Embark on an 8-day journey from Adelaide to Uluru through Australia’s outback, where you can experience the rich Indigenous culture and create lasting memories in nature.
A camping trip offers a variety of wilderness and untamed landscapes. Explore the ancient gorges of the Flinders Ranges and be in awe of the rugged terrain of the Oodnadatta Track. Discover an underground labyrinth in Coober Pedy. Experience the Red Centre, a unique landscape of desert plains, weathered mountains, rocky gorges, and sacred Aboriginal sites. Enjoy the beauty of outback sunsets and share campfire stories with new and old friends.
| DAYS | 8 |
| DEPARTS | 07:35 |
| RETURNS | 20:30 |
| PRICE | $ 1596 – 1995 AUD |
Highlights
- Discover the ancient Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.
- Travellers can explore surreal lunar landscapes by heading off-road on the iconic Oodnadatta Track.
- One can fall asleep in a dugout nestled beneath the Earth’s surface in Coober Pedy.
- Experience the beauty of nature through invigorating hikes.
- Experience the captivating beauty of spiritual sites such as Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon.
- Connect with the culture of a country through authentic Indigenous experiences.
- Experience the beauty of a sunset over Uluru.
- You can enjoy stargazing underneath the billions of stars in the Milky Way.
- Engage in meaningful conservation efforts.
Inclusions
- Accommodation includes six nights of swag camping with facilities and one night in an underground bunkhouse multi-share dorm.
- All activities and experiences
- The meals provided include seven breakfasts, four lunches, and five dinners.
- The Storyteller Guide covers the fees for national parks and entrances.
- Air-conditioned vehicle
What you can actually see!
Itinerary
Day 1: Adelaide to Flinders Ranges
Your eight-day outback adventure starts at 6 am in Adelaide. Your Storyteller Guide will meet you there. Stop for coffee in Port Wakefield, a coastal town. Then, go for a morning hike at Alligator Gorge in the Southern Flinders Ranges. Have lunch and quickly walk around Quorn, known for the Pichi Richi Railway. Visit Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and hike at Arkaroo Rock, an important cultural site for the Adnyamathanha people. See rock paintings depicting the Yura Muda of Ikara. In the afternoon, experience a Welcome to Country at Wilpena Pound Resort. Arrive at Skytrek Willow Springs Station, a working sheep station. Enjoy secluded bush camping and uncover the Flinders Ranges. Have dinner prepared by your Guide and watch a spectacular light show under the clear Southern Hemisphere skies. Sleep under the stars in your swag.
The driving distance today is approximately 510 km.
Accommodation options include camping at Skytrek Willow Springs Station.
Meals IncludedL | D
Day 2: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
The fossils found in the Flinders Ranges are ancient. Geologists had to revise the Earth’s geologic timeline and create a new era called the Ediacaran Period. After Breakfast, we will explore the park on foot. We’ll hike through tall river red gums and past waterholes, enjoying stunning wilderness views. We are deeply committed to regeneration, so we’ll meet with a Park Ranger and learn about conservation efforts in Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. We can also contribute by participating in conservation work. After lunch, we’ll take a scenic drive at Brachina Gorge. Before returning, we’ll stop at a country pub for a refreshing drink. The driving time today is approximately 3 hours.
Accommodation options include camping at Skytrek Willow Springs Station.
Meals included breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 3: Flinders Ridge to William Creek on the Oodnadatta Trail
Today, we will travel along the Oodnadatta Track, one of Australia’s famous unsealed roads. The drive will take us through eerie and moonlike desert scenery, where we will come across highlights such as Lake Eyre, the largest salt lake in Australia, and the Mutonia Sculpture Park. Along the way, we will also pass through Anna Creek Station, the world’s largest working cattle station, which covers an area equivalent to the size of Belgium. In the afternoon, we will arrive at the small outback settlement of William Creek. Despite its remote location, this quirky town with a population of ten has become an icon of the South Australian Outback. After dinner, you can relax and enjoy a cold drink at the historic William Creek Hotel, which has been open since 1887. Finally, you can settle down for the night in the campground, sleeping under the stars in your swag.
The total distance to be driven today is approximately 500km.
Accommodation: Camping is available at William Creek
Meals included Breakfast, -and dinner.
Please refer to the disclaimer in the Know Before You Go information for updates on road and weather conditions.
