An adventurous Uluru itinerary beyond the rock for curious millennials and their nature-loving parents.
I remember my childhood as one with lots of overseas adventures. From Penang to Paris, my parents instilled a travel bug in me.
Now that we’re all older, it’s down to me to plan family vacations. What they don’t tell you is how hard it is to look for a travel destination that everyone in the family would enjoy. But after some research, I finally found somewhere perfect for us all: Uluru, located in the Red Centre of Australia.
With activities like outdoor hikes (suitable for all fitness levels), stargazing, cultural tours, and comfortable luxury stays — this one-week itinerary shows why Uluru is a hidden gem that’s perfect for millennials (like me) to bring their older folks to!
Getting to Uluru
At the time of writing, there are no direct flights between Singapore and Ayers Rock (Uluru) Airport. The most convenient option is to fly into Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane and then connect to Ayers Rock Airport. We recommend incorporating this Uluru itinerary into a multi-city Australia trip to fully explore this stunning country.
If you can’t see the widget above, check out flight prices from Singapore to Australia.
There are free airport transfers to every hotel in Yulara Town from the Ayers Rock Airport. Look out for the one that goes to your hotel at the bus bay just outside the arrival hall.
Route Overview
For this seven-day Uluru itinerary, we started from Uluru and moved on to Kings Canyon before ending at Alice Springs. This itinerary can also be followed in the reversed direction, starting from Alice Springs, if it’s more convenient for you to fly to Alice Springs Airport.
Day 1: Arrival in Uluru
Uluru (a.k.a Ayers Rock), believed to have formed over 550 million years ago, is one of the biggest natural monoliths in the world. It is also one of the most recognisable landmarks of the Northern Territory of Australia and has cultural significance to the Indigenous Australians.
For travellers heading to the Red Centre for the first time, we highly recommend reading up on the background of Uluru beforehand, to understand its cultural importance and geological history for a greater appreciation of the place 🤓👍
Explore Yulara Town
All travellers visiting Uluru will be based at Yulara Town, a fairly new town developed in the 1970s to support the tourist demand at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
There are six accommodation options in Yulara ranging in price points — from boutique hotels to luxurious stays, to apartments for bigger groups and even outdoor campsites. The town square has a small supermarket, some eateries, a post office, and souvenir shops.
Outdoor bush-tucker-inspired dining
One of the best ways to enjoy Uluru and the great Outback of Australia is through an outdoor bush-tucker-inspired dinner — Sounds of Silence.
The Sounds of Silence experience begins with outback-style canapés and chilled sparkling wine upon a dune top overlooking the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. We got to witness the change in Uluru’s colours as the sun set, casting a warm orangey glow on the massive rock.
And after that wonderful sunset, we strolled to our dining spot. It was my first time having a fine-dining meal in the open desert!
This is a highly popular dinner experience with families, backpackers, and even retirees who purposefully made their way there to enjoy the remarkable meal.
This three-course buffet featured bush-tucker-style dishes, showcasing native Australian ingredients in modern cuisine — such as crocodile, kangaroo, and the quandong.
Enjoy the meal under a night sky full of stars (and maybe some sand between your toes 😝).
With hardly any artificial lights, you’ll see plenty more stars here than in the city. On a cloudless night, it won’t be difficult to spot the Southern Cross, different zodiac constellations, and even the Milky Way with your naked eye ✨
Cost: From AU$283/adult
Duration: ~4 hours
Meet-up point: Hotel pick-up
Field of Light outdoor exhibition
And just a short walk from our dinner spot is Field of Light Uluru, an outdoor light exhibition by British artist Bruce Munro. The installation sees 50,000 spindles of light placed across the vast desert about seven football fields in size, and activates after sunset.
As they illuminate in the dead of the night, the area transforms into a magical field of poppy-like plants that sways and changes hues ever so gently.
Cost: AU$48/adult
Meet-up point: Hotel pick-up
Accommodation: Sails in the Desert Ayers Rock
Being out in the desert doesn’t mean you’ll have to give up on comfortable stays. We based ourselves in Sails in the Desert Ayers Rock for three days to fully explore and experience the wonders of Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
This hotel is one of the more luxurious options in Yulara Town. The rooms are spacious with lavish furnishings, in-room amenities, a private balcony and free Wi-Fi. There are also upscale restaurants within the hotel that are open to the public for non-hotel guests.
Free airport transfers are available from Ayers Rock Airport to Sails in the Desert Hotel and it’s also just a short 3-minute walk from Yulara Town Square.
Cost: From ~AU$475/night (2 pax)
How to get there: 9min drive from Ayers Rock Airport (Google Maps)
Read also: The Ultimate Australia Road Trippin’ Guide — 10 Itineraries For The Perfect Adventure of a Lifetime
Day 2: Uluru
After a day of settling in, it’s time to explore the mystical rock itself through fun and easy activities suitable for all ages.
Morning camel tour around the Outback
Not many people know this, but Australia has the world’s largest population of wild camels. Fun fact: Due to the lack of natural predators, the camel population has steadily increased over the years. Estimates suggest about 1,000,000 feral camels roam in the deserts of Australia!
After rescuing and training some of them, Uluru Camel Tours now offers unforgettable camel rides through the vast Outback. This gives visitors another way to explore the desert around Uluru and Kata Tjuta! 🐪🐪🐪
Despite their burly build, the dromedary (single-humped) camels are mostly gentle and trudged steadily in an orderly line across the dunes. The camel handlers also shared stories of the animals and environment along the trail.
Choose from shorter camel rides lasting about 45 minutes, or opt for a 1-hour sunrise or sunset tour for a more immersive experience.
Cost: From AU$89/pax (prior booking required)
Meeting point: Hotel pick-up
Walking tour around Uluru
Now, onto the real deal — going to Uluru.
Visitors can explore Uluru in several ways: cycling tours, segway tours, and even helicopter rides above the rock.
But in our opinion, it’s best explored on a guided walking tour, where an experienced guide will bring you to different areas of the rock while telling stories about its cultural significance.
On my trip in May 2024, my tour group went on a walking tour with Anna from Art Tours of Australia. Anna picked us up on her trusty 4WD Troopy from our hotel and drove us to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
If you’re planning a more independent Uluru itinerary, consider booking a local ground tour for easier logistics.
The walking tour takes roughly 75 minutes at a comfortable pace. Anna brought us to several culturally important sites of Uluru and shared Aboriginal Dreamtime stories (creation stories) to give context as to why it’s such a sacred place for the Anangu, the Indigenous community of Uluru.
For example, I learnt that the Anangu have lived around Uluru for tens of thousands of years. Rock art on the walls of Uluru showed how some of its sites were used as classroom blackboards to illustrate lessons and transfer knowledge among generations.
The rock art is extremely fragile and prone to damage as it’s created with natural minerals and ash. So remember to play a part in Uluru’s rock art conservation by only admiring and photographing the works but not touching them.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Cost: AU$38/adult for a 3-day pass (ours was included in our 5-day tour with Art Tours of Australia)
Opening hours: Varies depending on time of year
How to get there: ~20min drive from Yulara Town Square (Google Maps)
Wintjiri Wiru sunset dinner
Acknowledgement — Anangu share the Mala story, from Kaltukatjara to Uluru, through a drone, sound and light show designed and produced by RAMUS. Photo credit: Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia.
In Yulara, there’s an impressive light and drone performance of the Mala Story, a Dreamtime Story of the Anangu. The Wintjiri Wiru brings one of its chapters to life using 1,100 drones, lasers, and light projections.
Acknowledgement – Anangu share the Mala story, from Kaltukatjara to Uluru, through a drone, sound and light show designed and produced by RAMUS. Photo credit: Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia.
