Adelai Uluru Tour
This 8-day adventure from Adelaide to Uluru offers the opportunity to experience unforgettable moments in nature and immerse yourself in the rich Indigenous culture of Australia’s outback.
A camping trip offers a variety of wilderness and untamed landscapes. Explore the ancient gorges of the Flinders Ranges and witness the harsh terrain of the Oodnadatta Track. Discover an underground labyrinth in Coober Pedy. Immerse yourself in the Red Centre, a unique landscape of desert plains, weathered mountains, rocky gorges, and sacred Aboriginal sites. Enjoy breathtaking outback sunsets and share campfire stories with new and old friends.
| DAYS | 8 |
| DEPARTS | 07:35 |
| RETURNS | 20:30 |
| Price | $ 1596 – 1995 AUD |
Highlights
- Discover the ancient Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.
- Travellers can explore surreal lunar landscapes by venturing off-road on the famous Oodnadatta Track.
- One can fall asleep in a dugout beneath the Earth’s surface in Coober Pedy.
- Experience the beauty of nature through invigorating and fulfilling hikes.
- Visitors can experience the awe-inspiring spiritual sites of Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon.
- Experience authentic Indigenous culture by connecting with the Country.
- Witness the stunning sunset over Uluru.
- You can observe the Milky Way’s billions of stars while camping in your tent.
- Engage in meaningful conservation work.
Inclusions
- The accommodation includes six nights of swag camping with facilities and one night in an underground bunkhouse multi-share dorm.
- All activities and experiences
- The meal plan includes seven breakfasts, four lunches, and five dinners.
- The Storyteller Guide covers the fees for national parks and entrances.
- Air-conditioned vehicle
What you can actually see!
Itinerary
Day 1: Adelaide - Flinders Ranges
Your eight-day outback adventure starts at 6 am in Adelaide. Your Storyteller Guide will meet you there. You’ll make a coffee stop in Port Wakefield before heading to the Southern Flinders Ranges. There, you’ll hike at Alligator Gorge in Mount Remarkable National Park. After lunch, you’ll take a quick stroll around Quorn, known for the Pichi Richi Railway. Next, you’ll arrive at Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and hike at Arkaroo Rock, an important cultural site for the Adnyamathanha people. You’ll see rock paintings depicting the Yura Muda (Dreaming or creation story) of Ikara. During the afternoon, a Welcome to Country will be conducted at Wilpena Pound Resort in the Adnyamathanha people’s language. Then, you’ll arrive at Skytrek Willow Springs Station, a 70,000-acre working sheep station where you’ll camp in the bush. This will be your base as you explore the Flinders Ranges. After a delicious dinner prepared by your Guide, you can relax and enjoy the incredible night sky, known for its clarity in this region. You’ll sleep under the stars, surrounded by the ancient landscape.
Thedriving distancetoday is approximately510km.
Accommodation options include camping at Skytrek Willow Springs Station.
Meals IncludedL | D
Day 2: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
The fossils found in the Flinders Ranges are ancient. Geologists had the geologic timeline of Earth’s history changed because of them. They named a new era called the Ediacaran Period. We will have breakfast and then explore more of the park. We will go on a morning hike through tall river red gums and past waterholes. The hike will end with stunning views of the surrounding wilderness. We will meet with a Park Ranger and learn about conservation efforts in Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. We can also participate in conservation work. After lunch, we will take a scenic drive at Brachina Gorge. After visiting an iconic country pub for a drink, we can relax and have dinner at camp. The driving time today is about 3 hours.
Accommodation is available at Skytrek Willow Springs Station as swag camping.
