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Northern Territory · 5 days · 4 nights · road trip

Red Centre in 5 days

Desert distances demand planning: early starts, water in the car, and respect for the cultural rules at Uluru. Five days covers the three big sites without a dawn-to-dusk drive every day.

desertcultureNorthern Territoryroad tripResearched from official sources

When to go

May to September. Summer is dangerously hot for walking.

The plan, day by day

Day 1

Arrive Yulara

  1. 11:00✈Flight to Ayers Rock (Yulara)Yulara
  2. 18:00★Uluru sunset viewing areaUluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Day 2

Uluru base walk

  1. 06:00★Uluru base walk at sunriseUluru10.6 km flat loop; start before the heat.
  2. 10:30★Cultural CentreUluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
  3. 19:00★Field of Light or a desert dinnerYulara
Day 3

Kata Tjuta

  1. 06:30★Valley of the Winds walkKata Tjuta7.4 km; closes at 11am when forecast is 36C+.
  2. 10:30★Walpa GorgeKata Tjuta
Day 4

Kings Canyon

  1. 07:00🚆Drive to Kings CanyonWatarrka National ParkAround 3h30.
  2. 11:00★Kings Canyon Rim WalkWatarrka National Park6 km, steep start; gate closes early on hot days.
Day 5

West MacDonnells to Alice Springs

  1. 07:30🚆Drive the Mereenie Loop or Luritja RoadWest MacDonnell Ranges
  2. 11:00★Ormiston Gorge swimWest MacDonnell Ranges
  3. 14:30★Simpsons GapWest MacDonnell Ranges
  4. 16:30🏨Arrive Alice SpringsAlice Springs

Before you go

  • Three litres of water per person per day, minimum
  • Do not climb Uluru; follow all signed cultural requests
  • Fly-net, hat and high-SPF sunscreen
  • Walks close by 11am on hot days — start at dawn
  • Full tank and a spare tyre before any park drive

This list is created with your trip, so you can tick it off as you pack.

Where this came from

Opening hours, prices and track closures change. Check the official source before you rely on a timed booking — we never earn a commission on anything listed here.