Central Australia

CENTRAL AUSTRALIA, ALSO KNOWN AS THE RED CENTRE, IS CONSIDERED THE CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL HEART OF AUSTRALIA. IT’S WHERE YOU CAN EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF ULURU/ AYERS ROCK DURING SUNRISE AND SUNSET, DINE UNDER A MILLION STARS IN THE DESERT OR TAKE IN THE GRANDEUR OF KINGS CANYON FOR TOWERING RED ROCK CLIFFS, FORESTED CREVICES AND ENDLESS DESERT VIEWS. IT’S HOME TO ALICE SPRINGS, THE ABORIGINAL ART CAPITAL AND FAMOUS FOR MOUNTAIN RANGES, WATERHOLES AND GORGES.

EARLY MORNING HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT

VOYAGES Sounds of Silence offers the best of the Red Centre distilled into four magical hours. An evening of dining under the sparkling outback sky. As the sun sets and darkness falls, listen to the sound of a didgeridoo and prepare for an unforgettable dining experience. After dinner, listen to our resident star talker decode the southern night sky, visible due to the exceptional clarity of the atmosphere. Duration: 4 hours Departs: 1 hour prior to sunset ex Ayers Rock OUTBACK BALLOONING Floating gently in the air, you will appreciate the vast remoteness of the Australian outback. Big red kangaroos are seen nearly every day as the balloon crosses high above spinifex grasses, mulga scrub and cattle stations. After landing, there is time to enjoy the desert tranquillity and light refreshments accompanied by sparkling wine and fruit juice with your hosts. $30 mandatory aviation insurance charge. Duration: Allow up to 4 hours Departs: Daily from Alice Springs

FIELD OF LIGHT

VOYAGES As darkness falls and Uluru is thrown into silhouette, Field of Light illuminates. As far as the eye can see gentle rhythms of colour light up the desert. The exhibition, aptly named Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku or ‘looking at lots of beautiful lights’ is located in local Pitjantjatjara, and covers more than seven football fields. The 50,000 solar-powered stems light up as the sun sets and the brightly coloured light stems glow throughout the night. Duration: 1.5 hours including transfers Departs: 30 minutes after sunset ex Ayers Rock

DESERT AWAKENINGS TOUR

VOYAGES Experience the tranquillity of the pre-dawn land under a canopy of stars. Watch the amazing transformation of colours and life as the desert awakens with Uluru and Kata Tjuta as your backdrop. Once the sun is up, enjoy a guided tour of the base of Uluru. Desert Awakenings is designed to introduce you to the natural and cultural landscapes of this remarkable region. Duration: 6 hours Departs: 1 hour prior to sunrise

SOUNDS OF SILENCE DINNER

ex Ayers Rock

ULURU SUNSET BBQ

EMU RUN EXPERIENCE This tour picks you up from your Ayers Rock Resort, an hour prior to the sun setting and takes you to the Uluru sunset viewing area. You will enjoy a glass of sparkling wine as you take in the beautiful sunset over Uluru. Meanwhile a delicious dinner is prepared by your guide. Departs: Daily ex Ayers Rock Duration: 2 hours approx

1 DAY ULURU & KATA-TJUTA WITH SUNSET BBQ TOUR EX ALICE SPRINGS OR AYERS ROCK

EMU RUN EXPERIENCE Experience the wonders of Uluru & Kata Tjuta on this once in a lifetime journey into the heart of Central Australia. Explore the domes of Kata Tjuta as you venture into the Walpa Gorge. Visit the Cultural Centre to learn about the Anangu people and wander through the local art galleries. Enjoy two guided walks at the base of Uluru - the Mala Walk and Mutitjulu Waterhole Walk - where your guide will share stories of Tjukurpa (Dreamtime) and local traditions. The highlight of the day is the breathtaking Uluru sunset with a glass of sparkling wine and a delicious Aussie barbecue. A spectacular day never to be forgotten. Departs: Daily (ex Ayers Rock) Departs: Mon/ Wed/Fri/Sat (ex Alice Springs), Duration 7 hours approx (ex Ayers Rock) Duration 18 hours approx (ex Alice Springs)

ULURU SUNRISE TOUR

EMU RUN EXPERIENCE Watching the Uluru Sunrise is a magical experience and something everyone should do at least once in their life. Enjoy a light breakfast before witnessing the first sunlight of the day creep over the horizon and touch the desert plains. Tour includes pick up and drop off from/to your Ayers Rock Resort. Departs: Daily from Ayers Rock Duration: 2 hours approx

VOYAGES DESERT GARDENS HOTEL

1 YULARA DRIVE, YULARA About hotel & property facilities: Offering the only rooms with views of Uluru in Ayers Rock Resort, Desert Gardens Hotel offers 218 elegant guestrooms, from deluxe rock view rooms to shady poolside rooms all located under a canopy of towering gum trees and garden beds. Hotel includes a Bistro and Bar, Arnguli Grill & Restaurant and is walking distance to the Resort Town Square, or by free shuttle bus.