Day 4: William Creek - Coober Pedy
After Breakfast, travel to Coober Pedy, a famous underground town. It is known for its opals, unique landscape, and fascinating history. Take some time to explore the city. Then, visit Josephine’s Gallery & Kangaroo Orphanage. Established in 2008, it is home to orphaned kangaroos from the far north of South Australia. The gallery showcases Aboriginal art and artifacts from renowned Indigenous artists. After lunch, go to Ummoona Opal Mine & Museum, the town’s main attraction. Participate in opal-cutting demonstration and try ‘noodeling’ for opals. Visit The Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park, an Aboriginal Heritage site, for breathtaking views of the Moon Plains. Stay overnight in an underground bunkhouse and have free time to explore and find dinner in one of the underground eateries. The driving distance today is approximately 170km.
The Umoona Opal Mine offers underground bunk accommodation for multiple guests.
Meals included Breakfast only.
Day 5: Coober Pedy - Watarrka/Kings Canyon
Start from Coober Pedy and head north. Pass the Dingo Fence and Breakaways Reserve. Enter the Northern Territory and continue to Watarrka National Park, where Kings Canyon is located. After lunch, participate in the Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience to learn about the oldest living culture in the world. Take a short walk and learn about bush tucker, bush medicine, dot painting symbols, local crafts, and bush paintings. In the late afternoon, arrive at the Kings Creek Station campsite. Relax, enjoy the peacefulness, and swim in the pool if it’s warm. Capture a beautiful desert sunset from the viewing platform before having dinner at the Station restaurant and settling in for the night. The total distance driven today is approximately 770km.
Accommodation is available at Kings Creek Station in the form of swag camping.
Meals included: Breakfast only.
Day 6: Watarrka/Kings Canyon - Uluru
The Kings Canyon Rim Walk begins early in the morning. It is a magical experience with 300-meter-high sandstone walls, hidden waterholes, fern forests, chasms, canyons, and caverns. Watarrka National Park is like an oasis in central Australia. Enjoy the 360-degree views and visit Priscilla’s Crack, made famous by the movie Priscilla Queen of the Desert. See the sandstone domes known as the Lost City and the lush Garden of Eden with its watering hole. After lunch, drive to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Witness a beautiful sunset over Uluru before having dinner at camp. Spend the night under the stars on the red Earth. The driving distance today is approximately 350km.
The accommodation at Ayers Rock Resort Campground is swag camping.
Meals are provided: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 7: Uluru
Wake up early and admire the peaceful sunrise over Uluru. Watch as the rock formations change colours in the sunlight. Uluru is 348 meters high and over 550 million years old, giving it a strong presence. One can participate in a guided 10km walk around the base of Uluru to connect with the rock and learn its stories. Along the way, relax by waterholes, rest under a Sheoak tree, and explore hidden caves. After the walk, have lunch and visit the Cultural Centre to learn about Anangu culture and the park’s environment. Take some free time to relax or enjoy activities at Ayers Rock Resort, such as a didgeridoo performance or a guided garden walk. Have a delicious dinner at camp tonight. The drive today is only around 60km. The full Uluru base walk is about 10km, but shorter walks are available.
Accommodation: Camping at Ayers Rock Resort Campground.
Meals include Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 8: Kata Tiuta - Yulara
The tour ends with a sunrise at Kata Tjuta. Kata Tjuta has 36 domes and is important spiritually and topographically. It is 546 meters high and has ridges and ravines connected with Indigenous creation-time stories. You’ll learn a little about the local culture on the Valley of the Winds guided walk. This three-hour circuit offers incredible views. The tour ends late in the morning, and transfers are available from the resort. There are also bus transfers available. The driving distance today is approximately 120km.
Meals included: Breakfast – – –
Details
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. 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.
Aditional Information
General
- This tour commences in Adelaide on day one at approximately 6 am and finishes in Yulara (Uluru) on day eight at noon. Please book your travels 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 must 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 illness-free. 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
What do you need to bring?
- Your sense of adventure
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
- Sleeping Bag
- Swimmers and beach towels
- Hand sanitiser and insect repellent
- In cooler months (Oct, Nov, March & April), pack thermals, bed socks, warm clothes and a hot water bottle.
- Hat and sunscreen
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Water bottle &/or Camelbak (2L minimum)
- Torch or headlight
- Snacks for the bus in your day bag
- Reusable facemasks
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 must 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.