OVERVIEW

Some of the first things that come to mind when creating an Australia travel itinerary are the iconic Sydney Opera House, adorable koalas, and the rugged Great Ocean Road. But no trip to this magnificent country is complete without a journey into the desolate yet beautiful landscape of the Australian outback.

The “outback” generally refers to the remote areas of the country’s interior. The extraterrestrial-like terrain of this region is like something out of a sci-fi movie. The reason for its nickname, “The Red Center,” is immediately apparent as the land appears to be painted bright red, and a visit here is like exploring the surface of Mars.

The dry and hot environment of the outback gives rise to a fascinating ecosystem, that supports unique plant and animal life. We found hiking to be the best way of exploring this ecosystem and there are spectacular trails found throughout the region.

We’ve all seen pictures of the enormous red rock sitting completely out of place in the middle of Australia’s desert interior. But what else is there to do in the outback? Hopefully this travel guide will answer that question and outline the perfect 3-day itinerary to this spectacular region.

HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The defining landmark of the Australian outback is the famous red rock known as Uluru or Ayers Rock. The dramatic sandstone rock formed about 550 million years ago due to sediment deposits from a sea that previously covered central Australia.

The area surrounding Uluru eroded over the next few million years, leaving behind the iconic rock formation that we see today. Oxidation of the rock’s iron content is what led to its unique red color.

Uluru is of tremendous spiritual importance to the Indigenous population who have inhabited the region for the past 30,000 years, known as the Anangu people. It plays an integral role in their Tjukurpa (Dreamtime) stories. These are tales that help them explain the world’s creation and concepts that guide their way of life.

In 1872, the first European explorers reached Uluru and named it Ayers Rock, as a tribute to Sir Henry Ayers, Southern Australia’s Chief Secretary at the time. The area was designated as a national park in 1958 but in 1985 the Australian government returned the land to the Anangu who then leased it back to the government. They have been managing the land jointly ever since.

Today, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park stands as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia. Resorts have moved into the area and you’ll now find restaurants, hotels, hiking trails, a visitors’ center, and several other attractions throughout the area. Fortunately, efforts continue to preserve the environment and cultural significance of Uluru and the surrounding areas.

GETTING THERE

The most popular region to explore in the outback is Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Most people arrive to the area by flying into the domestic airport located in the small nearby town of Yulara. Ayers Rock Airport (Connellan Airport) services routes between major Australia cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane.

The only other way to reach Uluru is by car. However, given its remote location, any road trip to Uluru will take a minimum of two day. The closest major city is Adelaide, which lies nearly 1,000 miles and a 16-hour drive from Uluru.

Alice Springs is a relatively large city located 280 miles and a 5-hour drive from Uluru. Some visitors fly into the Alice Springs airport, hire a car, and drive to Uluru taking the Stuart and Lasseter Highways. There is also a luxury train known as the “Ghan” which travels from Adelaide in the south to Darwin in the north, making a stop in Alice Springs.

A more scenic but longer route between Alice Springs and Uluru would be through the West MacDonnell Range and Watarrka National Park. However, the 180-mile unpaved Mereenie Loop Road section along this route is only suitable for 4-wheel drive vehicles.

WHERE TO STAY

The only practical place to stay when visiting Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is within the comprehensive Ayers Rock Resort complex. There are several individual hotels within the complex, ranging from primitive campgrounds to luxury resorts.

Some of the high-end options are Sails in the Desert and Longitude 131°. Mid-range accommodations include the Desert Gardens Hotel and Emu Walk Apartments. Budget friendly options are the Outback Pioneer Hotel and Lodge and the Ayers Rock Campground.

Within the resort complex are cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, galleries, tour operators and even an IGA grocery store. The lodging and food were all very expensive within the complex as Ayers Rock Resort essentially has a monopoly on tourism in the area.

GETTING AROUND

If you’re not planning to join a tour group, the only way to get around the outback is by private vehicle. Most major car rental companies can be found in both the Ayers Rock Airport and Alice Springs Airport.

The rental car company assigns you a fixed number of kilometers that you can drive before they begin charging you an additional fee for every kilometer over that amount. This appears to be a common practice in Australia, as we also experienced this when driving along the Great Ocean Road.

The drive between Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Watarrka National Parks (two must see destinations in the outback) is about 300 kilometers itself. So, we ended up driving about 200 kilometers over this preset limit, and were charged an additional $200 AUD. Although we were notified of this policy upon booking the vehicle, it’s still a bit annoying to have to account for your driving distance when factoring in travel costs.

When driving through the remote areas of Australia’s interior are the vast distances between service stations. Make sure to gas up frequently and carry adequate supplies if your vehicle unexpectedly breaks down.

THREE DAY ITINERARY

Three days is the perfect amount of time to spend in the Red Center. You’ll be able to hike the iconic trails, learn about Anangu culture, enjoy some scenic drives, and have extra time for relaxation and dining.

DAY 1

The first day of this Australia outback itinerary focuses on the main draw to the region, the legendary rock formation of Uluru. Consider an early rise to see the legendary sunrise at the designated viewpoint within the park. Bring some breakfast and warm clothes as you may be here an hour or two and the early desert mornings can be quite cold.

