Uluru and Outback Tours are one of the most thought after experiences in Australia.
Join our Iconic Central Australia Tour offering you the best highlights of Outback South Australia and the Northern Territory.
An unforgettable one-way journey from Alice Springs to Adelaide packed with stunning scenery, sunsets and sunrises, fabulous activities, great accommodation and delicious food.
Discover the culture and beauty with a walk at Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon and the Flinders Ranges.
Take a spectacular 25 minute helicopter flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuta plus a fantastic hot air balloon flight in Alice Springs – all inclusive in our Iconic Outback Tour.
Enjoy the Field of Light Dinner at Uluru with its bush food inspired menu and drinks and star talk.
Tour to the West MacDonnell Ranges and explore the stunning Standley Chasm, picturesque Glen Helen Gorge and the fascinating Ochre Wall.
Visit Coober Pedy, all its quirky attractions and stay underground. Experience the Painted Hills from the air and on the ground.
Explore the Flinders Ranges from Blinman to the Great Wall of China, Hucks Lookout and Wilpena Pound. Iconic Destinations from tour start to finish.
Iconic Central Australia Tour Highlights & Inclusions
- Small Groups of 17x Happy Travellers
- Quality Service from Start to Finish
- All Meals as stated in our Itinerary
- Drinking Water, Snacks and Fruit
- 11x Nights Fully Accommodated
- West MacDonnell Ranges
- Alice Springs
- Sunrise Balloon Flight from Alice Springs
- Telegraph Station and Anzac Hill
- Hall of Fame and Desert Park
- Kings Canyon Creek Walk (Rim Walk optional, requires moderate walking)
- Uluru Culture Centre
- Uluru Base Walk
- Field of Light Dinner at Uluru
- Camel Sunset Ride
- 25-min Helicopter Flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuta
- Sunset at Uluru
- Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)
- Coober Pedy Town Tour
- Opal Mine Tour and Noodling for Opal
- Serbian Underground Church, Crocodile Harry’s Nest, Blower Truck, Big Winch Lookout
- Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park
- William Creek
- Painted Hills Scenic Flight with Remote Landing and Ground Exploration
- Oodnadatta Track & Alberrie Creek
- South Lake Eyre Walk
- Maree
- Farina Station and Lyndhurst
- Blinman
- Wilpena Pound Flinders Ranges
- Clare Valley Lunch & Wine Tasting
- All National Park Fees
- Fully Guided Activities
- Drop Off Adelaide City Hotel
Alice Springs, West MacDonnell Ranges and Hot Air Ballooning Day 1 to Day 3
Welcome to Central Australia, a region with history, culture, great food, art, spectacular natural landscapes and unique wildlife. Arrive at any time today and make your way to the Aurora Hotel in the town centre of Alice Springs. Check in, relax, refresh or go for a walk through the mall. We all meet for a Meet & Greet Dinner at the hotels restaurant. (Day 1 Aurora Hotel, Dinner)
Alice Springs is nestled in between the West and East MacDonnell Ranges and today we will explore the Western region. The panoramic landscapes are known for their sunburnt oranges, maroons and purple colours and our first visit takes us to Glen Helen Gorge. A permanent waterhole surrounded by towering red cliffs is the main feature of Glen Helen Gorge and home to a variety of water birds and fish. Then we visit the world heritage listed Ochre Pits, a colourful outcrop of ochre on the banks of a sandy creek. Ochre is an important part of Aboriginal Culture and this area is a registered sacred site. For lunch we travel to Standley Chasm, a narrow gap which was formed by rushing floodwaters over thousands of years ago. It is at its most dramatic around noon on a sunny day. Enjoy a walk through the chasm surrounded by fire-red walls up to 80m in height. On our return drive to Alice Springs we visit the Telegraph Station. Enjoy a guided tour before heading back to our hotel in Alice Springs. (Day 2 Aurora Hotel, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Experience the breathtaking feeling of floating silently above the Outback as the sun slowly rises over the desert on this awe-inspiring Alice Springs ballooning adventure. We travel to our launch site in the early pre-dawn darkness and begin our ascent just as the morning light begins to illuminate the rugged MacDonnell Ranges. We float gently across the vast expanse of the Central Australian Outback before it is time to land back on the ground.
