How To Spend 2 Weeks In The Red Centre
A journey through the Australian Outback is something that every adventurer should experience at least once. From the jaw-dropping natural formations of Uluru and Kings Canyon to the rich cultural history and serene desert landscapes, the Outback offers unforgettable moments at every turn.
I’m Annie, an avid traveller and adventure lover, and I recently visited the Outback with my partner Beth. We spent two unforgettable weeks road-tripping through the Red Centre, starting with a guided tour and finishing with some independent exploring. If you’re planning your own Outback escape, here’s a look at our itinerary and all the tips we learned along the way.
Is 2 weeks enough time in the Outback?
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to exploring the Outback, but we found that two weeks gave us all the time we needed for our adventure. This gave us enough time to enjoy a 4 day guided tour, which helped us to get our bearings and learn from local guides, and then spend the rest of our time road-tripping and exploring at our own pace!
Our Recommended Uluru Experiences
Day 1: Arrive in Yulara & Uluru Sunset
We kicked off our trip by flying into Yulara. Hot tip: if you’re flying in, grab a window seat on the left side of the plane - you’ll get an incredible view of Uluru as you land!
After picking up our hire car, we headed straight for the famous Uluru sunset viewing area. The 400m-long viewing point is a busy spot, but totally worth it! Watching this iconic landmark changing from deep ochre to glowing red in the fading sunlight is pure magic.
Days 2–5: 4-Day Rock the Centre Guided Tour
We joined a 4-day, 3-night guided tour through the Red Centre, and it was one of the best decisions of the trip! Starting our journey this way helped us understand the cultural significance of the area, thanks to our guide who was trained by local First Nations Australians. It was educational, respectful, and truly immersive.
Adventure Tours offers 2-, 3-, and 4-day options, so our group got smaller as the shorter tours peeled off, but we were so glad we chose the full 4 days. Here's what that looked like.
Day 2: Kata Tjuta & Private Sunset Spot
The Rock The Centre tour kicked off with lunch and refreshments at campsite near Uluru. Once we were all introduced and energised, our group set off to Kata Tjuta for the Walpa Gorge walk. If you’re coming to the Outback in search of stunning scenery and great photo opportunities, this is a must-visit spot.
The views just got more spectacular as the sun started to go down. Our tour guide brought us to the Uluru sunset spot we had visited on day one, but this time he brought us to a private viewing platform away from the crowds, where we could see the sun setting over both Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
Back at camp, we cooked a group dinner before heading to bed. While we chose to sleep in a tent, many others chose to sleep under the stars - and it's easy to understand why. The Milky Way was crystal clear overhead!
Day 3: Sunrise at Uluru & Drive to Kings Canyon
We woke up at 5am to catch Uluru at sunrise, then set off on the Uluru base walk - a 10km loop that takes around three hours to complete, with a few stops for photos along the way. The spiritual energy of this site is indescribable. You have to experience it for yourself to believe it!
Along the way, our guide shared insights into Uluru’s sacred history and heritage, explaining why certain parts of the rock are not to be photographed. After lunch, we drove to Kings Canyon, stopping briefly at Mount Conner. That night we camped at Kings Canyon Station, cooked up dinner, and enjoyed another star-filled evening.
Day 4: Kings Canyon Rim Walk
This was one of our favourite walks of the whole trip. After a short but steep 20-minute climb, we were rewarded with breathtaking sunrise views over Kings Canyon. The rim walk then leads you to the Garden of Eden - an unexpected oasis complete with a waterhole and lush palm trees.
The full walk took around three hours. If you're interested in visiting this spot, aim to start early! By the time it hits 11am, it'll be far too hot to head off on this walk. Afterward, we drove back to Yulara and wrapped up our group adventure.
Day 5: Helicopter Flight & Free Day
Our last day of the group tour was a free one in Yulara. While some of our campmates relaxed by the pool or explored the shops, we booked a scenic helicopter flight - one of the highlights of our entire trip. Uluru and Kata Tjuta from the air? Unbelievable.
We all gathered back together that evening for our final dinner together and another night sleeping under the stars.
Day 6: Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuta
With the tour behind us, we decided to spend one more day in Yulara and returned to Kata Tjuta to tackle the Valley of the Winds walk. This trail takes you deep into the towering rock formations, and the winter wildflowers were in full bloom - absolutely stunning!
One tip: We would recommend starting this walk early. We began at 10am and it got hot fast, even in winter. Aim to finish by 11am if you can, and you'll avoid the worst of the heat.
Day 7: Detour to Rainbow Valley & Standley Chasm Camping
The next stop on our road trip was the West MacDonnell Ranges. On the way, we made a spontaneous detour to Rainbow Valley. The road in is bumpy, but the rainbow-striped cliffs are so worth it! When we got closer to the Ranges, we set up camp for the night at Standley Chasm, a picturesque gap that’s best visited around noon when the sun illuminates the narrow gorge walls.
Days 8–10: West MacDonnell Ranges
We spent the next few days exploring as much as we could in our regular (non-4WD) hire car. If we did this trip again, we’d definitely go for a 4WD - there’s so much more you can access. Even so, we managed to visit beautiful spots like Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, and Simpsons Gap. Each swimming hole was more beautiful than the last - cool, clear water surrounded by dramatic cliffs.
Day 11: East MacDonnell Ranges
For our final day in the Outback, we ventured to the East MacDonnell Ranges, which felt even more remote and dramatic than the West. The stand-out was definitely Trephina Gorge Nature Park with its massive cliffs and winding hiking trails. We wished we had more time to spend here - and a 4WD to reach more remote areas!
All in all, our Outback trip was everything we hoped it would be. If you’re planning your own visit, our biggest piece of advice is to embrace the pace, pack smart, and be ready to feel completely dwarfed by the scale and beauty of Australia’s Red Centre.
Things we wish we knew before our Outback Tour
Although this was an incredible trip from start to finish, there are some valuable lessons we learned along the way. Here are a few key tips we wish we had known before setting off:
- Kata Tjuta is seriously underrated: When you think of the Outback, you immediately think of Uluru, which is stunning. But Kata Tjuta is just as spectacular. Its massive domes and secluded trails offer a more visually stunning experience. We regret missing sunset there, as it’s less crowded and equally beautiful.
- Do all of your hikes early: By midday it's scorching. Start at sunrise to make the most of the cooler temps and golden light.
- Book a 4WD if you can: While we managed in a regular vehicle, you’ll be able to access far more in a vehicle that can handle the rugged terrain, especially in the East MacDonnell Ranges. We felt limited in our standard car.
- A scenic flight is 100% worth it: Drones aren’t allowed near Uluru or Kata Tjuta, so if you want that dramatic aerial view, a helicopter is your only (and epic) option.
- Fly repellent and head nets are essential: We first noticed the flies at Mount Conner, and it only got worse. Don’t underestimate how annoying they can be.
- Pack warm layers: Winter nights in the Outback are freezing. If you’re visiting during the colder months, and especially if you're camping, bring thermals and a decent sleeping bag.
- Budget accordingly: In some areas, fuel can cost up to $3 per litre. Be prepared to splash out on this!
- Be aware of alcohol restrictions: If you plan on having a few drinks, be aware that some areas have restricted alcohol consumption, and you may need drinking tickets.
