Alice Springs to Uluru: a 7-day road trip on the Red Centre Way
Tour the iconic Red Centre Way, where freshwater swimming holes and ancient rock formations punctuate the desert landscape.
Trip Overview
Need to know
- A Mereenie Loop Permit is required
- Purchase a park pass online to enter national parks
- Look out for closed roads during the wet season (November to April)
Day 1: Alice Springs
Start your outback adventure exploring Alice Springs – the beating heart of the Red Centre – and its unique outback experiences.
Float over the vast outback
Begin your trip on a high note with a peaceful 60-minute hot air balloon flight. Look out for kangaroos leaping through the desert grass below as you glide over the ochre outback, bathed in the golden glow of sunrise.
Discover the town’s birthplace
Immerse yourself in the town’s history during a guided tour of Alice Springs Telegraph Station. Gaze at fascinating artefacts from the early 20th century, explore the surrounding national park and get your caffeine fix at the Trail Station Café.
Meet baby kangaroos at sunset
The Kangaroo Sanctuary’s adorable kangaroo joeys will melt your heart. Say g’day during a sunset walk through the sanctuary, run by the ‘Kangaroo Rescuer’ himself, Chris “Brolga” Barns. Book ahead to secure your spot.
Encounter unique outback wildlife
Watch the desert come alive with unique outback wildlife at Alice Springs Desert Park. See dingoes, princess parrots and endangered Central Australian marsupials like the 30-centimetre (one-foot) tall mala – a tiny, shaggy-haired kangaroo.
Sink a cold one at Alice Springs Brewery
Quench your thirst at the one and only Brewpub in Alice Springs. Try the local favourite: a refreshing summer ale infused with caramel and light toffee. Or, opt for a punchy pale paired with a plate of tasty pub fare (the wings are to die for).
Day 2: Alice Springs and the West Macs
Enjoy a leisurely morning in Alice Springs before taking a day trip to the jaw-dropping natural wonders of the West MacDonnell Ranges/Toritja.
Shop authentic Aboriginal artwork
Aboriginal art is bountiful in Alice Springs. Visit the Todd Mall precinct to view vibrant, modern artworks at Papunya Tula Artists and Mbantua Gallery. At Tjanpi Desert Weavers, you’ll find beautiful hand-made baskets, sculptures and jewellery.
Stroll through historic botanic gardens
Explore the Olive Pink Botanic Gardens, a scenic reserve home to over 600 Central Australian plant species, birdlife and black-footed wallabies. Venture to Annie Myers Hill for sweeping views of Alice Springs before a bite at the Bean Tree Café.
Discover an ancient chasm
Stand beneath the awe-inspiring Standley Chasm (Angkerle Atwatye), carved over three million years in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Take a walk to watch orange and red hues bounce off the formation's 80m (262 ft) walls in the afternoon sunlight.
Day 3: Alice Springs to Kings Canyon
Pack your swimming costume and set your vehicle to 4WD mode; today you’re waterhole hopping along the mighty Mereenie Loop.
Hike around Ormiston Gorge
Cool off at the tranquil Ormiston Gorge, a watering hole enveloped by dramatic red rocks, ghost gum trees and white sand. But first (if time permits) hike the 9km (6mi) Ormiston Pound Walk, one of Australia's best day hikes.
Explore Redbank Gorge
Relish the cool, quiet waters of Redbank Gorge, nestled at the base of Mount Sonder. A 2km (1.2 mi) walk will lead you to the tranquil pool where you can seek out a quiet chasm to swim, spot visiting wallabies or relax on the sandy banks.
Check out a giant comet crater
Marvel at Tnorala (Gosse Bluff), a 20km (12mi) wide crater over 140 million years old. The site holds significance for the Western Arrernte people, who believe it formed when a baby fell to Earth as women danced across the Milky Way.
Spend the night at Kings Canyon Resort
Rest your head beneath a sky studded with stars at Kings Canyon Resort. Choose from a wide range of accommodation options, from camping sites to glamping tents and deluxe spa rooms complete with uninterrupted views of Watarrka National Park.