Back at the Aurora Hotel you have time to refresh or enjoy a cup of coffee before heading out on our town tour. We visit Anzac Hill, the Women’s Hall of Fame and the Desert Park, which is home to a vast range of plants and wildlife native to the area. After an adventurous and great day out, we return to the Aurora Hotel for dinner. (Day 3 Aurora Hotel, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Discover Kings Canyon on a Base Walk and Rim Walk, Option Kings Canyon Helicopter, Travel to Uluru for Sunset Day 4 and Day 5
Today we leave civilization and drive to Kings Canyon, the biggest attraction inside Watarrka National Park. The canyon has been forged over 400 million years and is made from layers of sandstone with hard shale between the layers. We arrive at Kings Canyon and take the easy but impressive walk into the base of the canyon. Marvel at the sheer cliffs from the ground and take the optional helicopter flight. Fly over a scenic landscape of rugged ranges, the canyon rim, rock holes, gorges and the Garden of Eden. We take a short drive to Kings Canyon Resort for check in and dinner. (Day 4 Kings Canyon Resort, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Get up early and join your guide on a more challenging Rim Walk at Kings Canyon. Explore Kings Canyon, a scenic landscape of rugged ranges, ancient sandstone walls, rock holes and gorges. If moderate walking is not for you, enjoy a sleep in and leisurely morning at the resort. After an inspiring morning we drive to the most spectacular of indigenous sacred sites, Uluru -Ayers Rock. It is the world’s largest monolith rising 348 metres above ground with a circumference of 9.4 kilometres. Upon arrival at the 5-star Sails in the Desert Hotel, we get ready for a beautiful late afternoon. Discover the Culture Centre with the many displays and art before we head to Uluru. Enjoy nibbles and sparkling as we witness a spectacular sunset with many changing colours of Uluru and its surrounding landscape. Finish the evening with a delightful dinner at the Ilkari Restaurant. Taste some of the finest produce available under the Australian sun. (Day 5 Sails in the Desert, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Uluru Sunrise, Base Walk, Uluru Helicopter Flight, Field of Light Dinner, Kata Tjuta Valley of the Winds Walk, Camel Sunset Ride Day 6 and Day 7
This morning we head off to explore the Kata Tjuta rocks, estimated to be over 500 million years old. The 36 weathered domes are another significant area for the indigenous – Anangu people. We follow a natural track between two of the tallest domes to a viewing platform at the end. Take in the beautiful surrounding scenery and listen to the sound of Walpa Gorge. For lunch we travel back to the resort followed by some free time. Spend the afternoon with souvenir shopping, a visit to the local art gallery, museum, theatre or enjoy a relaxing nap or a treatment at the Red Ochre Spa. Our next adventure awaits us and a great way to explore the great Central Australian desert is from the back of a camel. We will take an unforgettable journey through red dune country with Uluru and Kata Tjuta as a stunning backdrop during sunset. We return to the camel farm at twilight to relax and enjoy Australian beer, wine and outback bush foods including a famous freshly baked beer bread damper. (Day 6 Sails in the Desert, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
An early rise this morning for a sunrise breakfast near Uluru. Watch the desert coming to life and the changing colours of Uluru as the first sunlight of the day creep across the desert plains. Uluru is one of Australia’s most recognized natural landmarks and today is the time to take in the true magnitude of the rock by a walk around the base. For those not wanting to take on the full journey, join your guide on several well selected and shorter walks at Uluru. We have lunch in town square and there is time to refresh in your rooms. One of the best ways to experience Uluru and the sprawling domes of Kata Tjuta is from the air. Enjoy a 25-minute scenic helicopter flight for an unforgettable adventure early afternoon. Take in the fantastic views of Uluru, Kata Tjuta and the vast desert landscape. Often underestimated, the tallest dome head is nearly 200 meters higher than Uluru.
