2017 Outback Elite Tours Reviews
Sev Mavridis reviewed Outback Elite Tours — 5 star (From Outback Elite Tours Facebook page)
30 December 2017
We had a tailored East Macs tour which was thoroughly enjoyable. A very underrated part of this country, people you really need to get out there and see it. Filipo was a wonderful, knowledgeable and considerable guide, very accomodating, with an immaculate vehicle to boot. Thank you Filipo.
Kath Gasch reviewed Outback Elite Tours — 5 star (From Outback Elite Tours Facebook page)
12 August 2017
Thanks for the lovely ride from Curtain Springs to Alice! I had a great time and really enjoyed the company! Carry on the good deed!
David Sloane Rider reviewed Outback Elite Tours — 5 star (From Outback Elite Tours Facebook page)
28 May 2017
The BEST!
TL;DR: trust Filippo, you'll have an incredible time!
My brother, partner, and I had an amazing four-day trip with Filippo in the Red Centre. Filippo provided a very personalised trip, taking into consideration the differing camping/adventure experiences within our group. After we booked the trip, we were in regular contact with Filippo to discuss plans, including what we would like to do, what style of camping we were after, and how much time we would have. Filippo was very communicative, emailing us with lots of photos and descriptions, and calling us as we got closer to the date of the trip.
While your trip may be different depending on what you're looking for, I did want to share what our trip was like. Filippo met us at the Alice Springs airport, and we hopped into his ten-seater bus for the beginning of the trip. The bus was extremely comfortable, allowing us to stretch out. He provided us with tons of water and snacks to enjoy on our way through the West MacDonnell ranges. Our first stop was at Simpsons Gap, where we walked along the rocks and looked for wild rock wallabies. We then climbed up Serpentine Gorge, a beautiful 30 minute hike up to look out across the national park. The whole time, he revealed to us stories of the land that we saw - as seen by the local Arunta tribe. Next, we stopped by the Ochre pits, learning about their use of ochre, and seeing some of it up close.
The day ended with bush camping, right near the Ormiston Gorge. This was my favourite part of the day, as it was very peaceful and beautiful, and Filippo made a ton of delicious food for us to eat (we did NOT go hungry on this trip!), while we sat around a campfire looking at stars. I fell asleep in my swag, happy and comfortable.
Our next day started early, with a delicious breakfast (including fresh coffee!). We hiked around the enormous Ormiston Gorge, trekking through water crossings and climbing up the side of the Pound, where we had a light snack and looked out across the vast crater-like setting. When we got back down, Filippo cooked us lunch of salmon, rice, and salad, replenishing our fuel for the rest of the day. We made a quick stop in Glen Helen for a much appreciated swim to cool off, and then drove along the Merinee Loop to Kings Canyon. Much of the road was unpaved, and we didn't see other cars for hours. It was a magical ride: along the way, we saw wild horses, dingoes, and even camels! We set up camp near Kings Canyon, where Filippo made us damper (bush bread), along with chicken thighs and beer. Amazing meal under the stars.
We got up very early to watch the sun rise over Kings Canyon, and then hiked around the park. While there were a lot of people in the park, we had a great time learning about the geology from Filippo, and being able to move a little faster because we were a smaller group. We made some sandwiches for lunch, and then drove the afternoon to Uluru. At Uluru, Filippo shared a ton of knowledge about more Aboriginal stories of this amazing monolith, and we walked around exploring the rock. The day ended with us having sparkling wine and nibbles, followed by BBQ lamb while watching the sunset behind Uluru. It was a magical experience, especially compared with the big buses we saw pull into the parking lot away from us. We ended the night back in the bush, having beers around a campfire and falling asleep in our swags.
The final day, Filippo drove us to Kata Tjuta, where we hiked around and learned more about the local geology and bush medicine. Along the way back, we stopped in Curtin Springs to cook some hamburgers and sausages, and then started the long drive back to Alice Springs. We had one final surprise: Filippo got us a camel riding trip just outside of town.
The whole trip was incredible. While seeing the sites and learning the history, I have to say my favourite parts were setting up camp and chatting with Filippo and my family while eating delicious food.
If you are thinking of a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Red Centre, I can't imagine a better person to do it with than Filippo. He was a professional through and through, empathetic, trustworthy, knowledgable, and a lot of fun. Thanks mate!
Catherine Wilsmore reviewed Outback Elite Tours — 5 star (From Outback Elite Tours Facebook page)
16 February 2017
An amazing day spent in the West Macdonell national park guided by Filippo. A great guy, friendly, enthusiastic and very knowledgable: able to talk us through a range of topics from nature, geology and culture, all relevant and enhancing our overall experience. Pristine vehicle, fantastic hospitality, so lucky to have spent the day at our own pace, stopping for photos when we wanted and taking our time especially when our children were having fun in the waterholes. Some lifetime family memories made. Highly recommend, wish we could do another tour! Thank you so much!
