Untamed Escapes Ghan Trail Trekking

OVERVIEW
Experience moments in nature that will stay with you for a lifetime on this eight-day bucket list adventure from Adelaide to Uluru through Australia's outback. Rich in Indigenous culture, this camping trip encompasses a great diversity of wilderness and untamed landscapes. Hike the ancient gorges of the Flinders Ranges and be amazed by the stark terrain of the Oodnadatta Track. Descend beneath the ground to discover an underground labyrinth in Coober Pedy. Experience the Red Centre. A colourful, otherworldly landscape of desert plains, weathered mountain ranges, rocky gorges and some of Aboriginal Australia's most sacred sites. Reflect on each day over magical outback sunsets and campfire stories with friends new and old.

UNTAMED MOMENTS Unearth the ancient Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park Head off-road and see surreal lunar landscapes on the iconic Oodnadatta Track Fall asleep in a dugout tucked beneath the Earth's surface in Coober Pedy Connect with nature on inspiring and rewarding hikes Be mesmerised by spiritual sites like Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon Connect with Country during authentic Indigenous cultural experiences Watch a magical sunset over Uluru Learn about the
night sky on a stargazing tour with an astronomer (OE)


INCLUSIONS Accommodation: 6 x nights swag camping with facilities & 1 x night underground bunkhouse multi-share dorm All activities and experiences Meals as listed (7 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners) All national park and entrance fees Storyteller Guide Air-conditioned vehicle

TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1: Adelaide to Flinders Ranges
(Thur)
Your eight-day outback adventure begins in Adelaide at 5.30 am, where your Storyteller Guide will greet you. After a caffeine stop at the coastal town of Port Wakefield, take in some epic views at Hancock's Lookout. A little bit further down the road, we arrive at the outback
town of Quorn. Stretch your legs while you look at the famous Pichi Richi Railway and some unique silo art. After a lunch stop at Hawker, arrive at Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and embark on a rewarding hike at Arkaroo Rock, a significant cultural site for the local Adnyamathanha people.
This afternoon, arrive at Skytrek Willow Springs Station. This 70,000-acre working sheep station features secluded bush camping and is our base while we unearth the Flinders Ranges. After a tasty dinner prepared by your Guide, kick back and enjoy front-row seats to one of
the most spectacular light shows on Earth. The Flinders Ranges is famed for place to opt for an optional stargazing experience with an expert astronomer and physicist? Take a short drive from camp and, using a 10-inch reflecting telescope, view constellations, globular clusters, nebulae, and the planets Saturn and Jupiter. Experiences range from $90 to $190pp and can be arranged with your Guide on the day.
Tonight, roll out your swag under a blanket of stars twinkling over the ancient landscape.
The driving distance today is approximately 510km.
Accommodation
Swag camping at Skytrek Willow Springs Station
Meals Included
L | D

Day 2: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National
Park (Fri)
After breakfast, we'll travel to nearby Wilpena Pound to meet local Park Ranger and proud Adnyamathanha man John from Ngai Nhina Yuras. After a Welcome to Country, walk with him in a place where the sun and moon create magic as you listen to the fascinating stories of the
Adnyamathanha People. Learn about Culture and Traditions, Bush Mai (food), artefacts, and medicinal plants, followed by a cultural smoking protocol.
With a better understanding of Aboriginal culture, spend the rest of the afternoon exploring more of the ancient Ikara-Flinders
Ranges National Park. Take in the incredible outback views on the Buneryoo Scenic Drive. And at Brachina Gorge, we might spot some rare yellow-footed rock wallabies if we're lucky. After bushwalking and connecting with nature, chill out around the campfire with dinner and stories with your newfound friends.
Driving time today is approximately 3 hours.
Accommodation
Swag camping at Skytrek Willow Springs Station
Meals Included
B | L | D

Day 3: Flinders Ranges to William Creek via the Oodnadatta Track* (Sat)
Today, we are getting off the beaten path and travelling along a section of one of Australia's most iconic unsealed roads, the iconic Oodnadatta Track. Drive through eerie and moonlike desert scenery as the landscape uncovers highlights like Lake Eyre (Australia's largest salt
lake) and the Mutonia Sculpture Park.
Come late afternoon, arrive in the tiny outback settlement of William Creek. In the middle of nowhere, on the way to somewhere, this quirky town with a population of ten is an icon of the South Australian Outback. Enjoy a cold drink and pub meal in the heritage-listed William Creek Hotel, which opened in 1887. Then curl up in your swag under the stars in the campground.
The total driving today is approximately 500km.
Accommodation
Swag camping at William Creek
Meals Included
B | L | -
*See the disclaimer in Know Before You Go information regarding road/weather conditions.