Wintjiri Wiru means “beautiful view out to the horizon” in the local Pitjantjatjara language used by the Anangu, and the drone show is exactly that. There are two shows each night (7PM and 9:30PM), making it one of the world’s largest regular ongoing drone displays. I may be biased, but I’d say the Wintjiri Wiru is a must-do activity to add to your Uluru itinerary.
Opt for the Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner package with canapes, cocktails, and a specially prepared gourmet dinner hamper with native ingredients and desserts at an open-air theatre.
Cost: From AU$295/adult
Meet-up point: Hotel pick-up
Day 3: Kata Tjuta
The Uluru is an icon of the Northern Territory state, but not many know that there’s another grand rock formation just 40km west of Uluru. Kata Tjuta, also known as Mount Olga, is a 36-dome collection of rocks with cultural significance to the Anangu.
Morning hike along Kata Tjuta’s Walpa Gorge
On the third day, we met up with Anna at the crack of dawn for our morning hike up Kata Tjuta. Like Uluru, it holds great spiritual significance for the Anangu, and it’s best to visit with a guide.
Anna led us through the Walpa Gorge Walk, which is 2.6km long and mostly flat with short inclines. Some parts of the path are rocky, but nothing too difficult nor extreme. As we did the walk very early in the morning, it was quite chilly (winds between the gorge can get pretty strong) so a windbreaker or light puffer is a must!
You’ll also see rare flowering plants along this trail, proving that the Red Centre isn’t a barren desert!
The trail ends at a viewing platform where we could rest for a bit and take in all the sights and sounds of the gorge. Anna then whipped snacks, tea sachets and hot water from her backpack for us. Never has a simple breakfast felt so satisfying 😂
The whole walk, including the return, takes about 1 hour. It’s one of the trip highlights with magnificent views of Walpa Gorge and Kata Tjuta.
*Note: The Walpa Gorge Walk can be done without a guide, but do stay on track at all times. And to respect the highly culturally sensitive area, keep both sides of the gorge in frame if you take photographs of Walpa Gorge.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Cost: AU$38/adult for a 3-day pass (ours was included in our 5-day tour with Art Tours of Australia)
Opening hours: Varies depending on time of year
How to get there: ~40min drive from Yulara Town Square (Google Maps)
Bush medicine workshop at Maruka Arts
After the rewarding morning hike, we left the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and headed back to Yulara Town Square. There, we joined a Bush Medicine Workshop by Maruku Arts where an Anangu elder showed us how traditional bush medicine is produced. Made with emu bush and beeswax, the ointment can be used for various ailments such as sores and cuts.
After learning the production process firsthand, we even got to take home some of our handmade ointment as souvenirs!
*Note: The bush medicine workshop is a private experience, subject to availability and requires prior booking.
Maruku Arts also has a dot-painting workshop where an Anangu artist introduces and teaches you how to create traditional Anangu art — with symbols such as concentric circles, figures representing humans or animal tracks, and tools for hunting and food preparation.
Cost: From ~AU$79/adult (by appointment only)
How to get there: Within Yulara Town Square, 3min walk from Sails in the Desert Hotel (Google Maps)
Appreciate Indigenous art at the Gallery of Central Australia
If you or your family member is passionate about art, a visit to the Gallery of Central Australia (GoCA) should be on your Uluru itinerary.
Photo credit: Ayers Rock Resort
GoCA has revolving exhibitions showcasing art pieces by Indigenous artists exclusively from the Central Australia region. Find artworks by established and emerging artists of various Indigenous communities on display: from paintings to handcrafted artwork, wood carvings, and woven sculptures. There’s also a free guided tour of the gallery at 10:30AM daily.
The gallery is only a 7-minute walk from Yulara Town Square and is serviced by the free shuttle buses around Yulara.
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM
How to get there: 7min walk from Yulara Town Square (Google Maps)
Day 4: Kings Canyon
Go beyond Uluru and explore the Red Centre’s rugged landscape with novel and unique experiences.
