Day 1: Arrive in Alice Springs
Welcome to Alice Springs!
You will collect your rental car in the arrivals area to start your journey and make your way to your overnight accommodation.
Framed by the MacDonnell Ranges and an intense desert landscape, the township of Alice Springs is Australia’s most famous outback town. Afghan cameleers, flying doctors, outback explorers, a rich cast of characters and the towns’ isolation has lead to the creation of an unrivalled community identity and a wealth of interesting events and sights. The desert climate and landscape of ‘the Alice’ allows for a variety of adventurous activities including quad and mountain-bike riding, trekking along the Larapinta Trail, four-wheel driving, bush camping and swimming in lush waterholes. Alive with culture and Aboriginal art, the pedestrian-only Todd Mall gives a sneak peek into the traditions and stories of the Arrernte people with water colours of desert landscapes and dot paintings of the seasons.
Day 2: Alice Springs - Hot Air Ballooning
Your 30 minute ballooning adventure begins in the cool pre dawn darkness as you are picked up from your accommodation in Alice Springs. At the launch site, gas burners are used to inflate the balloons just as the sun lights up the rugged MacDonnell Ranges. Once floating gently in the air you will appreciate the vast remoteness of the Australian Outback.
After landing you can assist the crew or take photographs, as the nylon balloon is packed back into its bag. Enjoy champagne and tropical fruit juice accompanied by a selection of muesli biscuits, exotic slices, cheese and fresh fruit.
At the completion of the tour you will be transferred to your Alice Springs accommodation.
Day 3: Drive to Glen Helen
Today drive from Alice Springs to Glen Helen.
Travel west along the Larapinta Drive (State Route 6) towards Hermannsburg. After 50kms, turn right onto Namatjira Drive (State Route 2) and onto Glen Helen. Continue to follow the road for another 80kms and you will arrive at your destination on your left.
Glen Helen is surrounded by the majestic MacDonnell Ranges, and is a destination in it’s own right, with easy day trip access to the whole West MacDonnell National Park, including Palm Valley, Hermannsburg, Ormiston Gorge, Redbank Gorge and Mt Sonder.
Glen Helen Gorge is a great place to view the West MacDonnell Ranges, take a cool dip, and is an important refuge for local wildlife. The landscape around Glen Helen is spectacular - a towering sandstone wall is the first thing you see as you arrive. The area includes views of Mount Sonder, one of the highest points in Central Australia, which changes colours with the light. At Glen Helen Gorge, the ranges part to make way for the Finke River. This permanent waterhole is an important refuge in the hot summer months, for all nine species of fish recorded for the Finke, as well as migrating waterbirds.
Driving distance: 132km (1 hour and 30 minutes non-stop driving time).
Day 4: Drive to Kings Canyon
Drive from your lodge in Glen Helen to the Kings Canyon Lodge.
Make your way towards Namatjira Drive (State Route 2) and turn left onto Namatjira Drive towards Haasts Bluff. Travel for 72kms and then turn right onto Larapinta Drive (State Route 6) and follow for another 153kms onto your destination.
Kings Canyon, Watarrka National Park been home to Luritja Aboriginal people for the last 20,000 years. Combined with an eerie collection of weathered rock formations known as the Lost City and a permanent waterhole veiled by palms and ferns known as the Garden of Eden, a visit to the incredible Kings Canyon is full of surprises. Try the gentle shady Kings Creek Walk trail one kilometre along the valley floor.
Get up early to see the sunrise and walk the six kilometres around the Canyon rim to take in magnificent views across the desert or into the lush valley below. The 2.6 kilometre walk to Kathleen Springs takes you to historical sites and a spring-fed water hole. Fit and experienced hikers will love the Giles Track, a 22 kilometre walk between Kings Canyon and Kathleen Springs.
The ‘Canyon Rim Walk’ requires a reasonable level of fitness as the initial ascent to the top can be demanding. The walk is approximately six kilometres so allow at least three hours, wear sturdy footwear, appropriate clothing and carry at least one litre of water per person.
