Red Centre Journey Tour: Aboriginal Rock Carvings

The rock carvings at Ewaninga were made by the Arrernte people centuries ago and still cover the boulders today.

The Red Centre Journey Tour is a morning tour from Alice Springs that visits four landmarks across Central Australia: Ewaninga Aboriginal Rock Carvings, Ooraminna Station Homestead, the Old Ghan Museum and Red Dune Desert Lookout. The tour includes an experienced English-speaking guide, air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off, and morning tea at the Wild Horse Bar. You'll need to purchase an NT Parks Pass before the tour date and bring a copy (digital accepted).

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Central Australia highlights

• Visit Ewaninga Aboriginal Rock Carvings
• Morning tea at Wild Horse Bar, Ooraminna Station
• Explore Drover’s Boy Film Set
• Tour Old Ghan Museum
• Enjoy views at Red Dune Desert Lookout

The experience

Four hours and three stops take you through the outback landscape that shaped Central Australia. The tour opens at Ewaninga, where you explore petroglyphs (rock engravings made by early Arrernte people) carved into boulders across the site. From there you move to Ooraminna Station Homestead, an authentic outback property where morning tea at the Wild Horse Bar gives you a real sense of station life, then walk through the Drover's Boy Film Set, the rugged landscape used in classic Australian cinema. The pace is built for comfort: about 45 minutes of the tour is travel time between sites, leaving the rest for looking and learning.

The Old Ghan Museum holds the history of the Old Ghan Train and the pioneers who built Central Australia, then the tour ends at Red Dune Desert Lookout with panoramic views across the desert toward the distant MacDonnell Ranges. Your guide is experienced and speaks English throughout. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and pickup and drop-off happen at your accommodation, so you don't arrange separate transport.

What’s included

• Entry to Ewaninga Aboriginal Rock Carvings, Ooraminna Station Homestead, the Old Ghan Museum and Red Dune Desert Lookout.
• experienced guide in English.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• morning tea at the Wild Horse Bar.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Friday and SaturdayDeparts at 07:45

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (2 to 15 years)

GroupUp to 21 · max 6 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 22 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Emu Run Experience

Is this one for you?Small groups keep the pace relaxed and the guide's attention personal, making this tour work well for families with children from age two and for anyone who prefers a morning outing over a full-day commitment.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 15 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the Ewaninga rock carvings and who made them?

Ewaninga holds petroglyphs, rock engravings carved into boulders, made by early Arrernte people, the traditional owners of Central Australia. The carvings remain visible on the site today and are the first stop on the tour.

What happens at Ooraminna Station Homestead?

Ooraminna Station Homestead is an authentic outback property where you experience station life firsthand. Morning tea is served at the Wild Horse Bar, and you walk through the Drover's Boy Film Set, the landscape used in classic Australian films.

How much of the tour is spent traveling between sites?

Approximately 45 minutes of the four-hour tour is allocated to travel from pickup through all the sites until drop-off at your accommodation. The remaining time is spent at each location.

Do I need to arrange anything before booking this tour?

You'll need to purchase an NT Parks Pass before your tour date and bring a copy with you: a digital copy on your phone is accepted. The pass is not included in the tour price.

What's included in the tour price?

Entry fees to all attractions, an experienced English-speaking guide, air-conditioned vehicle transport, morning tea at the Wild Horse Bar, and pickup and drop-off at your accommodation are all included.