Experience an Outback road trip on a “Troopy” to Kings Canyon
On the fourth day, we bid Uluru and Kata Tjuta goodbye and proceeded to Kings Canyon, a 3-hour drive from Yulara.
Unless you’re a local from Central Australia and are familiar with driving 4WDs, we strongly encourage visitors and travellers to engage a tour operator for this leg. Once again, we went with Art Tours of Australia who curated an itinerary of fun and easy-to-manage outdoorsy experiences for the rest of the trip.
We hopped onto Anna’s 4WD and journeyed through the long dirt roads from Yulara to Kings Canyon.
Luritja Lookout and Light-Towers Illumination
Depending on the time you depart Uluru and the number of pit stops you take along the way, you might reach Kings Canyon in the late afternoon (like us)!
We arrived at our accommodation Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon at 5PM, then walked to the nearby Luritja Lookout, just in time to catch the sunset.
The lookout is free to the public and also serves as the starting point for Light-Towers, another Red Centre light and sound installation by British artist Bruce Munro.
Light-Towers offers three timed entries daily — sunrise, sunset, and night time. We made it for the sunset session and were rewarded with a breathtaking spectacle. Carmichael Crag, a prominent mountain within Kings Canyon, was bathed in a vibrant orange hue as the sun descended.
As night fell, we saw the Light-Towers installation light up in its full glory — a collection of 69, 2m-tall towers created using over 200 glass bottles each. The bottles have fibre optic cables in them that change colours in response to the soundscape by British composer Orlando Gough.
Cost: From AU$30/adult
Activity timings: 6AM, 5PM, 7PM
How to get there: 6min walk from Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon (Google Maps)
Accommodation: Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon
There are several accommodation options at Kings Canyon, from budget outdoor campsites to luxe lodges. But for maximum comfort, we stayed one night at Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon — a stunning indulgence.
The Deluxe Room is spacious with a king-sized bed, ensuite bathroom, private balcony, and a bathtub with a view of the outdoors. To me, it was an 11/10 accommodation experience 😍
Cost: From ~S$435/night (2 pax)
Address: Luritja Road, Watarrka National Park, 0872 Kings Canyon, Australia (Google Maps)
Read also: 11 Boujee Things to Do in Australia to Add to Your Next Road Trip Itinerary
Day 5: Kings Canyon and Alice Springs
Nature is the best classroom — discover Australia’s ancient canyons through stories and art.
Sunrise hike up Kings Canyon
Nature lovers will love this one — a sunrise hike up Kings Canyon. Also known as Watarrka, Kings Canyon is one of the largest canyons in Australia. There are five routes of varying difficulties, from easy 1-hour walks to an intense 2-day hike covering a distance of 22km (one-way).
We opted for the 4.8km-long South Wall Return walk. This walk is of moderate difficulty and takes about 2 hours to complete. It starts with a steep inclination and has several rocky paths, but achievable with sturdy shoes and confidence.
At the top of the walk, we were treated to a majestic panorama of King’s Canyon’s vastness — layers of red sandstone formed over 440 million years ago.
Where the canyon stands used to be an inland sea with dunes surrounding it, and the impressive rock formations seen today are the results of sand compression and wind erosion.
We even managed to take a short break on the lookout point before heading back down where I saw beautiful plants I missed on my way up! Sharp-eyed explorers will even be rewarded with a glimpse into the past: fossils of ancient organisms.
For families with young children and visitors with limited mobility, we recommend taking the 2.6km-long Kathleen Springs Walk — an easy paved walk that leads to a waterhole at Kathleen Gorge. There are signs along the walk which introduce the region’s indigenous culture and cattle industry.
*Pro-tip: Wear layers for morning hikes so you can easily remove them when the weather warms up as the sun rises.
How to get there: ~15min drive from Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon (Google Maps)
Journey to Alice Springs
A defaced road sign with town names in English crossed out and replaced with their traditional indigenous names.
