Territory Explorer: 9 days Uluru to Darwin

Welcome to the very heart of Australia. Begin your discovery of the Red Centre this afternoon with a visit to the Uluru and Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. Here, learn about the culture and foundations of the Anangu people as well as the remarkable natural environment of the Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park itself. Your deeper understanding will enhance your visit to these natural wonders. Enjoy a two-night Scenic Special Stay at your hotel.

Please book your flight to arrive into Uluru prior to 02:30 PM.

The iconic and mysterious Uluru is a bucket list location for travellers from all over the world. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people head to Australia’s red heart to soak up the ancient wisdom and one-of-a-kind panoramas Uluru provides.

Scenic enhances your outback experience with a number of Scenic Freechoice activities to choose from during your time in the Red Centre. Today, choose from a number of exciting activities.

Scenic Freechoice:
Uluru Highlights and Cultural Tour: View Uluru at sunrise and witness its chameleonic colour shifts before a picnic breakfast. Then take a guided tour to the Mutitjulu Waterhole, highlighting Aboriginal mythology and creation stories. Finish with a drive around Uluru, where you’ll come to appreciate the vastness of this ancient wonder.

Desert Camel Ride: Catch the Camel Train and enjoy a ride through the classic Red Centre’s desert landscape on the back of one of these icons of the desert, all set against spectacular views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. (Weight restrictions apply)

Uluru Base Trek: A guided sunrise trek around the 12 kilometre base trail of Uluru, embracing its culture, geology and environment. Enjoy a picnic breakfast as you listen to the variety of desert sounds from the surrounding environment.

Sunrise Journey Tour: Sunrise journeys shines a light on Anangu artists in a mindful light, music and sound experience before the dawn of each new day. View the sunrise above the horizon with awe-inspiring views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

Discover the mysteries of Kata Tjuta and Walpa Gorge during your afternoon visit. Also known as The Olgas, Kata Tjuta is sacred to the local Anangu people, a pillar of their spiritual life. The ochre landmarks will mesmerise you, especially as the sinking sun causes them to glow. Walpa Gorge is equally unmissable, a 2.6 kilometre walk among the domes of Kata Tjuta. The trail is filled with rare native plants and unforgettable scenery.

For a sight rarely seen by tourists, take a helicopter ride and observe Uluru and Kata Tjuta from the air (at additional cost, must be booked before departure). The aerial view is the best way to fully appreciate the scope of these national treasures, and the vastness of the Red Centre.

Travel along the scenic drive from Uluru to Alice Springs for a tour of the ruggedly impressive Kings Canyon. A part of the Watarrka National Park, Kings Canyon’s towering red walls protect a biome of native flora. Enjoy a relaxed walk along the canyon floor, where you’re likely to encounter the MacDonnell Ranges Cycad and other Australian wonders. Tonight, wander amongst the maze of Light-Towers, an amazing immersive display of light, sound and landscape. Opened in April 2023, Light-Towers is devised by Field of Light artist Bruce Munro. These multicoloured towers of shimmering light and sound bring a new vibe to Kings Canyon. Your two-night stay is located on the edge of Watarrka National Park, featuring spectacular outback landscapes.

Take a rare opportunity to observe the wonders of this amazing canyon from the air on a scenic flight (at additional cost, must be booked before departure).

Scenic Enrich
Expand your knowledge and understanding of this ancient land by taking part in an authentic aboriginal cultural experience. The Karrke Aboriginal cultural tour is a one-hour experience that includes a guided walk. Gain knowledge about life in this remote part of the country, including bush tucker and the various uses of grinding rocks, stones, seasonal edible trees, grass seeds as well as the utilization of bush medicine.  This award-winning tour seeks to keep future generations in touch with the rich cultural heritage of the Red Centre and its people.

Afterwards, you’ll return to your hotel for dinner. Perhaps enjoy a drink with new friends and discuss the day’s learnings and compare impressions of the outback.

