Kings Canyon & West MacDonnell Explorer
Embark on a 3-day adventure through the heart of Australia’s Red Centre, travelling from Yulara to Alice Springs. Take in sweeping desert landscapes on the way to Kings Canyon, where towering sandstone cliffs and hidden valleys await. Journey across remote outback roads to the West MacDonnell Ranges, with their rugged peaks and ancient gorges. Highlights include Ormiston Gorge, the colourful Ochre Pits, Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap, each rich in natural beauty and cultural significance.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
3 daysHotel Rating
CampingStarts
YularaEnds
Alice SpringsMinimum Age
8 years oldMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in Australia that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
No - Uluru Airport / Yulara town centre pick up on day 1Departure Transfer
No - Alice Springs inner-city drop-off on day 3Tour Guide
Escorted by a local driver guideCountry
AustraliaMeals Included
Breakfast: 2, Lunch: 2, Dinner: 2Passengers
$2,280.00
$1,140.00
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 6 / Max 21
Trip Type
Group Tours
Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip. Our Budget tours offer incredible experiences at a great price. As well as guided sightseeing (depending on the Tour Inclusions), there's free time to explore independently or take part in optional excursions so you can focus on doing just the things that suit you.
Guiding Style
This tour is led by a dedicated tour guide or tour leader who accompanies you throughout your journey. They take care of the day-to-day logistics, offer local insights at every stop, and are available to assist with any questions or needs along the way. On longer tours or multi-country itineraries, you may be accompanied by a different tour guide or tour leader for certain sections of the journey. For full details of the guiding services included on this tour, please refer to the Inclusions.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Tour Guide
Escorted by a local driver guideGroup Size
Min 6 / Max 21Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip. Our Budget tours offer incredible experiences at a great price. As well as guided sightseeing (depending on the Tour Inclusions), there's free time to explore independently or take part in optional excursions so you can focus on doing just the things that suit you.
Guiding Style
This tour is led by a dedicated tour guide or tour leader who accompanies you throughout your journey. They take care of the day-to-day logistics, offer local insights at every stop, and are available to assist with any questions or needs along the way. On longer tours or multi-country itineraries, you may be accompanied by a different tour guide or tour leader for certain sections of the journey. For full details of the guiding services included on this tour, please refer to the Inclusions.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Group ToursTour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Yulara to Kings Canyon
Yulara – Kings Canyon. This tour departs with pick up either from Ayers Rock Airport at 12:00 or from Yulara town centre at 12:00 (Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort, Emu Walk Apartments, Outback Hotel Lodge, Sails in the Desert or The Lost Camel Hotel). After pick up, we travel onwards towards Kings Canyon. Along the way we take in the sweeping desert scenery before arriving at our private campsite, tucked away in the wilderness.
This evening, we enjoy dinner together around the campfire. With no city lights to interrupt, the outback sky reveals an unforgettable display of stars.
Meeting point: Either from Ayers Rock Airport at 12:00 or from Yulara town centre at 12:00 (Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort, Emu Walk Apartments, Outback Hotel Lodge, Sails in the Desert or The Lost Camel Hotel.
Drive Distance: 406 KM
Hike Distance: 2-6 KM & 2-4 hours (weather permitting)
Please note: Safari tents are only available for twin share (two travellers on the same booking) and are permanent tents; solo travellers will stay in a bush swag, a self-contained canvas bed roll with mattress designed for sleeping outdoors on the ground under the stars.
Please note: This is a participation-style tour where travelers will assist with shared meal preparation and clean-up duties. Please refer to the trip notes for further information on tour style, meal arrangements, and what to expect while travelling through remote regions.
Day 2 - Kings Canyon to West MacDonnell
Kings Canyon – West MacDonnell Ranges. Early risers are rewarded today with the chance to explore Kings Canyon, part of Watarrka National Park. Here we discover sandstone cliffs rising up to 100 metres, as well as ancient chasms and hidden valleys. Our guide introduces us to the geology, unique flora and fauna, and the cultural significance of this remarkable place to the Ulpanyali and Lilla people.
After our hike, we continue through the remote heart of central Australia, travelling via the Mereenie Loop or Ernest Giles Road (conditions permitting). By late afternoon, we arrive at our private safari camp in the West MacDonnell Ranges, set beneath the backdrop of Mount Sonder. We enjoy dinner together before another evening of stargazing under the clear desert sky.
Drive Distance & Time: 370 km – 4 hours
Hike Distance: 4–6 km
Day 3 - Kings Canyon & Journey to Alice Springs
West MacDonnell Ranges – Alice Springs. After breakfast, we begin our journey through Tjoritja in the West MacDonnell Ranges, exploring some of its most iconic natural sites. At Ormiston Gorge, we admire the red rock walls and permanent waterhole, before continuing to the Ochre Pits, once used by Aboriginal people for ceremonies and art.
A swim at Ellery Creek Big Hole offers a refreshing break before we move on to Standley Chasm, also known as Angkerle Atwatye, a striking sandstone passage rich in cultural history. Our final stop is Simpsons Gap, a beautiful gorge steeped in ancient stories.
We then continue to Alice Springs, where our Red Centre adventure concludes in the late afternoon.Drop off point: Alice Springs, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
Drive Distance & Time: 250 kM & 3 hours
Walking Distance: 3–4 km
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Campsites
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
Prices & Dates
Twin prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a Safari Tent. Single prices are applicable to solo travellers who will sleep in a Bush Swag (a canvas-covered bush bed roll). Room sharing is not available on this tour.
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