Meals are provided for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 3: Flinders Ridge - William Creek on the Oodnadatta Trail
Today, we are travelling along a section of the Oodnadatta Track, an iconic unsealed road in Australia. The landscape along this road is eerie and moonlike, with highlights like Lake Eyre, the largest salt lake in Australia, and the Mutonia Sculpture Park. We will also pass through Anna Creek Station, the world’s largest working cattle station, covering an area equivalent to the entire Country of Belgium. In the afternoon, we will arrive at William Creek, a tiny outback settlement with a population of only ten. This quirky town is an icon of the South Australian Outback. After dinner, you can enjoy a drink at the historic William Creek Hotel, open since 1887. Finally, you can sleep under the stars in the campground, nestled in your swag.
The total distance to be driven today is approximately 500km.
Accommodation option: Camping at William Creek.
Meals provided: Breakfast, -, Dinner.
Day 4: William Creek - Coober Pedy
After breakfast, travel to Coober Pedy, known for its opals. The town has a unique landscape and history. Take some time to explore. Then, visit Josephine’s Gallery & Kangaroo Orphanage, which houses orphaned kangaroos and a world-class Aboriginal Art Gallery. After lunch, go to Umpoon Opal Mine & Museum to learn about opals and see a cutting demonstration. Visit The Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park for stunning scenery. Stay in an underground bunkhouse and have free time to explore and eat dinner. Today’s drive is about 170km.
Accommodation option: Umoona Opal Mine offers underground bunk beds for multiple guests.
Breakfast is included, but lunch and dinner are not included.
Day 5: Coober Pedy - Watarrka/Kings Canyon
Travel north from Coober Pedy, passing the Dingo Fence and Breakaways Reserve. Then, cross into the Northern Territory and continue to Watarrka National Park, where Kings Canyon is located. After lunch, participate in the Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience to learn about the world’s oldest living culture. Take a short walk and gain knowledge about bush tucker, bush medicine, dot painting symbols, local crafts, and bush paintings. In the late afternoon, arrive at the campsite at Kings Creek Station. Relax, enjoy the peacefulness, and swim in the pool if it’s warm. Capture a beautiful desert sunset from the sunset viewing plat
form before having dinner at the Station restaurant and settling in for the night. Today’s drive is approximately 770km.
Accommodation option: Camping at Kings Creek Station.
Meals included: Breakfast only.
Day 6: Watarrka/Kings Canyon - Uluru
The Kings Canyon Rim Walk starts early in the morning. It is a magical experience. The sandstone walls are 300 meters high. Waterholes, fern forests, chasms, canyons, and caverns are all part of Watarrka National Park. The park is like an oasis in central Australia. Priscilla’s Crack is a famous location in the park. It was featured in the Australian movie Priscilla Queen of the Desert. The Lost City is a group of sandstone domes that can be seen from there. The Garden of Eden is a lush greenery with a watering hole. After lunch, we will drive to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. We will watch an unforgettable sunset over Uluru this afternoon. After dinner at camp, we will sleep under the stars on the red Earth. The drive today is approximately 350km.
Accommodation: Camping is available at Ayers Rock Resort Campground.
Meals are included for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 7: Uluru
Wake up early and enjoy the peacefulness of a sunrise over Uluru. The colours of the rock formations change as the sunlight hits them. Uluru is 348 meters high and over 550 million years old. It has a powerful presence when you see it up close. Visitors can take a guided 10km walk around the base of Uluru to connect with the rock and learn its stories. Along the way, you can relax by waterholes, rest under a Sheoak tree, and explore hidden caves. After the walk, have lunch and visit the Cultural Centre to learn more about Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and Anangu culture. The centre has exhibits and free presentations by Anangu and park rangers. In the afternoon, return to camp and enjoy some free time. You can relax by the pool or participate in activities at Ayers Rock Resort, like a didgeridoo performance or a guided garden walk. Have a delicious dinner at camp tonight. We only have a short drive of around 60km today. The full Uluru base walk is 10km, but faster options are available.
Accommodation is available at the Ayers Rock Resort Campground.
