There’s far more to Australia’s outback than its wild beauty, as you’ll soon discover on this driving tour from Alice Springs to the Ross River Resort. As you cruise beside the Todd and the Ross rivers in the shadow of the East MacDonnell (or ‘East Mac’) mountain ranges, I’ll bring aboriginal creation stories, local legends and the history of Arltunga’s gold rush era to life.

Along the way, you’ll hear about Corroboree Rock, a sacred aboriginal meeting place, and Ross River’s mysterious black horses, which locals call ‘the Three Amigos’. I’ll tell you about the great creation battle between giant stink bugs and caterpillars which, legend has it, shaped the stunning landscape you’ll drive past. I’ll also point out a few great spots where you can get out and stretch your legs on short hiking trails.

On this Outback tour, you’ll also have a chance to:
• Take a short stroll around Emily Gap to see stunning rock art depicting the caterpillars that feature in the aboriginal creation story
• Explore Jesse Gap and its brilliant photo ops
• Enjoy a short bush walk around Corroboree Rock, a sacred site filled with amazing geology
• Hear about local whip-cracking legend, Alec Ross, who experienced the bombing of Darwin in WW2
• Find out about the Arltunga Gold Rush that brought thousands of hopeful miners to the area in search of their fortune
• Experience Ross River Resort, known locally as the ’Oasis in the Desert,’ with its restaurant of Outback proportions

Having been a tour guide in Central Australia for over 15 years, I can’t wait to share all these quirky and interesting East Mac nuggets with you, so please join me for an adventurous and fact-filled day. Allow four hours for this driving tour, which includes lingering at several stops along the way. Morning tea and lunch can be purchased at the Ross River Resort at the end of the drive.