Australian Natural Adventuresnature travel, wildlife tours, adventure travel and general travel to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific
THE NATURAL HISTORY & WILDLIFE OF AUSTRALIA
continues Day 8 - Friday, January 13: Alice Springs
/ Uluru (Ayers Rock) Day 9 - Saturday, January 14: Uluru Late this afternoon we see another aspect of this red desert. Not
as well known outside Australia as Ayers Rock, but also fascinating,
is Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). These rounded tors are hewn from the same
subterranean mass as Uluru itself, and present their own stories and
mysteries Day 10 - Sunday, Janaury 15: Uluru / Sydney D Day 12 - Tuesday, January 17: Kuringai Chase
National Park Day 13 - Wednesday, January 18: Sydney /
Merimbula / Croajingalong
The Washington & Jefferson College Australia Tour continues >>>>
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ssing
the dry bed of the Ross River, we stop under the shade of as giant
river red gum to contemplate the ancient landscape and have breakfast.
Our morning will continue with short walks into some of the East MacDonnell
Ranges most picturesque gorges, providing viewing of Aboriginal rock
art and carvings. Later another short walk into Trephina Gorge provides
spectacular views of this very special place that will live long in
your memory of our visit to Central Australia. We return to Alice
Springs in time for our short lunchtime flight (Qantas 1941 at 12.30pm)
south to Ayer’s Rock, now mostly know by its Aboriginal name
of Uluru. We arrive at 1.25pm, and check into our accommodation. We
have some time to freshen up before heading off to Uluru itself. One
of the most famous sights in Australia is the mystical vision of Uluru
changing from red to purple to black as the sun sets in the outback.
From our vantage point we watch this transformation, an event that
has occurred unchanged for millions of years, watched by us today
just as 40,000 years ago the ancestors of the Pitjantjatjara &
Anangu people did. Most amazingly, these people are still living here
today, in an unbroken chain, as we shall see. (B),
Overnight Outback Pioneer Hotel Ayers Rock
nd
fauna of Uluru. Our guides introduce the geology of Uluru and describe
how plants and wildlife have adapted and survived in such a forbidding
environment. They also describe deep the relationship of the Anangu
people to Uluru. This place was shelter, provided water and is a tangible
link with their creation ancestors. As we walk at the base we hear
and see the creation time stories of these ancient people unfold,
and see where the people lived and carried out ceremonies. Here the
beliefs of the local people are embodied in one of the great places
of this world. From a distance Uluru is spectacular; from close up
it is powerful and deeply moving, and presents its exquisite and dramatic
sculpturing. After our time at the base of Uluru we visit the nearby
Aboriginal-operated Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, to continue
our understanding of Uluru and its people. We then return to the hotel
in time for lunch (own expense). B 
.
At Olga Gorge our guide describes the geology of the area and how
it has evolved over millions of years. As we walk through Olga Gorge
we learn how the Aboriginal people used the plants of the area in
their daily life. As the sun sets the domes change color, just like
the larger Uluru – same say the event is equal to Uluru’s
own sunset show. Regardless, the clefts and shadows, and our special
perspective, make this a unique event.
(B), Overnight Outback Pioneer Hotel Ayers Rock
he
first part of the morning is free for a final look at this desert
landscape. There are short walks to platforms in the nearby dunes
where a longer perspective on the sunrise on Uluru can be had, and
desert birds and lizards may be active. Also a short walk away is
another cultural center, with a good range of souvenirs. Or the opportunity
may be taken for a lie-in after several early morning. At lunchtime
we fly east to Sydney, arriving late afternoon. After transferring,
via a short city sights tour, to our downtown hotel we have to for
an initial look at this famous harborside city. (L), Overnight
Travelodge Wentworth Sydney Hotel
ay
11 - Monday, January 16: Sydney
nge
of options, including climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, learning
to surf at Bondi Beach (or just relaxing there), shopping in or exploring
the convict past of the historic Rocks district, touring the Opera
House, taking a long ferry ride up harbor, and lots more. There are
few more beautifully sited cities anywhere in the world, and few more
cosmopolitan.
(B), Overnight Travelodge Wentworth Sydney Hotel
developed
Eucalyptus forest, waterways and beaches adjacent to the Pacific Ocean.
In addition to an impressive wildlife list, the area was important
to the original Ab
original
Guringai people, and during our time here an Aboriginal perspective
will be given. ”Bush tucker” (tucker is Australian for
food) is the general term now used for native Australian foods derived
from the forest (bush), and along the way we’ll see and learn
about some of these. There are also significant engravings done by
the Guringai thousands of years ago, and we’ll see these as
well. Among other wildlife, Kuringai is home to goannas, large monitor
lizards that can reach five feet in length, and we’ll be keeping
an especially sharp eye for these. After spending a large part of
the day in and adjacent to the Park we return to our hotel in plenty
of time for dinner (own expense) and a free evening in Sydney. (B,L),
Overnight Travelodge Wentworth Sydney Hotel 
We depart Sydney on a short morning flight (Rex ZL117 departing at
8.50am arriving 10.25am) south to Merimbula in East Gippsland, where
we are met by our guide for the next four days. From Merimbula we
travel
south to Croajingolong National Park in the south-east corner of Australia.
Croajingolong (the original Aboriginal name for East Gippsland) is
considered one of the finest reserves in Australia, comprising a pristine
wilderness of eucalyptus forests, coastal heathlands, deep secret
rivers and secluded estuaries. Croajingolong was the original Aboriginal
name for
East Gippsland. The national park has been classified by the United
Nations as a World Biosphere Reserve. Over 3 days we explore this
beautiful, untouched region on foot and on the water. This morning
we begin by walking through dramatic granite outcrops, through tall
open forest, amongst hidden ferns and orchids to the summit of Genoa
Peak for spectacular views of this vast wilderness area. On our way
down the peak we may find the large 
Glossy-black
cockatoo feeding in the forest. After descending from the peak we
drive a short distance to the small town of Mallacoota. Our accommodation
for the next 3 nights will be at Karbeethong Lodge which overlooks
a wilderness estuary. Karbeethong is a haven we will use as a base
for viewing a be
wildering
array of wildlife and plants at the crossover of 3 major ecosystems
- forest, esturine and oceanic - on the south-eastern tip of Australia.
After settling in we’ll visit and walk along a magnificent wilderness
beach abutting the mighty Southern Ocean looking out for ocean and
beach birds. There is also the opportunity to swim and surf before
dinner. (B,L,D), Overnight Karbeethong
Lodge Mallacoota