Watarrka National Park is best known as the home of Kings Canyon, a mighty chasm cleaving the earth to a depth of 270 metres. Located 450 kilometres south west of Alice Springs in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta region of the Northern Territory. The Park encompasses the western end of the George Gill Range and is home to a variety of unique native flora and fauna, including over 600 different plant species. Accommodation can be found within the Park at Kings Canyon Resort and Kings Creek Station.
Driving distance: 250km (2 hours and 30 minutes non-stop driving time).
Day 5: Kings Canyon at Leisure
Today is at leisure and an opportunity to do some independent exploring, or just relax.
Day 6: Drive to Uluru & Night at Field of Light Experience
This morning drive from your Kings Canyon Hotel to the Uluru.
Start your day and travel southeast on Larapinta Drive (State Route 6) onto Luritja Road (State Route 3) towards Uluru/Alice Springs along The Red Centre Way for 166km. Turn right onto Lasseter Highway (State Route 4) to Uluru. Stop at the Mount Conner Lookout, where you can see the 700 million year old sandstone mesa that lies in a parallel with Uluru and Kata Tjuta, which is often mistaken for Uluru. Mount Conner is 32kms around its base and 344 metres high. It consists of Carmichael soft sandstone with a winale cap of a more solid covering with trees on top. It is on private property of the Curtin Springs Station and wildlife live in the surrounds – kangaroos, camels, emus and an occasional dingo or two.
Aboriginal people gave Mount Conner a wide berth, believing it was the home of the Ninya, the Iceman. Stop at Curtin Springs Service Centre/Cattle Station located 100km from Uluru, where you can stop to enjoy a meal or purchase supplies for your onward journey. Continue along Lasseter Highway to Ayers Rock Resort, located on Yulara Drive.
Uluru, the true Aboriginal name for what was previously known as Ayers Rock, rises from the broad desert plain in the deep centre of Australia and it's one of the country's most recognisable natural icon. The famous "Rock" stands 348 metres high and is located 440 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Forty kilometres to the west of Uluru is Kata Tjuta, also known as The Olgas. This massive pile of rock domes dates back 500 million years.
Both Uluru and Kata Tjuta have great Aboriginal cultural significance for the Anangu traditional landowners. Learn about the local flora and fauna, bush foods and the Aboriginal Dreamtime stories of the area.
Later in the evening enjoy a Night at Field of Light experience beginning with a convenient hotel pick-up to the remote desert location with majestic views of Uluru.
With Uluru as your backdrop enjoy canapés and chilled sparkling wine to an unforgettable sunset. As darkness falls and the coloured lights of the 50,000 glass spheres gently sparkle to life join your table of fellow travellers for a special three-course bush tucker inspired buffet.
Your knowledgeable host will provide insights and background to the artist and light installation that awaits you. You're invited to immerse yourself in the Field of Light, its pathways glistening softly with rhythms of coloured light, beckoning you to explore. Take a lasting look back at Field of Light from the raised viewing area as you enjoy a sweet treat, hot chocolate or port before boarding your return transfer.
Driving distance: 304km (4 hours non-stop driving time).
Day 7: Uluru Highlights Tour
Your 3 hour tour commences with a transfer from your hotel, where you will travel towards Uluru. Its vast shape rises from the sand dunes in the early dawn light highlighting its presence in this country. Your guide will take you to a special location to watch the sun rise over this amazing monolith. You will learn the creation stories of Liru (poisonous snake) and Kuniya (python) and hear about the Mala people. After breakfast you will visit Mutitjulu Waterhole and then drive around the base of the Uluru.
In the afternoon you will enjoy a 3 hour tour to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, to a place where unique flora and fauna thrive – Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). Your guide will reveal the many attributes of this diverse environment and describe the cultural significance of Kata Tjuta as a sacred Aboriginal men’s ceremonial site. Arriving at Walpa Gorge, walk between the mighty conglomerate domes and hear how these 36 domes that make up Kata Tjuta have evolved over millions of years. Take time to listen to the wind (Walpa) far above and view the scale of the rock walls that surround you. The spirituality of this amazing location embraces everyone who ventures here. Your guide will return you to your hotel in time for those people joining the Sounds of Silence dinner, Tali Wiru dinner or Field of Lights.
Day 8: Depart Uluru
Leave your hotel in plenty of time to return your rental vehicle at the airport and connect with your onward flight.
