2 Day Aboriginal Experience

Overview

This unique West MacDonnell Ranges adventure tour offers the very best of the Alice Springs region: the West MacDonnell Ranges, Palm Valley an a night out in the bush at the Oak Valley Aboriginal Reserve. Travelling in a 4WD vehicle with a genuine small group (max. 14 people), we explore highlights such as Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen Gorge, Owen Springs Reserve, the Oak Valley and Hermannsburg Aboriginal Settlements as well as 4-wheel driving into Palm Valley.

Itinerary

Day 1

The day starts early as we pick you up from your accommodation around 5.45 am to finalise ticketing and then get on the road to begin our journey.

From here we head off to travel and explore the stunning West MacDonald Ranges. The MacDonald Ranges stretch for over 200 km in length enabling us to explore some stunning gorges, refreshing waterholes and walks through a landscape unique to this part of the world. The day will be packed with information, swimming, short walks and time out to enjoy your surrounds.

Highlights included are Oak Valley Aboriginal Community, Hugh River Stock Route, Owen Springs Reserve, Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen.  Be on the watch for Rock Wallabies and other fauna that use the rugged ranges as a safe haven. At the days end we set up our bush camp for a night under the stars situated at Oak Valley Aboriginal Settlement. Here one of the Aboriginal Hosts will visit us and share a few tales around the campfire where dinner is cooked in true outback style.

• Owen Valley Aboriginal Settlement
• Ormiston Gorge
• Glen Helen
• Hugh River Stock Route

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2

After breaking camp we head off around Namatjira Drive stopping at Tyler's Pass to view Gosse Bluff (comet crater) along the way. From this point it's on towards Hermannsburg, an Historic Lutheran Mission established in 1877. On arrival at Hermannsburg we'll visit the heritage precinct where you can explore the historic buildings and grounds +.

Departing Hermannsburg we lock in the hubs and 4-wheel drive into Palm Valley. After lunch we'll go for a hike through this picturesque valley discovering some of its hidden treasures. After our hike it's back into the vehicle and off home to Alice Springs. We'll have you back in Alice early evening and meet later for a few more quiet drinks and to farewell new found friends.

• Gosse Bluff
• Hermannsberg Aboriginal Community
• Palm Valley
• Alice Springs

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Additonal Information

Oak Valley Aboriginal Community

Situated on the Hugh River stock route 110km south of Alice Springs and 31km north of Titjitkala and Maryvale, Oak Valley is a locally owned and operated Aboriginal tour business and community. Run by the Le Rosignol family, this community boasts an olive and grape plantation, Aboriginal rock carvings and paintings and an ancient fossil field, all set in remote pristine desert country.

A Taste of Aboriginal Life

You can experience locally made artifacts and paintings, get a demonstration into the art of boomerang and spear throwing or learn about local bush tucker and ancient mythological stories of their land. When available, we will cook a kangaroo the traditional way over a campfire - a most delicious experience!

Oak Valley operates its own school of the air which you are invited to experience and for those long hot summer days, you can cool off by taking a dip in the pool. The Aboriginal people of Oak Valley work and live on this land and have a profound understanding of it. You are invited to join this Desert Safari and share the unique Oak Valley experience with us.

Local payment:  The local payment of $75 covers Park and Oak Valley Aboriginal tour guide fees, food and fuel levy surcharge.