Small-group camping tour · Alice Springs hotels
This two-day small-group trip runs from Alice Springs to Uluru and Kata Tjuta, with a night in a swag or eco tent at a camp near the rock, and ends at Yulara. It does not go to Coober Pedy, but it is a well-rated way to add Uluru to a trip that reaches the opal town by bus or plane.
Start with the plain fact: this tour does not go to Coober Pedy. It stays in the Northern Territory, about 750 km north of the opal town. It earns its place here because many Coober Pedy visitors travel the Stuart Highway on their own, by Greyhound coach (about 8 hours from Coober Pedy to Alice Springs) or by car, and then want a guided trip to Uluru. Run by Autopia Tours, it picks up from Alice Springs hotels and finishes at Yulara.
Day one drives south through the desert, with commentary that one guest says made the 6-hour journey fly by. After lunch at camp the group collects guests at Ayers Rock Resort and heads into Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park: the Cultural Centre, then walks at the base of Uluru to Mutitjulu Waterhole, Kuniya Piti and Kantju Gorge, then Uluru at sunset and dinner back at camp. Day two starts with sunrise light on Uluru and Kata Tjuta, then a guided walk through Walpa Gorge or the Valley of the Winds, depending on conditions. You are back at Yulara at about 12:30pm to 1:30pm.
You choose between a bush swag and a permanent eco tent with sheets, mattress and pillow. Swag sleepers need a sleeping bag. Meals cover one breakfast, two lunches and one dinner, and guests pitch in with meal prep and camp duties. Groups go up to 23. Guests rate it 4.8 from 59 reviews, and free cancellation runs up to 14 days before.
Pickup from your Alice Springs hotel and the drive south through the desert to camp, with lunch on arrival.
Guests from Ayers Rock Resort join, then the Cultural Centre and guided walks at the base of Uluru: Mutitjulu Waterhole, Kuniya Piti and Kantju Gorge.
The colours change on the rock at sunset, then dinner back at camp under clear desert skies.
An early start to watch first light reach Uluru and Kata Tjuta, then breakfast.
A guided walk through Walpa Gorge or the Valley of the Winds, depending on conditions, then lunch.
The tour ends at Ayers Rock Resort in Yulara at about 12:30pm to 1:30pm. Do not book a flight out before 2:15pm.
★★★★★Great few days, we learnt a lot about the history and geology of Australia. The commentary from Alice springs to Uluru made the 6 hour journey go by very quickly. Amazing tour guide and brilliant tour, highly recommend.
★★★★★Great couple of days. Pick up from Alice Springs meant a great drive across country I wouldn't otherwise have seen. Well planned walks around Uluru and Valley of Winds. Well organised camping (albeit without any view of Uluru). Food simple but good, especially enjoyed snacks and drinks watching sunset
★★★★★This tour was great, a real bucket list moment for me made by how easy the transport to and from destinations was. Maya was a great guide, professional and great driver. Thank you
★★★★★This tour was simply fantastic! Our guide, Donk, had the perfect blend of knowledge and humor. [...] Johnny's culinary offerings were exceptional, and sharing meals with the group made this trip even more special.
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No. It stays in the Northern Territory, from Alice Springs to Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Yulara. Coober Pedy is about 750 km south of Uluru. To combine them, travel to Alice Springs by coach or car, or pick a 7-day tour such as the Uluru to Adelaide camping trip.
It starts in Alice Springs, with pickup from Alice Springs hotels (give your hotel when you book), and ends at Yulara / Ayers Rock Resort only, at about 12:30pm to 1:30pm on day two.
One breakfast, two lunches and one dinner. Guests who join at Ayers Rock Resort miss the first lunch, per the listing.
Your choice when you book: a canvas bush swag (bring a sleeping bag) or a permanent eco tent with a mattress, sheets and a pillow. Bathrooms are shared.
Ready to book
Uluru at sunset, its sacred sites and Kata Tjuta in two days from Alice Springs, with camping, meals and park passes included.
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