After the fulfilling hike at Kings Canyon, it was time to head towards Alice Springs, the largest inland settlement of the Northern Territory with about 25,000 people. Alice Springs is also known as “Mparntwe”, the name used by the Arrernte Indigenous community.
This leg of the journey was a 4-hour-long drive on an unpaved dusty track in the middle of Australia.
Long car rides usually lull me to sleep, but this exciting Outback road trip had me keeping my eyes open. And I’m glad I did because we spotted a pack of dingos and herds of feral horses.
Evening painting workshop at Simpsons Gap
Alice Springs is home to Simpsons Gap, one of the most prominent and picturesque gaps in the MacDonnell Ranges (a gap is a low point or an opening between hills or mountains). It also holds cultural significance to the Indigenous Arrernte, the traditional owners of Mparntwe (Alice Springs).
Seeing Simpsons Gap at sunset is breathtaking but taking a watercolour painting class right there made the experience even more special! We knew Anna could hike, drive, fix cars, and make amazing salads, but our minds were blown when we found out she was conducting the workshop too!
Anna handed each of us a small art kit with a watercolour paint palette, paintbrushes, and small canvases. We then sat right in front of Simpsons Gap, taking in the view.
While I appreciate art, creating it myself isn’t my biggest strength. So I paid 101% attention to the basics of watercolour techniques Anna gave, then channelled my inner Claude Monet and painted away.
Inspired by the grandeur of Simpsons Gap, my hand whisked away, translating the scene before my eyes onto my little canvas. I think I did well, and so did the rest of my group 👩🎨🎨
This evening painting workshop is part of our tour package with Art Tours of Australia.
How to get there: 3.5hrs drive from Kings Canyon (Google Maps)
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters
The Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters offers a comfortable and clean stay at a budget-friendly price. The rooms are spacious, and there’s even a pay-per-use laundry room (AU$5/full load).
Cost: From ~S$180/night (2 pax)
How to get there: 13min drive from Alice Springs Airport (Google Maps)
Day 6: West MacDonnell Ranges
Embark on an all-ages adventure in nature’s playground!
Swim in a waterhole at Ellery Creek
The Tjoritja West MacDonnell National Park is yet another idyllic nature spot suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
We started the morning after sunrise and all gamely took a dip in the cold waters at the Ellery Creek Big Hole. The waterhole was created by thousands of years of massive floods, and ancient plants that’ve thrived in this isolated gorge.
How to get there: 1hr drive from Crowne Plaza Alice Springs (Google Maps)
Easy hike to Standley Chasm
Another icon of Central Australia is the Standley Chasm, a natural wonder that looks like it stepped straight out of a postcard. Standley Chasm is located about a 40-minute drive from Ellery Creek. The easy 15-minute hike to the chasm started right at the car park, and we were absolutely awed by the view.
The towering red sandstone walls on both sides left a narrow opening where the sunlight shines in, illuminating the ancient rock walls.
The paved walk towards Standley Chasm was partly destroyed by bushfires and floodings some years back, but it’s still a doable hike to the chasm. There’s also a cafe, a gift shop, and well-maintained toilets before the start of the walk.
Fun fact: Standley Chasm is not exactly part of a big national park, but instead, it’s a private reserve owned and run by the Arrernte, the original inhabitants of the area. So, when you visit Standley Chasm, you’re directly supporting an indigenous-owned endeavour that shares its culture.
Cost: AU$12/pax
Opening hours: 8AM – 5PM (last entry 4:30PM)
How to get there: 40min drive from Ellery Creek (Google Maps)
Read also: 16 Picture-Perfect Places Every Australia Itinerary Needs
Day 7: Alice Springs
Enrich the mind and soul through the vibrant hues of nature and culture.
Outback ballooning experience
On the last day of the trip, we went hot-air ballooning! The balloon ride starts just slightly before the peep of day, so riders can witness the spectacular sunrise as they soar above the vast Outback of Alice Springs.
