Uluru (Yulara) to Alice Springs Tours & Vacations

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.