OVERVIEW

Unleash your inner adventurer on this 7-day overland journey from Uluru to Adelaide, travelling through some of Australia’s most remote and culturally rich landscapes.

Venture into the heart of the Red Centre, where powerful Aboriginal stories and dramatic desert formations shape every step. Connect with Aṉangu culture on walks around Uluru and Kata Tjuṯa, and take on the soaring cliffs and domes of Kings Canyon.

In South Australia, sleep underground in a bunkhouse carved into the earth in Coober Pedy, try your luck noodling for opals, and unearth the ancient peaks and gorges of the Ikara–Flinders Ranges. Explore the rock art of Arkaroo Rockand share stories under one of the clearest night skies on the planet.

Led by a passionate Storyteller Guide, this small-group adventure invites you to camp under the stars, hike iconic wilderness trails, and reconnect with nature and yourself along the way.

UNTAMED MOMENTS

• Feel the power of Uluru as you walk beside its towering red walls
• Weave between the soaring domes of Kata Tjuṯa on a sacred desert trail
• Light up your night with the optional Field of Light experience at Uluru
• Climb, wander, and marvel on the legendary Kings Canyon Rim Walk
• Unearth gems and sleep in a real underground dugout in Coober Pedy
• Hike rugged trails through the raw beauty of Ikara–Flinders Ranges
• Step back in time at Arkaroo Rock, home to ancient Aboriginal art

INCLUSIONS

• Accommodation (5 x nights swag camping with amenities & 1 x night underground multi-share dorm)
• All activities and experiences 
• Meals as listed (7 breakfasts, 3 dinners)
• All national park and entrance fees 
• Storyteller Guide
• Air-conditioned vehicle

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1 | Yulara & Uluru Sunset

Desert Beginnings

Your adventure kicks off at 2:00 pm, when you meet your Storyteller Guide outside the Desert Gardens Hotel in Yulara. After a warm welcome and group intro, we head straight into Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park to begin connecting with Country.

Our first stop is the Cultural Centre, where you’ll gain insight into the ancient traditions of the Aṉangu people, Traditional Owners of this sacred land. Through exhibitions, art, and optional presentations from rangers or Anangu hosts, you’ll begin to understand the deep spiritual significance of Uluru and Kata Tjuṯa. Places where powerful creation stories converge.

After setting up camp, we make our way to a sunset viewing platform to witness Uluru glowing a vibrant red and gold in the fading light. It’s a moment to pause, reflect, and take in the silence of the desert.

Back at camp, share a hearty dinner and roll out your swag beneath a sky bursting with stars. This is just the beginning.

Accommodation: Swag camping with amenities at Ayers Rock Resort Campground
Meals Included: Dinner
Distance Travelled: Approx. 60 km

Travelling from Alice Springs? Bus transfers to Yulara are available. See “Know Before You Go” below for more details.

Day 2 | Kata Tjuṯa & Uluru

Sacred Sites & Desert Connection

Wake to another untamed moment as the majestic domes of Kata Tjuṯa rise from the desert in the soft morning light. Towering 546 metres above the red earth, this sacred site holds deep spiritual significance for the Aṉangu people and is a striking icon of the Red Centre. Embark on the 2.6 km Walpa Gorge Walk, a serene trail through a dramatic natural corridor, where ancient rock formations and rare desert flora create a landscape rich in story and stillness.

Back at camp, take the opportunity to unwind—cool off in the pool, explore the Gallery of Central Australia, or immerse yourself in cultural experiences like bush food tastings or didgeridoo demonstrations, each offering a deeper connection to Country.

In the afternoon, we journey to the heart of the outback—Uluru. This immense monolith is more than just a landmark; it’s a living cultural site and spiritual heartland. Join your guide for the Uluru Base Walk, a 10 km circuit that reveals sacred sites, geological wonders, and ancient rock art. Prefer a slower pace? Shorter walk options are available.

As the sun dips below the horizon, choose to dine at one of the many eateries at the resort—or, for a truly unforgettable evening, upgrade to the Field of Light experience. Here, 50,000 solar-powered lights transform the desert into a dreamscape under the stars. (Add this optional upgrade when booking.)

Accommodation: Swag camping at Ayers Rock Resort Campground
Meals Included: Breakfast
Distance Travelled: Approx. 170 km

Day 3 | Yulara to Kings Canyon / Watarrka

Ancient Landscapes & Outback Legends

After breakfast, we leave Yulara behind and journey into the heart of Watarrka National Park, home to one of the most striking natural features in the Red Centre, Kings Canyon.

