Great Southern and Red Centre Loop.
This is a 23 day itinerary. For people who wish a more relaxed tour or during our winter months
this tour can be extended by 2 days.  

	Dates are a guide only	Great Southern and Red Centre Loop	Australian Red Centre Adventure Tours.
Day	Date	Daily Route and Destinations	Activities etc.	Meals
1	Nov. 1	Melbourne, Great Ocean Road, Port Campbell	Freeway travel from Melbourne to Geelong. We then head towards the coast and soon we will be at the start of the Great Ocean Road. This road was carved out of the cliffs along the coastline by returned soldiers after W.W.I.  There are a number of lookouts along the road that present you with spectacular views. As we drive through the Otway Ranges we stop to visit a remnant temperate climate rainforest. Today's destination is Port Campbell. .	L D
2	2	Port Campbell, Peterborough, Warrnambool, Grampians N. P.	Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and other spectacular Limestone formations adorn the coastline and we go for some easy hikes to visit some of them. We now drive through the fertile coastal hinterland with its dairy farms to Warrnambool. Shortly after we visit an extinct Vulcano with it's crater lake that has been made into a Nature Reserve, to get real close to Koalas and Emus. We then continue on, now through sheep country to the Grampians Nat. Park. This evening at our camping ground we will be visited by the eye-catching Grimnsom Rosellas.	B L D
3	3	Grampians, Wyperfeld Nat. Park ( It is possible that visit the Big Desert Wilderness Park in place of Wyperfeld Nat. Park )	The Grampians is one of Victoria's most spectacular National Park. We visit the Aboriginal Cultural Centre to learn about the culture of the indigenous people of the area. As we continue we'll visit and hike to a couple of the vantage point that present us with spectacular views. We continue and soon the sheep country changes to huge wheat fields. Our destination is the Wyperfeld Nat. Park or the "Big Desert" Wilderness Park.	B L D
4	4	Wyperfeld, Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley	Driving through the north western Victorian Wheat belt, but often affected by droughts we reach the Adelaide Hills. Our destination today is is the Barossa Valley. This is Australia's most important wine growing district, settled mostly by early Immigrants from Germany. If at all possible we'll continue on a little further to Auburn in the Clare Valley and stay in an Historic Hotel	B L
5	5	Barossa Valley, Port Augusta	We stock up with supplies and taste some of the local produce, either here or a little further north in the Clare Valley. Now through undulating country and huge wheat fields, changing later to sheep country, we travel towards Port Augusta, passing the Flinders Ranges to our right.	B L D
6	6	Port Augusta, Coober Pedy	Today will be driving one of our longest daily distance on the since 1986 fully sealed Stuart Hwy. With only a few stops and views over huge salt lakes we reach Coober Pedy, the Opal Capitol of the World. Tonight we stay at an Underground Motel.	B L
7	7	Coober Pedy, Kulgera ( or Erldunda )	We take some time to see the town, visit the Opal Museum and underground mine then continue on or way north after detouring to the Breakaways with it's weird and strange looking sandstone cliffs. It's in this area where amongst others the movies Mad MaxIII and Priscilla Queen of the Desert where filmed. Our destination today is Kulgera, just over the NT Border.	B L D
8	8	Kulgera, Yulara, Ayers Rock	Here we decide if we continue on sealed roads or take a Gravel Road for most of the distance to Yulara, the Ayers Rock Resort. Setting up camp, some essential shopping and we are on our way to the Aboriginal Cultural Centre. As evening approaches we make our way to the Sunset Viewing area where we (with many others) await the sunset. While waiting and watching Uluru changing Colours we enjoy various delicacies, washing them down with a good wine. It will be dark by the time we leave here and return to our campsite.	B L
9	9	Ayers Rock, Olgas	It's an early Morning Call today and while still dark we make our way to the Sunrise Viewing Area at the Olgas. We prepare Breakfast while waiting for the Sunrise. A 3 hour walk through the Valley of the Winds, a snack on your return and we are on our way to Uluru for a walk around it's base or a climb for those who prefer that. It's mid to late afternoon by the time we return to our campsite. While we prepare your evening meal you have time to explore the Resort.	B L D
10	10	Ayers Rock, Curtin Springs, Kings Canyon	We try to leave reasonably early and after an hours stop at  Curtin Springs, a working Cattle Station. Here you may like to take an optional camel ride. We continue on through semi desert towards Kings Canyon. Depending on our arrival and temperature you may like to take the 2,5 to 3 hour self guided hike around the rim of Kings Canyon while we continue to our camping ground and start preparing the evening meal. We pick you up from there and after setting up camp we have our dinner, prepared on our campfire.	B L D
11	11	Mereenie Loop, Palm Valley  ( Depending on the track condition we may omit the Mereenie Loop and make our way towards the Stuart Hwy. and Alice Springs along the Ernest Giles Road. Should that be the case we will visit Palm Valley from Alice Springs. )	If during the previous afternoon it was not possible to hike around Kings Canyon we do that now before setting out along the notoriously rough Mereenie Loop Road towards Palm Valley. We need a permit to travel through the Aboriginal Lands. If we are early we visit Hermannsburg and the Albert Namatjira Gallery before travelling along the Finke River to our campsite in the Palm Valley. This is one of our favourite Nat. Park Camp Ground. Depending on our arrival we may still get time for a walk through unique Cycad Gorge with it's Livingstonia Marie Palms and Cycad's. These are remnants form a much  wetter age and survive here because of the existing eco system.	B L D
12	12	Hermannsburg, West MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs	If yesterday we didn't have enough time for our walk through Cycad Gorge we do that this morning. We now head for the West MacDonnell Ranges, visit Simpsons Gap and finish in Alice Springs and book into our rooms at the Heavitree Gap Outback Resort for 2 nights.	B L D
