Australia, Outback, Adventure, Tours and Expeditions, Custom Tours, Family Tours, Small Group & Private Tours, 
Tag Along Tours and Expeditions.

Australian Red Centre Adventure and Australian Outback Tours
4x4 Australian Red Centre Adventure and Outback Tours
,
Tour Information updates.

Adventure Tours, Desert Expeditions and 4WD Tag Along Tours


Please note that when I’m away with tours it can at times take 2 - 3 weeks
before I can answer your emails
.

Why you should seriously consider a tour with me.
Please read here what others have to say:
Customers Feedback.


The trend continues.
Again a number of past tour participants will be returning in 2008 for tours with me.
Repeat customers and people they have recommended my tours to account now for 35% of my tour participants.
Two past Tour Participants have now already reserved their tours for 2009.
For 2008 I have still seats available on the following tours:

April 22nd. 23 -24 day 4WD Southern & Red Centre Loop. This is a Camping Tour with start and finish is in Melbourne.
http://www.redcentre.com.au/2003/24day-loop.htm  
Please contact us here: April 2008 Tours.

April 20th to May 8th. 19 days from Melbourne via South Gippsland, Wilsons Prom, Bendigo, River Murray, Lake Mungo, Broken Hill, Flinders Ranges, William Creek, Coober Pedy, Ayers Rock, Kings Canyon to Alice Springs.

May 13th to May 26th.14 day 4WD Camping Tour from Alice Springs to Melbourne.

Please contact us here for May 2008 Tours.

June 1st to June 19th,
19 day 4WD Camping Tour from Melbourne to Alice Springs.
Melbourne > Daylesford & Spa Country > River Murray > Lake Mungo > Broken Hill > Flinders Ranges > Oodnadatta Track > Coober Pedy > Mungo Park Rd.> Curtin Springs > Ayers Rock > Olgas > Kings Canyon > Mereenie Loop > Palm Valley > Alice Springs.


June 22nd to July 5th,
4WD Camping Tour from Alice Springs to Melbourne.


Please contact us here: June 2008 Tours.

July 8th to July 30th,
23 day 4WD Tour from Melbourne to Darwin.
Itinerary:
http://www.redcentre.com.au/2004/23day-Melb-Darwin.htm
Some minor changes are possible.
This is a Special, please contact us early here:
July 2008 Tour


August 2008
August 4th to Sept. 5th, 33 Day
4WD Kimberley Camping Tour from Darwin to Perth.
This Itinerary:
http://www.redcentre.com.au/tours/33daydarwin2perth.htm
is still subject to minor changes.
Only 2 seats available.

Tag Along cars are also possible.
Please contact us here: 2008 Kimberley Tour

Sept. 9th to Sept. 26th , 18 day 4WD Camping Tour. From Perth to the South of WA, including Fitzgerald River Nat. Park, Valley of the Giants, Esperance, Cape Le Grand, Kalgoorlie, Pinnacles and back to Perth.
Flexible itinerary and can be customised !
Please contact us here: Sept.2008, South of the West .


Nov. 3rd to Nov. 17th. 15 day 4WD Camping Tour from Alice Springs to Melbourne  
This tour can also be customised.

Please contact us here: Nov. 2008 Tour


4WD Tag Along Tours and Expeditions.

General Info about Tag Along Tours here:
http://www.redcentre.com.au/4X4/TagAlongFAQ.htm
Please contact us for additional details,
More Info here
 
 
EWE Convoy
The convoy from our 2004 East-West Crossing

 
Possible 2009 Tag Along Tours

  About our Canning Stock Route
4WD Tag Along Tour.

Alice Springs to Perth ( or Perth to Halls Creek )

1 passenger seat is available in escort vehicle.
Minimum of participating vehicles is 5, the max. is 8.