Today’s highlight is the Rim Walk, a 6 km loop that takes in towering cliffs, beehive-shaped domes, and dramatic views that stretch across the desert. You’ll climb through the now-famous Priscilla’s Crack, wander through the weathered formations of the Lost City, and descend into the lush Garden of Eden, where unexpected waterholes and ancient plant life offer a moment of cool, green calm in the red rock landscape.

By afternoon, we arrive at Kings Creek Station, a working cattle station turned outback haven. Take a dip in the pool, grab a drink from the café-bar, or simply relax and soak in the stillness of the desert as the day fades into golden hour.

You’ll be able to buy dinner at the Station’s laid-back eatery, followed by another night under the stars in your swag.

Accommodation: Swag camping with amenities at Kings Creek Station
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance Travelled: Approx. 325 km

Day 4 | Kings Canyon to Coober Pedy

Canyons, Crossings & Cave Towns

Today’s journey takes us south across the Northern Territory–South Australia border, through vast desert plains and ever-changing landscapes. It’s a big travel day, but the scenery makes every kilometre worthwhile, with stops along the way to refresh and refuel.

By late afternoon, we roll into Coober Pedy, the opal capital of the world and one of Australia’s quirkiest outback towns. With daytime temperatures soaring, most of the town’s residents live underground. From homes and shops to churches and hotels, everything is carved into the hillsides to escape the desert heat.

Tonight, settle into your underground bunkhouse at Radeka Downunder, with time to explore town and grab dinner at a local spot of your choice.

Accommodation: 5-share underground dorm at Radeka Downunder
Meals Included: Breakfast
Distance Travelled: Approx. 770 km

Day 5 | Coober Pedy to Ikara–Flinders Ranges

Opals, Outback Roads & Starry Skies

After breakfast, dive into the underground world of Coober Pedy with a visit to the Old Timers Mine. Discover how these precious stones are formed, and try your luck at noodling – fossicking through red dust for opal fragments. You never know what might turn up.

We then hit the road, travelling through vast outback country and lunar-like landscapes. Along the way, we’ll stop for lunch in one of South Australia’s quirky outback towns. By late afternoon, we arrive at Warren Gorge, set in the heart of the Ikara–Flinders Ranges. This ancient mountain range is known for its dramatic geology, rich First Nations history, and rare wildlife, including the elusive yellow-footed rock wallaby.

After setting up camp, enjoy a delicious dinner cooked by your guide, then kick back and look up. The Flinders Ranges are famous for their crystal-clear skies and dazzling starscapes. Roll out your swag and fall asleep under the Milky Way, surrounded by the timeless energy of this extraordinary landscape.

Accommodation: Swag camping at Warren Gorge (toilets available, no showers)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Distance Travelled: Approx. 620 km

Day 6 | Ikara–Flinders Ranges National Park

Red Cliffs, Rock Wallabies & Yura Country

Wake up in the rugged beauty of Warren Gorge, where today’s first adventure begins with a hike through a landscape rich in colour, texture, and life. The 5 km Warren Gorge Loop Trail winds through towering orange cliffs and ancient cypress pines, with lookouts like Smoke-Oh offering sweeping views over the surrounding ranges. 

After the hike, we roll into Hawker, a small outback town with big artistic flair. You’ll have free time to grab lunch and check out the Jeff Morgan Gallery, home to massive panoramic artworks that bring the outback to life in vivid colour.

Later, lace up for the Wangara Lookout Hike (7 km return), starting at the visitor centre. The trail leads through Pound Gap, flanked by towering river red gums, and past the historic Hills Homestead before ascending to the lookout. If you make it to the top platform, the panoramic views over Wilpena Pound are more than worth the effort.

As the sun dips and shadows stretch across the ranges, we arrive at Wilpena Pound, our base for the night. Join a Welcome to Country with a local Yura guide, sharing stories first spoken in Yura Ngawarla, then brought to life in English. Enjoy a relaxed camp dinner and take in the night sky. You’re sleeping beneath a certified Dark Sky Reserve, where the stars promise to put on a show.

Accommodation: Swag camping with amenities at Discovery Parks Wilpena Pound
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Distance Travelled: Approx. 200 km

Day 7 | Ikara–Flinders Ranges to Adelaide

Creation Stories & Wine Country Roads

After one last breakfast together, we roll up our swags and set out on the Arkaroo Rock Trail, a short but powerful walk with sweeping views over the Chace Range. This site holds deep cultural significance for the Adnyamathanha people and features ancient rock art depicting parts of the Yura Muda (Dreaming) creation story of Ikara. It’s a moment to reflect on the stories that have shaped this land for thousands of years.

