10 Questions about Overland Adventure Tours
1/ Can I see Uluru from my Alice Springs hotel?
No, Uluru (Ayers Rock) is 460 kilometres from Alice Springs – a 5 hour journey away.
2/ Why does Austour call the touring program between Alice Springs, Uluru/Ayers Rock and Kings Canyon ‘the Desert Wanderer'?
The Desert Wanderer vehicles travel overland between Alice Springs, Uluru/Ayers Rock and Kings Canyon and clients can ‘hop on/hop off' as they wish. These services allow people to plan a tour to suit their personal needs as they wander around the Red Centre at their own pace.
3/ Is travelling overland through the Red Centre boring?
No, certainly not, travelling overland through the Red Centre is exciting – lots of different countryside to see – rugged outback scenery, desert vegetation, Aborigines, cattle stations, stockmen, cattle etc. The journey to Uluru Ayers Rock and Kings Canyon is frequently as big a highlight as the destination itself. Travelling overland is a great way to explore Australia.
4/ Do we see wild life on the journey from Alice Springs to Uluru?
Yes, most definitely especially travelling overland through the outback at night – wild camels, horses, kangaroos, donkeys, birds of prey and barn owls to mention a few.
5/ Is Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) a national park?
Yes, the Uluru Kata Tjuta area is a national park, twice registered as a world heritage area. One for the natural, unique formation and second for the 40,000 years of cultural significance to the Aboriginal people.
6/ Can we still climb Uluru/Ayers Rock?
Yes, however, as a licensed tour operator Austour encourages you to think about the choice of climbing or exploring, after all Uluru is a sacred site. Climbing is strenuous and dangerous and there is so much more to see and learn by walking around. Uluru Climb will be closed by the Rangers if it is too hot (above 35 degrees); too wet; too windy or too cold or for special cultural reasons so all tour operators can never guarantee that you will be able to climb.
7/ Is the guided Kings Canyon rim worth doing?
Yes, the 3.5 hour walk requires medium fitness. The scenery is spectacular – be careful – listen to your guide's instructions, carry water, use sunscreen, wear a shady hat and suitable walking shoes. The guided rim walk will be one of the highlights of your Central Australia holiday in Outback Australia.
8/ Can I book other Alice Springs touring with Austour before I start my Red Centre Desert Wanderer Tour to Uluru and/or Kings Canyon?
Yes, Alice Springs touring and sightseeing in addition to accommodation can be booked from the Austour web site either through your travel agent or direct with Austour.
9/ Is the Desert Wanderer coach comfortable?
Desert Wanderer Red Centre touring is based on utilising the daily day tour services to Kings Canyon and Ayers Rock Resort and Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. Travel between Alice Springs and Uluru (Ayers Rock) is on a 5 star, $600,000 super coach with reclining seats, rest room and air conditioning, DVD/video, CD, PA system. The coach connects with a smaller vehicle with comfortable seating, PA system, TV/video and for the Kings Canyon Watarrka National Park section. This ‘hop on/hop off' service called the Desert Wanderer Touring services provided by Austour is designed for the flexible, independent traveller and provides very comfortable travel and full touring service with informative commentary.
10/ Do all travel agents sell Austour?
Yes, however, as a small Australian family company – ‘Big enough to cope, small enough to care' – Austour cannot possibly distribute brochures to all agencies world wide hence our very user friendly web site in three languages in this way Austour can compete with the very big companies. Always ask for Austour product and request that the agent check out our web site - for Outback Tours, Red Centre Tours, Overland Adventures, Alice Springs sightseeing, Uluru touring, adventure travel, safari tours. Austour is now one of the Northern Territory's longest established (1963) touring companies to take passengers from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon and Uluru (Ayers Rock) so we do have the know how and experience.
