Outback Adventures
Pitjantjatjara Lands
9 days
Expedition to Pitjantjatjara Lands
Duration: 9 days Alice Springs - Adelaide
2003 Departures:
26 July - 03 August
Incredible journey through the lands and culture of the Pitjantjatjara people. Aboriginal guides take us on this extraordinary and unique odyssey.
Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands occupy the top NW corner of South Australia. The Lands are approximately 450kms east-west and 250 kilometres north south.
In the south are the dunefields of the Great Victoria Desert. In the east rise the Everard Ranges, extraordinary exposed granite monoliths with extensive rock art galleries. In the central area are the Musgrave Ranges, massifs of granite and gneiss, the highest peak being Mount Woodruffe, at 4,700 feet the highest peak in Australia west of the Great Divide. Further west are the Mann Ranges, and on the W.A. border the Tomkinson Ranges. The area is criss-crossed with river systems full of river red gums. The area contains arguably the most beautiful landscapes in Australia.
The main settlement is at Pukatja, the site of the old Ernabella Mission. Other large settlements are at Amata, Kaltjiti (Fregon), Mimili, Indulkana, Pipalyatjara, Kalka and Umuwa. As well as these settlements, Anangu have many homeland outstations, where traditional owners live in small communities in remote areas.
Our expedition concerns itself with visiting these remote areas, and gaining an understanding of the Anangu concept of "land". We will enter the Lands at Wingellina on the Western Australian Border. From there we will travel through the Mann, Musgrave and Everard Ranges. We camp and four wheel drive, sometimes on main dirt roads, other times on little used tracks. The Anangu will show us how to collect bush foods, like witchetty grubs and honey ants. We will see some extraordinary landscapes, mountains, valleys, gorges, waterholes and plains. We will visit rock art sites, and our Anangu hosts will interpret them. In the Everard Ranges there are some wonderful dreaming trails amongst areas of the most extraordinary beauty. Whilst it cannot be organised in advance, we may even be fortunate enough to see a traditional Inma or corroboree. These things are spontaneous, and are certainly not like the tourist pap put on in cities and towns.
There are some wonderful art centres on the Lands, each area having their own unique style. There is also the opportunity to meet the artists and purchase works, ranging from small wooden artefacts, to very impressive paintings, Emu down bowls and other objects and artefacts. There are some stunning lino prints and cloth prints, dot paintings and lithos.
Permits for Entry onto Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands are not just rubber stamps. The permit system is in place to ensure the Anangu retain cultural integrity, and that their law is upheld. You will therefore be entering into a contract. Under no circumstance may alcohol be brought onto the Lands. No photographs of any Anangu person may be taken without their express permission, and you may only go where Anangu people direct you. These requirements aside, the hospitality of the people is exceptional, and travelling with a man as respected as Peter Nyaningu is a great privilege. If you have an interest in learning more about Aboriginal culture and issues, and have a love for wild, remote and beautiful places in Australia, then this tour is not to be missed.
Pricing
$ 2,500 / person all inclusive
Tour price includes transportation ex Alice Springs, guides, meals lunch day 1 to lunch day 9, entry fees permits.
Itinerary
Day 1
We depart Alice Springs and travel south to Uluru and Kata Tjutu and then on to camp at Lasseters Cave near Docker River.
Day 2
From Docker River we cross into Western Australia and visit Giles Meteorological Station and then head south to Wingellina to meet Peter Nyaningu.
Day 3
We travel through the lands, camping in the Mann Ranges.
Day 4
On to Peter's Homeland Ngaratjara at the foot of Mt. Woodruffe.
Day 5
We spend the day at Ngaratjara.
Day 6
We visit the art centres of Ernabella and Freegon and on to camp at Mimili.
Day 7
We spend the day visiting dreaming sites in the Everard Ranges and camp at Victory Well.
Day 8
We visit Indulkana Art centre and exit the lands, travelling via Coober Pedy to camp.
Day 9
South via Woomera and Port Augusta, we arrive in Adelaide early evening.