We then make our way south to the historic railway town of Quorn, where you can pick up lunch. Once a bustling hub for steam trains, Quorn is now renowned for its vintage railway and movie-star past. It has been the backdrop for films such as The Water Diviner and Wolf Creek. Keep an eye out, you might recognise a scene or two.

As the outback fades into farmland, we roll through the scenic Clare Valley wine region, known for its vineyards and rolling hills, before arriving back in Adelaide around 7:00 pm, where your adventure comes to a close.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Distance Travelled: Approx. 500 km

KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK

Alice Springs Connecting Transfers 

• AAT Kings operates transfers from Alice Springs to Uluru (Yulara). The shuttle arrives in Alice Springs at approximately 1 pm, giving people time to travel from Alice Springs on the day of the tour departure.
• The rate is currently $249pp; however, it will increase from April 2026 to March 2027 to $259pp. You can add this to your cart when making your tour booking on our website as an optional add-on. 

General Information

• Tour timing: This tour starts in Yulara (Ayers Rock Resort) on day one at approximately 2 pm. This gives people time to travel from Alice Springs that morning before the tour departs. The tour concludes in Adelaide at 7:00 pm on day seven.
• Dietary requirements: Please let us know about any dietary needs when booking. We cater for most preferences and aim to provide fresh, varied meals. Snacks, soft drinks, and alcohol are not included.
• Luggage limits: Each guest is allowed one soft travel bag or backpack (max 15 kg) plus a small daypack or piece of hand luggage.
• Minimum numbers: This tour requires a minimum of four travellers to run. If we need to cancel due to low numbers, we’ll offer a transfer to a future date or a full refund.
• Before you book: Please read the information below and our full Booking Terms & Conditions to ensure this experience is right for you.

Accommodation & Camping 

• This is a participatory camping tour, meaning guests are expected to get involved by helping with basic tasks, such as meal preparation and packing up camp.
• Accommodation includes a mix of national parks, bush campgrounds, and one night in shared dorm accommodation in Coober Pedy. Most campgrounds offer basic toilet and shower facilities, except for Warren Gorge, which does not have showers.
• When camping, you’ll sleep in a traditional Aussie swag—a sturdy canvas bed roll with a built-in mattress, used under the stars or in wet weather tents.
• Swag Upgrade: Want a little extra comfort? You can upgrade to a deluxe double swag for $300 (sleeps up to two people). This version features a high-density foam mattress and mesh windows for ventilation. Availability is limited, and upgrades are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Sleeping bags: Please bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. Alternatively, you can hire a used sleeping bag for $20 during the booking process. All unused or retired sleeping bags are donated to a homeless charity, giving them a second life.
• Weather conditions: Be prepared for extreme weather, including high temperatures, cold temperatures, and exposure to the elements.

·       In the event of wet weather, group tents will be provided for shared shelter.

·       Should extreme weather affect the camping experience, alternative accommodation may be arranged. Any additional costs will be shared 50/50 between Untamed Escapes and guests.

Fitness & Mobility

Our adventure tours are best suited to travellers who love nature, hiking, and spending time outdoors, with a good dose of fun and group camaraderie. To get the most out of your experience, please consider the following:

·       Fitness requirements: A moderate level of fitness is needed. On some days, you may be walking between 3 and 12 km, often on uneven ground and in hot or wet conditions.

·       Mobility considerations: While there’s no upper age limit, all travellers should self-assess their mobility and comfort with activities such as hiking, swimming, and swag camping. You’ll need to be able to lift yourself from ground level, as swags are traditional ground-based bedding.

·       Medical conditions: If you have any mobility concerns or pre-existing health conditions, we strongly recommend speaking with your doctor before booking. Please also inform our Customer Service Team and Guides of any relevant conditions prior to travel, so we can offer the right support.

·       Fit for Travel declaration: All travellers must complete an online check-in, including a mandatory ‘Fit for Travel’ declaration, at least 24 hours before departure. This confirms you are free from illness and physically able to join the tour.

If you’re unsure whether this trip is the right fit for you, please reach out, we’re here to help.

Itinerary Changes

At Untamed Escapes, your safety and experience are our top priorities. Our guides are trained to adapt plans when needed to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey. Please keep the following in mind:

·       Experienced guidance: Our storyteller guides continuously assess local conditions such as weather and traffic to deliver the best possible experience.

·       Dynamic weather: The Australian outback is known for sudden and dramatic weather changes. Our team remains informed and responsive to these conditions.

·       Adjustments for safety and comfort:

o   Itinerary changes may occur to improve the overall experience or respond to unexpected circumstances.

o   For example, during the hotter months (October to April), hike times may be adjusted to earlier in the day to avoid high temperatures.

·       Clear communication: Any itinerary changes will be communicated to the group in advance whenever possible.