Day 1: Welcome to Ayers Rock Resort
- Once you’re checked in at Ayers Rock Resort, spend the day exploring the resort. Grab a bite to eat or sip a refreshing beverage at Ilkari restaurant or Walpa lobby bar.
- To ease into relaxation mode before your big adventure, book a massage at Red Ochre Spa. For an extra-indulgent experience, opt for the Sacred Journey – a three-hour treatment package that includes a foot soak, full body exfoliation, massage, and facial.
- Spend some time browsing the Gallery of Central Australia back at the resort. You’ll see gorgeous works of art by Indigenous artists, and you may even get to observe them working on their next projects. If you’re tempted to make a purchase, feel good about your shopping urges – every sale benefits local artists directly.
- Wind down at Wintjiri Wiru, where a spectacular drone show brings an ancient Mala story to life in a brand-new way. Pair your viewing with a delicious hamper packed to the brim with locally sourced food and drink.
Day 2: Explore Uluru
- After breakfast, head to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. It’s a 45 minute drive from the resort, and you’ll need to purchase a national park pass to enter. Don’t worry if you forget to pick up a park pass in advance – they’re available at park entrances, too.
- The Uluru Base Walk is an easy 3-4 hour jaunt covering 10km. See caves, watering holes, and culturally significant sites (please adhere to posted signage during your walk). You can also opt for a bike or Segway tour if you prefer exploring on two wheels.
- Before you go, check out the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. Plan to spend two hours here on exhibits, live performances, and browsing galleries of Anangu arts and crafts.
- After all that exploring, you’re bound to be hungry. Head back to the resort for a laid-back dinner paired with live music at Outback BBQ & Bar. Grill your own meats paired with tasty sides, meet other travelers, and enjoy the warm Outback hospitality.
Day 3: Discover Kata Tjuta
- Fuel up with a buffet breakfast at Ilkari restaurant. Located at Sails in the Desert, it offers a wide range of breakfast options to suit everyone’s tastes.
- Drive to Kata Tjuta, located in the National Park (45 minutes’ drive), then set out on the Walpa Gorge Walk. Approximately 2.6km in length, this accessible trek takes about an hour to complete. If you’re feeling more ambitious, Valley of the Winds is a more challenging, 7.4km hike that takes about three hours to finish.
- Head back to the resort for lunch, then check out some of the free experiences on offer. Learn about bush tucker, head out on a guided garden walk, or listen to bush yarns with an Anangu guide.
- After dinner, hop on the free shuttle bus and head to Field of Light. This internationally renowned art installation features 50,000 colourful, illuminated globes that come to life under the darkening Outback sky.
Day 4: Uluru to Kings Canyon
- Begin the day with an immersive sunrise experience like Sunrise Journeys or Desert Awakenings. Watch as Uluru’s colors transform in the morning light while a local guide shares insights into the surrounding desert plants and wildlife. Enjoy a hearty breakfast to energize you for the day's adventures.
- Fuel up – both petrol and snacks – before you leave Ayers Rock Resort. The IGA in Yulara’s town centre is a well-stocked supermarket packed with everything you need for your road trip cravings, while the local Shell station is ideally placed for last-minute fill-ups.
- Travel approximately 300 kilometers to Kings Canyon. This four-hour journey will be filled with spectacular desert landscapes. Once you arrive, spend the evening unwinding at your accommodation.
Day 5: Kings Canyon to Glen Helen
- Before the next leg of your journey, be sure to tackle the Kings Canyon Rim Walk. Located in Watarrka National Park, this is a moderate, 6km hike that features a 500m climb early on to get to the canyon’s rim. The views are worth it!
- Once you’ve gotten your fill of the scenery – and filled up on petrol and food – drive to Glen Helen. It will take about two and a half hours to cover the 235km distance.
- You won’t want to miss Glen Helen Gorge. From here, you can glimpse views of Mount Sonder – one of the highest points in Central Australia.
Day 6: Glen Helen to Simpsons Gap
- The drive to your next stop, Simpsons Gap (pictured) takes about one-and-a-half hours (123km). If you arrive early enough, or stay out after dusk, you’ve got a great chance at spotting black-footed rock-wallabies as they make their way along the walking track into the gap.
- To learn about the native plants in the area, including an ancient Ghost Gum, take the 15-minute Ghost Gum Walk. Other walking route options include Cassia Hill (1.8km, 1 hour), Woodland Trail (17km), Larapinta Trail (a long-distance hike for experienced bushwalkers only). Image credit: Tourism Australia.
Day 7: Simpsons Gap to Alice Springs
- Located just 25 minutes from Simpsons Gap, Alice Springs offers endless opportunities for exploring the Red Centre.
- Book an early morning hot air balloon ride for amazing views of the area, or keep both feet firmly on the ground during a guided Alice Springs Highlights Tour or Historical Alice Tour.
- Making a full day of it? The Alice Springs Desert Park Nocturnal Tour offers an interesting peek on what goes on in the park after dark. See animals like the echidna and mala as their days begin after the sun has gone down. Image credit: Tourism Australia.