OzSee; OzDo; OzLearn "education as travel, travel as education"…

Improvements in business partnership arrangements between Indigenous enterprises and Australian corporates could significantly enhance the economic development of Indigenous communities, particularly those in remote areas. This desire to enrich the relationships in communities by encouraging a strong role for new organisations and approaches is a major opportunity for Australia. (Australia 2020 Summit report)

What?           As members of the SolvePoverty Group Alliance, OzSee and Reho Travel wish to bring together a network of multicultural, multi-age student entrepreneurs around Australia.

Why?            In response to the Australia 2020 Summit, this is about empowering students to find ways to creatively respond to opportunities in the indigenous communities, by introducing them to the communities in the first instance.

Link thousands of young Australians to communities through support for school twinning, exchange programs, mentoring, in country and community-based learning programs. (Australia 2020 Summit report)

How?            By partnering with Reho Travel to conduct a pilot familiarisation tour of outback Australia by a multi-cultural, multi-age group of students selected from school and Universities around the country

Benefits?      The selected students will form the founder group of an expanding Australia-wide network of youth entrepreneurs, with the first step being to get a snapshot of what it is we need to be thinking about…

And for the communities, they benefit economically by getting access to, and introducing visitors to our unique country

Following the historic and significant apology, a new national dialogue is required. This new form of engagement will shape Australia’s global identity, securing a place for Aboriginal culture and identity in the Australian story. (Australia 2020 Summit report)

So think about putting your school holidays to good use,
(and in some instances, even relieving parents of the need to know what to do over the school holidays!)…

WHAT NEXT?

Fill out this booking form, and secure your place

THE ITINERARY 

Thursday 25th September 2008

Fly from Melbourne direct to Alice Springs.
After arriving at Alice Springs Airport. Depart for Oak Valley Aboriginal Community via the Ewaninga Rock Carvings arriving early afternoon.

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.
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 which is delicious.
The Aboriginal people of Oak Valley work and live on this land and have a profound understanding of it.
Tonight experience your first night in the wilds of the Outback. The crackling Open Fire, Camp Oven cooked meals, stories of the Alcheringa ( Dream-time), The sounds of absolute silence and the most sensational of southern night skies, stars – millions of them – a sight to behold. Finally the traditional Aussie Swag – a night’s sleep which you will never ever forget.


Friday 26th September 2008
 
An Early awakening with the rising Sun and the Birds, a hearty breakfast and we break camp and “hit” the outback roads – The Hugh Stock Route, until we meet the Stuart Highway travels for 3000 kilometres joining Adelaide & Darwin. We cross the Ghan Railway – an early start and we could be surprised with Red Kangaroo, Emu & Dingo.
Mid Morning arrive at Mt Ebenezer and the Imanpa Community Art Gallery . A pleasant rest break, coffee and your opportunity to peruse and purchase Art from a different region. As we draw closer to Curtin Springs Cattle Station, arising from the desert wasteland is a huge flattop MESA – Mount Connor- a location of significance to Anangu and its protector “Attila”.
90 minutes further on we enter the famous World Heritage listed Uluru/Kata Tjuta National Park – The resting place of Uluru ( Ayers Rock ) & Kata Tjuta ( The Olgas). Arrive at our camp site and Lunch.
This afternoon we journey to the monolith, partaking in the cultural Mala walk. A visit to the Cultural Centre prior to joining the culturally powerful Kuniya walk. Those that do not wish this can take a leisurely 2 hour walk around the base of the massive monolith. At the conclusion of the walk it’s off to a remote sand hill location and we attend the much anticipated “sunset” on Uluru.
After dark it’s again another sensational night around the campfire, another stunning meal and some more fun and games.

Saturday 27th September 2008

This morning we are up before the birds – sunrise over Uluru and Kata Tjuta is a site to behold. An early breakfast, we break camp and of to another remote location for the awakening of another wonderful Central Australian Day.
After sunrise we journey a short distance to the spectacular Valley of the Winds walk. Stunning, Spectacular are several words to describe this spiritually rich location. The walk of approx 3.5 hours will stamp an unforgettable memory.
After Lunch we will depart the National Park, return to Curtin Springs. After a short break we introduce you to the true Outback – A region no-one else ever sees – totally exclusive to Wayoutback Desert Safaris and its 4x4 vehicles.
Welcome to the real outback. A track no wider than a vehicle, sand hills, washouts, and awesome visions. This is RED KANGAROO country – free & wild, - wild camel, horses, dingo, and birds of a hundred varieties. Not a person within a hundred miles – solitude, expanse and raw beauty.
We arrive at our remote Kings Creek Station Camp Site with its unique Bush Showers & Toilets and once more another scintillating evening in the wild.


