Rock the Centre, Alice to Yulara

It’s an early start as we head South out of Alice Springs along the legendary Stuart Highway. After a bit of ‘breaky’ (ATA speak for breakfast) we keep driving, until your guide turns right onto the Lasseter Highway. Woohoo! There’s not many opportunities to turn in the outback! En-route you see one of the Red Centre’s three tors, Mt Connor, before sighting the mighty Uluru. After a tasty lunch we’re off to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), which is the local aboriginal word for ‘many heads’. There’s 36 domes (or heads) in total, so you’ll have the chance to walk between them and get a sense of their immense size of the domes.

To cap off a wonderful day, we take the time to watch the setting outback sun change the colour of one of Australia’s great icons. After the Uluru sunset we drive to camp for a hot shower and dinner. Who wants 5 star accommodation, when you can experience 1,000 star accommodation … enjoy your first night sleeping under the stars in a swag (Aussie bedroll), or in one our permanently erected tents.

The Uluru sunrise can be as equally spectacular as sunset, so an early start this morning can’t be missed. Absorb the sheer size with a base walk around Uluru. The let your guide explain ‘Tjukurpa’ the Anangu word that describes the law and creation, and fascination insights during an interpretive Mala walk.

You will then visit the Uluru & Kata Tjuta National Park Cultural Centre to view the world-famous dot-art designs from the Central desert region before leaving the park and driving along the Luritja Highway to ATA’s exclusive camp near Kings Canyon. After a hearty Aussie meal the permanent tents are there for you to use, however why not ‘swag-it’ under the star tonight.

After some breakfast and filling our water bottles, we head into the Watarrka National Park. Take a breath and a moment to enjoy the stunning views on the steep walk up Kings Canyon. Once up on the plateau you’ll have time to enjoy more amazing views; the rim walk offers a variety of geological features including the lost city, natural amphitheatres, rock chasms and of course the sheer faces of the North and South walls of the Canyon. The plant life is extra-ordinary with a cycad species that have survived from a prehistoric era, and beautiful waterhole which is appropriately named the ‘Garden of Eden’. A rewarding lunch can be enjoyed, and with a full bellies, relax as you guide drives you back to Alice Springs.

This morning is about getting you to Yulara or the Ayers Rock Airport (near Uluru). Need to catch up on a little sleep? In between some information from your guide, have a snooze (ATA speak for a sleep) or allow the endless outback landscape pass you by. There’s a couple of stops to take a stretch.