Our 9 day suggested itinerary through ‘The Red Centre’ of Australia including highlights such as West MacDonnell Ranges, Uluru and Kings Canyon!
✓ Campsites
✓ Hikes
✓ 4WD tracks
✓ Fuel Stops
✓ Activities
THE ROUTE:
After some research and chatting to some new mates at a caravan park this is the path we chose for our journey through The Red Centre!
Start + End: Alice Springs, NT.
We stayed at Discovery Parks ($40 unpowered) TIP:** load up on food/fuel/supplies and get ready to head to paradise!
HOLD UP! Before we go any further…..
YOU NEED (NT residents exempt)
1. Northern Territory National Parks Pass: $30 for 2 weeks.
2. Uluru Kata-Tjuta NP Pass: $38 for 3 days.
3. Pre-book Campsites – National Parks Campsites can be booked at NT Government Website https://parkbookings.nt.gov.au/Web/
DAY 1:
Alice Springs -> Palm Valley
138km (2 hours)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Head west from Alice Springs to Hermannsberg along Larapinta Drive (100kms)
2. Turn off to Palm Valley just west of Hermannsberg and follow Finke River 4WD track (18kms) not challenging just corrugated
3. Continue 4.3kms into Palm Valley (proper 4WDing although Em actually drove us in)
THINGS TO DO:
1. Visit Hermannsberg Precinct – old Lutheran Mission and Pottery House
2. Hike Palm Valley
Arankaia Walk, 2km, 1hr return
Mpulungkinya Walk, 5km, 1 hr 40 min return
CAMPSITE: Palm Valley Campground, $12 a night
** BOOK SITE 18 IF YOU CAN
FACILITIES: toilets, fire pits, showers
FOOD/FUEL: NO FOOD/NO FUEL
(both in Hermannsberg)
DAY 2:
Palm Valley -> Boggy Hole
60km (2 hours)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Travel from Palm Valley back to Larapinta Drive (26kms)
2. Enter Finke 4WD route – turn off is just before Palm Valley turn off
3. Follow 4WD track to Boggy Hole (32kms/1.5hrs)
THINGS TO DO:
1. Kalarranga walk at sunrise before leaving Palm Valley (2.5kms, 45min)
2. 4WDing mission!
3. Swimming – right in the middle of the country!
CAMPSITE: Boggy Hole Campsite
$6 per night
FACILITIES: NONE. Full bush camping
FOOD/FUEL: NO FOOD/NO FUEL
**We had our tyre pressure at 25psi for this track!
DAY 3:
Boggy Hole -> Yulara
300km (7 hours)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Continue on Finke 4WD track to ‘southern gate’/exit of the national park (20kms)
2. Continue South/west for 60kms (3 hours) to Ernest Giles Road
3. Continue to Luritja Road then the Lasseter Highway until you reach Yulara (approx 211kms/3.5hrs)
THINGS TO DO:
1. Lots of driving – not too many activities today! We were too keen to get to Uluru – Kata Tjuta!
2. A short detour off the Finke 4WD track is a secluded springs called Illamurta Springs – we did call in here but added over an hour to the trip!
3. Stop at Mount Connor lookout to see ‘Fooluru’ off the Lasseter highway.
4. Watch the sunset over Uluru from the Sunset carpark with a drink after along days drive – absolute MAGIC!
CAMPSITE: Yulara – Ayers Rock Campground
$153 for 3 nights
FACILITIES: Everything! Showers/toilets, washing machine, Camp Kitchen etc.
FOOD/FUEL: IGA/Multiple restaurants
Fuel (bring your cheque book – diesel was $2.80 a litre in May 2023)
DAY 4:
Yulara
DIRECTIONS:
We gave ourselves 3 nights here which was PERFECT.
Everything is very well signed and easy to follow.
THINGS TO DO IN ULURU – KATA-TJUTA!
1. Ranger guided Mala Walk – BEST THING WE DID!!
2km walk learning the history of the Anangu people.
