Adelaide to Uluru 7 Day & 6 Nights Adventure Tour

Your outback adventure kicks off before sunrise, leaving the city behind while most are still hitting snooze. After a quick caffeine crawl out of Adelaide, we cruise north to the sleepy town of Wirrabara. Here, towering silo art brings colour and culture to the streets and Julie’s Bakery serves up the kind of country comfort food you didn’t know you needed.

Next stop: Arkaroo Rock, tucked deep in Adnyamathanha Country. This is more than a hike, it’s a time machine. The 3.2 km trail weaves through native bush to a rock shelter etched with ochre and charcoal art that’s over 5,000 years old. These ancient markings tell the story of Akurra, the giant serpent whose body shaped this land. It’s raw, sacred, and completely unforgettable.

As the sun dips and shadows stretch across the ranges, we arrive at Wilpena Pound, our base for the night. Here, a local Yura guide welcomes us to Country, sharing stories first spoken in Yura Ngawarla, then brought to life in English. It’s not just a greeting; it’s an invitation to connect with the spirit of the land and those who have cared for it for millennia. To wrap the day, it’s back to camp for dinner before rolling out your swag beneath the stars, where the Milky Way becomes your ceiling.

Accommodation: Swag camping with amenities at Discovery Parks Wilpena Pound

Meals: Dinner

Distance Travelled: Approx. 450 km

After breakfast, we’ll strap on the boots for the Wangara Lookout Hike. Starting from the Wilpena Pound Visitor Centre, this 7 km return trail weaves through shady Pound Gap, where river red gums tower overhead and emus and kangaroos might casually photobomb your walk. You’ll hit the historic Hills Homestead first, a great spot to catch your breath. From there, it’s a short, steep push to the lookout. If you’re up for it, the upper platform dishes out panoramas that’ll blow your boots off.

Back on level ground, we explore Old Wilpena Station, where the outback grit of early pastoral days meets ancient Adnyamathanha Country. Back on the bus, travel to Hawker for lunch and a quick stop at the Jeff Morgan Gallery, part art, part time warp. Roll into Warren Gorge for a 5.2 km hike which delivers on drama: burnt-orange cliffs, cypress pines, and if you are lucky, a glimpse of the rare yellow-footed rock wallabies bouncing between boulders.

Set up camp at beautiful Warren Gorge for dinner, stories, and stargazing.

Accommodation: Swag camping at Warren Gorge (toilets available, no showers)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance Travelled: Approx. 200 km

Farewell the Flinders Ranges as we head deep into the South Australian outback. After a quick refresh and snack stop in Port Augusta, we cruise north through saltbush plains and wide-open nothingness, the kind that makes you feel like you’re driving on Mars. Midway, we pull up at Lake Hart, a surreal salt lake where white stretches to the horizon and the silence feels otherworldly. It’s a chance to stretch your legs, snap some lunar-level photos, and breathe in the stillness.

By late arvo, we roll into Coober Pedy, the underground opal capital of the world. First stop? The Old Timers Mine for a crash course in outback bling. Learn how opals are formed, walk through original underground homes, and go ‘noodling’, fossicking for stray gems in the red dust. Who knows? You might just get lucky.

Check in to your underground digs at Radeka Downunder, where the rooms are carved into the rock to escape the desert heat. The night’s yours to explore this weird and wonderful town. Pizza in a cave, underground bars, moonlit strolls, it’s all on the table.

Accommodation: 5-share dorm at Radeka Downunder

Meals: Breakfast

Distance Travelled: Approx. 620 km

Buckle up, today’s a big one. We head north through a whole lot of red dirt and big sky, cruising past the Dingo Fence (yes, the world’s longest dog barrier) and into Kanku–Breakaways Conservation Park, an ancient Aboriginal heritage site where the Moon Plains live up to the name. Think wide-open space, sci-fi scenery, and silence that hums.

From here, we cross the border into the Northern Territory, chasing the heat shimmer to Watarrka National Park, home of Kings Canyon. By late afternoon, we roll into Kings Creek Station, our desert base for the night.

Cool off in the pool, wander the red dirt trails, or kick back with a cold one and watch the outback do its golden hour thing from the sunset platform. Dinner is at the Station’s laid-back eatery before we settle in for a well-earned rest under star-soaked skies.

Accommodation: Swag camping with amenities at Kings Creek Station

Meals: Breakfast

Distance Travelled: Approx. 770 km

It’s an early start, but trust us, this one’s worth it. The Kings Canyon Rim Walk is straight-up legendary: a 6 km loop of towering sandstone cliffs, ancient domes, and mind-blowing views in every direction. Climb up through Priscilla’s Crack (cue the soundtrack), wander the maze of domes known as the Lost City, and descend into the lush heart of the canyon, the Garden of Eden, complete with ferns and secret waterholes.

After lunch, we cruise further into the Red Centre, giving your legs a break while your camera roll fills with shifting desert scenes. By late afternoon, we arrive at the sacred heart of Australia, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Pull up a camp chair and soak in sunset over Uluru, when the rock glows and the desert hush hits differently. Then it’s back to camp for dinner before rolling out your swag under star-splashed skies. Red dust, Milky Way, total silence, this is your outback moment.

Accommodation: Swag camping with amenities at Ayers Rock Resort Campground

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Distance Travelled: Approx. 350 km

This morning, we head into the sacred domes of Kata Tjuṯa for the Walpa Gorge Walk. A 2.6 km trail into towering red rock walls and ancient desert silence. Named after the local word for “wind,” Walpa is a cool, shady pocket in the middle of the heat, home to rare plants, seasonal streams, and stories older than time. This is a sacred men’s site for the Aṉangu people, so we walk with quiet respect and wide eyes. Before lunch, we dive deeper into the culture of this Country with a visit to the Cultural Centre, the heartbeat of the park, where you’ll learn more about the Aṉangu way of life and the meaning behind this powerful landscape.

Back at camp, the afternoon’s yours. Cool off in the pool, check out the Gallery of Central Australia, or join one of the free cultural experiences on offer, from bush food tastings to didgeridoo demos, guided garden walks, or meeting the locals at the Camel Farm. Tonight, wrap up our Red Centre adventure in proper Aussie style with an Outback BBQ (own cost). Load your plate, share a drink with the crew, and trade your favourite trip stories as the desert sky puts on its nightly light show.

Feeling fancy? You’ve also got the option to skip the BBQ and upgrade to the magical Field of Light experience with 50,000 solar-powered globes glowing under the outback stars. This extra is very popular so we recommend adding this to your cart when booking.

Accommodation: Swag camping at Ayers Rock Resort Campground

Meals: Breakfast

Distance Travelled: Minimal

Wake early and watch the desert come alive as the sun rises over Uluru. The light show is unreal. Shifting colours, long shadows, and that quiet magic only this place can deliver.

Then it’s time to get up close. Standing 348 metres high and estimated at 550 million years old, Uluru is a presence. The 10 km guided base walk is your opportunity to connect. Wander past waterholes, into shaded gullies, and along ancient rock faces etched with meaning. Rest beneath Sheoak trees, peer into sacred caves, and hear the stories that shape this land. Prefer a slower pace? No worries, shorter walks are available too.

By late morning, we return to Desert Gardens Resort in Yulara, where this wild journey officially ends.

For those departing from Uluru Airport, complimentary transfers are available from the resort. There are also bus transfers from Yulara to Alice Springs. See the Know Before You Go information below to learn more.

Meals: Breakfast

Distance Travelled: Approx. 60 km

• Your sense of adventure
• Sleeping bag
• Travel Pillow
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Waterproof rain jacket
• Reusable water bottle &/or Camelbak (2L minimum)
• Reusable coffee cup (keep cup)
• Tupperware / Sistema Box to keep any leftovers
• Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
• Swimmers and beach towel
• Hand sanitiser and insect repellent
• Hat and ocean-safe sunscreen
• Torch or headlight
• Snacks for the bus in your day bag
• In cooler months (April to October), pack thermals, bed socks, warm clothes and a hot water bottle
• Reusable facemasks

