7 Incredible Alice Springs to Uluṟu Tours You'll Want To Try

From quick day trips to immersive multi-day adventures, these tours from Alice Springs to Uluṟu promise an unforgettable adventure.

Touring the Red Centre serves up eye-popping beauty at every turn. Whether you’re seeking a sophisticated Alice Springs to Uluṟu tour with top-notch hotel service or an action-packed experience where you sleep in a swag under the desert sky, there are a bunch of excellent tours out there.

1. Emu Run Experience

Ideal for those short on time but eager to witness the splendour of Uluru, Emu Run Experience offers an action-packed day tour that kicks off at 6am from your Alice Springs accommodation and travels to Uluṟu, while you listen to intriguing stories along the way.

Guide leads a group on the Mala Walk at Uluru — The Mala Walk is a powerful experience to have at Uluru. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)

In the late afternoon, your guide will take you on the Mala Walk, which travels around the north-west side of Uluṟu where you can view Anangu rock art. Then travel by coach to another section of Uluṟu and start a guided walk to the Mutitjulu Waterhole.

Before you set off to Alice Springs, you’ll be treated to a sunset viewing with a glass of bubbly and an Aussie barbeque. This trip is also available for pick up or drop off from the Ayers Rock Resort.

2. Wayoutback Australian Safaris

For those looking to connect with nature, Wayoutback Australian Safaris offers a three-day camping safari that combines the adventure of outback camping with the awe-inspiring sights of Uluṟu, Kings Canyon and Kata Tjuta.

three people walking along the grass, Wayoutback Australian Safaris — Connect with nature on a tour with Wayoutback Australian Safaris. (Image: Tourism NT)

For your accommodation, you can pick from cosy safari tents or a traditional swag experience where you’ll sleep under the stars on a canvas-covered bed roll.

three people walking under a rock formation, Wayoutback Australian Safaris — See the awe-inspiring sights of Uluṟu, Kings Canyon and Kata Tjuta. (Image: Tourism NT)

3. Intrepid Travel

For the fun-lover, Intrepid Travel’s Uluṟu & Kings Canyon Adventure is a four-day action-packed journey that takes you from Alice Springs through the captivating landscapes of the Red Centre to Uluṟu and back to your starting point.

exploring across the rock formations in Uluru with Intrepid Travel — Intrepid Travel’s Uluṟu & Kings Canyon Adventure takes you from Alice Springs through the Red Centre to Uluṟu.

The itinerary includes viewing the changing colours of Uluṟu at sunset and sunrise, exploring the mystical domes of Kata Tjuta, and delving into the cultural significance of these sacred sites with an Aboriginal guide.

Group gathers at sunset with a wine in hand on an Intrepid tour of the Red Centre — Enjoy a sunset viewing with a glass of wine.

At night, you will sleep in tents with comfy stretcher beds and sleeping bags, with shared bathroom facilities a short walk away. For a non-camping, longer trip to Uluṟu, Intrepid Travel has a six-day adventure. Check out the variety of Uluru itineraries here .

a couple sitting outside their tent, Intrepid Travel — Go off-grid and sleep under the stars.

4. AAT Kings – Uluṟu & Kata Tjuta Explorer

If you prefer to sleep surrounded by four walls rather than under the canvas, AAT Kings offers Uluṟu and Kata Tjuta Highlights, a two-day tour that showcases the grandeur of Uluṟu and takes you to the rock formations of Kata Tjuta.

an aerial view of the Uluru tour with AAT Kings — Tour around Uluṟu with AAT Kings. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)

Depending on your budget, you can choose to sleep in the Outback Hotel & Lodge, Desert Gardens, Sails in the Desert Hotel or Ayres Rock Resort.

the Kata Tjuta in Uluru — The grandeur of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) will leave you in awe. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)

AAT Kings also offers transfers from Alice Springs to Uluṟu and vice versa and from Uluṟu to the Ayres Rock Airport, so you could travel by coach one way and fly the other.

a group of travellers at Kata Tjuta tour with AAT Kings — AAT Kings offers a two-day tour showcasing the wonders of Uluṟu and Kata Tjuta. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)

5. SEIT Outback Australia

If you’re already in Uluṟu, SEIT Tours offers trips from Ayers Rock Resort that provide an in-depth understanding of the area’s Aboriginal heritage, rock art and traditional stories.

Group walks around the base of Uluru — Delve into the cultural significance of Uluṟu on tour with SEIT. (Image: Tourism NT/The Salty Travellers)

Pick from the six-hour Uluṟu trek or the shorter Uluru highlights, where you will visit Mutijulu Waterhole on the Kuniya Walk and learn the Creation stories of Liru (poisonous snake) and Kuniya (python).

If you want to have a truly uniqueexperience, opt for SEIT’s Patji Homelands Tour . An Aboriginal guide will take you onto Aboriginal Lands, otherwise out-of-bounds for visitors. You’ll learn about the personal story of the Uluṟu family, while on their Traditional Lands. It’s a truly special tour that will leave visitors with a deep appreciation for the landscape and the stories held within it.

6. Alice Springs Expeditions

If you want to look into arranging your own small group bespoke tour take a look at Alice Springs Expeditions . Host John Stafford has in-depth knowledge of Central Australia and has years of experience coordinating travel logistics for special interest tours, such as media events, art trail tours and car launches.

a 4WD entering Finke Gorge National Park — Craft a bespoke tour with Alice Springs Expeditions. (Image: Tourism Australia/ Shaana McNaught)

Tours take adventurers off the beaten track, so be prepared to sleep under the stars in a swag with cotton sheets inside a sleeping bag.

two people sitting in front of a bonfire in a camp, Alice Springs Expeditions — Nights are spent around the campfire before drifting off to sleep in a swag. (Image: Tourism Australia/ Shaana McNaught)

7. Art Tours of Australia

What better way to immerse youself in the landscape than painting it? Artist and guide Anna Dakin of Art Tours of Australia takes guests on art-inspired excursions across the Red Centre to learn and create. The 5-day Art and Culture Adventure begins at Alice Springs and takes in Uluṟu, where guests will take part in an Aṉangu-led dot painting class. A paintbrush is never too far out of reach – there are regular watercolour painting sessions hosted by Anna, where you’ll render the beautiful landscapes infront of you as you travel between Alice Springs and Uluṟu.

