Explore the iconic highlights of the Red Centre on this compact self-drive holiday through the central Australian outback. Designed to be taken as part of a tailor made holiday, travel by 4WD from Alice Spring to explore the striking natural geological formations of this territory – Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon.
Discover the history of Alice Springs, one of Australia’s most iconic outback towns, before exploring the dramatic landscape of the West MacDonnell Ranges and Kings Canyon.
Walk the renowned Valley of the Winds walk at Kata Tjuta and marvel at the panoramic views and native flora and fauna of the region before continuing on to see the pinnacle of Australia’s Outback, Uluru.
You’ll also drive one of the Northern Territory’s most exhilarating roads – the 4WD only Mereenie Loop Road and enjoy the magic of fine dining under the Southern Desert sky whilst staying at Uluru.
Itinerary
After collecting your 4WD rental car, spend the day at leisure in Alice Springs, the gateway to exploring Central Australia. See the Old Telegraph Station which used to relay messages from Darwin to Adelaide up until 1932 before visiting the Royal Flying Doctor Service Base to learn about medical care in the Central Australian outback. Visit the School of Air, the first school of its type in Australia which broadcasts lessons to children over an area of 1.3 million sq km or drive the short distance out of town to the Alice Springs Desert Park, which is home to a staggering array of native central Australian wildlife. For a tremendous sunset view walk up Anzac Hill and admire the 365-degree view over the town and MacDonnell Ranges in the distance.
Optional Experiences
Outback Ballooning, Alice Springs
Rise early and commence your drive towards Kings Canyon. Spend the day traversing this iconic route enjoying a plethora of natural attractions on the way. From Alice Springs, take the Namatjira drive that snakes alongside the West MacDonnell Ranges before taking a break to enjoy a short swim at Ellery Creek Big Hole, a natural waterhole nestled into a gorge before continuing to Ormiston Gorge, one of the most impressive chasms in the West MacDonnells. Take a short walk around the gorge, marvelling at the plethora of ghost gum trees, wildlife and of course spectacular views before continuing to Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park.
Optional Experiences
Light-Towers Experience at Kings Canyon
Perhaps enjoy a short hike around the base of Kings Canyon in the morning or the slightly longer Scenic Rim Walk, a 6km loop that skirts the canyons rim before descending down wooden stairs to the Garden of Eden, a lush pocket of ferns and wild flowers around a tranquil natural pool. Admire the giant sandstone domes and weathered cliff faces before continuing to the World Heritage-listed Kata Tjuta National Park and the burnished orange site of Uluru. Spend the evening admiring the ever changing colours of this monolithic rock at the incredible Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner. Set upon a dune with magnificent views of Uluru and the distant domes of Kata Tjuta, this unique experience combines delicious food with an innovative sound and light show. Choreographed drones, lasers and projections illuminate the desert sky to bring to life a fascinating chapter of the Mala story.
Wintjiri Wiru Experiences, Uluru
Spend the day exploring the ancient landscape of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Rise early and witness the first rays of sunshine light up Uluru as you enjoy a guided excursion out into the desert. After enjoying a bush breakfast you will visit the Mutitjulu Waterhole and Cultural Centre to learn about the traditions and belief systems of the national parks careholders, the Anangu people. After lunch you could continue on to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), a series of 36 striking rock domes huddled together a short distance from Uluru. Enjoy a challenging but rewarding walk along the Valley of the Winds trail taking in the native wildlife, creek beds and of course multiple panoramic views.
Desert Awakenings, Uluru
Optional Experiences
Night at Field of Light, Uluru
Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Lake Amadeus Scenic Flight, Uluru
Sounds of Silence Dinner, Uluru
In the morning depart Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and return to Alice Springs for your onward journey.
Prices & departures
What's Included
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Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
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Car rental throughout
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Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner
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Desert Awakenings Excursion
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24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
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No surcharge guarantee
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Full financial protection
From £1084 Excluding Flights
4 Nights
Year Round
Prices are per person based upon 2 sharing, subject to availability. Your Travel Specialist will confirm the exact price based upon your tailored requirements, inclusions, and travel dates.
Make this trip yours
Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.
Gary
Times visited New Zealand
Continents visited
We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch.