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First Nations culture and true outback wonder of Australia

Spend six days exploring the best of Australia’s Red Centre on a culturally rich and naturally wonderful small group adventure. From Yulara, admire Uluru at a number of times during the day, seeing the colour of this sacred rock change as day turns to night. Explore the depths of Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta National Park and the West MacDonnell Ranges, stopping by gorges and pristine waterholes for a walk and swim. With First Nations culture, comfortable accommodation and a knowledgeable leader, this Red Centre adventure is the whole package.

Start
Yulara, Australia
Finish
Alice Springs, Australia
Destination
Australia
Style
Comfort
Theme
Explorer
Code
POKR
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Take part in a Welcome or Acknowledgement of Country at the beginning of your adventure to recognise the land of the Anangu – the First Nations custodians of this area.

  • See the sacred wonder of Uluru at multiple angles and at different points of the day. Embark on a walk around its base, and enjoy a spread of locally sourced produce at sunset, watching the rock change as dusk breaks.

  • Gaze up at the constellations on a special stargazing experience and bush tucker dinner. The night sky comes alive in the Red Centre, with no pollution to impede your view.

  • Tour a wide range of landscapes around the Red Centre, including the West MacDonnell Ranges and Kings Canyon.

  • Hike through the otherworldly Walpa Gorge and to several viewpoints for spectacular vistas of Kata-Tjuta, the towering domes that form something akin to a forest of rounded rocks.

Is this trip right for you?

  • For the first two nights of this trip, your accommodation is in a permanent tented camp. This isn't the most basic camping experience, as you'll have beds with bedding and linen, electricity, and cooling fans inside your tent. Please note that facilities are shared with others at the campsite, including toilets and shower blocks, which are a short walk from where we camp.

  • Temperatures in the Red Centre can be extreme. During the day the weather can be very hot (and the Australian sun is very strong) so please bring appropriate clothing, use sun protection and drink plenty of water. In the evenings temperatures really drop, so bring base layers and warm clothing, including to sleep in.

  • On some days of the trip, you’ll spend many hours driving through very sparse areas of Australia. Sit back and enjoy landscapes that you would miss in any other form of travel. Think of it as a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. The drive days can be long, but it’s as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie.

PAKR - Ellery Creek Big Hole - Pax swimming
PAKR - Intrepid Travel - Australia NT - Kata Tjuta base pax walking
Karrke First Nations Experience near Kings Canyon
Karrke First Nations Experience near Kings Canyon
Karrke First Nations Experience near Kings Canyon
PAKR_Intrepid Travel-australia_northern-territory_uluru_pax_group_hike
PAKR - Intrepid Travel-australia_nt_west-macdonnell-ranges-pax-hike

Itinerary
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Welcome to Yulara, located on Anangu land in the red centre of Australia. You are welcome to arrive at any time today before an important welcome meeting at 5pm, where you will meet your local leader and fellow travellers. Although being deep in the outback, Yulara is surprisingly accessible, with flights arriving from major Australian cities. As part of your meeting your leader, or when available, a First Nations guide, will present a Welcome or Acknowledgement of Country. This practice occurs all across Australia to understand and recognise the land that you find yourself on – land of immense significance to First Nations communities. Reconvene with your crew for a memorable sunset viewing of Uluru and take the time to understand the importance of this sacred rock to the local Anangu people. Later, spend the night enjoying an Outback barbecue dinner under the stars, then maybe swap stories sitting around the campfire. There's the option to sleep under the stars in a swag for a true Aussie experience, or otherwise, enjoy a comfortable permanent tented room with a bed and light.

For those who would prefer to join the trip from Alice Springs, we offer a transfer to Yulara departing at 9:30am. Please contact us to book this transfer no later than 7 days prior to your trip.
Accommodation
  • Permanent furnished tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Uluru - Uluru Sunset with Snacks
  • Uluru - Outback BBQ Dinner
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting in the Desert Gardens Hotel lobby today as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time, and then will head to our permanent tented camp to check in. If you are going to be late please let us know.

To show respect for Uluru’s cultural and spiritual significance to the Anangu people we do not serve alcohol on our sunset tour.

Rise and shine nice and early for some spectacular sunrise viewing as you make your way to Kata Tjuta, where you’ll embark on the Walpa Gorge walk. Sandstone cliffs rise high above as you continue through the gorge, shrouded by shadows and full of First Nations history. Walpa Gorge is also one of the few places in Kata Tjuta where you might see kanyaḻa, or common wallaroo hopping around the domes. Return to camp for lunch. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon – perhaps book yourself on an outback ride on a bike or a camel through the Resort. Tonight, enjoy your own dinner at one of the on-site restaurants then retire to your accommodation, or for those who have pre-booked, witness the Field of Lights before heading off to bed.
Accommodation
  • Permanent furnished tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kata Tjuta - Walpa Gorge Walk
  • Uluru - Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park pass
Optional Activities
  • Uluru - Uluru Bike Ride - AUD50
  • Uluru - Uluru Segway Tour - AUD180
  • Yulara - Field of Light Pass - AUD46
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today's total driving time is approximately 3 hours. The Walpa Gorge walk is a 2.6km return Grade 3 (moderate) walk that takes around 1 hour to complete. Sturdy shoes are required.

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.

