Desert Colours Art Tour

Desert Colours Art Tour

26 April – 3 May 2026

This eight day tour will include inspiring art workshops in a new location each day, from the West Macdonnell Ranges to Uluru, and Kata Tjuta.

For this trip, I am thrilled to be working with Margaret Parkes, who will host a workshop and share her drawing expertise. Margy has an extensive career in animation, working internationally for studios such as Disney.

Quality art materials and learning resources, will be supplied for each activity, including drawing, printmaking, painting and mixed media.

Desert Colours is designed for a group of adults of various skill levels, from art makers looking to develop new skills, to those with an established art practice. Activities will suit a full-day of exploration or can be taken in your own direction. Your choice! The overall outcome will be a pool of drawings, prints, and mixed media. Lots of source material, as well as resolved works!

Daily activities will thread together in a sequence. Visits to art galleries will provide inspiration. We will experience artworks by indigenous artists with a cultural connection to the central desert, spanning millennia.

Breakfasts, lunches and just one welcome dinner are included in this package. This is intentional. It allows for a more relaxed approach to evenings. You can opt for some time alone or in company. For example, at Uluru there is an IGA supermarket if you prefer a light supper or sunset picnic. Alternatively, you might treat yourself to the Sounds of Silence Dinner Under the Stars.

Please find below the full itinerary with inclusions, exclusions and what to bring etc. If you are keen to join this tour, or if you have any questions, please feel free to call on 0432 260 710.

Best regards,

Bronwyn

Itinerary

26 April

Arrive by complimentary airport shuttle bus at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs

Welcome Dinner at Hanuman Thai Restaurant at Double Tree Resort. Settle into room, early night. Big day tomorrow.

Alice Springs DoubleTree by Hilton is a convenient complex, with lots of space and a range of facilities. This will be our home for four nights. There are several restaurants within the resort area.

We will visit galleries in broader Alice Springs, by 20 seater bus, during the day.

The weather is pleasant at this time of year, with an average temperature of 27°C/11°C.

27 April

7am: Buffet breakfast. Collect packed lunch, art kit, walking shoes, NT Parks Pass, towel, refillable water bottle, thermos of tea, sun safe things, and swimming gear.

Meet in foyer at 8.30 to board air conditioned bus at 9.00 for 80 km drive through the West McDonnells Ranges to Ellery Creek Big Hole. Bus service will be provided by https://www.alicesilver.com.au/

At Ellery Creek we will explore the possibilities of graphite and other drawing media. Key ideas will include selecting a point of interest, creating depth, flow and movement. Take time to explore these ideas and techniques across the day as we spend a few hours on this site.

2pm Board bus to Simpsons Gap. Here we will see large stands of Mulga and over 40 rare plants. Several dreaming trails and stories cross at this important spiritual site. There are ancient ghost gums and magnificent views of the range.

Bus to Resort 3.30- 4pm Enjoy resort facilities or relax in your room. Join a drawing session by the pool with bamboo nib and ink, focusing on plants of the desert, learning their habits and traditional uses.

Dinner by own arrangement, with an option to book a table at one of the restaurants in the Double Tree complex.

28 April

6-8am Buffet Breakfast. 8.30 Meet in foyer prior to boarding the bus for 47 km drive to Standley Chasm. Explore the chasm with a mission to note shapes and patterns of rock formations, flora, fauna, weather, and sounds. These observations will be combined into a linocut design in the afternoon by the pool.

12-3pm Lunch at Araluen Art Centre and then visit Papunya Tula Gallery. Return to Double Tree round 3.30pm

3.30-6pm Freshen up, grab a cup of tea and combine your observations into an Ezicarve linocut design by the pool. Part 1 of Lino Activity. Part 2 tomorrow.

Dinner Suggestion: resort complex or share a taxi/Uber to iconic Alice Springs Italian restaurant, Casa Nostra.

29 April

6-8am Buffet Breakfast. Collect packed lunch.

Bus 135km to Ormiston Gorge with spectacular geology and remnant plants from a long ago tropical past. here we will explore techniques for use of gouache in plein air, including the gouache monoprint. We will also have the option of trace monotype en plein air as an extension.

