Outback Trailblazer

Theme: Spirit of the Pioneers
Proposed Mass – St Joseph’s Chapel with Archbishop Patrick O’Regan

• This morning we will visit the Mary MacKillop Precinct to celebrate the life of Australia’s first saint. The Archbishop of Adelaide will welcome the group with a special Mass in St Joseph’s Chapel, Mary’s much-loved place of personal prayer. Visit the Mary MacKillop Museum and also St Mary’s College Convent on West Terrace to pray in the Chapel where St Mary was excommunicated.
• Travel north via the towns of Mintaro and Polish Hill River to the Sevenhill Winery and Centre of Ignatian Spirituality in the Clare Valley. This idyllic centre is the birthplace of the Jesuits in Australia, the oldest winery in South Australia’s Clare Valley and the mission centre from which 34 churches in the region were founded.
• Travel via Cradock where we will view St Gabriel’s Church, built in 1883.
• Continue on to Wilpena Pound at the base of a remarkable bowl-shaped natural amphitheater in the heart of the northern Flinders Ranges.

Wilpena Pound Resort Overnight (BD)

Theme: Wonder of Creation
Proposed Mass: Outdoor Mass

• Choose from varying levels of spectacular bush walks today, including the Old Homestead and Wangarra Lookout walk, Arkaroo Rock, Brachina Gorge and the Cazneaux Tree being one of the most photographed trees in Australia.
• Remainder of day at leisure to relax and enjoy our unique surroundings.
• Enjoy a sunset walk with the kangaroos amongst the ancient Red River gums before dinner.

Wilpena Pound Resort Overnight (BD)

Theme: Abundance of Blessings
Proposed Mass – Vigil Mass – All Saints Parish, Port Augusta

• Depart for Port Augusta via the historic outback railway town of Quorn to browse the shops and maybe enjoy an afternoon tea in one of the quirky cafes.  
• Arrive into Port Augusta on the Spencer Gulf where the Outback meets the ocean. Check into our hotel after a panoramic tour of the port city.

Port Augusta Overnight (BD) 

Theme: Grace Through Trials
Proposed Mass: Woomera Community Church

• Set out early this morning along the Stuart Highway into the heart of the South Australian outback to the township of Woomera, renowned for its involvement in the 1960’s weapons testing programme.
• Continue on to the underground opal town of Coober Pedy for a fascinating 2 night stay.

Coober Pedy Overnight (BD)

Theme: Food for the Journey
Proposed Mass – underground St Peter & St Paul Catholic Church Coober Pedy

• This morning tour the famous underground dugouts and opal mines.
• Try your luck at noodling for opal in the towns mullock piles.
• Remainder of the day at leisure.

Coober Pedy overnight (BD)

Theme: Wonder of Creation
Proposed Mass – Planned Outdoor Mass

• Travel north and cross into the Northern Territory
• Stop at the Erldunda Roadhouse, “the Centre of the Centre”, where we will be able to have lunch, visit the kangaroo farm and emu enclosure.
• Outdoor Mass at Kings Canyon with sunset viewing

Kings Canyon Overnight (BD)

Theme: God’s Provision
Proposed Mass: Outdoor Mass

• This morning you may wish to walk the Kings Canyon hike – a gentle 2.6 kilometre walk that follows a trail between the two soaring canyon walls. As you arrive at the lookout point, you will be welcomed by spectacular views of the sheer cliff face at the far end of the canyon. The more athletic may want to explore the iconic Kings Canyon Rim Walk – a six-kilometre circuit that will take you down into the Garden of Eden, a beautiful rockhole surrounded by rare plants, before ascending to 360 degree panoramic views over the red sand dunes.
• Visit Curtin Springs Station – a working cattle station – where you will learn about the legacy of the Severin family and their outback heritage. Relax and enjoy a true Aussie-style barbecue lunch

• Visit the Karrke Indigenous Experience for a one-of-a-kind authen­tic Abo­rig­i­nal cul­tur­al expe­ri­ence. The tour is a short walk and talk on areas of impor­tance in local cul­tur­al knowl­edge on bush tuck­er and bush med­i­cines, as used by the Lurit­ja and Per­tame (South­ern Aran­da) people.

• Arrive at Uluru for dinner

  Uluru Overnight (BLD)

Theme: Awe & Gratitude
Proposed Mass – Yulara Community Shed / Kata Tjuta Outdoor Mass

• Guided walk around the base of Uluru (Mala Walk)
• Visit Kata Tjuta National Park (also known as the Olgas) recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Area for both its natural and cultural values. to experience the Olgas as you walk through the Walpa Gorge, a natural creek bed that carves its way between the two tallest domes of Kata Tjuta.
• Celebrate an outdoor Mass in Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)
• Remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
• Sounds of Silence dinner experience – an evening of dining under the sparkling outback sky.

Uluru Overnight (BD)

Theme: Gratitude & Peace
Proposed Mass: Mass at the Yulara Communty Shed

• Depart Uluru Airport (B)