Day One: Melbourne - Coober Pedy (Opal fields)
After depart Melbourne at 8.00am we fly 4 hours via Leigh Creek and land at Muloorina Station on the edge of Lake Eyre. This is a 2000 square mile outback property and we have a short tour around the station before an early lunch with the owners. Leaving at about 2.30pm we fly over the 180 kilometres along Lake Eyre before landing at Coober Pedy at about 3.30pm. We are transported to Outback Experience Underground Motel and after checking in we have a brief town tour. This is Australia’s most famous Opal mining town where many people live underground to escape the heat. We see opal cutting, other underground homes, the church and restaurants etc. Dinner is underground at our motel. Accommodation: The Coober Pedy Outback Experience Motel (underground ensuite rooms – twin share).

Day Two: Coober Pedy - Yulara (Ayers Rock)
After breakfast we depart Coober Pedy at about 8.30am for a 2 hour flight to Ayers Rock. As we arrive, we take a scenic flight over the Olgas before landing at Yulara (25 kilometres from the Rock). Taking a picnic lunch, we drive out to the Olga's, tour the base and enjoy a climb, such as the walk through the Valley of the Winds and maybe the Kata Tjuta Lookout or Olga Gorge. After a picnic lunch, we head back to Ayers Rock for a tour of the base (with Aboriginal paintings, caves, rock pools, etc.). Sunset viewing and drinks at the Rock is a must and so we arrive back at the motel just after dark. While it is possible to climb the rock (very tough climb) it is not encouraged now, due to the local aboriginal wishes. Dinner this night is in the motel licensed restaurant. Accommodation: The Outback Pioneer Motel - air-conditioned twin share rooms.

Day Three: Ayers Rock - Kings Canyon
View the sunrise if up early. After breakfast we check out and have a short visit to the Information/Cultural centre before departing for a 40 minute flight to Kings Creek Station. This is a working Camel station and tourist complex. Accommodation is in twin share tents with proper beds and eating is outback style in open-air areas. After an early lunch we drive 25 minutes to the actual Kings Canyon along the edge of the Giles Range. Here we take a 3 hour climb through the canyon. This is a mighty cleft with sheer walls over 200 metres high amidst an oasis of palms and rock pools. The first 20 minutes is up a ridge but has the aid of rock steps. This is probably the toughest bit but not hard in comparison to Ayers Rock and if you take your time is well worth it. Once on the top we climb around for about 2 hours before descending on the other side back to the vehicle. After the walk we return to the Station for a barbecue dinner. They often have some form of activity on during the night-videos of the camel farm or a bush tucker night etc. Accommodation: Kings Creek Station - (twin share tents with beds and shared bathroom facilities).

Day Four: Kings Creek Station - Alice Springs
An earlier morning start today. After breakfast, we take off at 8.00am for a 45 minutes flight over Gosse’s Bluff - a meteorite crater before landing at the famous outback town of Alice Springs. We drive into town in our mini bus (about 20 minutes), book into our motel and then head off for a tour of the beautiful MacDonnell Ranges, visiting Simpson's Gap, Standley Chasm and Ellery Gorge returning to Alice Springs late afternoon. The walks here are all relatively easy. Once again we have a picnic lunch on the way. The walks are basically all along sandy river beds and some rock creek beds and paths. The maximum walk is 1½ hours return (Standley Chasm). Sunset viewing is normally very good from Anzac Hill just at the base of the town. We have pre dinner drinks at our motels villas, then take a 3 minute drive into town to eat at the Blue Grass restaurant. Accommodation: Desert Palms Motel or similar - (twin share villas with ensuite and balconies).

Day Five: Alice Springs - Birdsville
We have a cooked breakfast on our balconies with a relaxing start to the day and then at about 9.30am we check out and drive 15 minutes to view the original Telegraph Station. Returning to town there is about an hour to wander the shops of the mall in Alice Springs before we head out to the airport. Departing for Birdsville at about midday we have lunch in the air during this 2 hour flight over the Simpson desert. Arriving at 2.30pm we walk one minute to the hotel and check into our rooms. A tour of the Birdsville Working museum is planned to view the fabulous collection of historical memorabilia before a short walk back to the hotel for drinks or a wander around this small town before sunset and dinner. Accommodation: Birdsville Hotel/Motel- (twin share rooms).

Day Six: Birdsville - Innamincka - Melbourne
Leaving Birdsville at 8.30am after a hearty cooked breakfast in the hotel, we fly an hour to Innamincka. This is a remote town on the Cooper Creek near where the famous Burke and Wills expedition perished. Enjoy a scenic cruise down Cooper Creek before enjoying a sandwich lunch at the local hotel. After lunch, tour the restored Inland Mission bush nursing site before departing for Melbourne at about 2.30pm. It is about 4½ hours flying via Broken Hill for refuelling. If time permits while refuelling, a brief visit of the Royal Flying Doctor Service at the Broken Hill airport can be accommodated. Then we fly 2½ hrs to Melbourne arriving around 7.30 - 8.00pm.