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Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel: Central Australia & Uluru Family Holiday

Grab your sunhats and load up space on the camera roll for an Outback-sized adventure in Central Australia. Join a local leader and a small group of families as you tick off Australia’s great natural sites in the Northern Territory. Start by exploring the bases of Uluru and Kata Tjuta on two feet and two wheels, learning about their connection to Creation Time from a local Anangu guide. Then, hit the road to discover the bright-red colours of Tjoritja (West McDonnell Ranges), Finke Gorge National Park and even a nearby asteroid crater, along with a handful of wildlife, wallabies and wilderness in between.

Is this trip right for you?
- Minimum age: 5 years old. While the minimum age for this trip is five, the average age of children on this trip is 12 years old. Most children on Intrepid Family trips are between 10 and 14 years old.
- This trip requires a moderate level of fitness as it involves a lot of walking, allowing you to really get among nature. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing.
- Temperatures in Australia's Red Centre can be extreme, so you will need to be well-prepared with clothing for the weather. Depending on the time of the year, daytime can be very hot (and the Australian sun is very strong year-round) so always use sun protection and drink plenty of water. In the evenings temperatures can really drop, so bring sufficient warm clothing - in winter temperatures can be below zero at night.
- As sunrise and sunset times and weather conditions vary throughout the year, the order of activities may change to ensure you have the best experience possible. 
- This trip involves some early mornings, and on some days of the trip, you’ll spend several hours driving through very sparse areas of Australia. The days can be long, but we want to fit as much of this amazing place in as we can!

*This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. Please consult your Travel Specialist for details on itinerary variations outside these dates.*

Tour full itinerary
Itinerary details

Day 1 - Yulara (or Alice Springs) / Uluru / Yulara

Uluru

Palya! Welcome to Yulara! Your family adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 4 pm at your hotel. After your introductions, hop aboard your transport and set off to Uluru. Standing at 348 metres tall (higher than the Eiffel Tower), Uluru has been an important site to the local Aboriginal people, the Anangu people, for thousands of years. Look out for Uluru’s colour-changing abilities as you find a cosy spot to watch the sunset. And once the sun goes down, make sure your gazes are turned towards the stars and find some famous constellations.

If you’re flying into Alice Springs, you can opt to start your trip there instead with a pickup at 'Stay at Alice Springs Hotel' at 8.30 am this morning at no additional cost. Please let us know if you would like to take advantage of this option. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting at 4pm today in Yulara as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. To show respect for Uluru’s cultural and spiritual significance to the Anangu people, alcohol will not be served during the sunset viewing.

Activities:

  • Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Uluru Sunset Viewing

Staying in:

  • Outback Hotel & Lodge (1 night)

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Day 2 - Uluru / Kata Tjuta / Yulara

Aboriginal traditions

Wake up early for another chance at spotting Uluru change colours from purple to red to orange. After getting in a good breakfast, grab a hat and sunscreen up for guided walk to the Mutitjulu Waterhole. One of the only permanent water sources around Uluru, your guide, a local member of the local Aboriginal Anangu community, will share Creation Stories about the site and point out any animals, bush foods and plant life that live here. Stop by the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to learn more about the park and its significance before you head to Kata-Tjuta this afternoon for the Walpa Gorge Walk. Tucked into two of Kata Tjuta’s towering domed rocks, the Walpa Gorge is a little oasis full of plant life. This evening you’ll have the option to visit the Field of Light, an enormous art installation that illuminates the landscape with 50,000 stems of light.

Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours. Your walking distance will be approximately 3.6 km or 1.5 hours on a Grade 2 (easy) and Grade 3 (moderate) track. The local Anangu guide for the Kuniya Walk may not be available at short notice due to other community obligations. If this is the case on your departure, your leader will be taking you to Mutitjulu waterhole instead. Kata Tjuta is a highly culturally sensitive area. To avoid revealing any sacred places, Anangu ask that you keep both sides of the gorge in frame when you film, paint, draw or photograph Walpa Gorge. By respecting these wishes, you will be contributing to the protection and continuation of some of the world’s oldest spiritual and cultural beliefs. We recommend that you pre-book your Field of Light experience, as this activity can sell out in advance. You can book with us or your booking agent at the time of booking. If you would rather wait and try to get a better price by booking this locally on the ground, you can, but keep in mind that this is a popular activity and places are limited. Alternatively you can also book this online directly with the operator at Ayers Rock Resort.

