8-Day Adelaide to Uluru Tour

 

OVERVIEW 

 

Experience moments in nature that will stay with you for a lifetime on this eight-day bucket list adventure from Adelaide to Uluru through Australia’s outback. Rich in Indigenous culture, this camping trip encompasses a great diversity of wilderness and untamed landscapes. Hike the ancient gorges of the Flinders Ranges and be amazed by the stark terrain of the Oodnadatta Track. Descend beneath the ground to discover an underground labyrinth in Coober Pedy. Experience the Red Centre. A colourful, otherworldly landscape of desert plains, weathered mountain ranges, rocky gorges and some of Aboriginal Australia’s most sacred sites. Reflect on each day over magical outback sunsets and campfire stories with friends new and old.  

 

UNTAMED MOMENTS 

 

• Unearth the ancient Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park  

• Head off-road and see surreal lunar landscapes on the iconic Oodnadatta Track 

• Fall asleep in a dugout tucked beneath the Earth’s surface in Coober Pedy 

• Connect with nature on inspiring and rewarding hikes  

• Be mesmerised by spiritual sites like Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon  

• Connect with Country during authentic Indigenous cultural experiences  

• Watch a magical sunset over Uluru  

• Stargaze from your swag under the billions of stars of the Milky Way 

• Participate in some meaningful conservation work  

 

 

INCLUSIONS 

 

• Accommodation  

• 6 x nights swag camping with facilities  

• 1 x night underground bunkhouse multi-share dorm 

• All activities and experiences  

• Meals as listed (7 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 5 dinners) 

• All national park and entrance fees  

• Storyteller Guide 

• Air-conditioned vehicle 

 

TOUR ITINERARY 

 

Day 1: Day 1: Adelaide to Flinders Ranges (Thur) 

 

Your eight-day outback adventure begins in Adelaide at 6 am, where your Storyteller Guide will greet you. After a caffeine stop at the coastal town of Port Wakefield, arrive in the Southern Flinders Ranges for a morning hike at Alligator Gorge. Located in Mount Remarkable National Park, this is the perfect way to start the tour. After lunch, have a quick stroll around Quorn, famous for the Pichi Richi Railway. Arrive at Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and embark on a hike at Arkaroo Rock, a significant cultural site for the local Adnyamathanha people. See rock paintings featuring ochre and charcoal images that depict the Yura Muda (Dreaming or creation story) of Ikara (Wilpena Pound).  

 

This afternoon, experience a Welcome to Country in the Adnyamathanha people’s language at Wilpena Pound Resort. Feeling connected to Country and nature, arrive at Skytrek Willow Springs Station. This 70,000-acre working sheep station features secluded bush camping and is our base while we unearth the Flinders Ranges. After a tasty dinner prepared by your Guide, kick back and enjoy front-row seats to one of the most spectacular light shows on Earth. The Flinders Ranges is famed as having some of the Southern Hemisphere’s clearest skies. Roll out your swag under a blanket of stars twinkling over the ancient landscape.  

 

The driving distance today is approximately 510km. 

 

Accommodation 

 

Swag camping at Skytrek Willow Springs Station  

 

Meals Included 

 

L | D 

 

Day 2: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park (Fri) 

 

The fossils discovered in the Flinders Ranges are so old that geologists had to revise the geologic timeline of Earth’s history, identifying a new era called the Ediacaran period. After breakfast, we will unearth more of this amazing park as we pull on our hiking boots for a morning hike through tall river red gums and past waterholes, culminating with breathtaking views over the surrounding wilderness.   

 

Regeneration is in our DNA, so today, we will meet with a Park Ranger to learn about conservation efforts within Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. We can also give back by participating in some meaningful conservation work. After lunch, we’ll take a magical scenic drive at Brachina Gorge. 

 

Quench your thirst with a well-deserved drink at an iconic country pub before returning to camp to relax and have dinner. Driving time today is approximately 3 hours. 

 

Accommodation 

 

Swag camping at Skytrek Willow Springs Station  

 

Meals Included 

 

B | L | D 

 

Day 3: Flinders Ranges to William Creek via the Oodnadatta Track* (Sat) 

 

Today we are getting off the beaten path and travelling along a section of one of Australia’s most iconic unsealed roads, the iconic Oodnadatta Track. Drive through eerie and moonlike desert scenery as the landscape uncovers highlights like Lake Eyre (Australia’s largest salt lake) and the Mutonia Sculpture Park. Travel through Anna Creek Station, the world’s largest working cattle station. Covering an area of six million acres, it is equivalent to the size of Belgium!   

 

Come late afternoon, arrive in the tiny outback settlement of William Creek. In the middle of nowhere, on the way to somewhere, this quirky town with a population of ten is an icon of the South Australian Outback. After dinner, you might like to enjoy a cold drink in the heritage-listed William Creek Hotel, which opened in 1887. Then curl up in your swag under the stars in the campground.   

 

The total driving today is approximately 500km. 

 

Accommodation 

 

Swag camping at William Creek  

 

Meals Included 

 

B | – | D 

 

*See the disclaimer in Know Before You Go information regarding road/weather conditions. 

 

Day 4: William Creek to Coober Pedy (Sun) 

 

After breakfast, journey to the famous underground town of Coober Pedy. The opal capital of Australia features a sun-baked lunar landscape, fascinating history and a unique way of life. Have some free time to explore the town. Afterwards, visit Josephine’s Gallery & Kangaroo Orphanage. Established in 2008 to take in orphaned kangaroos from the far north of South Australia, it is about the size of Germany! The gallery here is a world-class Aboriginal Art Gallery with an extensive range of Aboriginal artefacts and significant works by many of Australia’s best-known Indigenous artists.  

