Outback to the Future

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                      Outback to the Future
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                      Outback to the Future
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                      Outback to the Future

The Concept

Established in 2000, Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre (“Earth Sanctuary”) has become a Northern Territory leader in the field of sustainability, eco-tourism and education. The centre sets the benchmark for sustainability in the Australian outback with triple bottom line credentials, including Eco Tourism Australia’s Advanced Eco Certification and Eco Tourism Australia’s Highly Commended Award for 2014 and winner of the Northern Territory Brolga Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism in 2012 and 2014. Its vision is to be Australia’s leading provider of 100% carbon neutral education, tours and events.

G.E.T Educational Tours and Earth Sanctuary are pleased to offer schools the chance to experience the wonders of The Centre on this fully guided program. 

Please note: This is a suggested itinerary only and subject to change. This is a fly in and fly out program. 

The Program

Core activities and learning outcomes include:

  • Sustainability - Earth’s Cool: energy, water, shelter, food, utilities & wellbeing
  • Local History - Outback to the Future: Town tour: School of the Air, RFDS, Telegraph Station, Desert Knowledge, CAAMA Radio
  • Life Skills - Outback Survivor: first aid, spear & boomerang throwing, trekking, bush tucker, damper making, didgeridoo playing, Henley on Todd boat race tribute
  • Astronomy / S.T.E.M Fields – Earth Sanctuary Observatory: Day / Night tour
  • Cultural Emergence - Aboriginal Cultural Insights: survival, spirituality, art & music
  • Day Trips: Western / Eastern MacDonnell Ranges, Desert Park, Anzac Hill, Todd Mall

Itinerary Day By Day

DAY 1 ALICE SPRINGS (L, D)

On arrival in Alice Springs you will be met by the Earth Sanctuary staff and transported to your permanent camp site on 100 acres of native bush land offering abundant wildlife and uninterrupted views of the East Macdonald Ranges. As you settle in and prepare for lunch you will receive an official welcome, safety briefing and an introduction to the next 7 days.

After lunch make your way to Jessie’s Gap, site of the oldest cave paintings in Central Australia before heading to Anzac Hill and a brief tour of the township as you make your way back to camp.

On return your guides will assist you through the Earth Sanctuary Camp Preparation and Sustainability environment requirements which includes working displays of energy, water, shelter, food and general utilities used during your stay.

Dinner will follow, before enjoying Rex’s Reptile Presentation at your camp, then its free time before lights out at 2130.

DAY 2 ALICE SPRINGS ‘OUTBACK TO THE FUTURE’ TOUR (B, L, D)

Up at 0700 for breakfast and showers before your ‘Outback to the Future’ Tour – visit the RFDS, School of the Air and Telegraph Station before returning to camp for lunch at 1200.

After lunch continue your ‘Outback to the Future’ Tour: visit CAAMA Radio and the impressive Desert Knowledge Precinct. Return to Earth Sanctuary for some free time before commencing ‘Outback Survivor’ bush tucker sampling, trekking, spears. A great team building exercise.

Dinner is at 1830 followed by Earth Sanctuary’s renowned Space Observatory and Astronomy show which includes amazing telescope viewing of the planets in our solar system then it's free time before lights out at 2130. 

DAY 3 ALICE SPRINGS – WEST MACDONALD RANGES (B, L, D)

Up at 0700 for breakfast and showers then depart for the magnificent West MacDonnell Ranges – visit Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, Serpentine Gorge, Standley Chasm and much more. Lunch will be taken at Glen Helen or Mount Sonder lookout before continuing onto the Ochre Pits, Simpson Gap and a stop at Flynn’s Grave before returning to Earth Sanctuary Permanent Camp at 1630.

Before dinner this evening students will participate in the Cultural Immersion Tour on site at Earth Sanctuary. This includes important learnings on Aboriginal Insights: spirituality, survival, music and art, didgeridoo playing. Dinner at 1830 followed by some free time before lights out at 2130.

DAY 4 ALICE SPRINGS – KINGS CANYON (B, L, D)

Up at 0700 for breakfast and showers before arriving at Alice Springs Desert Park. See the amazing Birds of Prey demonstration before a guided tour of the park where you will learn about the unique species and native flora and fauna of the desert, the spectacular Aviary and Nocturnal House.

Return to Earth Sanctuary at 1100 for Lunch / Debrief & Awards Ceremony before departing for Kings Canyon at 1300. If time permits, complete the 2km ‘Creek walk’ at Kings Canyon before arrival at Kings Canyon Resort and your permanent tent site. Then its free time before dinner, showers and lights out at 2130.

DAY 5 KINGS CANYON – ULURU (B, L, D)

After breakfast this morning, depart your camp site for Kings Canyon and prepare for the Kings Canyon Rim walk, a 3 hour walk with incredible views of the local landscape, flora and fauna.

Return to your permanent camp ground at Kings Canyon Resort for lunch before packing up and heading off by private coach to Uluru, stopping at Mount Conner Lookout and Lake Amadeus en route. Arrive at your permanent camp site in Uluru and set up before heading to the viewing area to witness Uluru at Sunset, then its back to camp for dinner.
After dinner your guides will take you on an Astronomy tour at Ewing Lookout over Uluru, a highlight of your trip before returning to camp for some free time before lights out at 2130.

DAY 6 ULURU – VALLEY OF THE WINDS (B, L, D)

An early start today – 0500 wake up before breakfast and the opportunity to witness the Uluru Sunrise. Head back to camp to freshen up before making your way to the Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, then commence either the Uluru Rim Walk (9.6 km) or bike ride, stopping at the beautiful Mutijulu Waterhole Hole & Mala Walk.

Enjoy lunch at the Kata Tjuta Lookout before an afternoon Camel Ride and walk through the Valley of the Winds, then return to the permanent camp to prepare for dinner. Following dinner debrief around the campfire before showers and lights out at 2130.

DAY 7 ULURU – HOME (B)

After breakfast and showers head off to Ewing Lookout for a team photo, a wonderful memento of your time in The Centre. Your guide will debrief the learning on tour with you before you pack up camp and head off to Yulara Airport for your return flight home.

Inclusions
  • Accommodation throughout in permanent camp sites and tents, including swags
  • All meals each day
  • Fully guided program each day, including specific indigenous guides according to the activity and attraction
  • Private coach throughout for all transfers and transport needs
Exclusions
  • Return domestic flights (subject to departure city and availability)