Tickets to the Field of Light Uluru art installation must be pre-booked prior to your trip. Please book this activity directly online. When booking, please select the latest available session time (7:40pm during winter and 8:10pm in summer). After dinner in camp your leader will drop you off and pick you up at the meeting point (Outback Pioneer Lodge).

Get up with the sun and embark on the base walk around Uluru at sunrise, watching as the colours of the rock shift as night turns to day. No two angles of the sacred monolith are the same and its sheer size will leave you marvelling. Join an Anangu guide for a walk to the beautiful Mutitjulu Waterhole at the base of the rock. Your guide will explain what makes this waterhole sacred while sharing stories of the incredible landscape and its connection to the Anangu people. Afterwards, stop by the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to continue immersing yourself in First Nations culture. Continue on to Kings Canyon – where you will spend the night. Snack on a packed lunch on the way and enjoy a walk and talk to discover the bush tucker and bush medicines used for spiritual and healing purposes by the Luritja and Pertame (Southern Arrernte) people. When you arrive in Kings Canyon this afternoon, soak up the views and the last of the daylight with the group at the perfectly positioned sunset viewing platform, before your optional dinner tonight.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kings Canyon - Kings Canyon sunset viewing
  • Uluru - Base Walk
  • Uluru - Uluru Sunrise
  • Uluru - Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre
  • Watarrka National Park - Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today's total driving time is approximately 5 hours. The Uluru base walk is 10.6 km of track that takes you around the whole circumference of the rock. It is a Grade 3 walk (moderate) and takes around 3.5 hours to complete.

Get ready for another day of sun-soaked scenery in Australia’s outback. Join your group for the Kings Canyon rim walk in Watarrka National Park. The walk starts with a difficult climb to the top of the canyon to take in unrivalled views. Admire the marbled red cliffs as they plummet to the forest floor from up above. Discover its Amphitheatre, Lost City, North and South Walls and the surprisingly lush Garden of Eden, which owes its cycads and plant life to a permanent waterhole down in the canyon. After the walk we continue on our way to Alice Springs, a drive of around 500 km which will take approximately 5.5 hours. Sit back, relax and watch the desert scenery roll by your window. Once there, perhaps join your travel pals for dinner at a local pub tonight.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Watarrka National Park - Kings Canyon Rim Walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
The 6km Kings Canyon rim loop takes around 3-4 hours to complete and is a Grade 4 (moderate to challenging) walk so should only be attempted if you are fit and healthy. Your leader can suggest shorter options for those seeking an easier walk. Sturdy enclosed shoes are required for all walks within the National Park.

Spend today exploring the outback scenery of Tjoritja - West Macdonnell National Park. Head to Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge for a swim (or just a toe dip in winter - the water can be freezing cold!) and relax on the beaches by the waterholes, or perhaps take a hike to check out more of the area. These two stops are traveller's favourites – not only for the swimming options available, but the incredible outback scenery that greets you at every turn. In the afternoon, make your way back to Alice Springs, and after freshening up at your accommodation, enjoy a memorable bush tucker and stargazing experience. Under a blanket of stars, follow the constellations above as you listen to expert guides tell the stories of the ground beneath your feet and the heavens above. Afterwards, head back to your accommodation in town for your final night.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tjoritja-West Macdonnell National Park - Ellery Creek Big Hole
  • Tjoritja-West Macdonnell National Park - Ormiston Gorge
  • Alice Springs - Earth Sanctuary Dinner & Star Talk
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today's total driving time is approximately 4 hours. There are a number of optional short walks today, adding up to approximately 3 hours in total.

With no activities planned for today, you are free to depart at any time.
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Permanent furnished tented camp (with shared facilities) (2 nights), Hotel (3 nights)

Included activities

  • Uluru - Uluru Sunset with Snacks
  • Uluru - Outback BBQ Dinner
  • Kata Tjuta - Walpa Gorge Walk
  • Uluru - Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park pass
  • Kings Canyon - Kings Canyon sunset viewing
  • Uluru - Base Walk
  • Uluru - Uluru Sunrise
  • Uluru - Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre
  • Watarrka National Park - Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience
  • Watarrka National Park - Kings Canyon Rim Walk
  • Tjoritja-West Macdonnell National Park - Ellery Creek Big Hole
  • Tjoritja-West Macdonnell National Park - Ormiston Gorge
  • Alice Springs - Earth Sanctuary Dinner & Star Talk

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Red Centre & Uluru Explorer trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

Travellers on Intrepid trips are required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. Read details here.

LATE REQUESTS
Please note that if you book this trip very close to departure, it may take us longer than our usual 2-4 business days to provide you with confirmation. This is due to a number of external factors, such as staffing levels at some of our hotels which may impact their ability to confirm services in a timely manner. We would like to thank you in advance for your patience when requesting your trip. Alternatively, if you require a faster outcome, you could choose an alternative date further in the future that can be confirmed immediately by us.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability.

START POINT LOCATION & TIME
This trip starts Yulara with a welcome meeting on Day 1 at 5pm at the reception of Desert Gardens Hotel. For those who would prefer to join the trip from Alice Springs, we offer an arrival transfer to Yulara departing from Alice Springs at 9:30am on Day 1. Please contact us to book these transfers no later than 7 days prior to your trip.

FIELD OF LIGHTS
This is a popular optional activity enjoyed by many visitors to Uluru and is not included on this trip. To avoid disappointment, ensure you pre-book this activity prior to travel through Ayers Rock Resort. Bookings should be made for Day 2.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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