Activities:

  • Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Cultural Centre
  • Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Kata Tjuta Walpa Gorge Walk
  • Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Kuniya Walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole with local Anangu Guide
  • Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Uluru Sunrise Viewing

Staying in:

  • Outback Hotel & Lodge (1 night)
Meals included: Breakfast

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Day 3 - Uluru / Kings Canyon

Outback glamping

Today you’ll be taking to two wheels for a trip around the base of Uluru. After a light breakfast, head out with your leader to get fitted for bikes for an up-close experience with one of Australia’s most culturally significant sites. Make sure to bring plenty of water while out on the trail and watch how the surface of Uluru varies as you cycle around it. Finish your ride and say goodbye to Uluru as you leave for your next destination at Watarrka National Park. Kick back for the drive through the Australian Outback and stop for an included lunch along the way. Arrive at your accommodation and after a busy morning out exploring, you’ll have a free evening to get to know the other families or take some time to relax under the stars.

Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. Your cycling distance will be approximately 3 hours. Individual bikes are available for children aged between six and ten years old. A tag-a-long bike will be available for children between four and six. Helmets are also included in the bicycle hire. Tonight's accommodation is in simple bush tents at King's Creek Station, set against the spectacular backdrop of the George Gill Ranges. Although small and basic in design, the tents feature air conditioning units, light and power, and are twin share with all linen provided. There are shared toilet and shower facilities, a camp kitchen with a fire pit and a nearby grassed picnic area and swimming pool.

Activities:

  • Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Uluru Bike Ride

Staying in:

  • Kings Creek Station Glamping (1 night)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

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Day 4 - Kings Canyon / Palm Valley

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Wake up to the incredible outback landscape of the Kings Creek Station, where a bushman’s style breakfast awaits any hungry adventurers. You’ll have about an hour this morning exploring the trails around the station with your leader as your guide. The Kings Creek walking path will take you along an easy path along the bottom of the gorge between two giant red canyon walls. Later today, depart for tonight’s accommodation in Finke Gorge National Park, travelling via the Mereenie Loop. Settle into your cosy campsite by the Finke River, where you’ll have the option to stretch your legs and any excess energy on the Kalangarra Walk. Grab a spot by the campfire for dinner tonight.

Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours. The 2.6 Kings Creek Walk takes around 1 hour to complete and is a Grade 2 (easy). Sturdy enclosed shoes are required for all walks within the National Park.

Activities:

  • Watarrka National Park - Kings Creek walk

Staying in:

  • Palm Valley Campsite (1 night)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 5 - West MacDonnell Ranges / Palm Valley

Ormiston Gorge (Kwartatuma)

Get set for a full day of outdoor Australian fun in Tjoritja (West MacDonnell Ranges). This morning, you’ll leave the campsite and make your first stop at the site of an asteroid crater. Formed over 140 million years ago, the Gosse Bluff (Tnorala) has for years been both a site of cultural and scientific significance. Take a walk around the comet’s impact site and learn about why the local Western Arrernte Aboriginal people believed this site to be celestial. Your next site is Ormiston Gorge (Kwartatuma), where you’ll have time to walk between the Ghost Gum trees and cool off in the swimming hole. After a busy day, return to your camp in Finke River, then enjoy your last evening together as a group.

Your travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours. Your walking distance will be approximately 2.5 km or 1.5 hours on a Grade 3 (moderate) track.

Activities:

  • Tjoritja-West MacDonnell Ranges - Ormiston Gorge
  • Tjoritja-West MacDonnell Ranges - Gosse Bluff Asteroid Crater (Tnorala)

Staying in:

  • Palm Valley Campsite (1 night)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 6 - Alice Springs

Tjoritja (West McDonnell National Park)

Get an early start today and travel to Simpsons Gap. Another site of significance to the Traditional Custodians, the site offers a scenic view of Tjoritja (West McDonnell National Park) and is a frequent stop for black-footed rock wallabies who visit at sunrise and sunset. You’ll then depart for Alice Springs, where your trip will come to an end. There are no further activities planned when you arrive, so you can leave at any time. If you’d like to stay in Alice Springs for longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours. We recommend you book your departure flight from Alice Springs no earlier than 12.30 pm today.

Activities:

  • Tjoritja-West MacDonnell Ranges - Simpsons Gap
Meals included: Breakfast

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