Australia & Pacific

Uluru & The Red Centre

Australia

Point-to-point

Uluru Alice Springs return

In short: Uluru & The Red Centre is a 1,225 km desert road trip in Australia, typically driven over 5 days, best in Apr–Oct. Highlights: Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon.

Distance

1,225 km

Duration

5 days

Best Season

Apr–Oct

LegendaryModerateDesert

A five-day Red Centre progression from Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa to Watarrka/Kings Canyon and Alice Springs, finishing with a West MacDonnell day loop to Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek and Ormiston Gorge. The mapped points are visitor centres, trailhead car parks and signed day-use access—not the inaccessible centres of the rock formations.

~2 refuels

~4 charges

Practical notes

Check current Parks Australia access news (https://parksaustralia.gov.au/news/) and the Watarrka park page on the same morning as every walk, including forecasts and heat gates. Obey cultural closures and photography requests. The current Liṟu notice (https://parksaustralia.gov.au/news/liru-walk-closure-and-alternative-uluru-base-walk-access/) lists that link closed until further notice even while other Base Walk access remains; verify the exact segment at the Cultural Centre. At Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon choose one walk; never stack alternatives.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park: Uluru

Uluru Base Walk · Field of Light · Kulata Academy Cafe

Day 2Kata Tjuta to Kings Canyon transfer

Walpa Gorge Walk · Kings Canyon Resort dining

Day 3Watarrka / Kings Canyon

Kings Canyon Rim Walk or Kings Creek Walk · Kings Canyon Resort dining

Day 4Kings Canyon to Alice Springs

Alice Springs Telegraph Station · Epilogue Lounge

Day 5Alice Springs–West MacDonnell Ranges / Tjoritja day loop

Standley Chasm / Angkerle Atwatye · Ormiston Gorge selected walk · Ormiston Gorge kiosk

Stops along the route

Uluru — Departure — Uluru & The Red Centre — Australia

Departure
Uluru
Sacred to the Anangu, this 348 m sandstone monolith is 9.4 km around. Its colour shifts so slowly at sunrise you only notice after.

City

Alice Springs

The outback's only city, gateway to the West MacDonnells. Resupply here before heading west into the ranges.

Hotels

Arrival

Alice Springs return

Return to Alice Springs after the West MacDonnell day loop to finish the route.

Hotels

Things to Do

Kata Tjuta — Nature — Uluru & The Red Centre — Australia

Nature
Kata Tjuta
Thirty-six domed rocks across 20 km of sacred country. The Valley of the Winds walk is more demanding and affecting than Uluru's base walk.

Kings Canyon — Nature — Uluru & The Red Centre — Australia

Nature
Kings Canyon
A 270 m sandstone canyon with the Garden of Eden at its heart: cycad palms and a hidden waterhole. The rim walk is Central Australia's finest.

Standley Chasm — Nature — Uluru & The Red Centre — Australia

Nature
Standley Chasm
A narrow gorge that turns incandescent orange at noon when sun reaches the floor. The walls are barely an arm's span apart in places.

Ellery Creek Big Hole — Nature — Uluru & The Red Centre — Australia

Nature
Ellery Creek Big Hole
A steep-sided permanent waterhole fed by springs in the West MacDonnells. Ice-cold even in summer, the shock after desert heat is visceral.

Ormiston Gorge — Nature — Uluru & The Red Centre — Australia

Nature
Ormiston Gorge
The grandest gorge in the MacDonnells, with a permanent waterhole backed by 300 m quartzite walls. Red kangaroos come to drink at dusk.

Uluru Base Walk — Cultural landscape walk — Uluru & The Red Centre — Australia

Cultural landscape walk
Uluru Base Walk
Confirm the open segments, Liru connection and heat/cultural closures before starting.

Show 6 more

Field of Light — Booked art experience — Uluru & The Red Centre — Australia

Booked art experience
Field of Light
Book a timed evening transfer and keep it separate from the heat of the walk.

Walpa Gorge Walk — Short desert gorge walk — Uluru & The Red Centre — Australia

Short desert gorge walk
Walpa Gorge Walk
Choose this one shorter Kata Tjuta walk before the transfer, subject to the same-day heat gate; do not also attempt Valley of the Winds.

Kings Canyon Rim Walk or Kings Creek Walk — Canyon walk choice — Uluru & The Red Centre — Australia

Canyon walk choice
Kings Canyon Rim Walk or Kings Creek Walk
Choose the Rim only with fitness, an early start and open heat gate; otherwise use the shorter Creek Walk. Never schedule both.

Alice Springs Telegraph Station — Historic reserve — Uluru & The Red Centre — Australia

Historic reserve
Alice Springs Telegraph Station
Use one short arrival activity if daylight remains.

Standley Chasm / Angkerle Atwatye — Cultural and nature walk — Uluru & The Red Centre — Australia

Cultural and nature walk
Standley Chasm / Angkerle Atwatye
Pay access and follow opening and cultural guidance.

Ormiston Gorge selected walk — Gorge walk — Uluru & The Red Centre — Australia

Gorge walk
Ormiston Gorge selected walk
Choose one named walk suited to heat, water and daylight; check park alerts.

Where to Eat

Kulata Academy Cafe — Cafe — Uluru & The Red Centre — Australia

Cafe
Kulata Academy Cafe
A Yulara breakfast or lunch before park travel.

Kings Canyon Resort dining — Resort dining — Uluru & The Red Centre — Australia

Resort dining
Kings Canyon Resort dining
Use the booked resort or station service; carry a fallback meal.

Epilogue Lounge — Modern Australian — Uluru & The Red Centre — Australia

Modern Australian
Epilogue Lounge
A correctly placed Alice Springs dinner.

Hanuman Alice Springs — Thai and Indian — Uluru & The Red Centre — Australia

Thai and Indian
Hanuman Alice Springs
An alternative Alice Springs dinner; reserve.

Ormiston Gorge kiosk — Seasonal kiosk — Uluru & The Red Centre — Australia

Seasonal kiosk
Ormiston Gorge kiosk
Confirm current opening and carry a full meal because services are not guaranteed.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Uluru & The Red Centre drive?

The Uluru & The Red Centre covers 1,225 km from start to finish.

How long does the Uluru & The Red Centre take to drive?

Most travellers spend 5 days on the Uluru & The Red Centre, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Uluru & The Red Centre?

The recommended season for the Uluru & The Red Centre is Apr–Oct.

Where does the Uluru & The Red Centre start and end?

The Uluru & The Red Centre runs from Uluru to Alice Springs return.

What are the main stops on the Uluru & The Red Centre?

The Uluru & The Red Centre passes through Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon.

How difficult is the Uluru & The Red Centre to drive?

The Uluru & The Red Centre is rated moderate and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Uluru & The Red Centre in a regular car?

Yes — the Uluru & The Red Centre is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Uluru & The Red Centre?

Plan around 2 refuels (or about 4 EV charges) along the Uluru & The Red Centre, based on its 1,225 km length.

Is the Uluru & The Red Centre safe to drive?

What scenic tier is the Uluru & The Red Centre?

The Uluru & The Red Centre is a legendary drive — The world's most extraordinary drives — once-in-a-lifetime road trips with cinematic scenery, legendary roads, and unmatched cultural depth.