Highlights of the Red Centre | Australia Self Drive Holiday

Uluru

Highlights of the Red Centre Self Drive

from £1084 excluding flights

4 nights
Year round

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Highlights

australia northern territory kings canyon sunrise istk

Witness the mighty Kings Canyon on a scenic walk

australia northern territory kata tjuta valley of the wild flowers astk

Stroll around the striking rock domes of Kata Tjuta

australia northern territory alice springs john flynns flying doctor monument istk

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

australia northern territory uluru sunrise adstk

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

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 incredible Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner. Set upon a dune with magnificent views of Uluru and the distant domes of Kata Tjuta, this unique experience combines delicious food with an innovative sound and light show. Choreographed drones, lasers and projections illuminate the desert sky to bring to life a fascinating chapter of the Mala story.

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.

australia red centre learning about aboriginal culture at uluru tnt

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.

Excursions

Australia

Wintjiri Wiru Experiences, Uluru

from £105

1.5 - 3 hours | Apr-Oct

A dazzling new interpretation of an ancient story passed on for thousands of generations

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Australia

Light-Towers Experience at Kings Canyon

from £19

1 hours | Year round

An enchanting experience admiring the striking art installation “Light-Towers” by Bruce Munro.

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Australia

Night at Field of Light by Helicopter, Uluru

from £358

5 hours | Year round

Experience the critically acclaimed Field of Light installation by artist Bruce Munro from the skies above Uluru.

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Australia

Desert Awakenings, Uluru

from £104

5 hours | Year round

A memorable experience that has guests heading out into the desert well before dawn, this is an excursion for those who want…

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Australia

Kata Tjuta Domes Tour, Uluru

from £72

3.5 hours | Year round

Journey through the desert landscape of Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park on this small group guided tour.

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Australia

Night at Field of Light, Uluru

from £146

4.5 hours | Year round

Spend a magical evening under the stars admiring the remarkable art installation by Bruce Munro known as the "Field of Light".

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Australia

Outback Ballooning, Alice Springs

from £207

4 hours | Year round

Appreciate a birds-eye view of the Australian Outback from the air on this 60 minute exhilarating hot air balloon ride.

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Australia

Sounds of Silence Dinner, Uluru

from £123

4 hours | Year round

Enjoy canapés and champagne as you watch the sun set in a hue of red and orange over the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National…

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Australia

Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Lake Amadeus Scenic Flight, Uluru

from £298

1.5 hours | Year round

See the beauty of the desert as you take in the vast splendour of Lake Amadeus, whilst looking for camels roaming where…

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Prices and Departures

Price from £1084 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
Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner
Desert Awakenings Excursion
24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
No surcharge guarantee
Full financial protection

This itinerary starts from around £1,084 per person, based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom in standard hotels, and rental of a Full Size 4WD vehicle.

Prices may vary depending on departure date and booking date, as well as any changes to the included components. The final cost of a tailored holiday will be based on the level of accommodation, size of vehicle, included activities, travel season, and how far in advance it is booked. We will confirm the exact price for your holiday in your individual quotation, based on your chosen travel dates and inclusions.

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Adventure, Your Way

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Every Trip is an Original

Whatever the brief we'll create an amazing trip to get excited about. We give you on tap knowledge.

Here's the Plan

View your trip itinerary along with travel tips and maps with our online portal and travel app.

24/7 On Trip Support

No-one likes a plot twist. As standard we provide complete piece of mind with our in country 24/7 support and guidance.

As Standard, Complete Piece of Mind

We’re listening. We always care what our fellow travellers think and love building strong customer relationships so we continuously focus on improving future experiences based on feedback. How incredible for the last three years we have received the Feefo Platinum Award.

The World's Great. Pass it On

To mark our 40th anniversary, we've launched our Education Bursary Fund to help disadvantaged school children experience the wonders of travel. A percentage of revenue from every holiday booked will go into the bursary fund to pay for at least 40 students to join one of our school trips abroad.

Highlights of the Red Centre Self Drive

Highlights