Alice Springs ResortOn the banks of the barren Todd River this lovelyresort nestles amongst the wrinkled ghost gums andoverlooks the stunning MacDonnell ranges. Thecentre of town is only a few minutes walk away andso this is an ideal base from which to explore thisOutback town. The numerous guestrooms possess allthe usual modern comforts and the restaurantoverlooks the swimming pool and gardens. Gunya Titjikala,Aboriginal Community Authentic indigenous experiences are more oftenadvertised than offered, but this desert Aboriginalcommunity, an hour and a half south of AliceSprings, is quite genuine. The community invites justsix guests to learn of their intriguing life, allowingthem to participate in gathering bush tucker andmedicinal plants, and listen to Dreamtime storiestold by the Elders. 'Go bush' with the traditionalland owners to visit rock art and fossil sites and learnof the secrets of daily survival that have brought thisancient culture safely through the ages. Wonderfulmeals add an Aboriginal twist to Australian cuisine,with a 'bushtucker' chef adding wild fruits andperhaps a smattering of witchetty grubs. The threeluxury safari-style tents with polished wooden floorsand ensuite bathrooms provide comfort in a remotedesert retreat. This project is a joint enterprise withthe community so the majority of the profits go tothe Titjikala Foundation, focusing on health,education and school retention initiatives. Red CentreContrastsAt the geographical and spiritual heart of Australia,the Red Centre remains a sacred site to theindigenous Aboriginal people. Experience twocontrasts of Australian life by spending time on atraditional Outback station and then join anAboriginal community to learn of their ancientculture. No visit to the centre would be completewithout a visit to the magnificent Uluru-Kata TjutaNational Park and Alice Springs.Day 1:Arrive in Alice Springs and explore thetownship and museums. Day 2:Make time for a visit to the native wildlifesanctuary of Desert Park.Day 3:Head out of town for an Outbackexperience at Ooraminna Homestead onthe working cattle station of Deep Well. Day 4:Enjoy station activities and Outbackhospitality.Day 5:Return to Alice Springs. Travel south toGunya Titjikala Aboriginal camp andexperience life within an Aboriginalcommunity. Day 6:Hear Dreamtime stories, share intraditions and join in communityactivities.Day 7:Return to Alice Springs.Day 8:Journey to Uluru-Kata Tjuta NationalPark. View the magnificent Uluru sunset.Day 9:Take the Valley of the Winds walkthrough the domes of Kata Tjuta.Day 10:Leave Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.EXTENSIONSFly to Cairns and onward to beautiful Lizard Islandto explore the underwater beauties of the GreatBarrier Reef. See page 30 for details.tailor-made travelAll our travel arrangements are on a private,individual basis to offer you complete freedom ofchoice. The itineraries and accommodation optionsthroughout the brochure are designed to give you aflavour of what is possible and can be tailor-made tosuit your preferences. Prices vary according toselected accommodation and season. Please callour Australia specialists on 01869 276 345 todiscuss your individual requirements.NORTHERN TERRITORYTHE RED CENTRE |43THE MACDONNELL RANGES These impressive ranges tower over the plain, anatural barrier broken by gorges, cliffs andnatural pools. Running east and west of AliceSprings they are easily accessible on either a dayvisit from the town or as a detour on the driveto Kings Canyon. In the West MacDonnells,Simpson's Gorge is the first of a series ofattractive natural features, another is StandleyChasm, a slender gorge whose sides glow amarvellous red in the desert light. At ElleryGorge, Ellery Creek Big Hole is an excellentswimming pool while Serpent Gorge, slightlyfurther west, has a lovely walking trail leadingto a lookout with a spectacular view. TheEastern MacDonnells host some Aboriginal sitesof the local Aranada people and walking trailsthread past quartzite cliffs and red river gums. The Larapinta Trail This thrilling walking trail runs for some 220kilometres along the backbone of the WestMacDonnell Ranges, with expertly guided walkspresenting unequalled opportunities to take in thisancient landscape. The walks are of between threeand ten days duration and are a little challenging inparts. You carry only a day pack and sleep out underthe stars in a cosy bushman's swag, with drinks anddelicious freshly prepared meals provided.Gunya Titjikala CampGunya Titjikala campThe MacDonnell RangesAboriginal bush tucker

Kata TjutaKINGS CANYON ANDWATARRKA NATIONAL PARKSouthwest of Alice Springs is Watarrka NationalPark, a scenic landscape of rugged ranges andgorges that serves as a refuge for an array ofplants and animals. Kings Canyon is Australia'slargest and most spectacular, carved into a rockyplateau with vast, sweeping views, its richlycoloured sandstone walls plummeting to the'Garden of Eden', where tranquil pools, cycadsand a maze of eroded domes are sheltered fromthe remorseless sun overhead. KINGS CANYON RIM WALKThe six kilometre walk around the rim of thisextraordinary chasm allows you to see thecanyon in all its glory. The walk is at times rockyand a little steep at the beginning, but is wellwithin the scope of the reasonably fit and sure-footed. For the less agile, a creek walk leadsalong the canyon base through the wood, withplenty of waterholes for a cooling dip. 44Kings CanyonKings Canyon Resort,Watarraka National Park Within the boundaries of the national park thismodern resort has gone to great lengths to minimizethe impact on its surroundings yet offers anexcellent standard of accommodation. Each of thenumerous guestrooms is spacious and comfortableand some have the added luxury of a spa bath witha view over the rugged desert. The resort isrenowned for its 'Sounds of Firelight' dinner, servedbeside an open fire, against the backdrop of a star-speckled sky. ULURU-KATA TJUTANATIONAL PARKIn the heart of Australia's Red Centre the stoneformations of Uluru/Ayers Rock and the mysticaldomes of Kata Tjuta/The Olgas rise up from thedunes with a wholly unexpected beauty. Theseicons of Australia rest on the sacred lands of theAnangu people and form the basis of many oftheir Dreamtime beliefs. The park was awardeddual World Heritage status for both ancientculture and its natural attributes, and it isworthwhile for anyone visiting the park to lookbeyond the 'rock' and learn something of itssignificance. Start with a guided walk aroundthe base, which teaches of the ancient story ofthe Seven Sisters, view caves filled with rock artand see permanent waterholes that feed thethriving flora and fauna and gives a taste of therock's sheer size and majesty. No visit to Uluru iscomplete without the experience of its sunset,where flamboyant colours are painted over itsflank, changing and moving by the second.Rising from the desert, some 30 kilometres fromUluru is Kata Tjuta, named from the Aboriginalword meaning 'many heads', its 36 rock domescreating a system of haunting gorges andvalleys. Take the 'Valley of the Winds' trail andwander through the Olga Gorge that leads toan immense cliff face and lovely rock pool. Ofequal spiritual significance as Uluru, Kata Tjutaperhaps holds a somewhat more serene andsilent charm.Kings Canyon Resort