7 Day Arts Tour Itinerary
Central Australian Aboriginal Arts and Culture Tour
7 Days / 6 Nights
Pre-tour Arrival in Alice Springs on the Friday
Those who choose to arrive in Alice Springs prior to 1.30pm have the opportunity to join your Guide for an afternoon appetiser at the world acclaimed Ngurratjuta Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre and Mbantua Gallery located in Alice Springs.
Spend a leisurely afternoon perusing all forms of art from the Western Desert and Utopia regions. Observe and interact with the artists as they bring to life their stories on canvas.
Many of today’s artists contributing at Ngurratjuta Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre are descendants of arguably the most famous male Aboriginal artist, Albert Namatjira. Observe his legacy in many of the works created today.
Ngurratjuta Iltha Ntjarra (Many Hands Art Centre) is an association of those Communities ‘affected’ by the oil and gas mining operations at Mereenie and Palm Valley in Central Australia. There are approximately 70 member communities, many of which are small outstations with about 12 different language groups represented by the Art Centre. The artists include permanent residents of Alice Springs together with long and short-term visitors from the above-mentioned Communities, as well as artists painting in remote communities.
The Mbantua Gallery has become world renowned through its recent acquisition of the work by famed Aboriginal artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye. The piece is titled 'Earth's Creation' and sold for $1,056,000, the highest price ever paid for a work of indigenous art and the highest price ever paid for a female artist in this country! A collection of Emily’s work is being prepared at the Gallery and in the future it is possible that “Earths Creation” will be centre piece.
Upon conclusion retire to your motel, or in traditional Alice Springs spirit, enjoy a wonderful meal at one of Alice’s finest Restaurants with your fellow travellers – “let the friendship begin”.
What a great way to commence your Central Australian Art Tour experience.
DAY 1 (Lunch & Dinner)
A 6.30am collection from your Hotel and your experience commences into the inspirational raw world of Aboriginal Art and Culture.
We travel north west of Alice along the famed Tanami Track at the northern edge of the beautiful West MacDonnell Ranges, arriving at Tilmouth Well for a rest break, coffee and a bite to eat.
A further 2.5 hours into our journey we will arrive at the Yuendumu Community, the heartland of the Walpiri Clan on the western boundary of the Red Centre Aboriginal Communities.
Several hours will be spent at the Community Art Centre, interacting with the local resident artists. At our leisure we will depart the Community travelling south east via the spectacular Mt Wedge Country.
At some stage along our journey we will select our camp site for the night. Your first experience into the true solitude of the Outback, a glorious camp fire cooked dinner, the southern night sky with stars you simply won’t believe and a few stories typical of the “stockman’s” life.
Day 2 (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Up with the birds and a hearty breakfast before we pack and break camp with a busy schedule ahead. Not only is there some stunning scenery and wildlife, but some tough miles on raw outback tracks as we visit the two communities of Hassts Bluff and Papunya. The variation of art within the two communities is incredibly diverse with this small region famous for producing many of the finest artists in the Aboriginal art world.
Papunya is not only famous for its artists but also its musical talents. The Walpiri Band hails from Papunya and is arguably the most famous Aboriginal Recording Band alongside Yothui Yindi. Papunya was also the famous setting for the recording of the chart topping Midnight Oil album, Diesel and Dust. In that memorable track ‘Beds are Burning’ is the reflection of the iconic Uluru being handed back to the traditional owners in the mid 80’s. The Sound Studio is a legacy and is still used today by budding musicians of the area.
Later today we will journey into the West MacDonnell region, to Glen Helen Gorge and the Famous Finke River, the oldest watercourse on the planet.
Tonight it is our preferred choice to camp in the gorgeous surrounds of the Finke River. However for those wanting creature comforts, arrangements at Glen Helen Lodge can be arranged. This cost is not included in the tour price.
Shower and toilet facilities are available.
DAY 3 (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
What a glorious awakening with the Finke River full of bird life and a sensational sunrise on the Yeperenye (Caterpillar Dreaming Hills) and Mount Sonder (Sacred Women’s Dreaming site). This helps realise the inspiration and desire for the locals to record such marvellous visions.
We break camp and travel the Namatjira to another vision which will leave you speechless – Tnorala, or Gosse Bluff, an ancient comet crater.
A further 1 hour’s drive and we will arrive at the Areyonga Community nestled within the Krichauff and Razorback Ranges. You will find it difficult to comprehend that the scenery just keeps getting better and better, but it does.