 

After lunch, visit the town’s main attraction, Umoona Opal Mine & Museum. Go ‘noodling’ or fossicking and learn about these precious stones during an opal-cutting demonstration. Visit the Aboriginal Heritage site, The Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park, for mesmerising scenery of the Moon Plains. Stay in a unique underground bunkhouse tonight and have some free time to explore and grab dinner at one of the many underground eateries.      

 

Today, the driving distance is approximately 170km. 

 

Accommodation 

 

Umoona Opal Mine – underground bunk, multi-share  

 

Meals Included 

 

B | – | – 

 

Day 5: Coober Pedy to Watarrka/Kings Canyon (Mon) 

 

From Coober Pedy, travel north, past the Dingo Fence and Breakaways Reserve. Then, crossing into the Northern Territory, travel onwards to Watarrka National Park, the site of Kings Canyon.  

 

After lunch, learn about the world’s oldest living culture on the Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience. During this one-hour tour, take a short walk before soaking up your host’s cultural knowledge on bush tucker, bush medicine, dot painting symbols, local crafts, and bush paintings.  

 

Come late afternoon, arrive at our campsite at the Kings Creek Station. Relax, soak up the serenity and, on warmer days, enjoy a swim in the pool. Have your camera ready for a stunning desert sunset from the sunset viewing platform before dinner at the Station restaurant eatery and settling in for the night. 

 

Today, we drive approximately 770km. 

 

Accommodation 

 

Swag camping at Kings Creek Station  

 

Meals Included 

 

B | – | – 

 

Day 6: Watarrka/Kings Canyon to Uluru (Tues) 

 

It’s an early start this morning for the spellbinding Kings Canyon Rim Walk, which is guaranteed to be one of the most magical experiences of your life. With its 300-metre-high sandstone walls, hidden waterholes, fern forests, chasms, canyons and caverns, Watarrka National Park is central Australia’s answer to an oasis. Take in the 360-degree views and journey through Priscilla’s Crack, made famous by the classic Australian movie Priscilla Queen of the Desert. From there, see the sandstone domes known as the Lost City and the lush greenery and watering hole of the aptly named Garden of Eden.   

 

After lunch, rest your legs on the drive to our final destination, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Late this afternoon, watch an unforgettable sunset over Uluru before retreating to camp for dinner. Then, roll out your swag upon the red Earth and under billions of stars after dinner at camp.  

 

Driving today is approximately 350km.  

 

Accommodation 

 

Swag camping at Ayers Rock Resort Campground  

 

Meals Included 

 

B | L | D 

 

Day 7: Uluru (Wed) 

 

Rising early, breathe deep and soak up the serenity of a sunrise over Uluru. As the sunlight plays with the landscape, the rock formations change colour before your eyes. Next, it’s time to get close to this natural wonder. At 348 metres high and some 550 million years old, feel a powerful presence the moment you set eyes on it. A guided 10km Uluru base walk is your best opportunity to connect with the rock and learn its stories. Relax beside tranquil waterholes, take a break under a magnificent Sheoak tree and peer into hidden caves. 

 

Afterwards, stop for lunch and visit the Cultural Centre to deepen your understanding of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. You can learn about Anangu culture and the park’s natural environment through exhibits and free presentations with Anangu and park rangers.  

 

This afternoon, return to camp for some free time. Relax by the pool or enjoy some of the activities at Ayers Rock Resort, such as a didgeridoo performance, a guided garden walk or discovering artifacts at the museum. Enjoy a tasty dinner at camp tonight.   

 

Today we only drive around 60km. You may walk up to 10km today if you do the full Uluru base-walk. However, shorter Uluru walks are available.   

 

Accommodation 

 

Swag camping at Ayers Rock Resort Campground  

 

Meals Included 

 

B | L | D 

 

Day 8: Kata Tjuta to Yulara (Thur) 

 

On the final day of the tour, an early start is rewarded with a spellbinding Kata Tjuta sunrise. Translating to the Pitjantjatjara word for ‘Many Heads’, the 36 domes of Kata Tjuta are a defining feature of the Red Centre landscape both topographically and spiritually. Rising 546 metres above the surrounding plain, its tip is the highest point for miles, while the site’s ridges and ravines are closely connected with numerous Indigenous creation-time stories. Many of these stories are kept secret from outsiders, but you’ll learn a little about the local Anangu culture and appreciate the beauty of their land on the Valley of the Winds guided walk. This three-hour circuit has unparalleled views of the otherworldly landscape surrounding Kata Tjutu.  

 

Your outback adventure ends in the late morning on our return to Yulara. For those departing from Uluru Airport, complimentary transfers are available from the resort. There are also bus transfers from Yulara to Alice Springs. See the Know Before You Go information below.  

 

The driving distance today is approximately 120km.   

 

Meals Included 

 

B | – | – 

 

KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK 

 

GENERAL 

• This tour commences in Adelaide on day one at approximately 6 am and finishes in Yulara (Uluru) on day eight at approximately noon. Please book onward travel 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 need to 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 free from illness. 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 

 

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 need to 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. 

 

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 in the day. 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.  

 

OODNADATTA TRACK CLOSURE ALTERNATE ITINERARY 

The Oodnadatta Track is an unsealed dirt road, and the conditions of the track depend heavily on the weather. If the road is deemed unsafe to drive on, or there is a possibility that sections of the road will close after we have commenced driving on the track, our Guide reserves the right to alter the itinerary and take a different route. If, for safety reasons, the decision is made not to travel on the track, the itinerary for day three will be changed as follows; 

 

Port Augusta | Coober Pedy via Stuart Highway | Josephine’s Kangaroo Orphanage & Gallery | Coober Pedy township | Umoona Opal Mine & Museum | Overnight Coober Pedy.