Australia: Central Australia Indigenous Immersion

Meet your group at your home airport. Fly together as a group to Australia. Total travel time will depend on your departure location and flight schedule. Be sure to get some rest so you arrive ready for adventure!

Flight Details: Rustic Pathways will be happy to book your flight as an add-on service.

If your travel to Australia crosses the international dateline, you’ll likely lose this day to travel. Not to worry – you’ll get it back on your return!

Welcome to Sydney! You will clear immigration, grab your bags and check-in for your connecting flight to Uluru (Ayers Rock). Upon your arrival into Central Australia you will be warmly greeted by your program leaders who will transfer you from the airport to your accommodation. After an orientation, you will visit the Cultural Centre at Uluru where you will deepen your knowledge and understanding of this site. Learn all about the Anangu culture and the natural environment of the region through presentations with local park rangers. At the Cultural Centre you can also visit the two galleries that showcase some of the best art from the Anangu, Maruku and Walkatjara people. Take a guided walk along the base of Uluru, then watch the sunset to see how the rock changes color as the sun goes down.

Overnight: Camping, Ayers Rock Campground, Yulara

Rise early this morning to see the sunrise from a different vantage point, on a camel! Enjoy a sunrise camel ride through the desert, marvel at Uluru and watch the colors change across this incredible landscape. 

After a hearty breakfast back at camp, meet your local guide, who will take you on a cultural tour of Uluru, pointing out places of significance and sharing stories that have been passed down through generations. This afternoon, you will travel to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) to experience the Valley of the 

Winds Walk. Kata Tjuta is located approximately 60 kilometers from Uluru and means ‘many heads’. Kata Tjuta is sacred to the Anangu people and it forms an important focus of their spiritual life. Along the Valley of the Winds Walk, you will immerse yourselves among Kata Tjuta’s domes and take in the jaw-dropping views from the Karu and Karingana lookouts. 

Overnight: Camping, Ayers Rock Campground, Yulara

Over the last three decades, Rustic has developed close relationships with Indigenous families and communities throughout Australia. Spend the next three days and nights being fully immersed into an Indigenous community. You will be welcomed onto a homeland near Petermann with a smoking ceremony before settling into our campsite. Over the next three days spend time with local people learning about life in a rural outback Indigenous community. 

Our time in-country will not be scripted, there is no schedule or time frames, it is designed to be as organic and natural as possible which will allow you to be completely immersed into Indigenous culture. Learn first-hand how to hunt and cook traditionally, how to collect and prepare bush medicine and bush foods. Each evening gather around the campfire to hear Dreamtime stories passed down for thousands of years before heading to bed under a blanket of stars.  

Overnight: Camping on country, Homeland near Petermann

Bid farewell to your hosts and new friends as you depart for Watarrka National Park. Today is the day you will discover the magic of Kings Canyon. The iconic hike to the top of Kings Canyon is known as the Rim Walk, a 6-kilometer circuit down into the Garden of Eden and back to the top of the canyon to soak in the 360-degree views. Continue through to Priscilla’s Crack where you will see the marvelous sandstone domes known as the Lost City. Drive north to Kings Creek Station for your final night under the stars. 

Overnight: Camping, Kings Creek Station

Pack up camp and make your way through the West MacDonnell Ranges, the traditional lands of the Western Arrarnta people. Stop at Standley Chasm to explore the natural beauty of the canyon and try to spot some of the large variety of wildlife in the area. Standley Chasm holds a lot of history of the Arrernte Indigenous people and today you will begin to understand why Standley Chasm is so significant and sacred to Arrernte women. Continue on to Glen Helen Gorge to set up camp for your final dinner under the stars.

Overnight: Camping, Glen Helen Gor

This morning head  to Alice Springs as you bid farewell to the desert and board your departing flight back to Sydney. After landing in Sydney, you will transfer to your accommodation in the city. This afternoon, your program leaders will lead you on an insider’s walking tour of the unique sandstone hills and laneways of The Rocks District and down into Circular Quay. From here, you get an unrivaled view of the Sydney Harbor Bridge and explore the World Heritage listed Sydney Opera house up close and personal! 

After a farewell dinner tonight, reflect on your experiences from the program, capture memories and learning moments and discuss ways to apply your learnings to your community back home. During or after this discussion, participate in Rustic Ties which is a unique and powerful activity that allows you to share memorable connections and stories with your group members.

Overnight: Youth Hostel, Sydney

This morning will be full of fond farewells as you say goodbye to new friends and prepare for your journey home. We hope you are returning home full of valuable and unforgettable memories and that you had an amazing time in Australia!

Flights: Rustic Pathways is happy to book your flights as an optional add-on service.