After lunch we will journey approx 1 hour to the oldest Lutheran based Aboriginal Community in Australia, Hermannsburg. The history and art from this region is over powering. We will take time to view the old Historical Precinct, the Namatjira Family Gallery, the famous Hermannsburg Potters, the Ladies Workshop and some of the finest Silk Art you will witness.
Late in the afternoon we will travel east and into the gorgeous Owen Springs Conservation Park. This is the first and only Central Northern Territory property that was acquired by the famous late Sir Sidney Kidman, once the world’s largest landowner outside of the Monarchy and Governments.
Another sensational night under the stars with a spectacular camp fire meal. You wouldn’t believe you could cook so much variety in a camp oven!!
DAY 4 (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
After another hearty breakfast, the sequence of the previous mornings is repeated. We journey through Owen Springs, steeped in beauty and history. The track we follow is very close to the line of the famous explorer John McDouall Stuart and the Overland Telegraph Line that followed.
The Hugh River in the Lawrence Gorge supplies a wonderful array of dramatic scenery to tickle the senses.
Approximately mid morning we will arrive at the Titjikala Community due south of Alice Springs, the land of the Southern Arrentte clan.
After lunch we will travel up the old south road to the property of Robert, Mary and Craig Le Rosignol known as Oak Valley. The aboriginal cultural experience and interaction will leave you speechless. Craig and Rob are very talented artists in their own right and have their own gallery of Art and Artefacts on the property. Please refer to Aaboriginal Tour Guide for more information on Oak Valley.
Tonight we will camp at the Community, entertainment provided by Craig and family. Apart from our normal succulent meal there could be some traditional surprises to entice those with a liking for exotic game cuisine.
Shower and toilet facilities available on site.
DAY 5 (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
If the first four days have been a revelation, be prepared for the next three – it only gets better.
After breaking camp we travel the famous Hugh River Stock Route adjacent to the Ghan railway line. The contrast of scenery will amaze. After a short distance south along the main Stuart Highway we will turn and travel west along another infamous, and at times notorious track, the Ernest Giles.
Approx mid morning we will arrive at the Ukaka Community, one of the various clans that live within the Luritja. Through the extraordinary support and efforts of Lyn and Ian Conway from neighbouring Kings Creek Station, this amazing opportunity to visit these very passionate and talented people now exists. A little known Community who have experienced tough times in recent years create some of the region’s most beautiful artworks.
After lunch we will travel to what is arguably the most stunning feature of Central Australia, Watarrka, or Kings Canyon. The sunset walk at Watarrka is simply hard to beat. If you’re into botany, photography, geology, or simply into nature, it is gob smacking to say the least.
For a little respite we’ll stay in Safari Tent accommodation with fair dinkum beds and a wonderful meal cooked by our hosts Ian and Lyn Conway.
Toilets and showers available.
DAY 6 (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 6 commences in typical outback style – up early, another fulfilling breakfast before we hit the highway (yes the highway). There will be an opportunity for those who wish to partake on a helicopter flight or camel ride to change the mode of transport for a short period.
Once concluded it’s of along the Luritja Highway to the Lassetter Highway to our next stop, Curtin Springs Cattle Station Homestead. A rest break, coffee and a laugh or two for those with a sense of humour and it’s another 1 hour drive to the famous Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park.
Upon arrival at the Park we stop at the Cultural Centre with plenty of time to view the Art and Artefact facilities within the Cultural Centre while the BBQ lunch is prepared.
After lunch an extremely privileged opportunity will present itself with a visit to the Maruku Art Warehouse. Very few people have access to this facility which contains the single largest collection of Anangu art on display.
From Maruku (time dependant) we will undertake a small cultural walk at either Mala or Mutitjulu prior to retiring to a secluded location to observe the famous sunset on the Rock. Sipping a Sparkling Wine and simply contemplating the awe of the place removes one to another time.
For the truly converted it’s off to our campsite for our last special evening meal and night under the Southern Cross.
DAY 7 (Breakfast & Lunch)
No visit to Uluru is complete without the powerful and awe inspiring Base Walk and today is the day. Up before the birds, we travel to the “Mighty Rock” as the rays of the new day penetrate the eastern horizon. The walk of approx 2.5 hours with the sun rising, bringing together the stories of the Alcheringa (Dreamtime) and Tjukurpa (Laws and Creation), is such a soul fulfilling experience.
After your walk, another hearty breakfast will greet you. Time to consider the wonderful experiences of the past week and the friendships created. Without doubt, a mind blowing seven day experience of one of the simplest but most beautiful cultures and locations on the planet.
Dependent upon flight times, we will return to the Yulara Township for some last minute shop browsing and then it’s off to the Ayers Rock Airport.
And as the locals would say “Palya”.
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