Day 4: William Creek to Coober Pedy (Sun)
After breakfast, journey to the famous underground town of Coober Pedy. The opal capital of Australia features a
sun-baked lunar landscape, a fascinating history and a unique way of life. Visit the town's main attraction, Umoona Opal Mine & Museum. Go 'noodling' or fossicking and learn about these precious stones during an opal-cutting demonstration.
Afterwards, visit Josephine's Gallery & Kangaroo Orphanage. The gallery here is a world-class Aboriginal Art Gallery with an extensive range of Aboriginal artefacts and significant works by many of Australia's best-known Aboriginal artists.
The rest of the day is yours to do whatever you please, and there is plenty to explore. Stay in a unique underground bunkhouse tonight and grab dinner at one of the many underground eateries.
Today, the driving distance is approximately 170km.
Accommodation
Umoona Opal Mine - underground bunk, multi-share
Meals Included
B | - | -

Day 5: Coober Pedy to Watarrka/Kings Canyon (Mon)
Today, we have some distance to cover. Travel north, past the Dingo Fence and the Aboriginal Heritage site, The Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park, where you will be mesmerised by the scenery of the Moon Plains. Then, crossing into the Northern Territory, travel onwards to Watarrka National Park, the site of Kings Canyon.
Come late afternoon, arrive at our campsite at the Kings Creek Station. Relax, soak up the serenity, and, on warmer days, enjoy a swim in the pool. Have your camera ready for a stunning desert sunset from the sunset viewing platform before dinner at the Station restaurant eatery
and settling in for the night.
Today, we drive approximately 770km.
Accommodation
Swag camping at Kings Creek Station
Meals Included
B | - | -

Day 6: Watarrka/Kings Canyon to Uluru
(Tues)
It's an early start this morning for the spellbinding Kings Canyon Rim Walk, which is guaranteed to be one of the most magical experiences of your life. With its 300-metre-high sandstone walls, hidden waterholes, fern forests, chasms, canyons and caverns, Watarrka National
Park is central Australia's answer to an oasis. Take in the 360-degree views and journey through Priscilla's Crack, made famous by the classic Australian movie Priscilla Queen of the Desert. From there, see the sandstone domes known as the Lost City and the lush greenery and watering hole of the aptly named Garden of Eden.
After lunch, rest your legs on the drive to our final destination, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Late this afternoon, watch an unforgettable sunset over Uluru before retreating to camp for dinner. Then, roll out your swag upon the red Earth and under billions of stars after
dinner at camp.
Driving today is approximately 350km.
Accommodation
Swag camping at Ayers Rock Resort Campground
Meals Included
B |- | D

Day 7: Uluru (Wed)
An early start is rewarded with a spellbinding Kata Tjuta sunrise. Translating to the Pitjantjatjara word for 'Many Heads', the 36 domes of Kata
Tjuta are a defining feature of the Red Centre landscape both topographically and spiritually. Rising 546 metres above the surrounding plain, its tip is the highest point for miles, while the site's ridges and ravines are closely connected with numerous Indigenous creation-time stories. Many of these stories are kept secret from outsiders, but you'll learn a little about the local Anangu culture and appreciate the beauty of their land on a rewarding hike on the Valley of the Winds Walk.
Back at camp, enjoy a bite and some free time before a fun and inspiring dot painting workshop with a talented local Anangu artist and interpreter. During this wonderful 1.5-hour authentic experience, you will learn about ancient symbols used in Anangu art and teachings and will be taught some introductory Pitjantjatjara words (the local language spoken by Anangu). Use this knowledge to create your own artwork to take home and treasure forever.
Afterwards, visit the Cultural Centre to deepen your understanding of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. You can learn about Anangu culture and the park's natural environment through exhibits and free presentations with Anangu and park rangers.
Today, we drive around 180km.
Accommodation
Swag camping at Ayers Rock Resort Campground
Meals Included
B | L | D

Day 8: Kata Tjuta to Yulara (Thur)
Rising early, breathe deep and soak up the serenity of a sunrise over Uluru. As the sunlight plays with the landscape, the rock formations change colour before your eyes. Next, it's time to get close to this natural wonder. At 348 metres high and some 550 million years old, feel a
powerful presence the moment you set eyes on it. A guided 10km Uluru base walk is your best opportunity to connect with Uluru and learn its stories. Relax beside tranquil waterholes, take a break under a magnificent Sheoak tree and peer into hidden caves. Shorter walks are available for those who do not want to do the whole base walk.
Your outback adventure ends in the late morning on our return to the Desert Gardens Resort in Yulara. For those departing from Uluru Airport, complimentary transfers are available from the resort. There are also bus transfers from Yulara to Alice Springs. See the Know Before You Go information below to learn more.
The driving distance today is approximately 85km.
Meals Included
B | - | -

KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK


ALICE SPRINGS CONNECTING TRANSFERS Transfers from Uluru to Alice Springs are operated by AAT Kings and depart from the Desert Gardens Hotel on the last day of your tour (Thursday) between 12:30 pm and 1 pm from March to November. Our tour finishes in the late morning on day eight, so our Guide will ensure any passengers catching this shuttle are at the departure point with plenty of time to spare. The shuttle
arrives in Alice Springs at approximately 7 pm. The rate is currently $225pp; however, it will increase from April 2025 to March 2026 to $249pp. You can add this to your cart when making your tour booking on our website as an optional add-on.

GENERAL This tour commences in Adelaide on day one at approximately 5.30 am and finishes in Yulara (Uluru) on day eight
at approximately noon. To get the most from this experience, you need to enjoy the outdoors, hiking, and be able to cope with extreme weather conditions. A moderate fitness level is required, and you need to be prepared for walks between 3-12 kilometres on some days. This may involve rough ground and perhaps getting wet. Please advise of any special dietary requirements when you book. We offer plenty of variety and do our best to provide fresh products. Snacks, soft drinks and alcohol are not included. Bags are restricted to 1 × 15kg backpack/soft travel bag per person, plus one small piece of hand luggage. All passengers must complete online check-in, including a 'Fit for Travel' self-declaration to confirm they are free from illness. This is mandatory and must be completed at the latest 24 hours before departure. This tour requires a minimum of four people to operate. In the unlikely event your departure is cancelled because minimum numbers have not been met, we will transfer all monies paid onto a future departure date. If this is not suitable, we will refund your tour price in full. Please read our full Booking Terms & Conditions before booking.

ACCOMMODATION & CAMPING This is a camping tour, and involvement from the passengers is required. This can include helping with
meals and packing up camp. Camping on this tour is at a mixture of national parks and campgrounds as well as one night in a dorm at Coober Pedy. All campgrounds have basic toilet and shower facilities.
When camping, we use single swags. Swags are 'Aussie Bed Rolls' made from sturdy canvas with a mattress built into the swag.
Sleeping bags – we prefer passengers to provide their own sleeping bag and pillow to insert into the swag. However,
this tour has an option if you don't have one to purchase a new 0-degree sleeping bag for $50. Alternatively, you can hire a used one for $20. These options need to be added to your cart at the time of booking. We donate old and unused sleeping bags to a homeless charity, ensuring they go to good use after their time with us.
Swag Upgrade – if you would like to upgrade to a deluxe double swag that comfortably sleeps up to two people, you can pay a $300 upgrade fee during the booking process. This swag features a high-density foam mattress and mesh windows. Due to the
size of this swag, there is limited availability, so it is first in best dressed.
Our wet weather option is tents shared by the group.
In the unlikely event of extreme weather, alternative accommodation may be sourced. In this case, the accommodation costs incurred will be shared 50/50 between Untamed Escapes and each passenger.

ITINERARY CHANGES
Weather conditions in the Australian outback can change quickly and dramatically. Our experienced guides will always put the safety of our passengers first and stay abreast of weather conditions. Itinerary changes may occur to ensure we provide the best possible experience. For example, in the hot summer months, from December to March, we may change the times of hikes to earlier in the day. Any itinerary changes will be communicated to the group in advance. The Oodnadatta Track accessibility is strongly dependent on weather conditions. See below for further information.

OODNADATTA TRACK CLOSURE ALTERNATE ITINERARY
The Oodnadatta Track is an unsealed dirt road, and the conditions of the track depend heavily on the weather. If the road is deemed unsafe to drive on, or there is a possibility that sections of the road will close after we have commenced driving on the track, our Guide reserves the right to alter the itinerary and take a different route. If, for safety reasons, the decision is made not to travel on the track, the itinerary for day three will be changed as follows;
Port Augusta | Coober Pedy via Stuart
Highway | Josephine's Kangaroo Orphanage & Gallery | Coober Pedy township |
Umoona Opal Mine & Museum | Overnight Coober Pedy.

Port Augusta | Coober Pedy via Stuart Highway |
Josephine's Kangaroo Orphanage & Gallery | Coober Pedy township | Umoona
Opal Mine & Museum | Overnight Coober Pedy