8-Day Adelaide to Uluru tour

Your week-long adventure in the Australian outback kicks off at 6 am in Adelaide, where you’ll meet your Storyteller Guide. Following a quick coffee break in the seaside town of Port Wakefield, you’ll head to Southern Flinders Ranges for a morning trek at Alligator Gorge. This serves as a great introduction to the trip, taking place in Mount Remarkable National Park. Post-lunch, take a brief walk around Quorn, a town known for its Pichi Richi Railway. Next, reach Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park for a hike at Arkaroo Rock, a site of cultural significance to the Adnyamathanha community. Explore rock art depicting the Yura Muda (creation myths) of Ikara (also known as Wilpena Pound). Later in the day, partake in a Welcome to Country ceremony in the Adnyamathanha language at Wilpena Pound Resort. After feeling in tune with the land and its history, head to Skytrek Willow Springs Station. This 70,000-acre active sheep ranch offers remote bush camping and serves as our hub for exploring the Flinders Ranges. End the day with a delicious dinner from your Guide and stargaze in one of the Southern Hemisphere’s clearest skies.

Today’s driving distance is around 510km.

Lodging: Swag camping at Skytrek Willow Springs Station

Meals Provided: L | D

The Flinders Ranges boast fossils that are so ancient, they prompted geologists to reframe Earth’s geological timeline, identifying a fresh era known as the Ediacaran period. After our morning meal, we will delve deeper into this incredible park with a hike that takes us through towering river red gums and by waterholes, culminating in spectacular views. Conservation is integral to our ethos; hence, we’ll spend some time today with a Park Ranger to understand the park’s preservation efforts and maybe even participate in some impactful conservation tasks. Post-lunch, embark on a scenic drive through Brachina Gorge. Round off the day with a drink at a traditional country pub before heading back to camp for dinner. Estimated driving time today is roughly 3 hours.

Lodging: Swag camping at Skytrek Willow Springs Station

Meals Provided: B | L | D

Today, venture off the mainstream trails to traverse a section of the renowned Oodnadatta Track. Pass through surreal, moonlike landscapes, catching sight of highlights like Lake Eyre (the largest salt lake in Australia) and Mutonia Sculpture Park. Navigate through Anna Creek Station, recognized as the world’s biggest operational cattle ranch, spanning an area as large as Belgium! By late afternoon, make your way to the minuscule desert community of William Creek. Despite its tiny population of ten, this town is a landmark of South Australia’s Outback. After your evening meal, you can opt for a chilled beverage at the historic William Creek Hotel, established in 1887, before dozing off under the stars at the campground.

Today’s driving distance is approximately 500km.

Lodging: Swag camping at William Creek

Meals Provided: B | D

*Kindly refer to the ‘Know Before You Go’ section for details about road and weather conditions.

Once you’ve had breakfast, head out to the renowned subterranean town of Coober Pedy. Known as the opal hub of Australia, the town offers a striking moonscape, intriguing historical background, and an exceptional lifestyle. You’ll have some leisure time to wander around the town. Later on, make a stop at Josephine’s Gallery & Kangaroo Orphanage, which was founded in 2008 to provide a home for orphaned kangaroos in the far north of South Australia—an area roughly as large as Germany. The gallery on-site is an excellent showcase of Aboriginal Art, displaying a broad spectrum of Aboriginal artefacts and major works by several of Australia’s most prominent Indigenous artists. After your meal, head over to the main highlight of the town, Umoona Opal Mine & Museum. Engage in ‘noodling’ or gem hunting and partake in an opal-cutting tutorial. End the day at The Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park, taking in the breathtaking vistas of the Moon Plains. Tonight, your stay will be in a one-of-a-kind subterranean communal sleeping space, with time in the evening to dine at any of the underground restaurants. The total driving distance for today is around 170 km.

Accommodation: Umoona Opal Mine – subterranean communal room, shared

Meals Included: B | – | –

Departing from Coober Pedy, head northward, going past the Dingo Fence and Breakaways Reserve. After entering the Northern Territory, continue to Watarrka National Park, where Kings Canyon is located. Following lunch, immerse yourself in the ancient wisdom of the world’s most enduring culture through the Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience. During this hour-long excursion, go for a brief walk and then gain insights into bush food, traditional medicine, the meaning behind dot paintings, and other local arts and crafts. As the day comes to an end, arrive at Kings Creek Station, your campsite. Unwind, savor the peaceful atmosphere, and on hot days, take a dip in the pool. Capture a breathtaking desert sunset from the lookout platform prior to having your dinner at the Station’s restaurant. The driving distance for today will be about 770 km.

Accommodation: Open-air sleeping in a swag at Kings Creek Station

Meals Included: B | – | –

Begin the day early for the awe-inspiring Kings Canyon Rim Walk, a hike that promises to be an unforgettable experience. Within the boundaries of Watarrka National Park, you’ll find towering 300-meter-high sandstone cliffs, concealed pools, forests of ferns, and a plethora of gorges, canyons, and caves. Enjoy panoramic vistas while traversing through Priscilla’s Crack, a location made famous by the iconic Australian film Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Also, discover the sandstone formations known as the Lost City and the verdant surroundings and water feature called the Garden of Eden. Post-lunch, relax your limbs during the drive to the last stop, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. As dusk falls, be mesmerized by the unforgettable setting sun over Uluru. Return to camp for your evening meal, then sleep in a swag under a sky full of stars. The driving distance for the day is approximately 350 km.

Accommodation: Open-air swag sleeping at Ayers Rock Resort Campground

Meals Included: B | L | D

Start your day early and immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of a sunrise at Uluru. Witness how the sun’s rays transform the colours of the rock formations. Then, prepare for a closer encounter with this awe-inspiring natural monument. Standing at 348 meters and dating back around 550 million years, you’ll sense its monumental aura as soon as you see it. A 10km walk around the base of Uluru provides the optimal chance to engage with this geological marvel and delve into its history. Pause beside peaceful waterholes, rest under the shade of an impressive Sheoak tree, and explore concealed caves. Afterwards, have lunch and stop at the Cultural Centre to enhance your knowledge of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Here, you can gain insights into Anangu culture and the park’s ecology through various displays and complimentary talks by Anangu and park officials. Spend the afternoon back at camp, where you can unwind. There’s plenty to do, whether by the pool or participating in activities at Ayers Rock Resort, like a didgeridoo show, a botanical walk, or exploring the museum. Dinner will be served at camp. The day involves roughly 60km of driving and up to 10km of walking if you opt for the complete Uluru base walk, although shorter walks are available.

Accommodation: Swag camping at the Ayers Rock Resort Campground

Meals Included: B | L | D

Kick off the final day with an early morning to catch a mesmerizing sunrise over Kata Tjuta. Known in the Pitjantjatjara language as ‘Many Heads,’ the site’s 36 domes are a geographical and spiritual highlight of the Red Centre. Reaching a peak of 546 meters, it’s the tallest point for miles and is intertwined with various indigenous narratives of creation, many of which are not shared with the public. However, you’ll acquire some knowledge about the local Anangu people and the area’s natural beauty during a guided Valley of the Winds walk. This three-hour loop offers unmatched scenery of the unique landscapes that surround Kata Tjuta. Your outback journey concludes late in the morning as you return to Yulara. Complimentary transfers to Uluru Airport are available for those who need them, as well as bus transfers to Alice Springs. Consult the ‘Know Before You Go’ section for more details. Today’s drive will cover an approximate distance of 120km.

Meals Included: B|

Note: “B | L | D” refers to Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner being included.