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Uluru

Highlights of the Red Centre Self Drive

from £1082 excluding flights

  • 4 nights
  • Year round
Home Destinations Australasia Australia Highlights of the Red Centre Self Drive
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Highlights

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Witness the mighty Kings Canyon on a scenic walk

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Admire the impressive chasm at Ormiston Gorge

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

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Watch the sun rise over monolithic Uluru

Why this trip...

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Add-on

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

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Explore at leisure

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

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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

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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In the morning depart Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and return to Alice Springs for your onward journey.

Accommodation Options

We have selected standard hotel accommodation for this holiday, but we can adapt to suit your personal preference mixing different grades and styles.

Discuss your options with our Travel Specialists.
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Prices and Departures

Price from £1082 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.
Note: Airfares tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.

What's Included

  • Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
  • Car rental throughout
  • 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 £1,082 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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Tailor made trips

As independent destination specialists, we are able to tailor make holidays to suit you, be that customising the itineraries shown on this website or creating something bespoke.

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Travelling sustainably

We believe travel is about finding the right balance between minimising our impact on the environment and broadening minds through new experiences and cultural interaction.