What better way to experience the vast expanses of the Great Victoria Desert than a winning combination of cycling and four-wheel-driving. Superb bush camping, a knowledgeable and experienced guide, great food and new friends add to the mix.
ITINERARY
Days 1 & 2
For the first day of our tour we travel through the Eastern Goldfields, visiting the famous mining town of Southern Cross, and cycling into the interesting town of Coolgardie, where there are some grand and quirky remnants of the ghost town, and it’s here we stay for our first night. It’s around 40 km to cycle to Kalgoorlie on the morning of Day 2, where we visit the Super Pit, the biggest gold mine in the Southern Hemisphere, and spend a bit of time looking around this historic town. There are optional tours, such as an historic mine tour, or learn about Kalgoorlie’s famous Hay Street, where you can opt to take a tour of the historic red light district. Day 1 – (D); Day 2 (B)
Days 3 & 4
On Day 3 we begin trekking across one of the Victoria Desert's tracks, the Tjukayirla Road or the Warburton Track. Parts of this track are known as Len Beadell's ‘Gunbarrell Highway’. We camp out at a secluded bush camp for the night. The mornings and evenings of the next few days are spent mountain biking through the ever-changing beauty of this amazing desert country. Many people are awed by Australia's beaches, or the splendour of our rainforests, but the experience of red desert sand dunes, groves of Desert Oak trees, wild flowers, the taste of the Honey Grevilleas and the timeless silence of The Great Victoria Desert is something you will never, ever forget. The rides will be up to three hours depending on individual fitness and track/weather conditions. If half an hour in the saddle is all you feel like, that is quite all right... we'll pick you up in the 4WD, and you can ride along in air-conditioned comfort. And as long as you have keen eyes, you are still sure to see wild camels, dingoes, kangaroos, and emus! On Day 4 we camp at Tjukayirla. (BLD)
Days 5 & 6
Day 5 sees us reach Warburton, where we visit the Warburton Arts Centre, which is nestled in the Warburton Community, situated between the Gibson and Great Victoria Deserts of Western Australia, in the heart of the Ngaanyatjarra Aboriginal Homelands. Warburton Community, by virtue of its isolation and strong maintenance of traditional culture, has emerged from the last millennium with a robust cultural life. This has found expression in artworks of a recognised quality, which is owned and curated by the community. Ngaanyatjarra people have chosen to represent themselves through this material to a wider public, with prints, paintings, glassworks, and ceramics on display at the Arts Centre. Tonight we set up our tents at Tractor Camp. On Day 6 we visit Giles Weather Station, one of the world’s most remote weather stations, Situated about 750 kilometres west-southwest of Alice Springs, just over the West Australian Border, on the edge of the Gibson Desert, south of the Rawlinson Range. The area was occupied by nomadic indigenous people at the time the station was established, but there were no other settlements in the area. The station was named in honour of Ernest Giles, who explored the area in the 1870s. The Warakurna Aboriginal Community has become established nearby with their own power supplies, store, school and a Roadhouse on the Gunbarrel Highway which provides accommodation and food for travellers. An all-weather airstrip provides ready access for mail, passengers and the Flying Doctor. Tonight we camp out at the Docker River Camp. (BLD)
Day 7
The scenery keeps getting better as we continue east through the Petermann Ranges. We arrive to view the mysterious domes of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) in the late morning. From here we have only 50 km to go to reach our final destination, Uluru (Ayers Rock). The ultimate reward is cycling towards and around the awesome monolith. We then sit back and enjoy a glass of champagne as the sun sets, admiring the ever-changing colours of Uluru, a sight not to be missed and long remembered. Then to the Tavern, for a well deserved drink (or two!) (BL)
DATES
GREAT VICTORIA DESERT CYCLING EXPERIENCE 22/04/2009, 02/10/2009
DURATION
7 days 6 nights
COST
from AUD$1295
INCLUDES
Bike hire, camping fees and equipment (tent & thermarest mat), most meals, experienced guide
START/FINISH
Perth, WA/Uluru (Ayers Rock), NT
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
All prices in Australian dollars. This tour connects with the "Red Centre Cycling Adventure" (Ayers Rock to Alice Springs).
Accommodation: Campground (Days 1, 2), Bush camp (Days 3 - 5) while not on tour. Meals: 6 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners.
Additional costs/optional extras: Please note that not all meals are provided for on this tour, however the tour will always stop at a convenient place for your to purchase a meal not listed as part of the tour’s cost. On this particular tour the national park entry fee is approximately $25.00 per person into Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park.
Also see tour packages in:
Australia and Oceania
Australia
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Bicycle Touring
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