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Central Australia & Uluru Family Holiday
Setting a course for family fun in the great Australian outdoors
Grab your sunhats and load up space on the camera roll for six days of Outback-sized adventure in Central Australia. Join a local leader and a small group of families as you tick off Australia’s great natural sites in the Northern Territory. Start by exploring the bases of Uluru and Kata Tjuta on two feet and two wheels, learning about their connection to Creation Time from a local Anangu guide. Then, hit the road to discover the bright-red colours of Tjoritja (West McDonnell Ranges), Finke Gorge National Park and even a nearby asteroid crater, along with a handful of wildlife, wallabies and wilderness in between.
5.0
9 reviewsStart: Uluru , Australia
End: Alice Springs, Australia
- Duration
- 6 days
- Group size
- 1 to 16
- Minimum age
- 5 years old
- Style
- Original
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Family
- Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
From
EUR €2,360
Why you'll love this trip
- Feel like an ant as you cycle around the base of Uluru before you see its amazing colour-changing magic when the sun goes down at night and up again in the morning.
- Count the many heads of Kata Tjuta before you wander through one of the gaps – some which reach 546 m high – to reach a sanctuary of wildflowers and the occasional wallaroo.
- Journey down the bright red canyon walls of Kings Creek and learn from your leader about the wildlife that have adapted to survive living in Australia’s hot desert climate.
- Sit back and relax in your air conditioned and private-ensuite tents at an Intrepid-exclusive campsite located at Finke Gorge National Park in Tjoritja (West MacDonnell Ranges).
- Hop from asteroid crater to Ghost Gum trail to natural swimming pool in the Ormiston Gorge area, learning about local Aboriginal Creation Stories along the way.
Itinerary
This trip generates 11 kg of CO2-e per person per day. Learn more about our climate commitment.
Palya! Welcome to Yulara! Your family adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 4 pm at your hotel. After your introductions, hop aboard your transport and set off to Uluru. Standing at 348 metres tall (higher than the Eiffel Tower), Uluru has been an important site to the local Aboriginal people, the Anangu people, for thousands of years. Look out for Uluru’s colour-changing abilities as you find a cosy spot to watch the sunset. And once the sun goes down, make sure your gazes are turned towards the stars and find some famous constellations.
Accommodation
- Outback Hotel & Lodge (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Included activities
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Uluru Sunset Viewing
Special information
If you’re flying into Alice Springs, you can opt to start your trip there instead with a pickup at 'Stay at Alice Springs Hotel' at 8.30 am this morning at no additional cost. Please let us know if you would like to take advantage of this option.
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting at 4pm today in Yulara as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
To show respect for Uluru’s cultural and spiritual significance to the Anangu people, alcohol will not be served during the sunset viewing.
Wake up early for another chance at spotting Uluru change colours from purple to red to orange. After getting in a good breakfast, grab a hat and sunscreen up for guided walk to the Mutitjulu Waterhole. One of the only permanent water sources around Uluru, your guide, a local member of the local Aboriginal Anangu community, will share Creation Stories about the site and point out any animals, bush foods and plant life that live here. Stop by the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to learn more about the park and its significance before you head to Kata-Tjuta this afternoon for the Walpa Gorge Walk. Tucked into two of Kata Tjuta’s towering domed rocks, the Walpa Gorge is a little oasis full of plant life. This evening you’ll have the option to visit the Field of Light, an enormous art installation that illuminates the landscape with 50,000 stems of light.
Accommodation
- Outback Hotel & Lodge (1 night)
Meals
- Breakfast
Included activities
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Cultural Centre
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Kata Tjuta Walpa Gorge Walk
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Kuniya Walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole with local Anangu Guide
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Uluru Sunrise Viewing
Optional activities
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Field of Light - AUD55
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours. Your walking distance will be approximately 3.6 km or 1.5 hours on a Grade 2 (easy) and Grade 3 (moderate) track.
The local Anangu guide for the Kuniya Walk may not be available at short notice due to other community obligations. If this is the case on your departure, your leader will be taking you to Mutitjulu waterhole instead.
Kata Tjuta is a highly culturally sensitive area. To avoid revealing any sacred places, Anangu ask that you keep both sides of the gorge in frame when you film, paint, draw or photograph Walpa Gorge. By respecting these wishes, you will be contributing to the protection and continuation of some of the world’s oldest spiritual and cultural beliefs.
We recommend that you pre-book your Field of Light experience, as this activity can sell out in advance. You can book with us or your booking agent at the time of booking. If you would rather wait and try to get a better price by booking this locally on the ground, you can, but keep in mind that this is a popular activity and places are limited. Alternatively you can also book this online directly with the operator at Ayers Rock Resort.
