Experience Australia its most remote, historic and starkly beautiful in this tour to the Red Centre. Encompassing vast Indigenous heartlands, dramatic landscapes and fascinating history from ancient to pioneer to the modern day, this itinerary looks at both traditional and contemporary approaches to palliative and end-of-life care in the company of Shyla Mills, CEO at Palliative Care Queensland.
Starting in Alice Springs travel deep into the Red Centre with an experienced local guide. Go stargazing at pristine night skies at the Earth Sanctuary, explore the historic town of Alice Springs and learn about the inspiring work of the Indigenous-owned and run Purple House, which provides mobile dialysis units in the most remote parts of Australia. Visit the striking new Alice Hospice, designed in collaboration with the Indigenous community, and meet the palliative care team to learn about community care. Meet with Dr Sam Heard, a GP and medical director of the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress. Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service to learn about their work.
As you explore the region, learn about its ancient culture and walk through some breathtaking outback scenery. Visit spectacular Kata Tjuta and see Mt Conner and the Valley of the Winds. See Uluru in the early morning on a walk and at sunset. Stay at the at 5-star Sails in the Desert, have breakfast in the outback and marvel at the Field of Light as the sun goes down behind Uluru.
This tour is eligible for CPD. Partners are very welcome.
Shyla Mills is the CEO at Palliative Care Queensland (PCQ) a leading charity and peak body in Australia and a member of the Flinders University research centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying. She holds a Master of Public Health and Palliative Care and has a special interest in palliative care strategy and policy, public health palliative care as well as death and compassion literacy. Shyla has worked in palliative care across different settings including paediatrics, community and aged care throughout Australia, as well as internationally in India, Nepal, Mongolia and the UK. Prior to moving to Queensland, Shyla was a National Program Manager at Palliative Care Australia. Shyla is board member for the international charity Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom for over 10 years and was the former vice president of Palliative Care Nurses Australia.
Inspired by international models of palliative care, Shyla has successfully led the introduction of several new community engagement programs at PCQ including Ambulance Wish Queensland (which when launched in 2019 reached over 155 million people online) and public education programs, Last Aid and PalliLearn. Shyla says her ambulance wish would be to watch one last sunset at the beach, with a glass of red wine surrounded by her two sons, husband, dog and friends.
The ground cost of the tour is $3,285 per person sharing