After breakfast, we begin our journey out to Memory Mountain and stop at Standley Chasm, known traditionally as Angkerle Atwatye, meaning “Gap of Water”. Standley Chasm is a 3-metre-wide, 80-metre-high gorge. The walking trail to the Chasm and those in its surrounds offer chance encounters with a variety of inhabitants, including diverse bird species, lizards, wallabies, as well as native flowering plants and ancient cycad palms.

Visit Ormiston Gorge one of the most popular and photographed places in the Red Centre, where we will enjoy a picnic lunch and opportunity to swim in the waterhole.

Travel on to Haasts Bluff for our three-night stay with the local community.

Begin the Easter Triduum with our unique and special celebration of the Mass of the Last Supper in this unique outback setting.

Haasts Bluff overnight (BD)

Our stay in the Haasts Bluff community will include a visit to the Ikuntji Artists Centre where many indigenous artists are becoming world-renowned for their inspired artwork and handicrafts. You will have the opportunity to purchase authentic arts and crafts if you wish.

Meet some of the locals and learn something of their local traditions and practices. Aboriginal cultural activities include kangaroo tail cooking, bead making and boomerang carving.

Travel out this afternoon to Memory Mountain where the 20-metre Forgiveness Cross stands atop a sacred mountain where faith, culture and social enterprise combine to draw the faithful to a deep encounter with God and nature. Prepare for a unique immersion experience combining pilgrim-trek, prayer, song and Aboriginal culture gathered around this amazing new Australian icon of unity and hope. In this unique setting, we will mark the significance of the Cross with our Good Friday liturgy.

We watch the sun set over the Cross and the changing colours of the night-sky, as we share an outdoor meal under an ocean of stars. Then join with the local indigenous community with a sing-along by campfire well into the evening before returning by coach to Haasts Bluff for our well-earned rest.

Haasts Bluff overnight (BLD)

This morning encounter story telling with the local elders of the Ikuntji people. Afterwards enjoy some time at leisure to rest and recuperate and prepare for our afternoon walk.

This afternoon we will be led on a guided pilgrimage walk to the summit and Cross at Memory Mountain where will have the opportunity in the open-air space to celebrate the Easter Vigil. Surrounded by the spectacular horizon of the red heart of Australia, this is a chance to encounter the Great South Land of the Holy Spirit in a way like never before. Return to Haasts Bluff for dinner.

Haasts Bluff overnight (BLD)

“He is not here; he has risen!” Luke 24:5

Awake on Easter morning to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus and the victory of Christ’s sacrifice in this special place in the shadow of The Forgiveness Cross. For the adventurous, there will be a guided sunrise pilgrimage walk to the summit and Cross at Memory Mountain.

Return to Haasts Bluff for breakfast and then prepare to leave for our departure back to Alice Springs.

Enjoy an afternoon of leisure and then meet as a group before our final dinner to debrief and discuss our experience.

Alice Springs overnight (BD)

After breakfast depart for Alice Springs Airport to join our homebound flights.

(B)