Today you’ll be taking to two wheels for a trip around the base of Uluru. After a light breakfast, head out with your leader to get fitted for bikes for an up-close experience with one of Australia’s most culturally significant sites. Make sure to bring plenty of water while out on the trail and watch how the surface of Uluru varies as you cycle around it. Finish your ride and say goodbye to Uluru as you leave for your next destination at Watarrka National Park. Kick back for the drive through the Australian Outback and stop for an included lunch along the way. Arrive at your accommodation and after a busy morning out exploring, you’ll have a free evening to get to know the other families or take some time to relax under the stars.
Accommodation
- Kings Creek Station Glamping (1 night)
Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Included activities
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Uluru Bike Ride
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. Your cycling distance will be approximately 3 hours.
Individual bikes are available for children aged between six and ten years old. A tag-a-long bike will be available for children between four and six. Helmets are also included in the bicycle hire.
Tonight's accommodation is in simple bush tents at King's Creek Station, set against the spectacular backdrop of the George Gill Ranges. Although small and basic in design, the tents feature air conditioning units, light and power, and are twin share with all linen provided. There are shared toilet and shower facilities, a camp kitchen with a fire pit and a nearby grassed picnic area and swimming pool.
Wake up to the incredible outback landscape of the Kings Creek Station, where a bushman’s style breakfast awaits any hungry adventurers. You’ll have about an hour this morning exploring the trails around the station with your leader as your guide. The Kings Creek walking path will take you along an easy path along the bottom of the gorge between two giant red canyon walls. Later today, depart for tonight’s accommodation in Finke Gorge National Park, travelling via the Mereenie Loop. Settle into your cosy campsite by the Finke River, where you’ll have the option to stretch your legs and any excess energy on the Kalangarra Walk. Grab a spot by the campfire for dinner tonight.
Accommodation
- Palm Valley Campsite (1 night)
Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Included activities
- Watarrka National Park - Kings Creek walk
Optional activities
- Finke River - Kalarranga Walk - Free
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.
The 2.6 Kings Creek Walk takes around 1 hour to complete and is a Grade 2 (easy). Sturdy enclosed shoes are required for all walks within the National Park.
Our camp is on Aboriginal Land and therefore is a dry zone. Please refrain from bringing and consuming alcohol. The same applies to Hermannsburg, which is a dry community.
Get set for a full day of outdoor Australian fun in Tjoritja (West MacDonnell Ranges). This morning, you’ll leave the campsite and make your first stop at the site of an asteroid crater. Formed over 140 million years ago, the Gosse Bluff (Tnorala) has for years been both a site of cultural and scientific significance. Take a walk around the comet’s impact site and learn about why the local Western Arrernte Aboriginal people believed this site to be celestial. Your next site is Ormiston Gorge (Kwartatuma), where you’ll have time to walk between the Ghost Gum trees and cool off in the swimming hole. After a busy day, return to your camp in Finke River, then enjoy your last evening together as a group.
Accommodation
- Palm Valley Campsite (1 night)
Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Included activities
- Tjoritja-West MacDonnell Ranges - Ormiston Gorge
- Tjoritja-West MacDonnell Ranges - Gosse Bluff Asteroid Crater (Tnorala)
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours. Your walking distance will be approximately 2.5 km or 1.5 hours on a Grade 3 (moderate) track.
Get an early start today and travel to Simpsons Gap. Another site of significance to the Traditional Custodians, the site offers a scenic view of Tjoritja (West McDonnell National Park) and is a frequent stop for black-footed rock wallabies who visit at sunrise and sunset. You’ll then depart for Alice Springs, where your trip will come to an end. There are no further activities planned when you arrive, so you can leave at any time. If you’d like to stay in Alice Springs for longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Meals
- Breakfast
Included activities
- Tjoritja-West MacDonnell Ranges - Simpsons Gap
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.
We recommend you book your departure flight from Alice Springs no earlier than 12.30 pm today.
Inclusions and activities
Destinations
AustraliaMeals
5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
Private vehicle
Accommodation
Hotel (2 nights), Air-Conditioned Bush Tents with shared facilities (1 night), Air-conditioned Glamping tents with ensuite facilities (2 nights)
Included activities
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Uluru Sunset Viewing
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Cultural Centre
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Kata Tjuta Walpa Gorge Walk
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Kuniya Walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole with local Anangu Guide
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Uluru Sunrise Viewing
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Uluru Bike Ride
- Watarrka National Park - Kings Creek walk
- Tjoritja-West MacDonnell Ranges - Ormiston Gorge
- Tjoritja-West MacDonnell Ranges - Gosse Bluff Asteroid Crater (Tnorala)
- Tjoritja-West MacDonnell Ranges - Simpsons Gap
Optional activities
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Field of Light - AUD55
- Finke River - Kalarranga Walk - Free
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Before you book you should know
- While the minimum age for this trip is five, the average age of children who travelled on this trip in the last year is 12 years old. Most children on Intrepid Family trips are between 10 and 14 years old.
- This trip requires a moderate level of fitness as it involves a lot of walking, allowing you to really get among nature. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing.
- Temperatures in Australia's Red Centre can be extreme, so you will need to be well-prepared with clothing for the weather. Depending on the time of the year, daytime can be very hot (and the Australian sun is very strong year-round) so always use sun protection and drink plenty of water. In the evenings temperatures can really drop, so bring sufficient warm clothing - in winter temperatures can be below zero at night.
- As sunrise and sunset times and weather conditions vary throughout the year, the order of activities may change to ensure you have the best experience possible. On occasion, the First Nations experiences may not be available if our guides have other cultural commitments, in which case we will include alternative activities.
- This trip involves some early mornings, and on some days of the trip, you’ll spend several hours driving through very sparse areas of Australia. Sit back and enjoy landscapes that you would miss in any other form of travel. The days can be long, but we want to fit as much of this amazing place in as we can in six short days!
FAMILY TRIPS
Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.
MINIMUM AGE
Minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old. However, please read the trip notes carefully to decide whether the strenuous nature of this trip is suitable for your family.
CHILD PRICE
Children aged 17 years and under at time of travel on this trip, are eligible to receive 20% off the full adult price.
START & END TIME & LOCATION
The trip starts on day 1 either in Alice Springs with a pick up from Stay at Alice Springs Hotel at 8:30 am or with a Welcome Meeting at 4pm in Yulara at our joining point hotel. Please advise us of your preferred start location at the time of booking. The trip finishes in Alice Springs on the last day (day 6) mid-morning. We recommend you book your departure flight from Alice Springs no earlier than 12:30pm on the last day. Accommodation is not included on this day but can be booked on request.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A Single Supplement can be booked if you’d prefer not to share a room and tent on this trip, subject to availability. The single supplement excludes nights 4 and 5.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
It is very important that you advise us of any dietary requirements and allergies at least 2 weeks prior to departure. We need this information well ahead of time to be able organise catering for the trip. Alice Springs' remote location means that some food items will not be available on short notice, and once the trip has commenced changes to dietary requirements are not possible.
Visa information is provided by Sherpa, a third-party. The "Add connection" feature shows transit visa requirements only and does not include full entry visa needs. Please note, additional service fees apply if you choose to purchase a visa through Sherpa.
Travel and visa requirements
Hotel (2 nights), Air-Conditioned Bush Tents with shared facilities (1 night), Air-conditioned Glamping tents with ensuite facilities (2 nights)
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
GENERAL ROOMING CONFIGURATIONS:
Family of two: All family groupings of two will be accommodated in a twin room.
Family of three: Wherever possible we will put you in a triple room. Please be aware that in some places triple rooms are in short supply. This means that a triple room will often be a twin room with a rollaway bed or mattress on the floor. Where triple rooms aren’t available it will be at your discretion which of your family takes the single room.
Family of four or more: You will most likely be accommodated in two twin rooms. Where possible, we will accommodate your family in a quadruple room.
While we do our very best to ensure that family groups are roomed close together (in some cases, we can arrange adjoining rooms), we can’t guarantee this. Most family holidays occur during peak season and we sometimes have little to no control over the exact placement of rooms within a hotel. Please be understanding if we are unable to room your family in immediate proximity of one another.
Outback Hotel & Lodge
Yulara Drive
Yulara
AUSTRALIA
Instructions
This trip's default start location is the Outback Hotel & Lodge in Yulara at 4pm, where you will meet your group and your leader. Flights into Yulara (Ayers Rock Airport, airport code AYQ) are met by the free resort shuttle bus which will drop you at your accommodation.
If you are flying into Alice Springs you can opt to start your trip there instead with a pick-up at 'Stay at Alice Springs Hotel' at 8:30 am in the morning of day 1 at no additional cost. Please let us know if you would like to take advantage of this option.
Dates and prices
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Reviews
5 . 9 reviews
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Michele
Traveled June 2026
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