3-3.30pm Return by bus to Alice Springs.

3.30 -5pm Bring a cup of tea to the pool for meditative carving of Ezicarve lino. Print to a range of papers.

Dinner by own arrangement. Option to book a group table at Hanuman Thai restaurants in the resort based on interest at the time.

30 April

Day drive from Alice to Uluru: this is a classic road trip through the Red Centre.

Buffet Breakfast. Collect packed lunch. Meet in the foyer with bags at 8.30.

9am pack bags in the trailer and board the bus. Enjoy a stunning 460km trip through the changing landscape of the central desert.

Observe the subtle shifts in colour and foliage. There will be stops along the way for photography. There is also an option to sketch the changing landscape for an artist book, but you might just want to take in the air and space.

Arrive in the afternoon at Outback Hotel which will be home for the next three nights.

Outback Hotel & Lodge Ayers Rock - Distant Journeys

https://uluru.gov.au/stay/hotels-lodges/outback-hotel-lodge/

1 May

Buffet breakfast and packed lunch. Gather what you will need for a slow 7.5 km hike with art kit. Board bus for the drive to Kata Tjuta, stopping along the way for a wide view and photo opportunity. Valley of the Winds walk if the temperatures are safe, based on advice of parks authorities. Spot birds along the way including the Zebra Finch!

The Valley of the Winds walk lets visitors immerse themselves among Kata Tjuṯa’s domes. It also features unparalleled views of the spectacular Mars-like landscape surrounding Kata Tjuṯa from two lookout points along the track.

This walk is classed as Grade 4. It is steep, rocky and difficult in places, so please be careful and take your time. We will go slow, and the views are truly breathtaking and worth the effort. Valley of the Winds circuit takes 3-4 hours. Drinking water is available halfway along the track.

We will spend a few hours in the shade of the canyon at Kata Tjuta, with time to sit and experience with and some new plein air techniques for creating sense of depth and mass using ink, gouache, and mixed media.

Return to Outback Hotel. Dinner by own arrangement.

2 May

Buffet breakfast then a drawing experience drawing at the lookout with chalk pastel and mid tone papers.

Mid morning bus to Uluru. Short walk with opportunities for sketching, photography and simply sitting in various spots including Mititjulu waterhole.

Return mid afternoon. Lunch and Dinner is by own arrangement. Perhaps Sound of Silence dinner under the stars or see the Field of Lights installation by Bruce Munro.

The undercover bar area or pool at the Outback Hotel, can also be a lovely place to enjoy your final afternoon.

3 May

After one last buffet breakfast and our journey has come to a close!

A complimentary airport shuttle bus to Uluru Airport is available based on your own departure times.

Inclusions

airport transfer from Alice Springs airport to Double Tree Resort
4 nights twin share or single accommodation at Double Tree Hilton, Alice Springs
3 nights single or twin share accommodation at Outback Hotel Uluru
transport on air-conditioned bus with driver from the start of the program on the 27 April-2 May
7 buffet breakfasts
welcome dinner at Hanuman Thai Restaurant
5 packed lunches (catering for dietary requirements)
professional tuition with two experienced tutors
art workshops designed for each location covering a wide range of subjects, concepts and media including drawing, printmaking, and painting.
extended time in each location for art making and exploring.
a full kit of quality art materials for each workshop will be supplied at Information Afternoon (See below for more detail) for carrying with you.
ticket entry to Araluen Art Centre and Standley Chasm
visits to Papunya Tula Gallery and Araluen Art Gallery
information booklets for to accompany our art activities in each location
an assortment of supplementary shared art equipment for workshops for monoprint, linoprint etc. will be provided, along with extra tea and coffee and snacks on site.

Exclusions

Flights arriving Alice Springs and departing Uluru in order to meet the tour
travel insurance
6 dinners and 2 lunches
NT Parks Pass ($30) Parks pass for national parks and reserves
3 day Uluru Pass $38 Buy your pass | Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park | Parks Australia
mini bar and other services at resort such as dinners at resort restaurants.

What to bring!

