EXPERIENCE THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
Race It, Ride It, Experience the Gravel Muster!
Quick links to info below:
- Accommodation summary
- Accommodation in East MacDonnell ranges
- Airport Transfers
- Flights
- Other things to see and do
ACCOMMODATION
The Shimano Gravel Muster is based out of Alice Springs and travels to two cattle stations in the East MacDonnell Ranges as part of the journey. Accommodation by way of camp sites at the two cattle stations are included in the entry. However you will need to self-book your accommodation in Alice Springs. See table summary…
Accommodation Plan
| STAGE | ACCOMMODATION | TO DO | |
| DAY 0 Wed 20 August | – | Stay in Alice Springs – YOU BOOK! | Rider needs to BOOK directly. We recommend The Mercure. Details below… |
| DAY 1 Thurs 21 Aug | 1 | Stay in Alice Springs – YOU BOOK! | Rider needs to BOOK directly. We recommend The Mercure. Details below… |
| DAY 2 Fri 22 Aug | 2 | Stay at Hale River Homestead – Camp Site INCLUDED! (upgrade options detailed below) | Rider selects option: 1. BYO Camping/Caravan – included 2. Camp Gear Package – extra fee 3. Fixed Accommodation – extra fee |
| DAY 3 Sat 23 Aug | 3 | Stay at Hale River Homestead – Camp Site INCLUDED! (upgrade options detailed below) | Rider selects option: 1. BYO Camping/Caravan – included 2. Camp Gear Package – extra fee 3. Fixed Accommodation – extra fee |
| DAY 4 Sun 24 Aug | 4 | Stay in Alice Springs – YOU BOOK! | Rider needs to BOOK directly. We recommend The Mercure. Details below… |
GEAR TRANSPORT: all gear will be transported for you on Days 2, 3 and 4 – regardless of Homestead accommodation selection.
Alice Springs (night 0, 1 and 4) – Stay at The Mercure
The event is based at Alice Springs for Day 0, Day 1 and Day 4. You can stay anywhere in Alice Springs but we recommend the Mercure Resort. This is where the Rapid Ascent crew will be staying and is the location of the race registration, competitor briefing and functions.
SPECIAL COMPETITOR RATE AT 30% OFF!
HOW TO BOOK (with special rate):
- Day 0 and Day 1 – Wednesday 20 August and Thursday 21 August:
- CLICK HERE for discounted rate and to book online. OR email Mercure directly [email protected]
- Day 4 – Sunday 24 August:
- CLICK HERE for discounted rate and to book online. OR email Mercure directly [email protected]
Other Accommodation Options in Alice Springs
Participants are welcome to stay at other Alice Springs accommodation however you will need to make your own way to The Mercure for the official race functions, registration, gear transport and briefing.
- Discovery Parks Alice Springs – 5kms from the Mercure: [email protected]
- Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters – 2.5km from Mercure: [email protected]
- Double Tree by Hilton – 2km from Mercure: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/aspdadi-doubletree-alice-springs/
East MacDonnell Ranges (night 2 & 3) – included in your entry fee
After two nights in Alice Springs the event travels a long way east to Hale River and Ross River Homesteads in the East MacDonnell Ranges. All competitors must stay here on Day 2 and Day 3 with your gear transported for you! (NOTE: it is too far to drive back to Alice Springs)
Camp sites, Meals and ALL Services at both Hale River and Ross River are included in the entry fee. However there are a number of UPGRADE options which you can select during your online entry.
| ACCOMMODATION | DETAILS | EXTRA FEE |
| 1. BYO Camp Gear or Van | Your entry already includes space in the campgrounds at each Homestead (aka, your camp site). Riders bring own camping gear (eg, tent, mattress and sleeping bag…) and we transport it all for you. OR supporters drive your own caravans and camper trailers. | $0 |
| 2. Camp Gear Package | Your entry already includes space in the campgrounds at each Homestead (aka, your camp site). Select the Camp Gear Package to have all camp gear supplied by Rapid Ascent for you at both Homesteads. Includes: A 2-man tent, 10cm thick mattress and a pillow. Rapid Ascent will assist set up. (Just BYO sleeping bag, pillow-case and towel) | $65 per night |
| 3. Fixed Accommodation Upgrades** | Each Homestead offers riders the opportunity to UPGRADE to a fixed accommodation option. Various options include: bunk rooms, twin-share, queen beds; to family suites! Linen and bathroom facilities also vary. See below**. | $65 to $210 per night |
** Fixed Accommodation Upgrades
Select these upgrades during your online entry.
