5 Days | Explore sacred sites with the Traditional Owners of the land in the Red Centre
Immerse yourself in the culture of the Red Centre with this fascinating five-day trip to Country. On this trip, you’ll visit some of the sacred sites of the Western Arrernte people, learn about the community of Ntaria (Hermannsburg), hike rugged Tjoritja (the West MacDonnell Ranges) and be taken back in time as you explore the Hermannsburg Historic Precinct. Stay on Homelands with Traditional Owners and learn Dreaming stories by the glow of the campfire, which have been handed down to your First Nations leader from their Ancestors. Deep dive into culture among those who know the land best as you hike Country and find community at camp.
Trip overview
- Start
- Alice Springs, Australia
- Finish
- Alice Springs, Australia
- Theme
- Expeditions
- Destinations
- Australia
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Basix
- Ages
- Min 18
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- PFRR
- Get to know the landscape of Tjoritja (West MacDonnell Ranges) with the Traditional Owners of the land by your side and spend your nights listening to Dreaming stories by the campfire.
- Take an optional 13 km hike from Rodna Homelands to Yapulpa (Glen Helen Gorge). Refresh with a picnic lunch at the gorge next to the Finke River, then continue to Thwatharra Gorge.
- Tour the Ntaria (Hermannsburg) precinct with your leader and learn the history of the area. Then, visit the former home of one of the most notable Australian artists – Albert Namatjira.
- See the asteroid crater and sacred site of Tnorala (Gosses Bluff) and take in the ancient rock engravings. Then, swim in the Kwartatuma (Ormiston Gorge) waterhole.
- This is an exploratory trip and the itinerary is not set in stone. As this is a pilot trip departure we expect the unexpected, but this is what puts adventure into adventure travel. You will be instrumental in shaping the future of the trip.
- You’ll be sleeping in four-person sized tents, with stretchers and swag mattresses. Each traveller will have their own tent. All that needs to be brought along is a warm sleeping bag and a pillow, and you're set for a comfortable night’s sleep. You will have access to daily hot showers and toilets, but you will need to bring your own towel.
- The campsite of Rodna is on private Homelands approximately 140km west of Alice Springs. The current situation in Alice Springs, as reported by some media outlets, does not affect our trips and poses no danger to you while on Country. For your peace of mind there is the option of an airport pick-up on the first day and drop-off on the last day in Alice Springs at no additional cost.
Itinerary
Inclusions
4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
Private vehicle
Bush camping with basic facilities (4 nights)
- Rodna - Campfire Yarn, Dreamtime Stories & Stargazing
- Yapulpa - Hike across Country to Yapulpa
- Yapulpa - Glen Helen Gorge Visit with Picnic Lunch
- Yapulpa - Visit to Thwatharra Gorge
- Ntaria - Hermannsburg Historic Precinct tour with Local Aboriginal Guide
- Ntaria - Visit to Hermannsburg Potters Aboriginal Corporation
- Ntaria - Albert Namatjira’s residence
- Tjoritja - Half-day Tour of West Macdonnell Ranges, including Tnorala (Gosses Bluff), Kurupma (Roma Gorge) & Kwartatuma (Ormiston Gorge)
- Angkerle Atwatye - Visit Standley Chasm with Local Aboriginal Guide
- Ntaria - Morning Tea at Kata Anga Tearooms - from - AUD5
Dates and availability
Important notes
START & END POINT LOCATION & TIME
Please advise us of your flight arrival into Alice Springs on day 1 of the trip so we can coordinate your pick-up. Alternatively we can also pick you up at your accommodation in Alice Springs if you have arrived a few days earlier. We'll get in touch with you closer to departure to advise of exact logistics. The trip ends upon arrival back in Alice Springs at around 11am on the last day, either in town at your hotel or at the airport in time for flights departing after 12:25pm. Please let us know your flight details so we can coordinate your drop-off.
CAMPING
Please bring a warm sleeping bag, pillow and towel.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Single travellers will be allocated their own tent at no additional cost.
ELECTRICITY
The camps are solar powered and there are a number of outlets that can be used to charge personal devices. We recommend bringing a fully charged power bank to recharge your phone or camera, rather than relying solely on power at the camp.
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