If you or your vehicle aren't ready for this year's full-on Classic Outback Trial in August, then why not 'tagalong'?
The Classic Outback Trial Tagalong Tour will commence on the morning of Monday 20th and finish with the Classic Outback Tour (COT) Gala Presentation on the evening of Saturday 25 August, with optional involvement on Friday, Saturday and Sunday 17th, 18th and 19th August.
The Tour will be for participants in four-wheel drive and Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) and will, in part, pass through private property over special stages used in the COT. The maximum speed permitted on private property will be 80km/h.
All vehicles are to be fitted with RallySafe equipment, allowing tracking to be carried out by the COT central control in Alice Springs, and a medical service, if required, will be provided by the COT medical team.
There is no need for safety equipment as used in rally cars (e.g.: safety harnesses, helmets, roll over protection) – any road registered vehicle may be entered in the Tagalong Tour.
Provision can be made for fly in-fly out participants, with hiring a 4WD vehicle from Central Car Rentals, including camping gear if required. This cost is not included in the entry fee below.
Starting in Alice Springs on Monday 20th the tour will head south then a loop north and finish back in Alice for the night; then head south, east and north for the next four days and nights, camping at various overnight locations.
The Tagalong Tour itinerary is:
- Monday 20th: Depart Lasseters and head south down the Stuart Highway to the Owen Springs Tourist Reserve and a picturesque drive through the Waterhouse Range to the old Owen Springs homestead. The scenery heading north to the West MacDonnell Ranges is spectacular. A side trip to Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap before visiting Desert Park. Lunch and leave the Park after the wild bird display at the Nature Theatre. Overnight in Alice Springs.
- Tuesday 21st: Drive south east to Santa Teresa and along the Andado Track; then north through the stunning Todd River property to the Binns Track into N'Dhala Gorge and then camping overnight stay at Ross River Homestead. Cabins are available on request.
- Wednesday 22nd: Another great drive, this time along the Binns Track, with lunch at Old Ambalindum Homestead and then continue to Gemtree via the Pinnacles Track to Kate's Campoven Kitchen - Winner of Central Australian Tourism Award for New Tourism Innovation 2010! Fast becoming one of Central Australia's most popular dining experiences.
View the sunset over the billabong, as all the elements of earth, air, fire and water combine to give you one of the most memorable experiences of your journey. Dinner is a set menu of outback dining accompanied by entertainment and camping overnight - cabins are available on request.
- Thursday 23rd: Plenty Highway back to the Pinnacles Track and call in at the Altunga Historical Reserve and fossicking area and Visitor Centre; then back to the Old Ambalindum Homestead, camping overnight. Cabins are available on request.
- Friday 24th: Binns Track to the Ross River Highway then to the Stuart Highway and heading south to the Rainbow Valley. Time to take in this magnificent area and lunch before heading through some of the COT special stages down to the historic Hugh River Stock Route; then north to the old South Road to the magnificent Ooraminna Homestead. A family owned private 600 acres with the desert backdrop of Alice Springs escarpments, you will enjoy the tranquillity and charm of the outback. Camping overnight – with cabins are available on request.
- Saturday 25th: Drive back to Alice Springs stopping off for a tour through the Alice Springs Correctional Centre. All the fantastic trophies for the events are produced by the very talented inmates. Then onto Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Parks then south down the Old South Road via the final stage of the Classic Outback Trial 'The Fat Lady Sings'. Participate in the Gala Finish and the Presentation Dinner, both at the Alice Springs Convention Centre.
The Tagalong Tour will be led by local identity Neil Ross, who was born and raised in Alice Springs and has been a director of his company Ross Engineering since 1983.
He served on the Central Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for over 10 years where he also served as Chairman from 2000-2003.
Neil has been a member of the Charles Darwin University Council since 2004 and has been an active Rotarian since 1995. Neil and his wife Julie, has also toured much of the NT and beyond and knows the Centre very well.
The Tagalong Tour costs a non-refundable nomination fee of $500, deducted from the entry fee of $3,900 per vehicle with two occupants (plus $1,000 for each extra person in the vehicle).
While the Tagalong Tour commences on Monday 20th there are plenty of Classic Outback Trial activities taking place in and around Alice Springs in the previous three days and he organisers are offering s Pre-Tagalong Tour package for these days for $585 that included accommodation, breakfasts, participation in the Gala Start and ticket to the Classic Outback Trial's Welcome Function.
More information: Phil Bernadou: philip@classicoutbacktrial.com.au or visit classicoutbacktrial.com.au