HALE RIVER
| Fixed Accommodation | Details | Facilities | Fee | Spots |
| Hale River Cottage – double room | Own room with double bed. Shared indoor kitchen and lounge. Linen supplied. | Shared with cottage guests | $210 per room | 2 |
| Hale River Cottage – bunk room | Shared room with 2 x bunks and 1 double bed. Shared indoor kitchen and lounge. Linen supplied. | Shared with cottage guests | $120 pp | 5 |
| Gen Shed King Single Bed | Self contained unit with 2x king single beds. Linen supplied. | Shared | $135 pp | 2 |
| Horse Yard Quarters | Own room with queen bed and shared inside lounge and kitchenette. Linen supplied. | Ensuite | $210 per room | 2 |
| Retro Van | King-size bed in a retro van with outside lounge. Linen supplied. | Shared | $180 per room | 1 |
| 70’s Container | Queen bed in a 70’s style container with outside lounge. Linen supplied. | Shared | $180 per room | 1 |
| N/A: Travelling with someone | If you are travelling with someone else who you intend to share a bed with (eg. your partner) and they’ve already booked fixed accommodation to share with you – then please select the “N/A” option. (eg, they selected one of the double beds above) | – | $0 | – |
ROSS RIVER
| Fixed Accommodation | Details | Facilities | Fee | Spots |
| Rustic Dorm Style Bunk Room | A single bed in a 2-share dorm. NO linen – BYO sleeping bag and pillow. | Shared | $65 pp | 24 |
| Queen Cabin | Own cabin with queen bed – max 2pax. Linen supplied. | Ensuite | $199 per room | 3 |
| Shared Cabin | Shared room with 1 queen, 1 single – max 3pax. Linen supplied. | Ensuite | $115 pp | 32 |
| Family room | Bed in shared room with 1 x queen, 1 x single, 1 x bunk – max 5px. Linen supplied. | Ensuite | $90 pp | 16 |
| N/A: Travelling with someone | If you are travelling with someone else who you intend to share a bed with (eg. your partner) and they’ve already booked fixed accommodation to share with you – then please select the “N/A” option. (eg, they selected one of the double or queen beds above) | – | $0 | – |
Further details about each of the the cattle stations:
Hale River Cattle Station
Day 2, Friday 22 August
Hale River Homestead at Old Ambalindum is set up to provide accommodation, meals and drinks to visitors, functions and events in the East MacDonnells. Hosted by Lynne and Sean, it provides a range of facilities including pool, hot showers, shady gardens and grass, bar, and fire pits, as well as a range of accommodation styles. This is our first oasis in the outback and will be a very welcome home for us on night 2. View more here: http://www.haleriverhomestead.com.au/
Ross River Cattle Station
Day 3, Saturday 23 August
The Ross River Resort is based around the original 1890’s Loves Creek Homestead and is located in a spectacular setting at the base of the Ross River gorge. The homestead is set up as a bar and restaurant and their extensive surrounds include a large shady camping area, pool, cabins, bunkhouses and range of walks and places to explore. Ross River is renowned amongst visitors to the East MacDonnell Ranges and is a superb night 3 camp. View more here: http://rossriverresort.com.au/
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
OPTIONAL EXTRA: Let us take care of your transfers to/from the Alice Springs Airport and your accommodation in Alice Springs. You can add this option during the online entry process:
- COST: $80 – includes you and your bike.
- WHEN: Arrivals on the Tues, Wed or Thurs prior to Stage 1. Return on Monday 25 August only.
Want to arrange your own transfers? Or arriving/departing on different dates? We recommend Alice Silver Passenger Services. Contact them via their website HERE >> or phone 0477 245 941.
FLIGHTS
Getting to Alice Springs does not have to be hard nor expensive and there are often sales for great airfares.
REMEMBER, ALICE SPRINGS AIRPORT IS NOT NEAR ULURU / AYERS ROCK. Uluru airport is about 4 hours south of Alice Springs, so don’t be a nufty and book the wrong location!! (Yes this has happened on more than one occasion!)
Qantas
Qantas offer Flights to Alice Springs from most Australian capital cities. Prices often fluctuate from week to week, and it is not at all uncommon to pick up flights for around $300 or less each way with Qantas from most capital cities if you keep a look out. www.qantas.com.au
Virgin Australia
Virgin Australia offers flights to Alice Springs from Darwin and Adelaide. www.virginaustralia.com/au
AirNorth
AirNorth flies from Perth to Alice Springs on each Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
BE A TOURIST
Central Australia is an incredibly scenic and inspiring place with a massive range of things to see and do both near and far from Alice Springs.
There are numerous tourist attractions and activities that be may be completed during the race week itself if you want to bundle into a car or catch a tour to sites like Simpsons Gap or the Alice Springs Desert Park. Or there are obviously even more that are further afield. We encourage you to book an extra night or two before or after racing.
• Hot Air Balloooning (from $335)
• Indigenous experiences and education sessions
• Outdoor Activities (such as camping, scenic flights, fishing)
• Alice Springs (guided tours)
• Larapinta Trail (Hiking)
• Uluru, Yulara & Kata Tjuta (guided tours)
• Self-Drive Tours
The best place to make an enquiry, book a tour or plan out what else is around town is Tourism Central Australia who have partnered with us to help make the event a complete experience for everyone. They can book just about anything, including accommodation, and are a great resource for anyone visiting the area.
Website: www.discovercentralaustralia.com
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 1800 645 199 or 08 8952 5800
