Your outback adventure begins before sunrise, leaving Adelaide while most are still hitting snooze. After a quick coffee stop, we head north to the quiet town of Wirrabara, where vibrant silo art brightens the streets and Julie’s Bakery serves up warm country comfort.

Next, journey into Adnyamathanha Country at Arkaroo Rock. This 3.2 km hike weaves through native bush to a rock shelter where ochre and charcoal paintings—over 5,000 years old—tell the story of Akurra, the giant serpent who shaped these ranges. More than a walk, it’s a step back in time.

By sunset we arrive at Wilpena Pound, our base for the night. A local Yura guide welcomes us to Country, sharing ancient stories first spoken in Yura Ngawarla, then brought to life in English. After dinner, roll out your swag beneath the stars, where the vast Milky Way becomes your ceiling.

The driving distance today is approximately 450km.

Accommodation
Swag camping with amenities at Discovery Parks Wilpena Pound

Meals Included
D

After breakfast, lace up for the Wangara Lookout Hike. Beginning at Wilpena Pound Visitor Centre, this 7 km return walk winds through shady Pound Gap, where river red gums tower above and kangaroos and emus often appear along the trail. Pause at the historic Hills Homestead before tackling the short, steep climb to the lookout. The reward? Sweeping panoramas from the upper platform that make every step worthwhile.

Returning to the valley floor, step back in time at Old Wilpena Station, where pastoral heritage and Adnyamathanha Country intertwine. From here, travel to Hawker for lunch and a visit to the Jeff Morgan Gallery, a space where vast outback landscapes stretch beyond the canvas.

In the afternoon, take on the 5.2 km Warren Gorge hike, framed by burnt-orange cliffs, cypress pines, and—if luck is on your side—the rare yellow-footed rock wallaby. Tonight, camp at Warren Gorge, sharing dinner, stories, and a brilliant night sky.

The driving distance today is approximately 200km.

Accommodation
Swag camping at Warren Gorge

Meals Included
B | D

Farewell the Flinders Ranges as the journey pushes deeper into the South Australian outback. After a quick refresh in Port Augusta, the road stretches north across endless saltbush plains, a landscape so stark it feels like driving across Mars.

Midway, stop at Lake Hart, a vast salt pan where blinding white reaches the horizon and silence hangs heavy in the air. It’s the perfect place to stretch your legs, capture striking photos, and soak up the stillness.

By late afternoon, arrive in Coober Pedy, the underground opal capital of the world. At the Old Timers Mine, uncover the story of opal mining, explore original dugouts, and try your hand at noodling for gems in the red dust. Then check in to your underground stay at Radeka Downunder, where cool rock walls replace air conditioning. The evening is yours—pizza in a cave, quirky bars, or moonlit strolls await in this extraordinary town.

The driving distance today is approximately 620km.

Accommodation
5-share dorm at Radeka Downunder

Meals Included
B

Buckle up, today’s a big one. We head north through a whole lot of red dirt and big sky,
cruising past the Dingo Fence (yes, the world’s longest dog barrier) and into Kanku–
Breakaways Conservation Park, an ancient Aboriginal heritage site where the Moon
Plains live up to the name. Think wide-open space, sci-fi scenery, and silence that hums.

From here, we cross the border into the Northern Territory, chasing the heat shimmer to
Watarrka National Park, home of Kings Canyon. By late afternoon, we roll into Kings
Creek Station, our desert base for the night.

Cool off in the pool, wander the red dirt trails, or kick back with a cold one and watch the
outback do its golden hour thing from the sunset platform. Dinner is at the Station’s laidback eatery before we settle in for a well-earned rest under star-soaked skies.

The driving distance today is approximately 770km.

Accommodation
Swag camping with amenities at Kings Creek Station

Meals Included
B

It’s an early start, but trust us, this one’s worth it. The Kings Canyon Rim Walk is straight up legendary: a 6 km loop of towering sandstone cliffs, ancient domes, and mind-blowing
views in every direction. Climb up through Priscilla’s Crack (cue the soundtrack), wander
the maze of domes known as the Lost City, and descend into the lush heart of the canyon,
the Garden of Eden, complete with ferns and secret waterholes.

After lunch, we cruise further into the Red Centre, giving your legs a break while your
camera roll fills with shifting desert scenes. By late afternoon, we arrive at the sacred heart
of Australia, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Pull up a camp chair and soak in sunset over Uluru, when the rock glows and the desert
hush hits differently. Then it’s back to camp for dinner before rolling out your swag under
star-splashed skies. Red dust, Milky Way, total silence, this is your outback moment.

Accommodation
Swag camping with amenities at Ayers Rock Resort Campground

The driving distance today is approximately 350km.

Meals Included
B | D

This morning, step into the sacred domes of Kata Tjuṯa on the Walpa Gorge Walk. This 2.6 km trail winds between soaring red walls into a cool, shaded haven named after the local word for “wind.” Rare plants, seasonal streams, and ancient stories surround this sacred men’s site of the Aṉangu people, reminding us to walk with quiet respect.

Before lunch, deepen your connection at the Cultural Centre, the heart of the park, where exhibits and storytelling reveal the Aṉangu way of life and the meaning woven into this powerful landscape.

The afternoon is yours to relax or explore—swim in the pool, browse the Gallery of Central Australia, or join free cultural activities such as bush food tastings, didgeridoo demos, or meeting the locals at the Camel Farm.

Tonight, choose your finale: a classic outback BBQ under desert skies, or upgrade to the spectacular Field of Light, with 50,000 solar globes glowing beneath the stars.

Accommodation
Swag camping with amenities at Ayers Rock Resort Campground

The driving distance today is minimal.

Meals Included
B

Wake early and watch the desert come alive as the sun rises over Uluru. The light show is
unreal. Shifting colours, long shadows, and that quiet magic only this place can deliver.

Then it’s time to get up close. Standing 348 metres high and estimated at 550 million years
old, Uluru is a presence. The 10 km guided base walk is your opportunity to connect.
Wander past waterholes, into shaded gullies, and along ancient rock faces etched with
meaning. Rest beneath Sheoak trees, peer into sacred caves, and hear the stories that
shape this land. Prefer a slower pace? No worries, shorter walks are available too.

By late morning, we return to Desert Gardens Resort in Yulara, where this wild journey
officially ends.

For those departing from Uluru Airport, complimentary transfers are available from the
resort. There are also bus transfers from Yulara to Alice Springs. See the Know Before
You Go information below to learn more.

The driving distance today is approximately 60km.

Meals Included
B