into silhouette, the Field of Light illuminates with gentle rhythms of desert colour as far as eyes can see.

Wake up early for sunrise over Uluru. Thereafter, your guide will discuss hiking options based on your physical level to explore Kata Tjuta National Park with its huge rounded blocks. Join an Aboriginal guide for a 2-hour walking tour to learn how they survive in this arid and hostile environment, which is surprisingly full of resources for those who know how to find and use them! Learn about the traditional bush food (local flora and fauna) and various reptiles which have perfectly adapted to this environment.

Transfer to Ayers Rock Airport and transfer back home.