Riding a hot air balloon is just the kind of adventure for anyone who likes the thrill but still prefers to take things chill. Hop into the basket and watch it inflate right before your eyes. The sensation of being gently lifted into the air with mere heated air is surreal, like floating in a silent bubble above the world.
It didn’t take long to spot some kangaroos hopping across the spinifex plains and herds of cattle grazing. The balloon goes up to 1,000ft in the air, guaranteeing the most picture-perfect views of the remote Australian Outback.
Can you spot the planes at the aircraft storage on the right?
Mid-way through our flight, our pilot pointed out a concrete field in the distance — the Asia Pacific Aircraft Storage where 27 Singapore Airlines aircraft were relocated to during the Covid-19 pandemic when air travels were halted.
Cost: From AU$350/adult
Meeting point: Hotel pick-up
Aboriginal art centres in Alice Springs
Alice Springs boasts numerous art centres owned and managed by the Indigenous communities for them to showcase and sell their works. There are paintings, hand-made crafts like woven baskets, sculptures, and wall hangings for purchase.
We visited two different art centres in Alice Springs — Tjanpi Desert Weavers Gallery and Tangentyere Artists Aboriginal Art Centre, both within walking distance of the Alice Springs Town Centre.
Tjanpi Desert Weavers
Opening hours: 10AM – 4PM, closed on Sat and Sun
How to get there: 6min drive from Crowne Plaza Alice Springs (Google Maps)
Tangentyere Artists Aboriginal Art Centre
Opening hours: 10AM – 4PM, closed on Sat and Sun
How to get there: 6min drive from Crowne Plaza Alice Springs (Google Maps)
Departure from Alice Springs Airport
The Alice Springs Airport is serviced by flights to and fro Australian cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin. At the time of writing, there are no direct flights between Singapore and Alice Springs.
We flew to Melbourne and spent a few days exploring the city before returning to Singapore.
If you can’t see the widget above, check out flight prices from Melbourne to Singapore.
Planning a perfect family-friendly Uluru itinerary
Pre-essentials and tips
SIM cards/data connectivity: Get a SIM card/e-sim before arriving in Uluru as there are no telco booths at Ayers Rock Airport. Take note that cell service can be limited, especially in remote areas, but hotels typically provide strong and stable Wi-Fi.
Best time to visit: May to September (Autumn & Winter). The weather is mild and pleasant, ideal for outdoor activities like hiking and exploring national parks.
Essentials to pack: Windbreaker, good walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, water bottle, fly nets (bush flies!), basically things you’d bring to a desert where there are lots of outdoor activities.
Self-guided or tour group: Travelling around Uluru on a self-guided free-and-easy trip is technically possible. But you’ll have to rely heavily on the shuttle buses around Yulara Town to get to different attractions.
Other considerations: It’s essential to take care of your fitness and health for this trip, as you’ll be exposed to the harsh desert environment including hot sun, dry air, and desert sand.
Go with a local tour
When planning your Uluru itinerary, we recommend contacting a land tour operator for the journey towards Kings Canyon and Alice Springs, as they involve long drives on the vast Outback that can be challenging to navigate. Many areas of the Outback have no connectivity, and regular GPS on Google Maps won’t work.
It’s also better to have a local guide who’ll point out hidden gems and share interesting stories along the way!
We did our trip with Anna from Art Tours of Australia and she’s such a gem. Not only did she share amazing stories of the Indigenous communities of Central Australia, but she was also extremely patient with the group and made us delicious salads every day of the trip. In my opinion, we couldn’t have had a better guide to explore the Red Centre with!
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them, their culture and to the Elders past, present and future.
Did this Uluru itinerary inspire you? Share your best travel tips for family-friendly trips in the comments below!
This post was brought to you by Tourism Australia and Tourism NT as part of a media familiarisation trip.
