From the Red Centre to the Top End: A Dental Study Tour Via The Ghan
About the tour
From the Red Centre to the Top End, this tour encompasses Australia at its most remote, historic and starkly beautiful. Encompassing vast Indigenous heartlands, dramatic landscapes and fascinating history from ancient to pioneer to the modern day, the tour is led by experienced tour leader and well-known Sydney based orthodontist, Dr Derek Mahony. The tour includes a range of professional visits and talks (CPD applied for).
Starting in Alice Springs, visit the striking MacDonnell Ranges, explore the historic town and learn about the work of the Royal Flying Doctor remote oral health service. Visit the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Dental Clinic to hear about remote oral practice in the Top End. Board the Ghan for a magnificent 24-hour journey – a top bucket list experience. In Katherine, explore unspoiled wilderness on a cruise along Nitmiluk Gorge and learn about Indigenous culture. Arrive in Darwin and explore the city through guided visits and learn of its history. Visit the Botanical Gardens and a dental practice, take a sunset cruise for dinner, visit beautiful Litchfield National Park and see the jumping crocodiles on a cruise along the Adelaide River.
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Your tour leader
Dr. Derek Mahony
Derek Mahony is a Sydney based orthodontist who has spoken to thousands of practitioners about the benefits of interceptive orthodontic treatment. Early in his career Dr Mahony learned from leading clinicians the dramatic effect functional appliance therapy can afford patients in orthodontic treatment. He has been combining the fixed and functional appliance approach ever since. His lectures are based on the positive impact such a combined treatment approach has had on his orthodontic results and the benefits this philosophy provides in reducing extractions of teeth. After completing his Dental Degree at the University of Sydney Dr Mahony completed his Masters degree in orthodontics at the Eastman Dental Hospital, Institute of Dental Surgery, London, followed by a diploma in orthodontics at the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh. Dr. Mahony has also passed the Royal College of Dentists in Canada post graduate examination in the field of orthodontics.
Need more information?
- Tel: (Toll Free) 1-8777-398-764
- Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
Itinerary at a glance
- Day 1: Alice Springs (Tues, 27 July)
Arrive Alice and check into the hotel. Welcome dinner. - Day 2: Alice Springs (Wed, 28 July)
Drive out to the MacDonnell Ranges. Stop off at Simpsons Gap and take part in a guided walk learning of the geology of the region. Continue to Standley Chasm and take part in a relaxed walk to the Chasm. Enjoy morning tea on the café veranda. Continue to the ochre pits and hear about the local Indigenous groups and the ochre trade.Enjoy a buffet lunch before walking to Ormiston Gorge with the option of a quick dip. Drive to Ellery Creek Waterhole. Arrive back in Alice Springs in time for a spectacular outback sunset from Anzac Hill. - Day 3: The Ghan / Alice Springs (Thurs, 29 July)
Visit Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Dental Clinic and meet with Dr Alayne White, who will talk about her work and contrast it with working in NSW. Take part in Zoom meeting with Dr Simon Wooley, who works in the APY Lands of South Australia, before a Q&A and tour of the clinic. Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service and learn of their history and the provision of oral health care to outback Australia. Visit the Alice Telegraph Station. Transfer to the train for evening departure. Board The Ghan and transfer to your compartment. Enjoy modern Australian cuisine with regional fine wines onboard. Socialise with your fellow traveller before retiring to your comfortable private cabin for the night. - Day 4: The Ghan / Darwin (Fri, 30 July)
Visit the pristine wilderness of Katherine and explore it from the water with a cruise along dramatic Nitmiluk Gorge. Learn about ancient Indigenous rock paintings and gain insight into the culture of the traditional owners of Nitmiluk, the Jawoyn people. Have lunch onboard. Take part in a private meeting as the train makes its way through lush, green tropics to arrive at the terminal in Darwin in the early evening. Arrive Darwin and transfer to the hotel. - Day 5: Darwin (Sat, 31 July)
Take a tour with a specialist guide visiting Darwin Botanical Gardens. Follow in the footsteps of pioneers, hear about history including the World War II bombings and Cyclone Tracy through to the current day. See many of the surviving buildings such as the old Court House and the police station and the old Palmerston Town Hall ruins. See hidden treasures including public artwork, architecture, historic buildings and the memorials to squadrons, corps and units that were stationed in Darwin during WWII, including Z-Force. Visit a dental practice in Darwin to learn about dentistry in the Top End or at leisure. In the evening take part in a sunset dinner cruise across Darwin Harbour. - Day 6: Darwin (Sun, 1 Aug)
Drive out to Litchfield National Park and explore some of the dramatic sites and falls. Drive to Adelaide River. Board a cruise. Hear of the floodplain ecosystem, the history, wildlife and some 40,000 years of human interaction with this stunning environment. Witness the power of the mighty Australian Estuarine (Saltwater) Crocodile as they jump out of the water to feed. Return to Darwin and freshen up at the hotel. Visit Mindil Markets and enjoy a farewell dinner and drinks. - Day 7: Darwin (Mon, 2 Aug)
Depart Darwin after breakfast.
NB: All oral medical visits are subject to Covid guidelines.
Tour cost
The ground cost of the tour is $4,580 per person sharing.