2016 Outback Elite Tours Reviews
Carol Ward reviewed Outback Elite Tours — 5 star (From Outback Elite Tours Facebook page)
What a fantastic experience. Have just returned from a two week trip to the red centre.did not have a 4WD so decided to book a tour. How lucky where we to pick Filippo. His knowledge of the local area and aboriginal culture is amazing. The day was so full but no rushing to get anywhere by a certain time, he was very flexible if we wanted to stop for photos or just to stretch the legs nothing was a problem. The food was great, real Itallian coffee. Great company, good stories. My advice skip the bus tours and have your own personal experience with Filippo. Five stars all the way.
Angela Wills reviewed Outback Elite Tours — 5 star (From Outback Elite Tours Facebook page)
March 30 at 12:09am ·
This has got to be one of the best experiences we had when in Australia. Filipino was a fabulous host, knowledge of the area fantastic no question unanswered and the food we had was brilliant, it was comfort all the way, forget the bus trips this was a personal trip taylored for us no rushing to meet back at certain times, we had time to enjoy each area we visited. The sunset at Uluru was magical. Thanks again Filipino from the Wills family.
Gina Jarman Jones reviewed Outback Elite Tours — 5 star (From Outback Elite Tours Facebook page)
March 27 at 7:18pm ·
I arrived back today from a 3 days 2 night tour of kings canyon, Uluru and Kata-tjuta. Would highly recommend. One of the most educational tour guides I know. He took care of everything and plenty of food,snacks and drinks all weekend. Much prefer a more personalised tour to suit my individual needs 1 on 1 experience is the way forward. Thankyou Filippo and good luck
Paula Roberts reviewed Outback Elite Tours on Google (23 March 2016)
I have nothing but praise for Filippo Gelada and Outback Elite Tours. I recently had two tours with Filippo – one to see Rainbow Valley at sunrise and a full day (10 hours) exploring the East MacDonnell Ranges (Arltunga Historical Reserve, Trephina Gorge, Corroboree Rock, Emily and Jessie Gap). The reason I contacted him is that there are currently no group tours from Alice Springs to these places, which is surprising in itself as all of them are well known, easily accessible and fairly close by. So, the first thing to say about Filippo is that he will take you to places that other tour companies don’t go to and tailor the tour to your own preferences. He also makes suggestions about places to visit, many of which he has camped in and explored himself. Both tours were at a very relaxed, unhurried pace, which left me the time to appreciate the beautiful places I was discovering and take as many photos as I liked. He is also a very good tour guide with a lot of knowledge of central Australia and great enthusiasm for its landscapes, plants and animals. If he doesn’t know something, he will find it out and let you know. While food was not the focus of my trip to the Northern Territory and I was more interested in the places I was visiting, both tours with Filippo did include meals, and these were a real cut above those offered by group tours – a barbecue lunch in the East Macdonnell Ranges and breakfast at Rainbow Valley (bacon and eggs in the middle of the desert!). For each meal, the picnic table was set with tablecloth (a real touch of class) and – the best thing of all – both meals included real Mocca coffee, made fresh on the spot over a camping stove! Filippo is also very good company – pleasant, intelligent, funny – and we had a number of interesting conversations during my two trips with him. I would recommend his tours to anyone visiting the Northern Territory and wish him every success in his business.
Malik review Outback Elite Tours by e-mail (17 March 2016)
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Subject: Great website and great tour(s)
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Message: Ciao, Filippo, Well done! You have just launched such a great website! I also would like to use this opportunity to thank you once again for organising an amazing few hour tour around Alice Springs during my flight layover / stopover in there. All the best in your professional and personal endeavours! Kindest regards, Malik........ from Kazakhstan
Cloé Dc ha recensito Outback Elite Tours (From Outback Elite Tours Facebook page)
24 febbraio alle ore 10:15 ·
We ended up with Filippo after a mix up with another company and we don't regret it. He was lovely all along and knows a lot about the outback in general. The tour is tiring (long drive) but obviously really worth doing! We had special dietary requirements and Filippo did his best to suit our needs, which was great. He's a focused driver and an interesting tour guide. He also took some photos of us three. We had fun. Go for it!
Richie Mcwaters ha recensito Outback Elite Tours (From Outback Elite Tours Facebook page)
9 febbraio 2016
Cograts Filippo on your new endeavour. Jess and I have had the pleasure of working alongside and learning from this experienced guide. your passion for inspiring people to see beyond their photographs is heartening, and i know it will bring unique and memorable experiences to your clients. You really do enjoy guiding people and actively seek out their ideal experience, a trait that will no doubt bring your tour company great success. best guide in the centre hands down. Good luck with the future. all our support jess and richie
Laura Omicioli ha recensito Outback Elite Tours (From Outback Elite Tours Facebook page)
12 febbraio 2016
Tour fantastico !!!!!!in 2 giorni siam riusciti a vedere tutto quello che ci interessava!filippo è la guida che chiunque vorrebbe...disponibile preparato e...un ottimo chef!!!!!insomma un tour e una professionalita a dir poco perfetta