You can read one participants journal here:
http://www.redcentre.com.au/4x4/brons_csr_journal.htm
General Info about Tag Along Tours here:
http://www.redcentre.com.au/4X4/TagAlongFAQ.htm
Please contact us without delay for additional details,
 
About our East-West Crossing 4WD Tag Along Tour.   Sydney to Perth. 
Sydney > Outback NSW > Mungo Nat. Park > Broken Hill > Mootwingee Nat. Park > White Cliffs > Tiboburra > Camerons Corner > Innaminka > Dig Tree > Haddons Corner > Birdsville > Big Red > Simpson Desert > Chambers Pillar > Alice Springs > West  MacDonnell Ranges > Papunya > Garry Junction Road > CSR Well 33 to Talawana Track > Newman > Mt. Augustus > Kennedy Ranges > Gascoyne Junction > Shark Bay > Steep Point > Kalbarri > Cervantes > Pinnacles > Yanchep Nat. Pk. > Perth.
A participants Journal, somewhat different route:
http://www.redcentre.com.au/4x4/EWX2001-Journal.htm

Please contact me here for 2009 tours and information.


Please contact us early, telling us which tour you are interested in.
More Info here: Australian Outback Tours.

    General Information. 

I'm often asked how my tours are conducted. 
I now with some exceptions only take small groups, often with just four participants ( or less ). Hence in short, very relaxed, very flexible and it's possible to change itineraries on the run as participants desire. 
More details below. 

Custom Tours
 Family Tours
 Small Group Tours


Read about My Tours here.

One more thing. I ask you for your input. 
If you have an idea for a tour with destinations and / or activities not available in my sample tour itineraries, by all means tell me about it. I'll discuss it with you and then post a proposal on my Red Centre Adventures Club at Yahoo so that it can be discussed. You can also post directly to the forum and to the club. 

Mike, your tour guide Mike

Our Home Page
Australian Red Centre Adventure Tours, Outback Tours and Desert Safaris.


 

My type of tours
* What are my type of tours? 
Firstly, they are only for small groups, taking them to places that other travellers caught up in Mass Tourism will never see, and facilitate experiences impossible as member of large groups. Please do not base your expectations on those promotions you may have seen on television. We all know that they are 'staged' and rarely reflect reality.  

Due to the Off the Beaten Track content of my tours the itineraries can not always be strictly adhered to and maybe modified as we go along. 
Then, at times I will ask participants to assist with such tasks as the collection of fire wood, lighting and maintaining of the camp fire, assisting with the preparation of some meals, set up their tents, break camp and pack the vehicle. 
Depending on the routes I'll also offer participants the opportunity to do some of the navigation and being flexible we can where practical plan changes to the next day's routes and destinations together. 
Ideally we will be a team, co-operating with each other for the success of the tour. 
This will give us more time along the way for photo opportunities and unscheduled stops. 
Don't expect white table cloth and silver spoons. 
It's content that matters, not the fancy trimmings. 



Now, if I haven't scared you off and you still wish to participate, then please browse through my sample tour itineraries in my Online Brochure , pick a tour that appeals to you and please book early to reserve a seat or the tour
Take those sample itineraries as a guide, it's easy to adapt them to suit your preferences. 


Hope to see you in the bush,  ( bush = any remote area in Australia ) 

Mike Hofmann. 

One other aspect of our operation has emerged that requires some changes:
With my  tours, not being the normal "Run of the Mill" tours it has always been difficult to co-ordinate and plan itineraries to suit 8 to 10 participants at the same times. I have found that the average number of participants on my personalized tours rarely exceeded six.
My 4WD Oka unfortunately can not be economically operated and maintained with less than eight participants. For this reason I'm now running most tours using a 4WD Toyota Landcruiser or similar  with four to five tour participants. Many of these tours are Custom Tours, either camping or fully accommodated. 

Custom and Family tours using a Landcruiser or similar have been successful and bookings and inquiries for these are on the increase. In fact, most of my tours have been Family and Custom Tours which are often booked 12 months in advance. 

I thank all the participants for their co-operation and especially for their preparedness to adapt to at times difficult circumstances when we were at the mercy of the elements.  

It is particularly pleasing for me that increasingly more past tour participants return for a second and even third tour with me.  
Repeat customers now receive a discount on the tour prices!

Go here to read some of the comments from past participants.


My aims.

My aim for the next few Years  is to continue as I have done during the past years, with  important changes as follows: 
 

·  A) For tour bookings by a couple where I initially may have to quote a higher price, particularly if it's a one-way tour that then requires the relocation of the vehicle, I will reduce their price if there are other participants who book at a later time.  