Sunday 28th September 2008
 
An early start to beat the heat and to appreciate the best the Outback offers. Approx 30 minutes from Kings Creek station is one of the most amazing Central Australian experiences – The Kings Canyon Rim Walk – 3-4 hours of Botanical brilliance, cultural mystique, geological amazement and natural beauty.
The Amphitheatre, Corroborree Rock, Ancient Fossils, the Canyon Wall, the Lost City and the refreshing Garden of Eden. Acknowledged as the least known of the 3 Icons, regarded as the best.
This afternoon we tour the ruff and rugged Mereenie Loop Road via Missionary Flat, the spectacular Tnorala (Gosse Bluff), as we enter near the Oldest Aboriginal community in Australia – Nataria ( Hermannsburg ) , the home of the greatest watercolor aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira, the famous Hermannsburg Potters, The Old Town and the glorious si;lk artists.
Later this afternoon we will travel the river bed of the worlds oldest watercourse – The Finke River – on our way into Palm Valley . Our campsite tonite raw & wild along the river bed. Hear the wild brumbies come into drink, the dingos circle our camp on the odor of food ( totally safe) the night owls hooting in the distance. Again another stunning experience.

Monday 29th September 2008

It will again be up with the birds, a very hearty breakfast, break camp and continue our travels along the Finke via Cathedral Rock, Initiation Lookout, Cycad Gorge & into Palm Valley.
There are various walks that we can partake varying from 1.5 – 3 hours. The type of walk will be determined by the group. Both walks scale to the rim of the valley up above the Jurassic relic rare Red Cabbage Palms,then its into the valley hopping from waterhole to waterhole meandering our way thru the monster palms and massive rock falls. An extremely calming experience, ornothologically rich.
After an early lunch we travel back along the Mereenie then the Namatjira and to the jewel of the crown in the West MacDonnell Ranges – REDBANK Gorge. A spectacular walk upo the river bed amongst the towering ageless River Red Gums to the waterhole – over 30 metres deep. Along the way we will view the endangered Black Footed Rock Wallaby and many other forms of life and Flora. This location is rich in traditional medicine plants.
Tonite we will journey to the source of the Finke River at the foot of Mount Sonder. Our camp on the river is a site to behold in the early morning.

Tuesday 30th September 2008

This is regarded often as the spell bound day – if not already. It’s a Day of wonderful gorges, beautiful & scenic shortwalks and relaxing swimming opportunities at Glen Helen Gorge, Ormiston Gorge & Ellery Creek Big Hole. Peaceful & tranquil – it is a great place to lose track of time.
Glen Helen :-
A short walk from the homestead to this spectacular water hole – swim to your hearts content or simply kick back in this historic homestead and enjoy the artworks of the Ngurratjuta artists and the most famous of them all – Albert Namatjira. For the thrill seekers a helicopter joy flight is on offer – the views of the West Macs and desert landscape you will “never never” forget.
Ormiston Gorge & Ellery Creek :-
We can’t describe the beauty of these locations – it defies description – Black Footed Rock Wallabies, Perentie Lizard, Long Snouted Dragons, Birds and More Birds plus spectacular water holes – freedom was never like this.
Later today we will arrive in Alice Springs and to your Hostel – Toddies. A modern Shower, normal bed and a swimming pool greet you back to a world you probably don’t want to return – all good things must end sometime.
Our meal tonight is at the Restaurant of our Hostel.
Our final last treat for you is the world acclaimed Sounds of Starlite Didjeridu performance. This 100 minute spectacular of color sound and culture will awe inspire as to the various sound that can come from this traditional instrument used by the aborigine in local cultural ceremony.
After the performance we can slowoly venture back towards the hostel vis the occasional “watering hole” which the Australian Outback is famous.

