Mt. Conner, the third of the great monoliths, is 100 kilometers east of Uluru and on the western fringe of the vast cattle station, Curtin Springs. As the tour follows the station’s 4WD tracks discover vast salt lakes that are remnants of ancient inland oceans, examine fossilized remains of the oldest life forms on earth, and best of all, experience Australia’s rugged outback. Circling Mt Connor, you’ll be surprised to find a hidden side with a series of rugged gorges, a perfect haven for small populations of Red Kangaroos and Rock Wallabies.

Because of the dams built for watering cattle, wildlife is more prevalent here than in the desert. The 4WD grinds and bounces its way to a high lookout giving view over the vast, arid desert on into South Australia. Before the sunsets we reach the ruins of the first homestead. A hole in the sand hills and a pile of sandstone chimney blocks are all that remain, in what seems like the loneliest place in the world. With the imposing Mt Conner changing colour in the background and a rusty windmill churning quietly, we toast the sunset with complimentary champagne and wonder how lonely yet splendid, it would have been to live in such a place. Then in the gathering night drive to Curtin Springs, where in the kitchen built from parts of the old homestead, enjoy a three-course dinner prepared by the station cook before returning to Ayers Rock Resort.

• 7 hour 4WD expert guided tour around Mt Conner via Curtin Springs
• An opportunity to see native animals in the wild, experience outback Australia
• Vehicle based tour including stops at salt lakes, fossil site, lookout and ruins
• Includes champagne sunset and dinner at the homestead
• Tour departs from all Ayers Rock Resort accommodation

• Drinks during dinner

• Walking shoes, water, sunscreen, hat

The philosophy of Discovery Ecotours Australia has been to provide a quality natural and cultural tourism experience for international and domestic visitors. A feature and market differentiator of the company has been its qualified and enthusiastic guides. The very name of the company and the effort put in to recruit environmentally educated staff, means that it is inherent in the company’s nature to do all it can to promote the cultural, ecological and heritage of the areas in which we operate. Especially considering nearly all of Discovery Ecotours Australia tours involve experiencing National Parks and World Heritage areas.

The largest part of Discovery Ecotours Australia’s operation is a range of unique full day and half day vehicle based tours from Ayers Rock Resort in the Red Centre of the Northern Territory. Visitors travel from the Resort and experience the secrets and wonders of the Australian desert, the majesty and cultural significance of Kata Tjuta and Uluru, and gain an appreciation of the history and heritage of the region.