From the Red Centre to the Top End: Remote Health Care in the Northern Territory

From the Red Centre to the Top End, experience 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 itinerary looks at remote and rural healthcare in the Northern Territory.

There is a wide range of enlightening, high calibre professional visits throughout the tour, organised with local health care professionals. They provide both an overview and an in-depth look covering cultural issues and remote care. Through the meetings, talks and time spent with fellow professionals on the ground, gain real insight into the unique features and challenges of providing medical care in the Northern Territory.

Starting at spectacular Uluru, continue to Alice Springs, explore the historic town and learn about the work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and outback medicine, and visit Purple House.

Board the Ghan for a magnificent 24-hour journey – a true 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 and learn of its fascinating and dramatic history with a medical focus. Enjoy a sunset dinner at the Mindil Markets and visit beautiful Litchfield National Park with the option of a dip.

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Price (sharing a room)

per person

Price (room to yourself)

per person

Reference:

AUS0926-1

At a glance

What you need to know

Type of tour

Professional

Profession

Medicine

Nights

Countries

Tour grade

Moderate

Remaining places

Dates and places

Itinerary at a glance

Uluru

Thursday

September

Arrive in Uluru and transfer to the Desert Gardens Hotel. (You may also fly to Alice Springs the day before, from where we will organise a free bus transfer to Uluru. Please contact us for details.) Meet your tour leader and option to visit the Gallery of Central Australia. Enjoy a sunset dinner at the Field of Light. Return to the Desert Gardens Hotel and at leisure.

Uluru

Friday

September

Drive into the desert for a sunrise viewing of Uluru and light breakfast. Take a guided walking tour examining Aboriginal rock art, desert flora, wildlife and the history of this sacred site. Return to Uluru for lunch and at leisure. Enjoy a sunset barbeque in the evening.

Uluru / Alice Springs

Saturday

September

Visit beautiful Kata Tjuta, also known as the Olgas, a group of large domed rock formations or bornhardts, and see the Walpa Gorge. Drive to Alice Springs via Mount Connor and the popular Elrdunda Roadhouse in the ‘centre of the Centre.’ Check in to the Hilton Hotel and have dinner at Hanuman restaurant.

Alice Springs

Sunday

September

Talk: TB and BCG vaccination in indigenous communities by Dr Jo Grey. Visit the Olive Pink Botanical Gardens. Continue via Simpsons Gap to the West MacDonnell Ranges and take part in a guided walk learning of the geology of the region. Visit Standley Chasm and Ellerey Creek, where there is the option to swim. Return mid-afternoon and at leisure.

Alice Springs / The Ghan

Monday

September

Visit Purple House, an innovative Indigenous-owned and run health service providing mobile dialysis units and remote clinics. Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service museum and learn of the provision of remote medical care. Visit the Alice Telegraph Station and the School of the Air. Board the Ghan and transfer to your compartment. Enjoy modern Australian cuisine with regional fine wines.

The Ghan / Darwin

Tuesday

September

Enjoypristine wilderness from the water with a cruise along dramatic Nitmiluk Gorge. Learn of the ancient Indigenous rock paintings and gain insight into the culture of the traditional owners of Nitmiluk, the Jawoyn people. Reboard the Ghan for lunch. Talk: ⁠Hepatitis A - a success story in community vaccination by Dr Jo Grey. Enjoy afternoon tea on the train, arriving in Darwin in the evening.

Darwin

Wednesday

September

Drive to Litchfield National Park to see the magnetic termite mounds and stop at beautiful Wangi Falls and Florence Falls, with the option to have a dip in the crystal-clear waters surrounded by lush vegetation. Return late afternoon and at leisure.

Darwin

Thursday

September

Visit Headspace, a charity providing mental and physical health and educational and social support to young people. Explore the history of Darwin on a bus tour. Tour of Parliament House, an elegant example of tropical architecture. Visit Danila Dilba Health Service, which provides innovative comprehensive primary health care programs & community services. Sunset and dinner at Mindil Markets.

Darwin

Friday

September

Depart hotel after breakfast.

What to expect

Tour highlights

Indigenous culture

Nitmiluk Gorge

Learn of ancient Indigenous rock paintings and cultures on a Nitmiluk Gorge cruise (Photo credit Tourism NT Steve Strike)

Purple House

Alice Springs

Visit Purple House, an innovative Indigenous-owned and run health service providing mobile dialysis units and remote clinics from its base in Alice Springs. Learn about their important work.