Extraordinary landscapes are just the tip of the rock in the Red Centre

Embark on the Aussie adventure of a lifetime from Uluru to Alice Springs. After witnessing the mind-boggling magnificence of Uluru and Kata Tjuta, hit the red dirt roads on a road trip through some of the Northern Territory's wildest landscapes. As well as an action-packed itinerary that'll have you hiking to the rugged plateau of Kings Canyon and swimming in otherworldly waterholes in Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park, our tours offer a chance to connect with and learn from the traditional custodians of these ancient lands. When you wind up in Alice Springs, you'll understand why Uluru is called the heart of Australia.

Our Uluru (Yulara) to Alice Springs trips

6 Days From 1660

Discover Australia’s Red Centre with spectacular sights of the Tjoritja-Western...

6 Days From 1670

Discover Australia’s Red Centre in comfort with a six-day Intrepid adventure. Visit...

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Highlights of our Uluru to Alice Springs tours

The beautiful domes of Kata Tjuta

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.

Two travellers walking into a build in the Telegraph Station in Alice Springs

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.

Two travellers admiring impressive rocks on the Kings Canyon Rim Walk

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.

Two travellers swimming in Ormiston Gorge in West MacDonnell National Park

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.

A group of four travellers and an Intrepid guide posing for a photo with Uluru at sunset

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.

A local guide explaining dot painting at the Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience near Kings Canyon

Learn about First Nations culture

Meet with Lurit­ja/Per­tame (South­ern Aran­da) 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.

Read more about what to pack for a Red Centre trip

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.

Read more about the traditional owners of Uluru

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.

Read more about the Red Centre