2. Bush Tucker Experience/Talk – taste traditional and locally harvested bush tucker.
3. Watch the sunset over Uluru from the Sunset Viewing Deck (around the other side of Uluru)
CAMPSITE/FACILITIES/FOOD/FUEL: As previous.
DAY 5:
Yulara
DIRECTIONS:
Kata Tjuta is approx 50kms (40 mins) from Uluru – very well signed.
THINGS TO DO IN ULURU – KATA-TJUTA!
1. Field of Lights for Sunrise. $89 each – overrated in our opinion.
2. Visit Kata-Tjuta!!
Valley of the Winds Walk – Kuru Lookout, 2km return (1hr)
Walpa Gorge Walk – 2.6kms, 1 hour return
3. Sunset Helicopter Flight – $360 each! 10/10 recommend! We went with Professional Helicopter Services!
DAY 6:
Yulara -> Kings Canyon (Ginty’s Lookout)
330km (4 hours)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Take Lesseter highway to Kings Canyon (3 hrs)
2. Drive 30kms past Kings Canyon to Ginty’s lookout (Free Campground)
IMPORTANT** Permit needed for Mereenie Loop (Ginty’s Lookout to West MacDonnell Ranges) $5 from Kings Canyon Caravan Park.
THINGS TO DO:
1. Hike Kings Canyon!
We did the Rim Walk 6kms/3hrs – one of the best hikes we have done!
2. Watch the sunset over Kings Canyon.
CAMPSITE: Ginty’s Lookout – FREE
FACILITIES: NONE. Full bush camping
FOOD/FUEL: NO FOOD/NO FUEL
***Kings Canyon Caravan park has Food/Restaurant/Fuel!
DAY 7:
Ginty’s Lookout -> Ormiston Gorge
210km (2.5 hours)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Travel along Mereenie Loop for 1hr.
2. Turn left onto Namatjita Drive (Red Centre Way)
THINGS TO DO:
1. Visit Goose Bluff – reserve hit by a 600m comet. Make sure you climb the lookout!
2. Redbank Gorge – 1.5km walk for a COLD swim!
3. Visit Glen Helen Gorge – swim to the other side of the gorge!
4. Ormiston Gorge – We did the Pound walk the next day!
CAMPSITE: Ormiston Gorge Campground, $20 total.
FACILITIES: Hot showers
Toilets
Kiosk (pay for camping here)
FOOD/FUEL: Kiosk snacks (scones were DELISH)
NO FUEL
DAY 8:
Ormiston Gorge -> Point Howard Lookout
100km (1.5 hours)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Continue along Namatjita Drive (Follow The Red Centre Way)
20kms in – Ochre Pits
35kms in – Serpentine Gorge
45kms in – Ellery Creek
2. Turn right into Point Howards lookout (approx 30kms before Alice Springs)
THINGS TO DO:
1. Ormiston Gorge Pound Walk – 9kms/3hrs. Difficult hike that requires wading through water but reward is unmatched views of the gorge!
CAMPSITE: Point Howard Lookout (FREE)
EPIC SUNSET SPOT!!
FACILITIES: NONE. Full bush camping
FOOD/FUEL: NO FOOD/NO FUEL
DAY 9:
Point Howard Lookout -> Alice Springs
88km (1 hour)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Travel on Namatjita Drive for another 30kms
2. Turn left onto Larapinta Drive, follow for 48kms which takes you back to Alice Springs.
THINGS TO DO:
1. Standley Chasm – $12 each entry
2. Simpson Gap – short hike with nature and birdwatching.
CAMPSITE: Alice Springs Discovery Parks, $40
FACILITIES: EVERYTHING!
Showers/toilets
Camp Kitchen
Laundry
Washing Machines
Food Vans
Inflatable Pillow
GYM!!
FOOD/FUEL: Everything – we are back in civilisation!
THANKS FOR READING! Click Here to learn more about us!
For more info about activities in Uluru-Kata Tjuta check out out instagram Reel below!