Central Australia & Uluru Family Holiday - 6 Days
Who is this trip for
Genders
- Female%
- Male%
Age range
5 - 99Start / End
- Yulara
- Alice Springs
Physical rating
Group size
1 - 16Meals included
10Highlights
- Feel like an ant as you cycle around the base of Uluru before you see its amazing colour-changing magic when the sun goes down at night and up again in the morning.
- Journey down the bright red canyon walls of Kings Creek and learn from your leader about the wildlife that have adapted to survive living in Australia’s hot desert climate.
- Hop from asteroid crater to Ghost Gum trail to natural swimming pool in the Ormiston Gorge area, learning about local Aboriginal Creation Stories along the way.
- Count the many heads of Kata Tjuta before you wander through one of the gaps – some which reach 546 m high – to reach a sanctuary of wildflowers and the occasional wallaroo.
- Sit back and relax in your air conditioned and private-ensuite tents at an Intrepid-exclusive campsite located at Finke Gorge National Park in Tjoritja (West MacDonnell Ranges).
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Anna
Petra
CharlotteSummary
Grab your sunhats and load up space on the camera roll for six days of 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.
Map
Itinerary
Day 1: Yulara (or Alice Springs) / Uluru / YularaArrival Day
Werte! 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.
Day 2: Uluru / Kata Tjuta / Yulara
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.
Day 3: Uluru / Kings Canyon
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.
Day 4: Kings Canyon / Palm Valley
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.
Day 5: West MacDonnell Ranges / Palm Valley
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.
Day 6: Alice Springs
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.
Prices & Availability
What's Included
Meals
Breakfasts: 5, Lunches: 3, Dinners: 2Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.Vegetarian options available
Local Guide
GuidedThis adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.
Wifi
Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.
Essential trip information
Our Important Notes and Packing List cover all essentials, from necessary equipment to inclusions, ensuring you're fully equipped and informed for this extraordinary adventure and more.
Important information
FAMILY TRIPS Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you. MINIMUM AGE Minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old. However, please read the trip notes carefully to decide whether the strenuous nature of this trip is suitable for your family. CHILD PRICE Children aged 17 years and under at time of travel on this trip, are eligible to receive 20% off the full adult price. START & END TIME & LOCATION The trip starts on day 1 either in Alice Springs with a pick up from Stay at Alice Springs Hotel at 8:30 am or with a Welcome Meeting at 4pm in Yulara at our joining point hotel. Please advise us of your preferred start location at the time of booking. The trip finishes in Alice Springs on the last day (day 6) mid-morning. We recommend you book your departure flight from Alice Springs no earlier than 12:30pm on the last day. Accommodation is not included on this day but can be booked on request. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT A Single Supplement can be booked if you’d prefer not to share a room and tent on this trip, subject to availability. The single supplement excludes nights 4 and 5. DIETARY REQUIREMENTS It is very important that you advise us of any dietary requirements and allergies at least 2 weeks prior to departure. We need this information well ahead of time to be able organise catering for the trip. Alice Springs' remote location means that some food items will not be available on short notice, and once the trip has commenced changes to dietary requirements are not possible.