GENERAL

• This tour commences in Adelaide on day one at approximately 5.30 am and finishes in Yulara (Uluru) on day eight
  at approximately noon.
• To get the most from this experience, you need to enjoy the outdoors, hiking, and be able to cope with extreme weather conditions.
• A moderate fitness level is required, and you need to be prepared for walks between 3-12 kilometres on some days. This may involve rough ground and perhaps getting wet.
• Please advise of any special dietary requirements when you book. We offer plenty of variety and do our best to provide fresh products. Snacks, soft drinks and alcohol are not included.
• Bags are restricted to 1 × 15kg backpack/soft travel bag per person, plus one small piece of hand luggage.
• All passengers must complete online check-in, including a ‘Fit for Travel’ self-declaration to confirm they are free from illness. This is mandatory and must be completed at the latest 24 hours before departure.
• This tour requires a minimum of four people to operate. In the unlikely event your departure is cancelled because minimum numbers have not been met, we will transfer all monies paid onto a future departure date. If this is not suitable, we will refund your tour price in full.
• Please read our full Booking Terms & Conditions before booking.

ACCOMMODATION & CAMPING

• This is a camping tour, and involvement from the passengers is required. This can include helping with
  meals and packing up camp.
• Camping on this tour is at a mixture of national parks and campgrounds as well as one night in a dorm at Coober Pedy. All campgrounds have basic toilet and shower facilities.
• When camping, we use single swags. Swags are ‘Aussie Bed Rolls’ made from sturdy canvas with a mattress built into the swag.
• Sleeping bags – we prefer passengers to provide their own sleeping bag and pillow to insert into the swag. However,
  this tour has an option if you don’t have one to purchase a new 0-degree sleeping bag for $50. Alternatively, you can hire a used one for $20. These options need to be added to your cart at the time of booking. We donate old and unused sleeping bags to a homeless charity, ensuring they go to good use after their time with us.
• Swag Upgrade – if you would like to upgrade to a deluxe double swag that comfortably sleeps up to two people, you can pay a $300 upgrade fee during the booking process. This swag features a high-density foam mattress and mesh windows. Due to the
  size of this swag, there is limited availability, so it is first in best dressed.
• Our wet weather option is tents shared by the group.
• In the unlikely event of extreme weather, alternative accommodation may be sourced. In this case, the accommodation costs incurred will be shared 50/50 between Untamed Escapes and each passenger.

ITINERARY CHANGES

• Weather conditions in the Australian outback can change quickly and dramatically. Our experienced guides will always put the safety of our passengers first and stay abreast of weather conditions.
• Itinerary changes may occur to ensure we provide the best possible experience. For example, in the hot summer months, from December to March, we may change the times of hikes to earlier in the day. Any itinerary changes will be communicated to the group in advance.
• The Oodnadatta Track accessibility is strongly dependent on weather conditions. See below for further information.

OODNADATTA TRACK CLOSURE ALTERNATE ITINERARY

The Oodnadatta Track is an unsealed dirt road, and the conditions of the track depend heavily on the weather. If the road is deemed unsafe to drive on, or there is a possibility that sections of the road will close after we have commenced driving on the track, our Guide reserves the right to alter the itinerary and take a different route. If, for safety reasons, the decision is made not to travel on the track, the itinerary for day three will be changed as follows;

Port Augusta | Coober Pedy via StuartHighway | Josephine’s Kangaroo Orphanage & Gallery | Coober Pedy township |Umoona Opal Mine & Museum | Overnight Coober Pedy.

Port Augusta | Coober Pedy via Stuart Highway |
Josephine’s Kangaroo Orphanage & Gallery | Coober Pedy township | Umoona
Opal Mine & Museum | Overnight Coober Pedy

ALICE SPRINGS CONNECTING TRANSFERS

• Transfers from Uluru to Alice Springs are operated by AAT Kings and depart from the Desert Gardens Hotel on the last day of your tour (Thursday) between 12:30 pm and 1 pm from March to November. Our tour finishes in the late morning on day eight, so our Guide will ensure any passengers catching this shuttle are at the departure point with plenty of time to spare. The shuttle
  arrives in Alice Springs at approximately 7 pm.
• The rate is currently $225pp; however, it will increase from April 2025 to March 2026 to $249pp. You can add this to your cart when making your tour booking on our website as an optional add-on.

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