Observe the majesty of the East MacDonnell Ranges as you approach Alice Springs. Known locally as “Alice”, this vibrant outback hub is more than a country town. As a thriving community overflowing with a unique art scene, a one-of-a-kind culture and amazing outback vistas, Alice Springs is the beating heart of Australia. Get to know “Alice” on a city tour, including a visit to the legendary Royal Flying Doctor Service, which was established to serve the needs of remote communities and subsequently expanded into a vital nationwide medical resource. Later, check into your hotel for your overnight stay. Dinner tonight is an outdoor outback bush BBQ with damper cooking and entertainment by a bush balladeer that will make you feel right at home in this lively desert city.

Start your day with a trip to the Anzac Hill Memorial. Originally dedicated to World War I veterans, Anzac Hill has since widened its scope to commemorate those who fought in all wars in which Australia was a participant. The hill is known for spectacular panoramic views of Alice Springs and the ranges beyond. Discover the myriad flora and fauna that call Central Australia home on an Aboriginal Cultural Tour of the Alice Springs Desert Park. Along the way, you’ll learn about local Aboriginal customs as local expert guides reveal bush remedies and sources of food. Look closely and you may spot local birds, reptiles and even the odd bilby in their desert habitats. Follow up with a visit to the world’s largest classroom. The Alice Springs School of the Air visitor centre tells the story of remote education in the outback. Learn all about the trials and tribulations associated with bringing education to the outback, a program that began in 1951. Then it’s all aboard for your overnight Scenic Special Stay on the famous Ghan (Gold Service). The train, which runs between Adelaide and Darwin, provides one of the world’s greatest rail journeys as it cuts across remote desert landscapes in impeccable luxury. Relax in the Outback Explorer Lounge before a sumptuous dinner in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant.

Enjoy breakfast on board The Ghan as you gaze out of the window, finding inspiration in the ever-changing outback landscape. Eventually your luxurious carriage will arrive in Katherine, the “Crossroads of the North”. The third-largest town in the Northern Territory, Katherine is a gateway between outback desert and the tropical climate of the Top End. Here, you’re free to choose between experiences that will enhance your visit. Take a guided cruise through Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, where you’ll marvel at the famed towering red ochre sandstone walls or hear stories of the local Jawoyn people. No matter which you choose, you’ll later reboard the train and travel to Darwin, capital of the Northern Territory, for your two-night stay.

Darwin, the multicultural capital of the Top End, is distinguished by its relaxed lifestyle and proximity to the Northern Territory’s abundance of natural wonders. Crocodiles, culture and colourful characters abound as you explore the northernmost capital in Australia.

Today, expand your visit with your choice of a range of illuminating activities.

Scenic Freechoice:
Jumping Crocs and Nature Adventure: Experience these reptiles in the wild on the beautiful Adelaide River, where crocs leap out of the water pursuing their prey. Your tour also includes a visit to Fogg Dam, a wetlands nature reserve teeming with wading birds and other unique wildlife. The wetlands of the Top End are of great international importance on account of their accessibility, splendour and cultural significance.

Litchfield National Park: Litchfield National Park abounds with permanent spring-fed waterfalls, remnant monsoon vine forests, unusual rock formations and interesting scenery. An hour easily becomes a day relaxing in this wonderful park, which reveals its considerable wonders the further you explore.

Darwin City Sights – Hop-on-Hop-off Tour: The perfect introduction to the Top End city of Darwin. The tour takes in all of Darwin’s main historical and cultural attractions with an opportunity to stop and visit during the tour.

WWII Bombing of Darwin Tour: Learn about the history and significance of the Pacific Campaign of WWII; the largest attacks ever launched against Australia. Visit landmarks, view relics of the war and take a cruise on Darwin Harbour in this informative guided tour, which outlines the shocking extent of the damage suffered by Darwin during the war.

End the day with a farewell dinner with newfound friends.

Wake up a final time in Darwin before heading down to breakfast. Say goodbye to your newfound friends before returning home with many wonderful memories.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the tour will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions.