Kick off your Red Centre adventure in Yulara
Uluru has become a symbol of the vast and rugged Aussie Outback. But it's also a place of deep spiritual importance to the traditional custodians, the Aṉangu people, who've been connected to these lands for tens of thousands of years. Watch the fascinating formations of Uluru and Kata Tjuta come alive as you listen to ancient stories passed down through the generations, and marvel at the breathtaking sight of an Uluru sunset. Continue your adventure through the Red Centre to discover other natural wonders including Kings Canyon and the stunning Ormiston Gorge in Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park.
Our tours from Yulara
6 Days
From
1420
Discover Australia’s Red Centre with spectacular sights of the Tjoritja-Western...
6 Days
From
1420
Discover Australia’s Red Centre in comfort with a six-day Intrepid adventure. Visit...
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Highlights of our tours from Yulara

Take in the beauty of Kata Tjuta
Kata Tjuta is just as impressive as Uluru. These 36 rust-coloured domes are not only extremely photogenic, but they also play a significant role in Anangu creation stories and culture. Whether you want to admire their size and shape from afar or get up close on one of the walking trails, get ready to be wowed by these 50,000-million-year-old formations.

Explore Alice Springs
Alice Springs might not be as lively as Australia’s larger towns and cities, but this quintessential Outback town is still worth a visit. Located in the heart of the outback, ‘Alice’ (as locals affectionately call it) has a small-town charm while offering big-town activities including various First Nations experiences, markets, historic sites, stargazing and art trails.

Hike the rim of Kings Canyon
Kings Canyon is a huge highlight of the Red Centre. Hike up to the canyon rim for 360 views of the surrounding desert. This is the walk that keeps on giving with sheer cliffs that plummet to the sandy floor, otherworldly boulders known as the 'Lost City' and a dreamy desert oasis (AKA, the Garden of Eden) where you can relax by a sacred waterhole surrounded by lush flora.

Go for a swim at Ormiston Gorge
Flanked by burnt-orange cliffs and native trees, it's no wonder this idyllic waterhole is one of the most photographed places in the Red Centre. Located in Tjoritja/West Macdonnell National Park, Ormiston Gorge is the perfect place to cool off after a sweaty hike or simply take a moment to appreciate the peace and serenity of the Outback.

Watch the shifting colours of Uluru
The Northern Territory boasts many natural wonders, but Uluru rises above the rest (literally). Known as the spiritual and cultural heart of Australia, this majestic monolith stands at a staggering 348 metres tall. It'll leave you speechless any time of day, but sunset and sunrise are something else. Watch in awe as it changes colour with the shifting shades of the setting and rising sun.

Learn about First Nations culture
Meet with LuritÂja/PerÂtame (SouthÂern AranÂda) guides for an immersive cultural experience on their ancestors' land. After cleansing your spirit during a smoking ceremony (a custom practised for thousands of years), you'll learn about traditional bush tucker, medicine and ancient cultural knowledge that's been passed down the generations. You'll know how to extract a witchetty grub from a tree root in no time!
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Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises). However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy
The Red Centre covers a huge, very remote area of Central Australia. There's no public transport, so we'll spend many hours driving from A to B in a private air-conditioned vehicle. Make sure you bring ample snacks and maybe a few podcasts to listen to – or use it as an opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers! The drives may be long, but it's a wonderful chance to sit back and enjoy the unique desert landscapes that you'd miss in any other form of travel.
The Red Centre is located in a semi-arid desert climate zone. This means that daytime temperatures are warm to hot all year round, but the nights are cool – in fact, winter lows can plummet to below freezing. Rainfall is low throughout the year, but December through March see the most precipitation. Travelling to the Red Centre isn't recommended in the summer if you don't enjoy the heat, as temps can top the mid 40°Cs.
The Red Centre is a year-round destination, but the most ideal time to visit is generally between late autumn and early spring (May to September) when average highs are a manageable 20-30°C. Travelling in the summer isn't a no-no, but you'll need to be prepared for the heat, ensure you stay hydrated and set off early to avoid the midday sun. If you visit in winter, ensure you pack warm layers for sunrise and sunset as it gets surprisingly chilly.
Read more about the best time to visit the Northern Territory
At the top of your packing list should be a pair of trusted walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. While the temperatures in the Red Centre can be quite high, they drop dramatically at night so you'll need a warm jacket, a jumper and a pair of warm pants. You should also pack a reusable drink bottle to stay hydrated, a day bag and sun protective gear.
The Anangu (pronounced arn-ung-oo) people are the traditional owners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and other regions of the Central Western desert. They've been custodians of the land for over 60,000 years and are one of the world's oldest living cultures. For the Anangu people, Uluru and Kata Tjuta are places of deep spiritual connection; they are physical evidence of Tjukurpa (the creation period) and the ancestral spirits who reside in the land.
We're committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.
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