1 DAY WEST MACDONNELL RANGES TOUR

EMU RUN EXPERIENCE Be dazzled by the array of sunburnt oranges of the West MacDonnell Ranges! Stopping at historic sites and enjoying a variety of walks. Visit Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ochre Pits, Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen Lodge and Ellery Creek Big Hole - this waterhole is one of Central Australia’s most pristine, so don’t forget your swimmers in the warmer months! Departs: 7:45am Alice Springs Duration: 9.5 hours

VOYAGES EMU WALK APARTMENTS

3 YULARA DRIVE, YULARA About hotel & property facilities: Only 20km from Uluru, Ayers Rock Resort’s Emu Walk Apartments offer the luxury of modern, fully serviced one and two bedroom self contained apartments with separate kitchen, living and bedrooms. Indigenous design elements are showcased throughout and multiple bed layouts are available. Apartments are just minutes walk to the Town Square.

VOYAGES SAILS IN THE DESERT

163 YULARA DRIVE, YULARA

About hotel & property facilities: In the heart of Australia's Red Centre, Ayers Rock Resort's Sails in the Desert hotel beautifully contrasts Uluru's raw natural beauty. Soaring white sails crown the hotel, shading 228 beautifully-appointed rooms and suites. The mystery, colour and wisdom of the local Anangu people is interwoven into every facet of the hotel.

Free Ayers Rock Airport transfers, WiFi and shuttle.

VOYAGES OUTBACK PIONEER HOTEL

2 YULARA DRIVE, YULARA

About hotel & property facilities: Voyages Outback Pioneer Hotel offers comfortable, affordable hotel rooms with a private bathroom and is perfect for travellers looking for quality in relaxed surrounds. Room features include air-conditioning/heating and tea/coffee making facilities. Taste Australia's pioneering past, as you enjoy a beer at the Outback BBQ, and swap stories of your day's adventures.

KINGS CANYON RESORT

KINGS CANYON, WATARRKA NATIONAL PARK

About hotel & property facilities: Kings Canyon Resort is an oasis ideally located in the heart of Australia between Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Alice Springs in the Watarrka National Park, the home of Kings Canyon and ‘The Lost City’ rock formations. Far from the crowds and off the beaten track in the red desert plains, Kings Canyon is an extraordinary place to visit for an unforgettable outback experience. After a day of exploring rugged terrain, retreat to the resort and its comfortable facilities. Treat yourself to a luxurious Deluxe Spa room and unwind with a Champagne spa bath overlooking a beautiful rock escarpment.

ALICE SPRINGS DESERT PARK DAY ENTRY

ALICE SPRINGS DESERT PARK Feel the spirit of a living culture; explore a botanic garden and get up close with animals of the desert. Marvel at the energy of the free flying bird show, learn from Aboriginal guides and see animals once found in abundance across the desert in the Nocturnal House. Leave with new stories, skills and secrets of the desert. Opening Hours: 7.30am - 6pm, seven days a week

3 DAY ULURU ADVENTURE

ADVENTURE TOURS Want to see the Red Centre's greatest natural attractions in under three days? Jump on this trip and you'll get to admire Uluru by sunrise and sunset, explore the natural wonders of Kings Canyon – the Lost City, Amphitheatre, Garden of Eden and North and South Walls – and weave through the gigantic boulders and gullies of Kata Tjuta. Experience the heart of the Red Centre with the best guides in the business who know the culture, people and outback like the back of their hand. Spend your days gaining a deeper understanding into the spiritual importance of Uluru and its surrounds, and your nights camping on Australia’s red earth and experience dinner under the stars. Includes 2 nights camping in twin share tents with linen supplied and most meals. Duration: 3 Days Departs: Departs Daily - Alice Springs