Day 4: Kings Canyon and Watarrka
Discover rich Aboriginal culture, taste native ingredients and absorb the jaw-dropping landscape of Kings Canyon and Watarrka National Park.
Embark on the Kings Canyon Rim Walk
Rise early to hike the 6.4km (4mi) Kings Canyon Rim Walk. Zig zag around the canyon’s sandstone cliffs before descending to the Garden of Eden waterhole and the weathered rock domes of the Lost City.
Get a bird’s-eye view
Ready to see Watarrka from a whole new angle? Jump onboard a scenic helicopter flight for jaw-dropping views of Watarrka National Park and Kings Canyon’s 300m (984ft) high sandstone walls that soar into the desert sky.
Learn the local culture
Discover how the Luritja and Pertame (Southern Aranda) people of Central Australia use native plants for healing, sample seasonal bush tucker foods, and learn about Aboriginal dot paintings on a one-hour guided walk with Karrke.
Marvel at a multicoloured maze
Light-Towers is an immersive sound and light installation by internationally-recognised artist, Bruce Munro. Feel a sense of awe and wonder as you walk through its mysterious maze of kaleidoscopic colours in the heart of the Red Centre.
Savour dinner beneath the stars
Treat yourself to a five-course gourmet dinner under a canopy of stars at Under a Desert Moon, complete with canapes, fine Australian wines and a blazing sunset across Watarrka National Park.
Day 5: Kings Canyon to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Today, drive to Uluru-Kata Tjuta – an icon of Australia. Spend your first day exploring the natural wonder of Kata Tjuta, meaning “many heads”.
Check into an outback resort
Sleep under the Milky Way at Ayers Rock Resort. Choose between the Ayers Rock Campground, budget-friendly hotels and serviced apartments, and luxurious suites at Sails in the Desert.
Trek through the centre of Kata Tjuta
Rise early to hike the 7.4km (4.6mi) Valley of the Winds trail for a close-up view of Kata Tjuta’s giant red rock domes and extraterrestrial-like landscape. For an easier option, follow the 2.6km (1.6mi) Walpa Gorge walk.
Experience luxury outback dining
Feast on a bush tucker-inspired menu with a front-row seat to Uluru at the Sounds of Silence experience. After dinner, a "star talker" will decode the astronomical display twinkling above your open-air table.
Day 6: Uluru
Today, the world’s largest sandstone monolith is calling. Experience the wonder of Uluru and the fascinating culture of the local Anangu people.
Join the sunrise camel train
Mornings near Uluru are like nowhere else. Hop on the back of a camel and watch the sunrise bathe Uluru in a golden glow. After your camel trek, you’ll be served a breakfast of freshly brewed bush tea and damper bread.
Try your hand at dot painting
Tap into your creativity using ancient Anangu dot painting techniques at a Maruku Arts workshop. Led by a local Anangu artist, you'll learn about their rich culture through art, language and traditional tools.
Watch nature’s sunset show
Witness one of Australia’s most spectacular sunsets as the desert sun melts behind the horizon, casting Uluru in an array of shifting colours. Make your way to one of the two designated viewing areas for the best vantage point.
Day 7: Uluru to Alice Springs
Begin the journey back to Alice Springs, stopping at ancient natural landmarks along the route.
Marvel at Mount Conner
Take a tour at Mount Conner to gaze across at the 500-million-year-old monolith. From a distance, this horseshoe-shaped mountain looks quite like its iconic red rock neighbour, hence visitors sometimes mistaking it for the famous Uluru.
Visit the sacred James Range Reserve
See the scenic sandstone bluffs and cliffs of the Rainbow Valley Conservation Reserve, which forms part of the mountainous James Range. The valley's multi-coloured bands often sparkle in the late afternoon sun – a salute to the end of your voyage.
Visit Earth Sanctuary
Just outside of Alice Springs is Earth Sanctuary, where you can peer through telescopes at the clear outback sky. But that’s not all; this place is full of outback characters, so stick around for a barbecue under the stars.