Kings Canyon & West MacDonnell Explorer - 3 Days

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.

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

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