Discover 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 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 experiences, comfortable accommodation, a knowledgeable leader and a number of inclusions as standard, this Red Centre adventure is the whole package.
Is this trip right for you?
- For the first two nights of this trip you will stay in a permanent tented camp with shared facilities, including toilets and shower blocks which are a short walk from the campsite. The tents are furnished with proper beds with bedding and linen and have electricity and cooling fans.
- 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.
- This trip requires a moderate level of fitness as it involves a lot of walking, allowing you to really get among nature. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing.
- On some days of the trip, you’ll spend several hours driving through very sparse areas of Australia. Sit back and enjoy landscapes that you would miss in any other form of travel. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. 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.
- Intrepid's leaders are the classic do-it-all Aussie – they know the best spots to watch the sunset, can drive you to your next destination, take you on a guided hike or even whip up dinner for the group on some trips. While they won’t always do all these jobs on every trip, be aware they will be juggling many things on your tour and may have less time to spend with you. They will always be working hard to ensure you and your group have a fantastic time exploring Australia.
This Tour Also Features
- Aboriginal Cultural Experience
- Ellery Creek Big Hole & Ormiston Gorge
- Kings Canyon Rim Walk
- Mutitjulu Waterhole Guided Walk
- Standley Chasm
- Town Tour of Alice Springs
- Uluru & Kata Tjuta National Park
- Walpa Gorge Walk
- Meals included: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner, 1 special dinner
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. Alternatively you can join this trip in Alice Springs. Please see below for details. 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.
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. 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 this transfer no later than 7 days prior to your trip. To show respect for Uluru’s cultural and spiritual significance to the Anangu people we do not serve alcohol on our sunset tour.
Activities:
- Uluru - Uluru Sunset with Snacks
- Uluru - Outback BBQ Dinner
Staying in:
- Permanent furnished tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
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.
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. The Field of Lights 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: https://www.voyages.com.au/all-experiences-tours. Bookings should be made for Day 2 of your trip. Select the first available session time after 7:30pm. Pick up point is Outback Hotel & Lodge. Your leader can arrange drop off and pick up.
Activities:
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Walpa Gorge Walk
- Uluru - Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park pass
Staying in:
- Permanent furnished tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
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.
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. Please note that the Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience is only available on trips departing between April and end of October.
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 (except Nov-Jan)
Staying in:
- Hotel (1 night)
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 (Mparntwe in the language of the traditional owners of the land on which Alice Springs is now located). 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.
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. Today's drive to Alice Springs is approximately 5.5 hours.
Activities:
- Watarrka National Park - Kings Canyon Rim Walk
Staying in:
- Hotel (1 night)
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 head back to your accommodation in town for your final night.
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.
Activities:
- Tjoritja-West Macdonnell National Park - Ellery Creek Big Hole
- Tjoritja-West Macdonnell National Park - Ormiston Gorge
Staying in:
- Hotel (1 night)
With no activities planned for today, you are free to depart at any time.
| Starts | Status | Twin/Double | Single occupancy | You save | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Dec 10, 2023
(Sunday) |
NZD$3,295 | NZD$4,225 | Enquire | ||
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Feb 4, 2024
(Sunday) |
NZD$3,165 | NZD$4,095 | Enquire | ||
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Mar 3, 2024
(Sunday) |
NZD$3,165 | NZD$4,095 | Enquire |