Day 1: Spend the day (or a few!) at Uluru
- Depending on how much time you have in the Red Centre, spending a few days at Uluru is recommended. With so much to do and a comfortable home base at Ayers Rock Resort, it’s easy to fill three, four, or more days enjoying award-winning experiences, discovering Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, and participating in free cultural activities at the resort. Get inspired with our local itineraries.
- Visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to learn about Aboriginal culture. Browse art galleries, explore exhibits, and check out presentations by Anangu and park rangers. When you leave, you’ll have a deeper understanding of Anangu culture and the National Park’s significance. Plan to spend about two hours at the Centre.
- Explore Mutitjulu Waterhole or take a short walk around Uluru. The Mutitjulu Waterhole is one of the busiest spots to see around Uluru, but it’s usually quiet at sunrise, sunset, or at lunchtime. It’s a quick 15-minute out-and-back trek from the Kuniya Walk. Alternatively, spend some time strolling around the base of Uluru, paying attention to posted signage for guidance.
- In the evening, watch the sunset over Uluru and enjoy an outdoor dinner experience. Sounds of Silence is a three-course bush tucker-inspired buffet dinner paired with a Didgeridoo performance and a guided tour of the sparkling Outback sky. A Night at Field of Light adds on an award-winning art installation, inviting you to stroll through 50,000 colourful glass spheres after dark.
- Relax and rejuvenate at one of the accommodations offered by Ayers Rock Resort. Choose from options to suit every travel style, such as five-star luxury at Sails in the Desert, roomy family-style accommodation at Emu Walk Apartments, or a laid-back campground experience at the Ayers Rock Campground. Sleep tight, we’re hitting the road tomorrow!
Day 2: Uluru to Kings Canyon
- Watch the sunrise at Uluru with an immersive experience such Sunrise Journeys or Desert Awakenings. Observe the way Uluru changes colour with the emerging morning light while listening to a local guide speak to the desert plants and wildlife around you, paired with a delicious breakfast to fuel you for the day’s adventures.
- Hike the Valley of the Winds at Kata Tjuta, then drive to Kings Canyon. Valley of the Winds is a moderate walk that takes about 3-4 hours to complete. Once you’re back at your car, grab a snack from your stash and make tracks for Kings Canyon. The drive out covers approximately 300km and takes about four hours.
- Spend the evening relaxing at your accommodation. We’re heading out for another hike in the morning, so make sure you’re well-rested!
Day 3: Explore Kings Canyon
- Hike the Kings Canyon Rim Walk in the morning. Located in Watarrka National Park, Kings Canyon Rim Walk is a moderate, 6km walk that features some climbs – the canyon scenery from the top of the rim is well worth the effort.
- Enjoy some relaxation or a cultural tour in the afternoon. We recommend the Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience Tour, which introduces traditional Aboriginal customs and teachings along with a guided walking tour.
- Have dinner at Kings Canyon Resort. Just 7km from Watarrka National Park, the resort includes two restaurants, two swimming pools, and a petrol station.
Day 4: Kings Canyon to Alice Springs
- The drive to Alice Springs is approximately six hours, so you’ll want to break it up by checking out some of the local sights. Henbury Meteorites Conservation Reserve, open year-round, is located 125km southwest of Alice Springs and is one of five meteorite impact sites in Australia where craters and meteorite fragments can be seen. Tjoritja West MacDonnell National Park features marked walking tracks that are perfect for stretching your road-weary legs, paired with colourful scenery like the striking red cliffs of Simpsons Gap and the waterholes at Ellery Creek and Glen Helen.
- Explore Alice Springs Desert Park in the afternoon. Keep your eyes peeled for outback animals and birds and enjoy a wildly varied landscape – from deserts and dry riverbeds to thick woods. Come back after dark for a guided Nocturnal Tour, where you can observe the animals who are most active at night.
- End your day with dinner in Alice Springs. Head to Alice Springs Brewing Co. for a local brew and toast to four days of adventure, culture, and scenery you won’t forget. Image credit: Tourism Australia.
