Emu Run Uluru Tour - Start Alice Springs / End Ayers Rock

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A one day tour from Alice Springs to Uluru, travelling in air-conditioned comfort with a professional guide, and finishing at Ayers Rock Resort after a sunset BBQ.

Days

12 hours, full day

Group size

Coach group, max 52

Start / finish

Alice Springs / Ayers Rock Resort
Ayers Rock Resort, after sunset

Return

Ayers Rock Resort, after sunset

Transport

Air-conditioned coach with a guide, accommodation pick-up and drop-off

Meals

BBQ dinner with sparkling wine at sunset, and snacks

Route

Map of Emu Run Uluru Tour - Start Alice Springs / End Ayers Rock

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Included experiences

Erldunda — breakfast stop (own cost)
Mount Connor Lookout
Aboriginal Cultural Centre — Anangu culture
Uluru — guided Mala Walk and rock art
Mutitjulu Waterhole — guided walk and stories
Uluru — sunset BBQ

Emu Run Uluru Tour - Start Alice Springs / End Ayers Rock

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: ALICE SPRINGS TO ERLDUNDA

It's an early start. Your guide collects you from your Alice Springs accommodation and the coach heads south out of town through Heavitree Gap, Ntaripe to the Arrernte, where the Todd River, the highway and the railway all squeeze through one break in the MacDonnell Ranges. From there the Stuart Highway runs south through mulga scrub and open plains for about 200 km to Erldunda, the roadhouse where the Lasseter Highway turns off west for Uluru. It keeps a pen of emus, which is why it's known as the home of the emu. Buy breakfast here and stretch your legs.

LATE MORNING: MOUNT CONNOR LOOKOUT

West along the Lasseter Highway the road crosses red sand country dotted with desert oaks and spinifex. The highway is named after Harold Lasseter, who died in this country in 1931 searching for a reef of gold that has never been found. At the Mount Connor Lookout you look across to a flat-topped mesa rising about 300 metres from the plain, which many first-timers mistake for Uluru. Its Aboriginal name is Atila (Mount Connor), and it stands on a working cattle station. Then it's on to Yulara, where people starting from Ayers Rock Resort join the tour.

EARLY AFTERNOON: THE CULTURAL CENTRE

Inside the national park, the first stop is the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, built from 90,000 mud bricks with the help of the Anangu, the traditional owners, on a site with its own meaning to them. Here you learn about Tjukurpa, the Anangu law and creation stories that explain how the land and its creatures came to be, and about the local Pitjantjatjara people. Anangu still look after this country together with Parks Australia. There's time to look at the art and buy souvenirs before you head to the rock itself, which by now fills the windscreen.

MID-AFTERNOON: THE MALA WALK

At the base of Uluru your guide leads the Mala Walk along the rock's north-west side. Uluru rises 348 metres above the plain, and up close its walls are pitted with caves, hollows and grooves that photos from a distance never show. The walk is named after the mala, the rufous hare-wallaby, whose ancestors came to this side of the rock in the creation time, and your guide tells their story as you go. In the shallow caves along the track you see Anangu rock art, painted over generations and used for teaching. Climbing Uluru has been banned since 2019 out of respect for the Anangu.

LATE AFTERNOON: MUTITJULU WATERHOLE

The coach then takes you round to the south side of the rock for a short guided walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole, one of the few places at Uluru that holds water most of the year. It is home to Wanampi, an ancestral water snake, and your guide explains how Anangu used the waterhole for hunting, waiting for the animals that came in to drink. The caves beside the track hold paintings made by Anangu whose descendants still live in the community nearby. After rain, waterfalls pour off the rock above the pool, a sight few visitors are lucky enough to catch.

SUNSET: BARBECUE DINNER AT ULURU

As the sun drops, Uluru changes colour by the minute, from orange to deep red and then a dusky purple. The rock is arkose, a coarse sandstone full of feldspar, and only its weathered skin is red: iron in the stone has rusted at the surface, while the rock inside is grey. You watch the show with a glass of sparkling wine, or bring your own beer, while dinner is cooked on the barbecue. When local artists are there, you can buy a dot painting straight from the person who made it, so bring some cash. After dark the coach drops you at your hotel at Ayers Rock Resort, where your tour ends. Yulara, the resort town, sits about 20 km from the rock and was built in the 1980s so that the park itself could stay free of hotels.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from outside your Alice Springs accommodation, early morning.
Finishes: Your Ayers Rock Resort accommodation, after sunset and dinner.
Please note: Each person is given 2 vouchers for alcoholic drinks — 2 is the limit allowed.

What to bring

Proof of booking (the emailed version is fine)
Water bottle (at least 1 litre)
Strong, non-slip walking shoes
Hat (wide-brimmed is best)
Fly net
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Camera
Casual, comfortable clothing — cool and light in summer, warm in winter
Cash for buying dot paintings directly from local artists at sunset, when available

What is included

Experienced and accredited tour guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
BBQ dinner at sunset with sparkling wine (2 alcoholic drinks per person)
Snacks and drinks
Accommodation pick-up and drop-off

Not included

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park pass ($38)
Breakfast at Erldunda

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.