13	13	West MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs	See the town of 'Alice', visit the Historic Telegraph Station and then drive the lengths of the West MacDonnell Ranges. We should have time for at least one longer walk, possibly in Serpentine Gorge before heading back to Alice Springs.	B L
14	14	Alice Springs, Rainbow Valley, Jim's Place	This morning we get some time for shopping, including new provisions for the next few days. If necessary we get the car serviced and then in the afternoon we make our way south along the Stuart Hwy.. We detour into Rainbow Valley and tonight we camp at Jim's Place.	BD
15	15	Jim's Place to Cadney Homestead and possibly towards the Painted Desert.	We should make good time along the Hwy. and will decide at the time if we camp at the Cadney Homestead or continue on into the painted Desert.	B L D
16	16	Cadney ( painted Desert ) to Oodnadatta and south along the Oodnadatta Track	We now leave the sealed Stuart Hwy. and on an often rough Gravel Road and through semi desert with  spectacular landscape we head to Oodnadatta. This used to be an important railhead on the Old Ghan Line. After a short stop and refreshments at the Pink Roadhouse  we now continue south along the Oodnadatta Track, following the route of the Old Ghan. We drive through Anna Creek Station property, the largest cattle Station in the world and part of the "Kidman Empire", then stop for a cold drink at the historic William Creek pub. We camp at William Creek or further along the track.	B L D
17	17	Oodnadatta Track, William Creek, Marree, Farina	The condition of the Oodnadatta Track will very much depend on recent (or current) rain in the area and after heavy rain maybe closed to all traffic. A little further down the track we make a detour to the famous Mound Springs. Blanche Cup and the Bubbler are the only ones that still produce constant water that seeps up through fissures in the rock below from the Great Artesian Basin. Further along the Track we stand 12 m below sea level on the 'beach' of Lake Eyre South. We continue, stopping  at the partly restored Curdimurka railway siding, take on fuel in Maree and soon after reach our camp ground at Farina.	B L D
18	18	Farina, Copley, Flinders Ranges	Farina was established during the early years of settlement with the purpose of growing wheat in the area. 480 house lots where surveyed and the town developed very quickly. However after a period of severe draught that lasted several years wheat growing and the town was abandoned and today only the ruins of some of the buildings remain. This area is now part of one of the largest sheep stations in SA. We continue, still following what's left of the Old Ghan line. Our first stop is at the Ochre Pits, then we reach sealed road at Lyndhurst and shortly after we stop in Copley at the "Bush Bakery" for a Cappuccino and their famous Quantong Pie or cake. For some time now the Flinders Ranges have been looming up to our left ( east ) and leaving the sealed road we make our way to and through the Brachina Gorge, following the "Geological Trail". . Tonight we pitch our camp in the Aroona Valley where Sir Hans Heysen painted most of his famous Landscapes. Should we be early we may continue on to Wilpena Pound with it's spacious and well equipped camping ground.	B L D
19	19	Flinders Ranges Broken Hill  ( Via Waukaringa if track conditions permit )	Early this morning we visit the Sacred Canyon with it's ancient Aboriginal petroglyphs. We will also have time for other walks in this area before we leave those ancient mountains on our way towards Broken Hill.  We travel along bush and station tracks, travel through an area that in the early days was extensively mined for Gold and stop at Waukaringa where recently Gold mining has resumed. However we won't be able to get near the mining operation. Now, along a better gravel road we head for Yunta where we strike the sealed Barrier Hwy.	B L
20	20	Broken Hill	Broken Hill is Australia's oldest Mining Town and up to very recently has been 'ruled' by strong unions. While here we can also visit one of the well known Art Galleries and the Sculptures.	B L D
21	21	Broken Hill, Lake Mungo and on to Robinvale.	After visiting some of the sights of this Mining Town with it's amazing history we now continue, mostly on dirt and gravel roads towards Lake Mungo. Lake Mungo Nat. Park is famous for the discovery of the oldest Aboriginal burial place ( not accessible ). The experts at present can't agree if its 60,000 or 'only' 40,000 years. We drive through the park that was in the early days a large sheep station but now has been allowed to return to it's original state ( as far as that is possible). This is a very interesting landscape with many miniature sand cliffs and formations. We now head south towards Australia's largest River, the Murray. Our aim today is to reach Robinvale.	B L D
22	22	Robinvale, Swan Hill, Ballarat.	We are now back on sealed roads and progress through Swan Hill and Bendigo to Ballarat. As we leave the river and head south the landscape changes and we drive mainly through wheat fields. Ballarat was one of Australia's most productive Gold Fields and miners and fortune hunters came from all corners of the world during the 1850's and 1860's in the hope to strike it rich. Many names of streets, hills, creeks and gullies remind us of miners from California, Canada, China and from all over Europe. Stately historic homes, churches and public buildings are evidence of the Fortunes found. ( Camping or optional cabins )	B L D
23	23	Ballarat to Melbourne.	After a sight seeing tour of Ballarat we visit the Gold Museum, then head across the road to Sovereign Hill, Australia's most authentic reconstruction of a township from the 1850's with many of the buildings being originals from that time. We'll have our 'Farewell' lunch there in the "New York Bakery" and soon after we make our way towards Melbourne, arriving there late afternoon / early evening.	B L
		Note: This Itinerary is only a guide and is subject to changes.	With Outback Tours our routes and progress are often very much controlled by weather and track conditions. That can result in changes to routes and destinations at short notice.
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 24Day-Loop.htm
Jan. 2004.