Highlights of the Red Centre Self Drive

Highlights of the Red Centre Self Drive
from £1,093 excluding flights
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Highlights

Witness the mighty Kings Canyon on a scenic walk

Admire the impressive chasm at Ormiston Gorge

Visit the Old Telegraph Station and Royal Flying Doctor Service memorial in Alice Springs

Watch the sun rise over monolithic Uluru
Why this trip...

Add-on
This itinerary is intended to be an add-on to a longer holiday - speak to our specialists for recommendations

Explore at leisure
With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore

Activities included
This itinerary features a range of included activities
Overview
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
The itinerary shown is an example of this self-drive holiday. We have many other hotels and route recommendations which can be tailored to your requirements. Please discuss with our Travel Specialists who can put together a bespoke itinerary for you.
Day 1 Alice Springs
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. Overnight at Desert Palms Alice Springs
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. Overnight at Desert Palms Alice Springs
Day 2 Alice Springs - Kings Canyon (360km)
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. Overnight at Kings Canyon Resort.
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. Overnight at Kings Canyon Resort.

Day 3 Kings Canyon - Uluru (320km)
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 award winning Tali Wiru Dinner. Tali Wiru, meaning 'beautiful dune' in local Anangu language, encapsulates the magic of fine dining under the Southern Desert sky. Instead of walls, this open-air restaurant has magnificent views of Uluru and the distant domes of Kata Tjuta, and for unique ambiance there's the stillness of the desert at night. Spend two nights at Desert Gardens Hotel, Uluru.
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 award winning Tali Wiru Dinner. Tali Wiru, meaning 'beautiful dune' in local Anangu language, encapsulates the magic of fine dining under the Southern Desert sky. Instead of walls, this open-air restaurant has magnificent views of Uluru and the distant domes of Kata Tjuta, and for unique ambiance there's the stillness of the desert at night. Spend two nights at Desert Gardens Hotel, Uluru.

Day 4 exploring around 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.
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.

Day 5 Uluru - Alice Springs
In the morning depart Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and return to Alice Springs for your onward journey.
In the morning depart Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and return to Alice Springs for your onward journey.
Excursions
Prices and Departures
Price from £1,093 excluding flights
Airfares start from around £730 per person and are quoted separately to the holiday price. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
What's Included
- Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
- Car rental (4WD vehicle, Toyota Landcruiser Prado or similar) including GPS
- Tali Wiru Dinner
- Desert Awakenings Excursion
- 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
- No surcharge guarantee
- Full financial protection
This itinerary starts from £1,093 per person, based on 2 sharing a room in standard accommodation, and vehicle rental with GPS.
Prices may vary depending on departure date, or should you prefer alternative categories of accommodation or vehicle size. Please contact us for a detailed quote based on your preferred travel dates, vehicle category and style of accommodation, or to tailor this itinerary.
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