Uluru Base Walk

While you’re in the national park, drive over to the Mala Parking Lot for the Uluru Base Walk. The 6.5-mile trail takes you around Uluru’s circumference and features essentially no elevation gain. Two optional and short detours are Kantju Gorge and the Matitjulu Waterhole.

Along the trail you’ll find signs that provide information on the unique geological features of Uluru and its cultural significance to the Anangu people. In fact, due to the sacred significance of the rock, visitors are no longer allowed to climb it and many sections of the trail prohibit photography.

There are a few abbreviated versions of this hike, such as the Mala and Kuniya Walks, if you’re not up for the entire 6 mile trail. There’s also minimal shade in the areas around Uluru, so plan to hike early during the hotter months and bring a hat, sunscreen, and at least 2 liters of water.

Cultural Center and Resort Activities

Before leaving the national park make sure to stop at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. You’ll find numerous exhibits and interactive displays providing information on the rock formations and “Tjukurpa“, or the ancestral creation stories, laws and ethics, and cultural practices that provide the framework by which the Anangu live.

Return to the Ayers Rock Resort area and consider attending one of the many complimentary resort activities such as the bush food experience or watch someone play a wind instrument call the “digeridoo”.

For dinner you might check out Geckos Café or pan-Asian cuisine from Ayers Wok. If you’re up for a bit more you could attend the “Field of Light Uluru” display, an art installation featuring thousands of bright lights illuminating the desert landscape.

DAY 2

Kata Tjuta

After getting a taste of Uluru, the second day of this itinerary will be focused on the Kata Tjuta (The Olgas – meaning “many heads”) area of the national park. The Kata-Tjuta monolith is located about 50 km west of the Ayers Rock Resort complex. It hasn’t been developed for tourists to the extent that Uluru has, but we thought it was a more impressive rock formation that offered more varied and interesting trails.

Valley of the Winds Trail

Plan to spend the morning hiking the 4.6 mile “Valley of the Winds” trail on the western portion of Kata-Tjuta. The trail winds its way through several of the 36 domes comprising Kata-Tjuta while featuring several viewpoints, varied terrain, and diverse flora and fauna native to Australia’s deserts. Like Uluru, photography is limited out of respect to the Anangu people and very little shade is found along the path.

If you’ve got left over time and energy, consider adding on the 1.5-mile hike through Walpa Gorge. Otherwise, head back to Ayers Rock Resort for lunch at Kulata Academy Café which is part of a training program for the local indigenous youth to provide skills and employment in the hospitality industry.

Afterward begin the 300 km and 3-hour drive to Petermann where you’ll check into Discovery Resorts – King’s Canyon for a night of glamping. Head across the street to Kings Canyon Bar & Grill for dinner and check out the nearby “Light Tower” display at sunset.

DAY 3

Watarrka National Park

The third day of this Australia outback itinerary will again combine a morning of hiking with a long afternoon drive. On the bright side, today’s 3.7-mile “King’s Canyon Rim Walk” just might be the best hike that you do in all of Australia.

After eating breakfast at the resort, head to Watarrka National Park, about a 15-minute drive south. There are a few optional extensions from the main loop trail that follows the canyon rim. These include Kings Creek Walk, Cotterillis Lookout, and Garden of Eden. I’d recommend adding all these short detours onto your day’s hiking itinerary.

Kings Canyon Rim Walk

The clockwise trail begins by leading you through Kings Canyon along the creek that is lined with eucalyptus trees until reaching a small viewpoint. The viewpoint is nothing impressive, but we loved rock scrambling along the creek and seeing the colorful vegetation. You’ll return the same way and rejoin the King Canyon Rim walk trail.

You’ll now ascend 500 vertical steps up the canyon wall along a section known as “Heart Attack Hill”. This is the only section of the trail that’s somewhat strenuous. Most of the next several miles follow the sandstone cliffside as it leads around the canyon rim.

Along the route you’ll have dramatic views of the sheer cliffs, weathered rock landscape, and lush canyon floor. The section that leads through the “Garden of Eden” is particularly impressive, revealing an oasis and waterhole filled with vibrant plant life, in stark contrast to the desert above.

The three additional detours will add about 1.5 miles to the trail. Overall, hiking Kings Canyon was far and away our favorite experience in the Red Center. The landscape was constantly changing, the views were phenomenal, and walking along the canyon edge was both terrifying and exhilarating.

After grabbing some lunch you’ll need to hit the road again and retrace the 3-hour drive back to Ayers Rock to catch a flight out the following morning. With whatever energy you have left, consider a camel ride at the resort of nice dinner at Sails restaurant.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS

Although the Australian outback doesn’t offer the cosmopolitan charm of Sydney or lush rainforests and pristine beaches of Port Douglas and Hamilton Island, it more than makes up for it with incredible landscapes and a rich cultural history.

We felt obligated to visit the Australian outback during our time in the country. Although the rental car, lodging, and food were very expensive relative to the other places we visited in Australia, the iconic rock formations, fantastic hiking, and learning about the Indigenous Anangu people made the cost and time commitment worthwhile.

Witnessing the grandeur of Uluru and Kata-Tjuta as they protrude out of the otherwise barren desert was amazing, but our favorite experience was glamping near Watarrka National Park and hiking the Kings Canyon Rim Walk.

Whatever you decide to do during your time in the Australian outback, you’re guaranteed to see incredible scenery, learn about the native population, and make some wonderful memories.