One Week Uluru to Alice Springs Road trip!

25/10/2017

Got a week to spare? Want to do something other than check out the beaches on the East Coast? How about checking out The Red Centre?

We've just been on a one week whirlwind road trip and we couldn't suggest doing it more! We flew in to Uluru, hired a car drove up to Alice Springs via Kings Canyon and The MacDonnell Ranges and flew home out of Alice Springs.

It was a whirl wind trip of 6 days and nights and as always we wanted to see and do as much as possible! Here's our itinerary so you can do it yourself!

Click HERE for our in depth post about hiking and exploring Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park!

7 Day Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Sydney → Uluru
Day 2: Uluru & Kata Tjuta
Day 3: Uluru → Kings Canyon
Day 4: Kings Canyon → West MacDonnell Ranges (Ellery Creek)
Day 5: West MacDonnell Ranges (Climb Mt Sonder, sleep at Ormiston Gorge)
Day 6: Ormiston Gorge → Simpsons Gap → Alice Springs
Day 7: Alice Springs → Sydney

We told you it was a quick trip!

PRICE BREAKDOWN:

Getting There, Getting Around & Accommodation Expenses

FLIGHTS:
- Flights one-way to Uluru (from Sydney): $235 per person
- Flights one-way to Sydney (from Alice Springs): $398 per person
  - $1266 Total ($633 per person)

CAR (RENTAL & PETROL):
- Hertz Car Rental: $950 (Including top level insurance, extra kilometres and one-way drop off fee!)
- Petrol: $120 (3 refuels)
  - $1070 Total

CAMPING FEES:
- Yulara (Uluru): $42.50 for an unpowered site
- Kings Canyon Campground: $40 for an unpowered site
- Ellery Creek Big Hole (West Macs): $10 ($5 per person)
- Ormiston Gorge (West Macs): $20 ($10 per person)
- Alice Springs (West Mac Big 4): $43 for an unpowered site
  - $243 Total

NATIONAL PARK FEE(S);
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Fee: $25 per person
  - $50 Total

Total: $2629 for 2 Adults (+ Food & Drink on top)

NOTE!
If you have time it is always cheaper to fly in and out of the same airport, return flights to Uluru from Sydney are $450, whilst return flights to Alice Springs are around $600. Also when flying in and out of the same airport and hiring a car you will not get hit with the one-way car rental drop off fee that you need to pay wheny ou pick up a car at one location and drop it off at another!)

Day 1: Sydney → Uluru

Flight lands around 2pm
Pick up Rental car from HERTZ and leave airport around 3pm
Head straight to Ayers Rock Resort to book campsite and put tent up
Head to Uluru NP, check out Cultural Centre
Hike Liru Walk (4km return)
Watch Sunset from Car Sunset viewing area

Click HERE for our in depth post about hiking and exploring Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park!

Day 2: Uluru & Kata Tjuta

Wake up early for Sunrise from Talinguru Nyakunytjaku
Hike Base Walk (10.5km Loop)
Drive to Kata Tjuta
Lunch from Sunset Viewing Location
Hike Valley of The Winds (7.5km Loop)
Watch Sunset

Day 3: Uluru → Kings Canyon

Last check out of Uluru (We did a run around the base)
Drive to Kings Canyon
Hike
- Rim Walk
- Creek Walk

Day 4: Kings Canyon → West MacDonnell Ranges

Do Rim Walk (7km) or Creek Walk (1km)
Stop for Lunch at Kings Creek Station (and say hello to their friendly pet cockatoo)
Drive to Alice Springs
Stock up on groceries for next 2 days
Drive to Ellery Creek Big Hole to camp
- Note: Also camping available at Ormiston Gorge or Redbank Gorge
Take night sky photos!

Day 5: West MacDonnell Ranges

Wake up early drive from Ellery Creek to Redbank Gorge (Redbank is a camp spot and it's beautiful overlooking the gorge!) Possible in a 2WD
Hike Mt Sonder (16km return, steep hill climb)
Lunch at Redbank Gorge
Drive back to Ormiston Gorge, set up tent, HOT showers
Hike(s) around Gorge
Take Night Sky photos!

Day 6: West MacDonnell Ranges → Alice Springs

Wake up early, breakfast by the waterhole
Hike around Gorge
Drive back to Alice Springs via Simpsons Gap
Check out a few local Cafes and art galleries: Watertank Cafe, Page 27 & Bean Tree Cafe (All have vegan options available!)
Dinner at Monte's Bar (Great Pizza!)