4WD camping tour · Yulara (Ayers Rock)
This one-way trip runs from Yulara to Alice Springs through Kings Canyon in the Northern Territory and the West MacDonnell Ranges, mostly on remote outback roads. It suits travelers who have already seen Uluru and want the long way north with two nights of camping.
This one goes one way, from Yulara to Alice Springs, which makes it a neat fit if you fly into Uluru and out of Alice. Day 1 takes you toward Watarrka National Park and a private campsite. Day 2 starts early with a guided walk at Kings Canyon among sandstone cliffs and chasms, with your guide on geology, plants, animals and culture. Then the 4WD heads north.
The route north is the interesting bit. Conditions permitting, you travel the Mereenie Loop, part of the Red Centre Way between Watarrka and the West MacDonnell Ranges; if not, the listing says you go via Ernest Giles Road. The NT Government recommends a 4WD for both, and requires a Mereenie Loop Pass to drive Larapinta Drive into Watarrka, which is exactly why a tour is the easy way. Night two is under the ranges with Mount Sonder behind camp, and day 3 covers Ormiston Gorge, Standley Chasm, the Ochre Pits and Ellery Creek Big Hole.
Both nights come with a choice of bush swag or permanent safari tent, and meals plus all national park entry fees are included. The tour has only 5 reviews so far, rated highly, and the one written review praises the guide's organization and care. For the full set of routes, see the Uluru to Kings Canyon guide.
Meet your guide in Yulara and drive toward Kings Canyon, then dinner at a private campsite far from city lights.
An early guided walk among towering sandstone cliffs, rocky chasms and wide views over Watarrka National Park.
By 4WD across remote country on the Mereenie Loop, or via Ernest Giles Road if conditions rule it out, to a camp beneath the ranges with Mount Sonder as the backdrop.
Gorges and waterholes of Tjoritja: Ormiston Gorge, Standley Chasm, the Ochre Pits and Ellery Creek Big Hole, then the drop-off in Alice Springs.
★★★★★It was very well organized, the tour guide (Mitch) was very competent. He handled the group with all the different people very well, looked after us, gave us all the important information. [...] His knowledge was very wide and thorough. He made all of us feel comfortable, cooked very well and had great chats with us as well.
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Yes. It starts in Yulara (Ayers Rock) and ends in Alice Springs after 3 days. If you need to start and end in the same place, look at the round trips: the 3-day camping tour and the 4-day loop.
The NT Government requires a Mereenie Loop Pass to drive Larapinta Drive between Hermannsburg or Glen Helen and Watarrka National Park. On this tour you travel with a guide in the operator's 4WD; ask the operator if anything is needed from you. The listing includes all national park entry fees.
Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park, in Australia's Northern Territory, with a guided walk on day 2. It has nothing to do with Kings Canyon National Park in California.
Only 5 so far, with a high average rating. The one written review praises the guide's organization, knowledge and cooking.
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Yulara to Alice Springs in three days through Kings Canyon and the Mereenie Loop, camping on the way.
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