Wednesday 1st October 2008

A Day in Alice Springs at your leisure visiting the likes of :-
The School of the Air
The Flying Doctor Base
The Reptile Centre
The Desert Park
MBantua Cultural Museum
The Old Telegraph Station
Or just visit the many shops and wile away the day
Tonight is your choice as to what you wish to undertake in regards to meal etc

Thursday 2nd October 2008

After your relaxing day sightseeing around Alice Springs, it is another early morning start. First stop of the day is at Stuarts Well for brief bite of breakfast (own expense), and the more adventurous can have a go at riding a camel (own expense). Then its “back on down the road” heading towards our next pit stop at Erldunda. From Erldunda it is on to Kulgera, and Lunch at the last town in the Northern Territory before crossing the border into South Australia. After Lunch, we continue on to Marla. Marla is a stopping point which was opened as recently as 1982. Located over the road from the new Ghan railway line, it is worth driving across the highway to see the railway which disappears in a straight line towards both the southern and northern horizons - in season there are wonderful displays of wildflowers beside the track. Back on board for the last leg of today’s roadtrip, and we hit Coober Pedy, the “Opal Capital of the World”. Tonight is something totally different. To get you into the feel of the Opal Mines, we will be spending the night in an underground motel.

Friday 3rd October 2008

Up early and moving again, we now start our final journey. Departing Coober Pedy we now head down the road to Port Augusta. Port Augusta is a genuine crossroads with roads heading north to Alice Springs and Darwin, west to the Nullarbor and the Eyre Peninsula and east to Adelaide. Finally we hit Adelaide, where it with heavy hearts we wish you all a fond farewell.


HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST ME?

$2990 per person

Includes airfares Melbourne/Alice Springs - Adelaide/Melbourne, all entry fees day 1-6, includes all meals day 1-6, lunch & dinner day 8 & breakfast day 9, includes all accommodation night, 6 & 7(Twin Share) & night 8 (Dormitory) and includes all government charges

WHAT NEXT?

Fill out this booking form, and secure your place

are you open to the opportunities a tour like this may offer?
do you want to put school holidays to good use?
are you serious about education being holistic?
are you looking to expand your personal horizons?
do you want to foster business relationships?
do you want to channel funds directly into the communities?
are you part of the solution or the problem?

ABOUT THIS TOUR

Apart from all that this tour will expose you to (see above itinerary), and what learning & growth you will glean from being in the company of like-minded others, our tour safari is designed to suit students and travellers who enjoy small group dynamics, and who are very interested in learning more deeply about our unique country and its original people. Due to the very nature, and the indigenous experience, of this particular tour operator, together with OzSee and Reho Travel, Wayoutback is the main operator of this safari tour. The tour will also be chaperoned by an OzSee representative to ensure all goes even more smoothly.

OTHER PARTICULARS

Due to the small group size, for many and varied reasons our safari will not suit children under the age of ten. When on a guided walk the guides are responsible for your well being so it is important you have a reasonable fitness level and are able to stay with the group whilst on all walks.Wayoutback safaris do require a degree of participation with the preparation of meals, loading and unloading camping equipment, collecting firewood and the washing of dishes after meals.The only true way of camping in the outback is sleeping in a swag. This is a canvas bag that zips on both sides with a nice thick camping mattress inside that enables you to view the brilliant night sky as you drift off to sleep beside the campfire. For those afflicted with creepy crawly paranoia, tents can be provided, but as this equipment is loaded in Alice Springs prior to departure, this will need to be advised at time of booking if you require one.

FOOD AND DRINKS

The menu is designed menu to be as healthy as possible and appeal to modern tastes.For breakfast you have a selection of cereals, toast with spreads, orange juice, fresh plunger coffee and black or herbal teas. For lunch we provide salad ingredients and a selection of meats for sandwiches plus fresh fruit. Dinners vary depending on the time of year but usually include chicken or other meat, fresh vegetables, sauces with pasta or rice. Bush bread (damper) will also be prepared for you on an open fire. A glass of sparkling wine will be offered at the Uluru sunset. All other alcohol is BYO.If you have specific dietary requirements please inform at the time of booking so alternatives can be discussed.