“As darkness falls and Uluru is thrown into silhouette, the Field of Light illuminates. As far as the eye can see gentle rhythms of colour light up the desert floor.” Tonight, we experience the outback sky and the once in a lifetime Field of Light art installation of 50,000 illuminating glass spheres. Indulge in an exceptional three-course menu infused with bush tucker flavours and premium wines, beers or other drinks. Then immerse yourself in the Field of Light by walking along its pathways once darkness falls. (Day 7 Sails in the Desert, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
The Opal Capital Coober Pedy, William Creek, Painted Hills Scenic Flight with Remote Landing and Marree Day 8 to 10
A day to sit back and enjoy the passing scenery as we leave the Northern Territory and venture into South Australia along the Stuart Highway. The road is named after John McDouall Stuart. Shifting sand dunes, salt and clay pans made this construction a tough assignment. We arrive in Coober Pedy and spend two nights and one full day here to explore this bizarre and unique town. (Day 8 Coober Pedy Lookout Cave, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After a well-earned sleep in we head out for the day exploring and trying our luck in noodling. Only here can you arrive with just a shirt on and leave as one of the richest people in the world! Coober Pedy is known for underground living, a moon landscape and brilliant opal. We start with an Opal Mine tour and look at some amazing opal that has been found here. See how some of the locals lived and visit the Serbian underground church. Our next stop takes us to the golf course, a unique area to be playing golf. Then we go noodling, meaning we search for opal through mullock piles. Once you have found your first shiny piece, you will understand how easy it is to get opal fever. Coober Pedy is truly unique and so are the people that live and lived here. Learn about Crocodile Harry and visit his eccentric and amusing home. Complete the town tour with the views from the Big Winch Lookout, views of the Blower Truck and the first tree ever seen in town. Late afternoon we drive out to the Kanku- Breakways Conservation Park for some fantastic photo opportunities. We finish the day with a delicious dinner at the Outback Bar and Grill before retiring underground just like the locals do.(Day 9 Coober Pedy Lookout Cave, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today we leave the opal township of Coober Pedy and travel through South Australia’s outback destined for William Creek. It is not only the smallest town of Australia; it is also situated on the largest working cattle station – Anna Creek Station. Upon arrival you will fly to the Painted Hills. These must-see hills are set in the outback of South Australia on an area of 30km by 10km of sandstone hills in pristine condition and incredible colours. We have permission to land here and you will have time to view one of Australia’s hidden iconic landmarks on the ground. After an unforgettable 2-hour experience, we drive along the Oodnadatta Track to South Lake Eyre. Walk to the edge of the lake or enjoy the views from the information bay. Be amazed by the endless horizon and witness the vast inland, loneliness and incredible nature. Then it is time to make our way to Marree. Relax at the Marree Hotel, chat to the locals or wander the town square. Discover the stories of the Great Northern Express, learn about Sir Sidney Kidman or hear about old Tom Kruse the outback posty. Another very special day is coming to an end as we all join back together for a meal at the Marree Hotel. (Day 10 Marree Hotel overnight, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Flinders Ranges Wilpena Pound, Blinman, Hawker, Clare Valley Lunch and Arrival into Adelaide Day 11 and 12
Discover more scenery and lives along the Oodnadatta Track as we travel to Farina which was established as a railway town for passengers travelling on the Trans-continental North Line. Visit the ruins and some of the reconstructed buildings while learning about the important history. Not too many people are listed as one of their town’s visitor attractions. But then Talc Alf is a one off, a quirky and engaging outback character who has achieved near icon status. Over the past 40 years he has created an outside gallery & we view some of Alf’s unique talc carvings in Lyndhurst. We continue our outback journey to Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges. On route to Wilpena we explore the old copper mining town of Blinman. Our next stops are the Great Wall of China, Hucks Lookout, and the Cazneaux Tree before making our way to Wilpena Pound Resort. After check in join your guide on a walk into Wilpena Pound to Wangara Lookout and learn about the Hills family history. Or for a shorter walk explore the Wilpena Creek Trail at your own leisure. Watch the sun set over the ranges and join the “Welcome to Country” Talk, led by the local indigenous people before our delicious 2- course dinner. (Day 11 Wilpena Pound Resort overnight, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Get up early and take an optional scenic flight over Wilpena Pound and Brachina Gorge or enjoy a little sleep in. After 12 days of travelling on the road and in the air, filled with the most thought after experiences, we take on the final journey to Adelaide. We travel south to Hawker and visit the Wilpena Panorama Gallery. A great place to see Wilpena superbly portrayed by local artist Jeff Morgan and a fantastic place to buy last minute gifts. For our final lunch we take you to Clare Valley, one of Adelaide’s premier wine regions. We arrive in Adelaide around 5pm. (Day 12 Breakfast, Lunch)
Thanks to you all for a great trip, your friendship and photos. We still talk about our wonderful adventure with Australian Iconic. I did things I never thought I would do! Thank you. Looking forward to the next one when time allows to join you again. Wishing you all a great year ahead.
Iconic Central Australia Tour –
Alice Springs to Adelaide
12 Days
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