·  B) For one-way tours if the relocation of the vehicle becomes part of another tour, the price for that tour and in some circumstances also the price for the one-way tour maybe discounted by varying amounts. 


Custom Tours: 

Custom Tours may be more expensive. Especially one-way tours and those that don't start and finish in Melbourne. If you are planning on a one-way tour then please try to arrange your flights so that the tour either starts or finishes in Melbourne. This can save you heaps. 
If the tour is for just a couple and you don't mind one or two other participants then I usually advertise that tour in an endeavour to attract additional participant. You can also help reducing the cost for yourself if you can find one or two additional participants. 
Of course, if you want a private tour then that is not an option.   

Family Tours: 
Family tours are usually customized tours to suit the ages of the children as well as your interests and desired destinations. They can be 4WD tours, or for larger groups are often conducted using a minibus. This gives all participants more space in the vehicle which can be an important factor when long hours of driving are unavoidable. 



Small Group Tours:
A number of my Small Group Tours start off with an inquiry from a couple. After we agree on a draft itinerary I advertise that tour. That couple may do the same within their circle of friends or news groups. Often one additional couple can save from 5% to 10% on the price per person.  


Groups larger than 4 participants.
I had tours for Teachers, Birdwatchers, Fossickers and Seniors.  With all those Special Interest Groups one or two of the participants take on the task of liaising with me and to organise their group. Generally we use a comfortable Minicoach for such tours and they can be camping or fully accommodated. For added comfort we never completely fill the coach and always leave at least one complete row of seats vacant.

I try to run all tours as flexible as is possible and practical. 



 
Escorted and guided Tours. 

There has been a large increase in requests for these services.

An increasing number of people, especially from the European countries ask me to guide them on such a tour with them hiring and driving a vehicle themselves or hiring a vehicle and asking me to drive them. This gives them also an opportunity to do some 4Wdriving themselves along the way. 

In such instances I negotiate on their behalf with rental companies whom I know to provide suitable and reliable vehicles at acceptable prices. 
I also then supply all the required camping, cooking and communications equipment as well as recovery equipment and tools. 
By hiring a vehicle in such circumstances the cost of their tour may only be marginally higher than if I was to use my own vehicle. 

A variant to this scenario is the situation where they hire and drive their own vehicle and I come along in my own vehicle to guide them and carry the equipment as above. 
Almost like a Tag Along Tour but in small numbers and with me catering for them. 
Of course this works out more expensive unless I can take additional participants along in my own vehicle. 
 



Feedback:

K-A. K., Banker, Germany 
"Die Reise mit Dir haben wir sehr genossen - es gab in der kurzen Zeit 
wirklich sehr viel zu sehen!! " 


Mehr Deutsche Briefe.
( More German feedback )


B.C., Entrepreneur, UK 
"This is just a speedy note to thank you for all your patience and kindness
on escorting us around South Australia. I know I get the award for being
the most difficult camper, and the rudest passenger,  you have ever taken
on a tour, but I did enjoy the experience and will remember the
"expedition" for very many years to come. I will also never forget you and
your smiling face.
Good luck with your next tour. All the best for Christmas and the new
millenium. It has been great knowing you.

Personal regards
Bruce " 


M.D., Judge, UK 
"Sitting in my room at work and
judging seems a long way from the stark beauty of the Australian bush or the
pastoral gentleness of the Clare Valley.

I can't tell you how much i enjoyed our trip. It is an experience I shall
probably not repeat and which I shall never forget.  So much to remember  -
but of the many memories perhaps the most vivid are the stars at night, the
vastness of the landscape, and the bounding kangaroos. Not to mention
Blinman, the Opal town ( Andamooka ), and Aubern on the last night.

Thank you for your patience. We were a difficult audience but you coped very
well.  Bruce is a pretty demanding chap, and you did brilliantly in
accommodating our changing wishes.  Planning in advance is always difficult
and you don't always know how it is going to be until you get there.

