Best Uluru (Yulara) to Alice Springs Tours & Vacations 2022/23

Extraordinary landscapes are just the tip of the rock in Australia’s remarkable Red Centre.

Embark on the Aussie adventure of a lifetime, starting from one of Aboriginal Australia’s most sacred sites in Uluru before travelling to the relaxing Alice Springs, the country’s most central city. Not only will your journey through the outback give you unforgettable memories and photos you can always look back on, but our Uluru (Yulara) to Alice Springs tours and holidays explore some of the Northern Territory's best national parks and other extraordinary sites such as Kings Canyon, the West Macdonnell Ranges, and Kata Tjuta for experiences you simply can’t get anywhere else.

Our Uluru (Yulara) to Alice Springs tours and holidays

Red Centre & Uluru Explorer

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Places to visit from Uluru (Yulara) to Alice Springs

Two travellers exploring the magical domes of Kata Tjuta on a sunny day in the Northern Territory

Take in the beauty of Kata Tjuta

If you thought Mother Nature’s work couldn’t get any better, then the otherworldly rock formations at Kata Tjuta will make you think again. Playing an important role in the lives of the Anangu people for more than 20,000 years, this collection of 36 rust-coloured domes will have you taking photos left, right, and centre. From walking the Valley of the Winds trail to marveling at them from afar, Kata Tjuta is a sight you simply don’t want to miss.

An aerial view of the town of Alice Springs on a gorgeous, sunny day

Explore Alice Springs

While Alice Springs might not be the busy hub we’ve come to expect from Australia’s larger cities, this relaxing and culturally diverse town is still worth a visit thanks to its unbelievable art and events scene. Situated in the heart of the outback, ‘Alice’ (as it’s affectionately called by locals) has a small-town feel while offering big-town activities including various First Nations experiences, markets, festivals, stargazing, and art trails.

Guide leading a group of travellers on a hike to Kings Canyon

Walk along Kings Canyon

There are many ways to experience the extraordinary beauty of the Red Centre and walking along the rim of Kings Canyon is one of the best. Not only can you see the outback scenery from a higher vantage point, but you can also admire the marbled red cliffs of the canyon as they plummet to the sandy, desert floor. On your walk, look out for the spectacular North and South Walls, the abundant Garden of Eden with its rich plant life and permanent waterhole, and the mystical Lost City for sights that’ll be imprinted in your memory for years to come.

A group of travellers swimming in Ormiston Gorge in the West Macdonnell Ranges

Go for a swim at Ormiston Gorge

Trust us when we say that walking into Ormiston Gorge is like walking into a completely different world thanks to its red rock cliff surrounds and enticing waterhole. Whether you’re keen to cool off in the relaxing water or just want to dip a toe or two in, let the peace and quiet of this breathtaking and secluded spot calm you as you listen to the sounds of the wilderness. Known to be one of the most photographed places in the Red Centre, treat your senses (and your camera) to the very best of Australia’s outback scenery.

The magnificent form of Uluru under the sun's shifting colours

Watch Uluru shift colours with the rising and setting sun

While there are incredible natural attractions everywhere you look, Uluru rises above the rest (literally). Acting as the spiritual and cultural heart of the Red Centre, this majestic monolith stands at a staggering 384 metres tall and is even more breathtaking to behold when both the rising and setting sun’s light dances across the rock. It’s these shifting colours, and the awe they inspire, that’ll stay with you long after your trip ends.

Local Aboriginal member performing a First Nations experience in the Northern Territory

Get treated to a Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience

Australia is home to an Aboriginal culture that’s been around for thousands of years and there’s no better place to learn about it than right in the heart of the country. Follow your Intrepid leader to the edge of Watarrka National Park where you’ll meet a knowledgeable, local guide who’ll provide an insight into the food, art, medicine, and languages of the First Nations people of this region, the Luritja.

Uluru (Yulara) to Alice Springs tour reviews

Uluru (Yulara) to Alice Springs FAQs

Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to join an Intrepid trip in the Northern Territory?

Trips on or before 31 December 2022

If your Intrepid trip starts on or before 31 December 2022, you must provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.

If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional.

Children under 18 are exempt. Children aged between 5 and 17 years old must provide proof of either vaccination, recovery or a negative COVID-19 test.

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

How to get from Uluru (Yulara) to Alice Springs

While embarking on a tour is the best way to experience everything Australia's Red Centre has to offer if you wanted to do it on your own, there are plenty of other options. The quickest way to travel between the two destinations is to fly but this option is quite expensive. If you're after a budget-friendly way to travel then driving will set you back less than AUD$100 and take around 4 and a half hours. You can also organise a coach or take a bus but this increases the time it takes to travel between the destinations.

What's the weather like in the Northern Territory?

The southern part of the state where both Uluru (Yulara) and Alice Springs are located, experiences a typical desert climate with extremely hot summers and warm winters. This means that temperatures can climb to an eye-watering 45°C in summer so travelling to the iconic destination during this season is not recommended. Instead, travel between the months of May to September when the average temperature is a more manageable 20°C - 30°C.

When's the best time to visit the Northern Territory?

The best time to visit the southern part of the Northern Territory where Uluru (Yulara) and Alice Springs are located is in the months from May to September. While these are predominantly winter months, the temperatures are still nice at a reasonable 20°C - 30°C so you spend the majority of your time exploring the desert landscape and its extraordinary features. If you to avoid the large crowds and increased prices that the peak season brings (winter), travel during autumn or the early months of spring.

What to pack for a trip from Uluru (Yulara) to Alice Springs

Setting off on your Uluru (Yulara) to Alice Springs adventure is extremely exciting but making sure you have everything you need before you go is very important. At the top of your packing list should be weather-appropriate clothes. While the temperatures in the southern part of the Northern Territory can be quite high, they lower dramatically at nighttime so be prepared by packing a few jackets or cardigans. You should also always pack a reusable drink bottle and a day bag/backpack with you so you can keep hydrated and carry snacks when you're off trekking through the outback.

Are Uluru (Yulara) to Alice Springs trips accessible for travellers with disabilities?

Intrepid is 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.