So, who are these Adventure Tour guys?
Old ATAThat's a really good question. Grab a cup of tea, pull up a chair and we'll fill you in.
Adventure Tours is the leading small group tour operator in Australia and New Zealand. We're a bunch of Aussies and Kiwis that have been leading travellers through the Outback, the South Island (and a thousand other places) for over 21 years.
How we do this is pretty simple. We take a comfy, state of the art 4WD or minibus (with superhuman air-con), fill it swags, damper and about 15 fun-loving travellers, then head out into the wild. These aren't your standard bus tours. We specialise in the real deal: sustainable, red dust adventures, expert guides, cold beer and exclusive contacts with local Indigenous communities.
We've got a variety of trip styles available too – from a swag under the stars to permanent camps with soft pillows – so no matter your budget, experience or appetite for adventure, there's a shady billabong somewhere with your name on it. And for those after a private trip or group charter, we haven't forgotten you either.
So, that's us. Now it's your turn. Reckon you're ready for a proper adventure? Get in touch and tell us all about it.
Where did it all begin?
Old ATA guidesThe early 90s were important years for Australia. Sydney learned they'd be hosting the Olympic Games (then immediately phoned Melbourne to brag), Queensland officially said no to daylight saving (voting to all get up early and surf instead) and a bloke called Ken from the outback town of Alice Springs came up with an idea.
We could say it was an idea to create the country's most trusted and awarded local tour company, but it was simpler than that at the beginning. In those days backpackers were flooding into Alice, but with no real way of getting to Uluru (Ayers Rock). All Ken did was buy a bus (it was a bargain), hand out some flyers and begin driving them there a couple of times a week.
Within six weeks, this little start-up was running tours every single day, and Ken couldn't fill them fast enough. The bus became a fleet, one knowledgeable local guide became several and the idea for Adventure Tours Australia was born.
Today, it's still the little things that matter: expert guides, a few new mates by your side and raw, down-to-earth adventure. That's why we're number one when it comes to grassroots, sustainable travel throughout Australia and New Zealand (and we've got the awards to prove it). The close ties we've built with Indigenous communities means each trip is backed by over 21 years of touring experience and over 40,000 years of knowledge and story. It's something we're very proud of, and something you definitely won't find on your standard bus tours and day trips.
This is our backyard – all eight million square kilometres of it – and there's no one who knows it better.