SAFARI GUIDES

Wayoutback pride themselves on the very high standard of their guides. They are the only advanced ECO Accredited tourism operator based in Alice Springs and as such are very aware of the responsibility to provide well informed, highly trained tour guides. All guides have a sound knowledge of our local area focusing on its history, Aboriginal culture, geology and the natural environment.By evaluating the guide’s performance after every safari they ensure that a high standard is maintained. All guides are trained by an accredited tourism ECO guide, the only one in Central Australia.

TO CLIMB OR NOT TO CLIMB ULURU

Passengers visiting Uluru (Ayers Rock) should be aware that the local Aboriginal Custodians (Anangu) prefer that visitors don’t climb the Rock, mainly due to cultural reasons as the track to the summit crosses over a sacred Tjukurpa (religious) site. In addition, there are a surprising number of fatalities that have occurred over the years as a result of people climbing Uluru which they feel a responsibility for as the local custodians.Ultimately the decision to climb or not to climb rests with the individual as there is no mandate on the subject from Anangu or Wayoutback. Our own records from our end-of-tour questionnaires suggest that approximately 95% of Wayoutback customers choose not to climb.If, however, you do want to climb Uluru then you should be aware there are four conditions whereby the climb is closed by Park Management that can apply ‘without notice’. They are:· Temperatures over 36°C · Strong winds at the summit · Forecast and pending storms · Rain

WHAT IS PROVIDED

The latest model air-conditioned 4WD vehicles, all meals (as listed on itineraries), camping equipment, swags including laundered bed sheet (summer only) and pillows, sleeping bags ($15 hire fee), reference books, chilled face cloths (summer), and supplies of drinking water (must have your own bottle).Bush showers and toilets available at most of our private bush camps.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO BRING

As we are camping you will need to be prepared for this. You'll need to bring a flashlight (torch), hat (wide brimmed best), sunscreen, insect repellant, a fly net (summer), any required medication, water bottle (at least 1.5 litres), walking shoes/boots (we do a lot of walking/climbing), warm clothing (winter), sleeping bag, toiletries, swim wear, towel, camera, extra film or batteries and a great sense of humour; Travel Voucher/Ticket, BYO wine or beer.Space is limited, please bring only one small bag per person. Ask at reception of your accommodation for excess baggage storage.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Ozsee recommends that all passengers have their own travel insurance. Travel insurance isn't expensive and you can receive a 10% discount when purchasing through Reho Travel.

ITINERARY AND POSSIBLE CHANGES

Due to the very nature of the tour, travel is to remote parts of Australia. Whilst every attempt is made to adhere to the advertised itinerary, there are occasions it may not be safe to do so.Contrasting weather conditions including heavy rain, extreme temperatures as well as changeable road conditions can prevent us utilising some of our advertised routes. On such occasions we, as the operator, will make a decision as to what is safe for our passengers. If a destination can't be reached, alternatives will be sought but not guaranteed. Please read the Fine Print for further information.

THE FINE PRINT

The ground arrangements are operated by Wayoutback Desert Safaris Pty Limited, they reserve the right to amend safari times, itineraries and fares for its safaris as circumstances, time of year and operational reasons occur. There will be no refunds in these circumstances or for reasons such as delays incurred due to mechanical failure or weather conditions. Wayoutback Desert Safaris cannot guarantee exact pick-up and drop-off times and will accept no responsibility in the event of cancellation fees from other connecting services. Wayoutback Desert Safaris reserves the right to cancel a safari or arrange an alternative operator if group numbers are insufficient. Balances paid by credit card are subject to merchant levy. Wayoutback Desert Safaris accepts no responsibility for any injury, illness or other such accident sustained whilst on safari with Wayoutback or while engaged in any activities with other tourist operators that may not be part of the Wayoutback itinerary but available during a Wayoutback safari. Visits to Oak Valley and Lilla Aboriginal Communities and the Kuniya Walk although brochured are not guaranteed, however, if not visited the fare for this component will be refunded or not charged. Wayoutback Desert Safaris accepts no liability for lost, stolen or damaged property and strongly recommends clients have Travel Insurance, including Cancellation Cover. Cancellation fees apply.

NOTICE AND CANCELLATION FEES

Airfare - non refundableTour - 30 days or more - 25% 14-30 days - 50% 1-14 days - 100%Deposit of $500 is due within one week of booking