Family Adventure: Red Centre Culture Trail
6
Days
Northern Territory, Australia
curated by
Krystle Wright
Northern Territory, Australia
Experience the heart of the Northern Territory's Red Centre on an unforgettable family adventure. This exclusive tour, thoughtfully crafted by Krystle Wright, a pioneering director and adventure photographer, invites you to explore some of Australia's most iconic cultural sites.
Regarded as one of the world's leading female extreme adventure photographers, Krystle has handpicked her favourite Central Australia experiences for this self-drive package. Drive around in comfort as you immerse yourself in Central Australia's vibrant culture. Create your own dot painting, witness a mesmerising Uluru sunset, embark on thrilling outback drives, discover the enchanting Kings Canyon, join a private tour of the East MacDonnell Ranges, explore Krystle's top photography locations, and more.
Mention your NRMA Membership number when booking to claim the Member discount.
Krystle's extensive experience as a world-class adventure photographer and director means that she possesses a keen eye for capturing extraordinary moments and creating visually stunning content. Her ability to blend adventure and photography allows her to curate trips that provide people with unparalleled opportunities to witness and document breathtaking landscapes, extreme sports, and immersive cultural experiences.
Krystle's adventurous spirit and determination to capture unique perspectives have led her to remote and awe-inspiring locations around the world. By choosing a trip designed by her, you can expect to explore places that may be off the radar for most travellers. This means the chance to discover hidden gems, explore uncharted territories, and witness scenes that are often inaccessible to the average traveler.
As recognised by National Geographic and other reputable publications, Krystle Wright is a trailblazer in the field of adventure photography, particularly as a leading female figure. Choosing a trip designed by her provides a unique opportunity for aspiring photographers, adventurers, and enthusiasts to learn from her firsthand. Participants can gain insights into her creative process, photographic techniques, and the art of storytelling through photography and cinematography.
Start your Red Centre cultural trip by exploring Alice Springs for the day. Visit the social enterprise project, Tjanpi Desert Weavers. Tjanpi artists use native grasses to make spectacular contemporary fibre art, weaving beautiful baskets and sculptures and displaying endless creativity and inventiveness. Then join an afternoon cultural walking tour to Rainbow Valley with your host, a Traditional Custodian.
Pick up your rental car in Alice Springs and feel immediately at home in the Mitsubishi ASX, a perfect mix of a spacious SUV wagon and a zippy town car. You’ll find plenty of room in the boot for luggage, as well as an array of tech inside the vehicle such as ABS, Bluetooth, traction control, parking sensors and more. The ASX offers a quiet and smooth ride whether you’re in town or on the open road, and the fuel economy ensures you’re not spending all your road trip money on gas.
Travel to Rainbow Valley to meet your host, a Traditional Custodian. Relax and get introduced to the amazing Culture and Country. Your host will then share the spectacular art site of Rainbow Valley where you will experience rock art, engravings and occupation sites never before open to the public. In the afternoon, your guide will reveal the ancient landscape of Rainbow Valley and explain some of its cultural significance. In the late afternoon, admire the changing colours of a spectacular sunset.
Nestled by the tranquil Todd River, the hotel offers a peaceful escape just 2 km from the town centre, adjacent to the Alice Springs Golf Club. Within a 10-minute drive, discover the Alice Springs Desert Park and the scenic Anzac Hill. Enjoy the on-site tennis courts and a heated outdoor pool with garden views, where the resident peacock occasionally makes an appearance. Your spacious guest room features a king-sized bed, HDTV, and a work desk with WiFi. Step onto your private balcony for garden views and unwind in luxurious sheets.
Drive your SUV from Alice Springs to Uluru and check in at the incredible Sails In The Desert. Take a guided tour along a shaded track at Uluru, stopping to discuss Tjukurpa (Aboriginal law) stories associated with Mala ancestors, rock art, traditional Anangu lifestyle, history and the environment. Finish the day at A Night at Field of Light with Uluru as the backdrop, you’ll enjoy canapés and chilled sparkling wine to the sounds of a didgeridoo as the sun slowly sets.
Begin the night with a pick-up from your hotel and transfer to the remote desert location. With Uluru as the backdrop, enjoy canapés and chilled sparkling wine to the sounds of a didgeridoo as the sun slowly sets. As darkness gradually falls and the coloured lights of the 50,000 glass spheres come to life you are invited to join the dinner table for a special three-course bush tucker inspired buffet menu. A knowledgeable guide will provide insights and background to the monumental installation and you are invited to walk through the Field of Light. After dinner, enjoy a sweet treat, hot chocolate or port whilst viewing the illuminated installation in the darkness.
Discover Uluru-Kata Tjuta's geology, natural environment and cultural heritage with the people that work here. A park ranger will take you along the base of the rock, stopping to tell the story of the Mala (rufous hare-wallaby) people. Learn about traditional Anangu culture, rock art and how the park is managed. The walk departs from the Mala car park at 8.00 am from October to April and 10.00 am from May to Sept. It is included in the cost of your park pass. Please allow 1.5 hours for this 2 km wheelchair-accessible walk.