Meals are included for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 8: Kata Tiuta - Yulara
The final day of the tour starts early with a captivating Kata Tjuta sunrise. Kata Tjuta, meaning ‘Many Heads’ in Pitjantjatjara, consists of 36 domes that define the Red Centre landscape both physically and spiritually. Standing 546 meters above the plain, it is the highest point for miles. The site’s ridges and ravines are closely tied with Indigenous creation-time stories, many of which are kept secret. However, you will learn a bit about the local Anangu culture and admire the beauty of their land on the Valley of the Winds guided walk. This three-hour circuit offers unparalleled views of the unique landscape surrounding Kata Tjuta. The outback adventure concludes in the late morning upon returning to Yulara. Guests departing from Uluru Airport can take advantage of complimentary transfers provided by the resort. Bus transfers from Yulara are also available for those heading towards Alice Springs. Please refer below for more information in the ‘Know Before You Go’ section. The driving distance today is around 120km.
Meals included: Breakfast only.
Details
Itinerary Changes
- Weather conditions in the Australian outback can change quickly and dramatically. Our experienced guides will always put the safety of our passengers first and stay abreast of weather conditions.
- Itinerary changes may occur to ensure we provide the best possible experience. For example, in the hot summer months, from December to March, we may change the times of hikes to earlier. Any itinerary changes will be communicated to the group in advance.
- The Oodnadatta Track accessibility is strongly dependent on weather conditions. See below for further information.
Aditional Information
General
- This tour commences in Adelaide on day one at approximately 6 am and finishes in Yulara (Uluru) on day eight at noon. Please book your travels with this in mind.
- Transfers from Uluru or Yulara to Alice Springs depart from the Desert Gardens Hotel at 12:30 pm (October – March) or 1 pm (April – September). These are operated by AAT Kings and cost approximately $189pp. You can visit their website for more details.
- To get the most from this experience, you need to enjoy the outdoors, hiking, and be able to cope with extreme weather conditions.
- A moderate fitness level is required, and you must be prepared for walks between 3-12 kilometres on some days. This may involve rough ground and perhaps getting wet.
- Please advise of any special dietary requirements when you book. We offer plenty of variety and do our best to provide fresh products. Snacks, soft drinks and alcohol are not included.
- Bags are restricted to 1 × 15 kg backpack/soft travel bag per person, plus one small piece of hand luggage.
- As part of our COVID-Safe protocols, all passengers must complete online check-in, including a ‘Fit for Travel’ self-declaration to confirm they are illness-free. This is mandatory and must be completed at the latest 24 hours before departure.
- This tour requires a minimum of six people to operate. In the unlikely event your departure is cancelled because minimum numbers have not been met, we will transfer all monies paid onto a future departure date. If this is not suitable, we will refund your tour price in full.
- Please read our full Booking Terms & Conditions before booking
What do you need to bring?
- Your sense of adventure
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
- Sleeping Bag
- Swimmers and beach towels
- Hand sanitiser and insect repellent
- In cooler months (Oct, Nov, March & April), pack thermals, bed socks, warm clothes and a hot water bottle.
- Hat and sunscreen
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Water bottle &/or Camelbak (2L minimum)
- Torch or headlight
- Snacks for the bus in your day bag
- Reusable facemasks
Camping
- This is a camping tour, and involvement from the passengers is required. This can include helping with meals and packing up camp.
- Camping on this tour is at a mixture of national parks and campgrounds. All campgrounds do have basic toilet and shower facilities.
- When camping, we use single swags. Swags are ‘Aussie Bed Rolls’ made from sturdy canvas with a mattress built into the swag. Passengers must provide a sleeping bag and pillow to insert into the swag.
- Swag Upgrade – if you would like to upgrade to a deluxe double swag that comfortably sleeps up to two people, you can pay a $300 upgrade fee during the booking process. This swag features a high-density foam mattress and mesh windows. Due to the size of this swag, there is limited availability, so it is first in best dressed.
- Our wet weather option is a 3-person dome tent shared by two people.