All the very best for the future. I shall look at your website from time to
time!!!
Mike " 


Passa, USA 
 "A New York City girl who had never been camping before .......and Mike provided an outrageous time through the outback and turned this city girl into a camper. 
Our tour was from Melbourne to Alice Springs....and was filled with learning, learning, and more learning. 
Mike's outback cooking will leave you stuffed, as well as open your taste buds to some new discoveries! And his never ending patience and smiles will keep your spirits up. 
There is so much to discover in Australia's Outback......so get out there, and make the most of your time and place....life is about learning and discovering, and the outback is some of the most untainted land you can do this at.  No Worries."  


Paul, Biologist, OZ
Michael just packed all the gear the last time for this journey, he's still smiling just as the day we met him in Perth. 
He taught me a few things about tolerance and patience on this journey. 
I will take away many fond memories. A week about the bush is a few month in the city. 
It's been one of the highlights of my year, and it's been an exceptional year. 
Profound thanks to Michael for the opportunity and your patience. 
Long may live all of us in peace and harmony. 
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year, Paul" 


Barry and Marlene, Sydney, Australia. 
Mike, 
we felt this book was so good. We have one for you to enjoy as well. 
Thank you for introducing us to all that is so special from the Top End to the Red Centre and beyond - and thank you for looking after us so wonderfully well. 
With our very best wishes, 
from Bruce & Marlen. 3/11/2000 


Mick, UK. From his Journal: 
"On 20th November 2002, I flew to Australia for a month away from it all. The main attraction at this time was the Total Eclipse of the Sun. Whilst surfing the 'net, trying to work out how to see it, I came across the Red Centre Adventures site ... and the rest of my holiday plans were then built around a 2-week Adventure in the Outback. It was marvellous! Here is an illustrated account... " < snip >
( Please read from Micks Journal below )

"It was good to get to Alice Springs but sad at the same time because we had had such an adventurous couple of weeks. I don't think Mike's website does justice to his tours. He was a great host, very  enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the country. It was a wonderful  experience.

I'd recommend one of his trips to anybody who likes a bit of adventure and loves nature - he's even beginning to get  used to the idea of vegetarians now, too! "
Mick's Journal:
http://freedsville.org.uk/aus02/index.htm
Dec. 2002. 



Colin from NZ, Sept. 2005. 
Dear Mike,
            Good to hear you have successfully finished your 2005 programme and can now catchup with family and start on all the jobs which, as with me,  will have accumulated in your prolonged absence.
< snip >
    Caught up with the family in Sydney for a week which is always enjoyable,  before flying home to find Winter had passed by  and Spring was well and truly with us.
            I have searched a few books at the local library and read the material I brought home with me,  which has further  aroused my interest  and concern for the indigenous  Australian.   Since my trip  with you, many of my Australian friends have brought the subject of the Aboriginals up and asked me  my thoughts on the subject.  Almost without exception they have expressed surprise,   and consider my views are far too liberal and any concerns misplaced,    as I recount how I was so impressed by what Ken at Wallace Rockhole, and people like him are trying to do with their communities. 
            I must thank you for giving me a truly wonderful trip through outback Australia.  When I look at the map and read my rather brief notes  of the journey,  I realise just how much ground we covered.  Not just the miles,  but the history, geography, economy, flora, fauna, experiencing the vastness and beauty of the country. As we often said, No two days the same, and never a dull one.  I understand your love of the outback;    you must be a very good guide as much of it has rubbed off on me.    I remember the bushcamps with particular enjoyment,  your magical culinary skills with either barbecue  or camp-oven,  maybe a regret I did not try sleeping on the tarpaulin under the stars,  next time perhaps!  For all these things "Thank you Mike", as very few  people I have met who have travelled Australia, got as close to essential  outback Australia as I did in such a short time.
            I am watching  your web site as I still wish to do further travel in the outback, ie  Sydney to Perth,   and Perth to Darwin.  I am sure  you will hear from me again,  < snip >
I shall try and send as an attachment the falls in the Grampian National Park. Let me know if you don't receive them.
 
                   Kindest Regards
                   Colin ......

Oliver and Sonja, Schweiz, 2007
Oliver S..... wrote:
Hallo Mike
 
Wie gehts down under? Gerade auf einer Tour? Kannst du dich noch an Sonja und Oliver aus der Schweiz erinnern? Wir haben 2004 die Tour mit dem Franken Michael Hofmann (der Kleine) gemacht.
 
Uns hat die Tour super gefallen und wir denken noch oft daran. Auch dein wunderbares Essen ist uns noch in bester Erinnerung (Kängurubraten, Porridge, Holunder-Pancakes!!!).
 
Wir würden sehr gerne wieder eine Tour mit dir machen. Haben aus beruflichen Gründen jedoch nur im November / Dezember Zeit. Hast du etwas für uns? Am liebsten so viel wie möglich vom Outback. Auch eine "private" nur für uns zwei kommt in Frage.
 
Würden uns freuen etwas von dir zu hören.
 
Ganz liebe Grüsse aus der Schweiz
Sonja & Oliver

Hallo Mike
hier sind wir wieder. Hat uns sehr gefreut dass du so schnell geantwortet hast. Natürlich kannst du unser Mail in deinem "Costumer Feedback" gebrauchen. Auch als Referenz für unschlüssige Kunden stehen wir gerne zur Verfügung.
Also nun zu unseren Wünschen und Vorstellungen:
 
Wir haben ca. 4 Wochen Zeit und das zwischen November und Dezember. Das heisst 2-3 Wochen mit dir unterwegs wären perfekt.
Das Outback hat für uns erste Priorität. Wir stellen uns nicht eine grosse Rundreise vor, sonderen wir möchten mit dir eine Camping Reise unternehmen. So wie wir es mit dir erlebt haben. Keine grossen Sehenswürdigkeiten, sondern Fischen, Goldsuchen, Tiere beobachten, ein bisschen Wandern und die Landschaft geniessen.Uns spielt es keine Rolle wohin, wir möchten einfach rote Erde unter den Füssen wenigstens für eine Weile. Ich bin sicher du hast ein paar Geheimtipps die wir machen könnten.
Ok, Mike wir begeben uns in deine Hände, mach uns einen Vorschlag und sag was das Kosten würde. Wir würden uns sehr freuen mit dir ein paar Wochen herum zu reisen.
 
Liebe Grüsse
Sonja und Oliver


Sabine & Reinhard, Germany, 2007
Hallo Mike,
so, wir sind wieder gut nach Hause gekommen, aber in Gedanken noch viel in Australien. Perth hat uns sehr gut gefallen und wir haben sogar noch Koalas gesehen und gestreichelt. Es war eine wunderschöne Reise, dank deiner sehr guten Betreuung, deinen Erzählungen und guten Kochkenntnissen. Wir ( also Reinhard und ich, bei Rudolphs wir es wohl nicht klappen )wollen unbedingt noch mal wiederkommen, bevor du dich zur Ruhe setzt, vielleicht in 2009. Anbei sende ich dir nun ein paar Bilder, ............
Es grüßen dich ganz herzlich
Sabine und Reinhard


Heribert, Claudia, Verena und Valentin, Austria.
Kimberley Tour July 2007.
Nun, da wir alle wieder gut zu Hause gelandet sind, lassen sich die Erlebnisse dieses "Sommers" für uns alle sehr gut in der Erinnerung aufarbeiten - und es bleibt unter dem Strich nur Gutes !
Übereinstimmend haben wir vier gefunden, daß vor allem dein umsichtiges Wirken und vor allem deine Erfahrung und dein Sachwissen einer der wesentlichsten Faktoren zum Gelingen der Reise waren. Wir haben zum Glück viele Fotos, auch von dir, um uns
auch in Zukunft gut und gerne daran zu erinnern !
Eines haben wir auch von dir gelernt - man sollte nicht darauf vergessen, sich einfach für alles mehr Zeit zu nehmen.Wir versuchen diesen "australian way of life" so gut es geht hier nicht ganz zu vergessen ! .........................................
Jedesmal wenn ich Google earth öffne und Australien sehe, finde ich Ecken dieses tollen Kontinents, die mir noch sehr gefallen würden.... wir werden sehen, du wärst sicher einer der ersten, die ich in diesem Falle kontaktiere.

( Etwas gekürzt, Mike. )