Emu Run Red Centre Journey Tour

Map View Full Details Reviews

A relaxed morning tour south of Alice Springs, taking in the ancient Ewaninga Aboriginal Rock Carvings, Ooraminna Station Homestead and the Drover's Boy film set, the Old Ghan Museum and the Red Dune Desert Lookout.

Days

About 4 hours, morning

Age

All ages

Group size

Max 21

Start / finish

Alice Springs / Alice Springs
Alice Springs, around midday

Return

Alice Springs, around midday

Transport

Air-conditioned vehicle with accommodation pick-up and drop-off in Alice Springs

Meals

Morning tea

Route

View map

Included experiences

Ewaninga Rock Carvings — Arrernte petroglyphs
Ooraminna Station Homestead — working cattle station and morning tea
The Drover's Boy film set — outback saloon
Red Sandy Dune — desert views and red sand
Old Ghan Museum — history of the Ghan train

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: THE OLD SOUTH ROAD

Your guide collects you from your Alice Springs accommodation from 7:45am and heads south on the Old South Road, a quieter dirt road out of town. On the way you hear about the Finke River, which some geologists believe has followed much the same course for hundreds of millions of years, making it one of the oldest rivers in the world. Your guide also tells the story of the Overland Telegraph Line, finished in 1872, which carried messages across this country between Adelaide and Darwin, and of the old Finke settlements further south.

MORNING: THE EWANINGA ROCK CARVINGS

The first stop is Napwerte, the Ewaninga Rock Carvings Conservation Reserve. Here early Arrernte people pecked symbols into low sandstone outcrops beside a claypan: circles, lines and animal tracks, thought to be thousands of years old. Arrernte custodians still hold their meaning, and much of it is not shared with outsiders, so your guide explains what can be told. A short, flat walk loops past the main rocks. Look closely in the low morning light, when the shadows make the carvings easier to see.

MID-MORNING: OORAMINNA STATION HOMESTEAD

Next is Ooraminna Station Homestead, a working cattle station where the outback way of life carries on much as it has for generations. The station is also home to an outback film set, complete with its own saloon, which appeared in the film The Drover's Boy. Morning tea is served on the deck of the homestead, with nothing but bush, red earth and birdsong around you. It's a good moment to ask your guide about life on a station this far from town.

LATE MORNING: THE RED DUNE AND THE OLD GHAN MUSEUM

From the Red Dune Desert Lookout you look out over deep red sand to the distant MacDonnell Ranges. The colour comes from a thin coating of iron oxide on each grain. Back towards town, the Old Ghan Museum tells the story of the railway that reached Alice Springs in 1929. It was named after the Afghan cameleers who carried supplies through the Centre before the line came, and the old narrow-gauge track closed in 1980 when a new line was built further west. You're back at your accommodation at about midday.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from outside your Alice Springs accommodation from 7:45am.
Finishes: Back at your accommodation at about midday.
Fitness: All activities are considered very safe for all age groups and do not need a high level of fitness or agility.
Please note: The tour needs a minimum of 4 guests to run.

What to bring

Proof of booking (the emailed version is fine)
Water bottle (at least 1 litre)
Strong, non-slip walking shoes
Hat (wide-brimmed is best)
Fly net in summer
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Camera
Casual, comfortable clothing (cool and light in summer, warm in winter)
Cash for souvenirs

What is included

Guide
Accommodation pick-up and drop-off
Morning tea
Air-conditioned transport
Attraction entry fees

Not included

$10 national park fee, to be booked online before the tour

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

“A leisurely guide through Red Centre history”

A really good morning visiting interesting places with Bluey, a very knowledgeable guide. Unrushed, with fantastic views, and the sites are close together so there's little driving.

Venture604322 Verified· Travelled 1st August 2025

Read original ↗