Outback Safari

Today is one of colours. The ochre soil spiked with cycads as you come into land. The endless blue sky. The russet hues of Uluru… And that’s all before the enchanting hour. Uluru has been home to the Anangu for millennia. You will discover their connection to the land when you arrive in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park at sunset watching the shifting colours transform the desert. Elevate your evening with the exclusive Uluru Barbecue Dinner (own expense).

Help protect the highlights of Australia's wilderness through your bucket list visit to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. You'll encounter iconic Uluru, half a billion years old, standing 348 metres high and taller than the Eiffel Tower. If you’re looking for a reason to roll out of bed before dawn, make it an Uluru sunrise. We’re not saying it’s better than the sunset. But rising with the birds certainly has benefits. Like being cool when you tour the base of the world’s biggest monolith. A circumnavigation is 11 kilometres, if you’re up for it. Or you can join a guided walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole, a sacred spot decorated with Aboriginal rock art. Later, visit Kata Tjuta and wander through Walpa Gorge, with more bubbles to serenade another sunset.

The only other reason to get up before dawn is to glimpse the Uluru Field of Light, a dazzling installation by British artist Bruce Munro that sees 50,000 stem-like globes blanket the Uluru soil (own expense). It’s optional – we won’t judge you for sleeping in, steeling yourself for today’s adventures. But if you’ve come this far, it would be a shame to opt for shut-eye over eye-popping. Speaking of which, did you know Australia has the largest population of wild camels in the world, and Kings Creek Station, your next stop, is the largest exporter of these doe-eyed creatures? From here, the land eases into Kings Canyon, part of the immense Watarrka National Park. Views over the Red Centre are perspective-resetting. Feeling fit? Get your heart pumping on the 500 step climb on the 6km rim walk or take it easier on the creek bed walk.

Cattle stations are the size of small nations in the NT outback, as you’ll discover on your journey toward Alice Springs. The other ‘big’ thing in these parts is the MacDonnell Ranges, undulating across the red earth like a caterpillar's spine. Back in 1872, Alice Springs was a hive of activity, as a Telegraph Station was built to connect Adelaide and Darwin as part of the Overland Telegraph Line. Sweat and tears went into the project, as you’ll discover browsing the grounds. Finally – panoramas from Anzac Hill steal the scene.

Visit Alice Springs Desert Park. It's home to a vast range of plants and wildlife native to the area. You can really appreciate the beauty and diversity of this incredible landscape. In remote parts of Australia, community is everything, whether to ensure stories of the Arrernte people are not forgotten, or to help those who need help. The passionate Royal Flying Doctor Service health workers commute hundreds of kilometres to provide aid. End the day on a high at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre, where the Falzon family host a BBQ Be My Guest dinner under the stars. This is a lesson in off-the-grid, sustainable living.

The whole of Peru covers 1.3 million square kilometres – the same size playing field that the School of the Air broadcasts daily classes to. If you are lucky enough to be there during school term you might see a live session with kids in some of Australia’s most remote reaches, providing them with educational tools otherwise unavailable. Undeniably otherworldly are the precariously balanced boulders that characterise Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) and the landscapes surrounding gold-rich Tennant Creek.

When you’re not working hard in the Australian outback, you’re having a lot of fun. Case in point the Daly Waters Historic Pub, where the food – schnitzels, burgers – comes second to the atmosphere. Follow the lead of those here before you and leave a memento to decorate the walls. If you were a fan of TV drama We of the Never Never, you’ll recognise your next destination: the (replica) Elsey Homestead in Mataranka. Explore, or soak in the palm-shrouded thermal springs.

Explore the natural beauty of Nitmiluk National Park on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience cruise along Nitmiluk Gorge. You’ll wind through this gorge carved through ancient sandstone alongside steep cliff walls, watching for lush rainforest gullies in giant cracks, and maybe a freshwater crocodile or two on the banks. You can almost feel the spirits yawning as they created this landscape on Jawoyn land, part of Nitmiluk National Park. It takes your breath away. More wildlife lurks in Kakadu’s Yellow Water Billabong, which is a mecca for sea eagles, brolgas and little kingfishers.

The best way to grasp the immensity of Kakadu National Park? From the air, should you wish to take a scenic flight (own expense). You won’t regret it – perspective is always a good thing. Speaking of which, Ubirr’s Aboriginal rock art dates back an eye-watering 20,000+ years. If it looks familiar, that’s because it starred in classic Aussie movie, Crocodile Dundee. Get your Darwin bearings on a quick tour – we want to give you as much time as possible to enjoy the Mindil Beach Sunset Market.

Today, go your own way. That might mean sleeping in, then heading out for a delicious tropical lunch. Or signing up for optional experiences, like explorations into Litchfield National Park. This pocket of the NT is a staggering union of magnetic termite mounds and waterfalls (swimming is seasonal and opening is controlled by NT Parks). Alternatively, head north to the Tiwi Islands, where you take a deep dive into Indigenous history and art with First Nations guides (both own expense). Whichever route you go, we’ll see you at the Farewell Dinner.

‘Ma Muk’ (‘See you later’), as the Larrakia people would say. This Outback adventure is over for now, but we’re positive your memories will last forever.