Essential items

art kit, daypack (large enough for art kit, packed lunch, water bottle, towel), towel for paddling, an old towel for wiping hands and sitting, rain jacket, sun safe long sleeved shirt, shorts or long pants with pockets, swimming costume, warm jumpers, shoes – one toe covering pair suitable for bushwalking, 1 pair of sandals or slip-ons for round the resort, umbrella for sun and rain, torch with batteries, broad brimmed hat, refillable water bottle, medications for the duration to avoid delays to program, insect repellant (no aerosols please), 2 plastic jars with screw top lids for watercolour, a sealable Tupperware style container for snacks, A4 display folder and an art diary, extra paper, sunscreen/sunglasses, shopping bags for rubbish on site and storing wet items, compact transportable technology and photography gear, chargers

Optional

additional drawing paper and art media, hiking poles, small thermos, small folding chair that fits on your suitcase, names on items which may get jumbled up.

Further Information

Please note, when considering this art tour, there will be stretches of time in remote locations. There will also be walks of distances generally around 500m. In addition, there will be a longer walk at Kata Tjuta. The Valley of the Winds walk is a challenging Grade 4, 7.4km 3-4 hour walk over uneven terrain.

For this tour, a level of health, fitness and mobility is essential. Please consult with your GP and read the itinerary carefully to ensure you are able to participate in all parts of the tour program.

Hydration and sun safe practices are vital, as well as adhering to the safety advice for each site. For example, swimming in cold water in waterholes, can be hazardous and is at own risk.

Due to the specific art focus and immersive nature of the tour, we invite art workshop participants only.

Booking Information

Bookings open June 2025. Please read the detailed itinerary.

To join the tour, please contact Bronwyn McKean on 0432 260 710 or by email: bronwynamckean@gmail.com

$1000 deposit is required to secure a place on the tour, with the balance due by November 26 2025. The deposit is fully refundable if we do not get a minimum of 12 participants by November 26. The tour will proceed with a minimum of 12, and maximum of 14 participants.

Cancellation Policy

If the tour has sufficient numbers and payments have been made by 26th November, the tour will proceed. After 26 November, the payment is non refundable.

Travel insurance is highly recommended as the cancellation policy is quite strict.

Spots are fully transferable to another person. If, after the full cost is paid, someone needs to cancel, there are two choices. The first is for you to find a person to take your place. The second is to claim the monies back through travel insurance.

If there is anyone on a waitlist we may be able to find a replacement, but this is not guaranteed.

Timeline

Once you have secured a place on the tour, please arrange flights. Ensure you are able to meet the tour in Alice Springs. Plan your departure out of Uluru.

Closer to the date of departure, you will need to purchase NT Parks Pass and Uluru Pass. You will also need to provide relevant medical details, flight times, dietary and contact person details.

There will be an Information Afternoon in March 2026 in Brisbane. This will be an opportunity to meet everyone, collect your art kit and confirm administrative aspects. If unable to attend Info Afternoon, administrative tasks can be completed by email. You can arrange for an art kit proxy or for it to be posted.

Meet your Host and Tutor: Bronwyn McKean

Hi Everyone and little about me. I’ve been an art teacher and visual artist for 30 years. In 2022, I started Earth Stories Art Workshops; professionally designed place-based drawing, printmaking, mixed media, and painting experiences which engage with the particular history and ecology of a site. I studied Visual Arts and Art Theory at University of NSW, Charles Sturt University and New England TAFE. I’ve exhibited widely, coordinated community projects, grant projects, place-based art retreats, workshops and art tours. I maintain an art practice across a range of media. Desert Colours is a tour I have hosted before with groups, in addition to my own visits. I look forward to sharing this profound experience in the heart of our country.

Guest Tutor Margaret Parkes

Starting in my early twenties I spent 46 years in the field of animation. Starting on the bottom rung in the animation department as an “inbetweener”. Ask me what that means! I have worked as an animator, layout artist, layout director, animation director, studio manager, producer and overseas troubleshooter. Worked overseas for more than 20 years and in Australia for mainly international series for Hanna Barbera, Disney as well as European and Australian studios. Also The Magic Pudding feature released in 2000. I love drawing and I am looking forward to sharing the fun of linework and the pencil, different techniques and mediums.