Indulgent escapes await at Sails in the Desert. Cool off in the sparkling swimming pool lined with lush gumtrees, or linger over unique Australian flavours paired perfectly with your favourite regional wines at one of the resort's dining, lounge, and bar options. Relax in the brasserie-style Ilkari Restaurant, unwind after a day of exploring with cocktails and Indigenous-inspired cuisine in the Walpa Lobby Bar, or curl up on one of the daybeds and enjoy a casual lunch and beverage by the pool. Your Superior Rooms includes a luxury bed and daily breakfast.
Start your cultural tour of the Red Centre than with a dot painting workshop. Join a local Anangu artist and interpreter. Learn about ancient symbols used in Anangu art and teachings, and pick up some local Pitjantjatjara words. Next, it’s time to join a cultural tour, you’ll join a traditional owner of Uluru on their homelands and spend time learning about the oldest living culture in the world. Patji is just south of Uluru, outside of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Enjoy an afternoon tea round the campfire, then continue on to a private sand dune to marvel at the expanse of the desert overlooking Uluru and Kata Tjuta while enjoying drinks and light snacks at sunset.
Join Maruku Arts' famous dot painting workshop. You will be taught by a local Anangu artist (and an assisting interpreter). You’ll learn about traditional art, symbols, tools and more! Get inspired by the ancient ways of the desert and create your very own work of art to treasure. For thousands of years, Anangu have passed down their knowledge generation to generation, to keep the land, their culture and their people strong. Through their workshops the artists would like to share a part of their culture with you, so you can learn something, create something and show your family.
Make your way to Kuniya Walk at Uluru and submerge yourself into this culturally rich experience that offers much more than just a walk. Your Anangu guide and translator will walk you through the stories held in stone within the Uluru. During this one-hour guided tour, you and your local Aboriginal Anangu will learn about beautiful works of art depicting the Creation time (Tjukurpa) stories in the family cave, here and see the stories set in stone in Uluru (Tjukuritja). During this intimate experience, you will learn about the Kuniya Tjukurpa and gain insight into local bush tucker foods.
Indulgent escapes await at Sails in the Desert. Cool off in the sparkling swimming pool lined with lush gumtrees, or linger over unique Australian flavours paired perfectly with your favourite regional wines at one of the resort's dining, lounge, and bar options. Relax in the brasserie-style Ilkari Restaurant, unwind after a day of exploring with cocktails and Indigenous-inspired cuisine in the Walpa Lobby Bar, or curl up on one of the daybeds and enjoy a casual lunch and beverage by the pool. Your Superior Rooms includes a luxury bed and daily breakfast.
Wake up early to drive the iconic Meerenie Loop Road until you reach Kings Canyon Resort. Explore the Kings Canyon Rim Walk, a three-hour hike across 100m-high sandstone walls and ancient palm-filled crevices with stunning views of the arid surroundings. For those looking for a more relaxed option, the Kings Creek Walk provides equally breathtaking views from the canyon floor.
Nestled in the tranquility of a rugged bush setting, your air-conditioned Resort Room will provide an oasis of comfort after a day of adventure and exploration. Reflecting the casual ambiance of Kings Canyon, your comfortable, spacious room features a queen bed with a separate en suite bathroom that includes a shower and bath, air-conditioning, direct-dial telephone, en suite bathroom, insect screens, hair dryer, tea/coffee facilities, extra blankets, refrigerator, iron/ironing board, writing desk, buffet breakfast for two and mini bar on request. Wi-Fi is also available, however coverage is limited.
Spend the day exploring the many stunning locations around Kings Canyon, before joining a one-of-a-kind authentic aboriginal cultural experience. Learn the importance of cultural knowledge on bush tucker and bush medicines used for spiritual and healing and a lot more.
Karrke is a one-of-a-kind authentic aboriginal cultural experience. This 1‑hour tour is a short walk and talk on areas of importance in the cultural knowledge on bush tucker and bush medicines used for spiritual and healing and a lot more, as used by the Luritja and Pertame (Southern Aranda) people. Learn about seasonal bush tucker food, including the Witchetty Grub, Mai (meaning food in the Luritja language) edible tree seeds and grass seeds and the important grinding stones, Bush medicine plants and their uses by the Aboriginal people, and more!
Nestled in the tranquility of a rugged bush setting, your air-conditioned Resort Room will provide an oasis of comfort after a day of adventure and exploration. Reflecting the casual ambiance of Kings Canyon, your comfortable, spacious room features a queen bed with a separate en suite bathroom that includes a shower and bath, air-conditioning, direct-dial telephone, en suite bathroom, insect screens, hair dryer, tea/coffee facilities, extra blankets, refrigerator, iron/ironing board, writing desk, buffet breakfast for two and mini bar on request. Wi-Fi is also available, however coverage is limited.
Make the journey back to Alice Springs. If you have time stop and explore West MacDonnell National Park to witness a spectacular stretch of natural formations including chasms, gorges and desert waterholes. Explore Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek and Ormiston Gorge just to name a few.
Drop off the hire car at the airport before making your journey home
Extra night in Alice Springs
“Every rock, every hill has its own story to tell in the vast, timeless expanse of the Red Centre.”
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