Untamed Escapes Explorers Way Adelaide to Alice Springs Accommodated Tour

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A 7 day small-group overland tour along the Explorers Way from Adelaide to Alice Springs, through the heart of Australia — with the option to finish at Yulara (Uluru).

Days

7 days, 6 nights

Group size

Small group, max 20

Start / finish

Adelaide / Alice Springs (or Yulara)
Yulara around midday, or Alice Springs around 7pm

Return

Yulara around midday, or Alice Springs around 7pm

Accommodation

5 nights in twin-share motel rooms with ensuite
1 night in a shared quad room at Kings Canyon Resort

Transport

Air-conditioned vehicle with a Storyteller Guide

Meals

Not included — the guide recommends places to eat each day

Route

Map of Untamed Escapes Explorers Way Adelaide to Alice Springs Accommodated Tour

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Included experiences

Coober Pedy — underground opal town
Kings Canyon — rim walk
Kata Tjuta — walk among the domes
Uluru — base walk with cultural stories
Uluru — sunrise or sunset
Salt lakes and desert plains of the Explorers Way

Untamed Escapes Explorers Way Adelaide to Alice Springs Accommodated Tour

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Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: ADELAIDE TO QUORN

You leave Adelaide at about 8am and head north for coffee in the Clare Valley, one of Australia's great Riesling regions. At Wirrabara the grain silo is painted with a towering timber worker and a red-capped robin. Melrose, the oldest town in the Flinders Ranges, sits at the foot of Mount Remarkable, 960 metres high. By early afternoon you're in the ranges at Warren Gorge, where a short walk among red cliffs gives you the best chance of the day to see the rare yellow-footed rock-wallaby. Tonight's base is Quorn, a stone railway town whose station once handled the original Ghan.

Overnight: Quorn (Great Northern Lodge, twin share with ensuite)

DAY 2: QUORN TO COOBER PEDY

This is a big driving day, and the landscape changes as you go. Near Port Augusta you walk through the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden, about 250 hectares showing off the plants that survive in dry Australia, before the road swings north onto the Stuart Highway. Past Woomera the country opens into saltbush plains and salt lakes that shine white in the sun. In the afternoon you reach Coober Pedy, where opal was first found in 1915 and where the summer heat drove the miners underground. Many locals still live in dugouts, and tonight you do too.

Overnight: Coober Pedy (Coober Pedy Experience Motel, underground twin share with ensuite)

DAY 3: COOBER PEDY TO ERLDUNDA

Head underground again in the morning for a guided tour of the Old Timers Mine, hand-dug in 1916 and found again by accident decades later. Then meet the joeys at Josephine's Gallery and Kangaroo Orphanage, where orphaned kangaroos are raised alongside a gallery of Aboriginal art. On the way out of town the photo stop is Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park, flat-topped mesas in bands of white, ochre and orange that starred in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. From there the highway runs north across the border into the Northern Territory to Erldunda, the roadhouse where the Lasseter Highway turns off for Uluru, reached late in the afternoon.

Overnight: Erldunda (Desert Oaks Resort, twin share with ensuite)

DAY 4: ERLDUNDA TO KINGS CANYON

Today you turn west into the red country of Watarrka National Park. In the afternoon, once the heat eases, the Kings Creek walk follows the canyon floor through river red gums and ghost gums to a viewing platform beneath sandstone walls up to 100 metres high. This is a gentle walk, and a good preview of tomorrow, when you'll be standing on top of those walls. Watch the rock faces glow as the sun drops. Tonight is a simple one at the resort, sharing a quad lodge.

Overnight: Kings Canyon (Kings Canyon Resort, shared quad room with shared bathrooms)

DAY 5: KINGS CANYON TO ULURU

An early start beats the heat on the Kings Canyon Rim Walk, a 6 km loop that starts with a steep climb and then follows the top of the canyon. You wind through the Lost City, a maze of weathered sandstone domes, and down to the Garden of Eden, a permanent waterhole ringed with cycads and ferns. Shorter options are available. Then it's east to Yulara and the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, built in the shape of two ancestral snakes, Kuniya and Liru, from Anangu law. In the evening you watch Uluru, 348 metres high, turn deep red at sunset.

Overnight: Yulara (Outback Hotel, twin share with ensuite)

DAY 6: KATA TJUTA AND YULARA

You set out at first light for Kata Tjuta, the Anangu name meaning "many heads", 36 domes with the tallest, Mount Olga, about 546 metres above the plain. The Valley of the Winds walk takes you between the domes to lookouts over the desert, with turnaround points if you want a shorter walk. The afternoon is free at Ayers Rock Resort, with complimentary bush food talks, bush yarns and garden walks, and a didgeridoo workshop for men. You can add a helicopter flight, the Field of Light or the Wintjiri Wiru evening show at extra cost.

Overnight: Yulara (Outback Hotel, twin share with ensuite)

DAY 7: ULURU TO ALICE SPRINGS

Your last outback sunrise is at Uluru. Then walk the Uluru Base Walk, the full 10.6 km loop around the rock, past caves, waterholes and rock art, as your guide shares the stories of the places you pass. Shorter sections are available. Anangu closed the climb in October 2019, and from the base you understand why. If you're finishing at Yulara, you're dropped off around midday. Everyone else heads back to the Stuart Highway and north to Alice Springs, the town in the middle of the continent, arriving around 7pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Adelaide.
Departure time: Around 8am on day 1 from Adelaide.
Finishes: Yulara (Uluru) around midday, or Alice Springs around 7pm.
Fitness: Easy to moderate. Walks are 3 to 10 km and may include uneven ground, steps and warm conditions; Kings Canyon and Kata Tjuta are rewarding but manageable, with shorter options where possible. All travellers complete an online check-in with a 'Fit for Travel' declaration at least 24 hours before departure.
Dietary needs: Meals aren't included, so you choose where and what to eat — country cafés, outback roadhouses, resort restaurants and takeaways. Some places are remote with limited choice; your guide gives daily recommendations, and there are supermarkets in towns such as Coober Pedy and Yulara.
Accommodation note: Solo travellers are paired in twin-share rooms; a single room upgrade is available at extra cost, subject to availability.
Please note: Add the Field of Light or an aerial view of Uluru at extra cost. Each guest may bring one soft bag or backpack (max 15 kg) plus a small daypack. The tour needs at least four travellers; if it's cancelled for low numbers, you'll be offered another date or a full refund. In the hotter months (October to April), hikes may be moved earlier in the day.

What to bring

Clothes for the weather
Waterproof rain jacket
Reusable water bottle or Camelbak (2 litres minimum)
Reusable coffee cup
Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
Swimwear and beach towel
Hand sanitiser and insect repellent
Hat and sunscreen
Snacks for the bus in your day bag

What is included

5 nights in twin-share motel-style rooms with private ensuite
1 night in a mixed shared quad room at Kings Canyon Resort
All activities and experiences
All national park and entrance fees
Storyteller Guide
Air-conditioned vehicle

Not included

Accommodation in Alice Springs
Meals — allow roughly $15 to $35 for breakfast or lunch and $25 to $50 for dinner
Scenic flight at Uluru
Field of Light general admission
Wintjiri Wiru sunset dinner

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.