Australian Art Tours Wallaby — Anna Dakin runs Art Tours of Australia, taking visitors on art-focused excursions through the outback and Uluru.

For more incredible ways to explore the region, read our travel guide to Alice Springs.

Spend a few days visiting the real-life Central Australian locations that inspired the new film everyone is talking about, and discover why Alice Springs is such an important part of Australian culture.

In the credits of the new Australian film Kangaroo , the first name under ‘cast’ should read ‘The Northern Territory ’. Not only is Alice Springs (and the surrounding landscape) integral to the movie itself, but the spiritual heart of Australia and its local Indigenous owners also inform the look and feel of every frame, explains Producer Trisha Morton-Thomas of Brindle Films, who also plays Charlie’s grandmother Gwennie.

“By setting Kangaroo in Alice Springs (Mparntwe), the film embraces how visible Aboriginal people are here, and the living Aboriginal culture that is woven through this community,” she explains.

still from kangarro film — See *Kangaroo*, then visit the real-life filming locations.

And while shooting in such a sacred part of the Northern Territory required extra planning, it was something the cast and crew were highly invested in.

“There are incredibly significant sacred sites and places of deep cultural stories in the area, that at times are very gender-specific, which we’ve kept out of the production,” she explains. “Even if overhead drone footage captures a sacred site that isn’t meant to be seen by other people outside of that clan, we’ve made sure to omit it from the film.”

If Kangaroo piqued your interest in a Central Australian holiday, we don’t blame you. Read on to discover eight places featured in the movie that you can visit in real life – and get planning. Don’t forget to pack sunscreen and a hat.

1. Alice Springs/ Mparntwe

artist at Many Hands Art Centre — Visit the galleries of Alice Springs, like Many Hands Art Centre. (Image: Tourism NT/ Helen Orr/ Many Hands Art Centre)

The red and dusty streets of the film’s fictional town of Silvergum were filmed on the outskirts of Alice Springs. And, while the art gallery featured in the film is fictional, Alice Springs is a hub of creativity. See the work of local artists at the Araluen Art Centre , Yubu Napa Art Gallery , Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) Art Centre and the famous Tjanpi Desert Weavers .

2. The Kangaroo Sanctuary & Kangaroo Rescue Centre

The Kangaroo Sanctuary Alice Springs, the inspiration for the Kangaroo move — Visit the movie’s inspiration at Kangaroo Sanctuary. (Image: Tourism NT/ Kangaroo Sanctuary)

Kangaroo was inspired by the journey of Chris ‘Brolga’ Barns, who founded the now world-renowned Kangaroo Sanctuary based in Alice Springs. For lead actor, Aussie Ryan Corr, the animals were central to the movie, alongside the landscapes.

“The animals in this story were a real calling point for me,” he explains. “What this story tries to tell us about the connection between humans and animals is beautiful.”

To gain a real insight into the fauna and flora of the Red Centre, you can visit the Kangaroo Sanctuary on a sunset tour, where you might even get the chance to hold a baby kangaroo.

3. Ormiston Gorge

woman walking along the edge of Ormiston Gorge near alice springs — Take a dip in Ormiston Gorge. (Image: Tourism NT/ @domandjesso)

The film captures the raw beauty of the West MacDonnell Ranges, known in the Arrernte language as Tjoritja. This national park is rich in Indigenous culture and stark geological wonders.

Only a 15-minute drive from Alice Springs, Tjoritja offers visitors the chance to camp, hike and swim among ancient landscapes (most attractions are less than a three-hour drive away).

Ormiston Gorge , a cooling oasis in among the red desert sands, is one of the most popular destinations, no doubt because of the permanent swimming hole and towering red cliffs. From here, visitors can also embark on the beautiful Ormiston Pound Walk and the shorter – more accessible – Ghost Gum Walk. Bring your bathers – it’s safe for swimming.

4. Standley Chasm

woman walking through Standley Chasm near alice springs — Wander through Standley Chasm. (Image: Tourism NT)

The 1.2-kilometre walk to nearby Standley Chasm will be a highlight for any visitor as the imposing 40 metre-high chasm walls project strength and ancient wisdom.

Visit at midday to experience the path illumined by the midday sun. Not only will you fill your camera roll with vibrant red images of the gorge and its intoxicating shadows, but you can also camp nearby in a powered or unpowered site so you can watch the brilliance of the desert stars fill the night sky after dusk.

5. Simpsons Gap

three people walking on path through simpsons gap near alice springs — Walk the trails of Simpson’s Gap. (Image: Tourism NT/ Helen Orr)

Closer to Alice Springs, the photogenic Simpsons Gap is the perfect place to spot the endangered Black-footed Rock wallaby near the permanent watering hole. While swimming isn’t permitted, soaking up the sun and views certainly is.

Explore the area’s numerous walking trails, appreciate the soaring cliffs on either side of the ‘gap’ and pick out the shooting locations of Kangaroo in the area.

6. Ellery Creek Big Hole

aerial of Ellery Creek Big Hole near alice springs — Dive into Ellery Creek Big Hole. (Image: Tourism NT/ Tourism Australia)

When it comes to classic Northern Territory landscapes, you can’t go past Ellery Creek Big Hole/ Udepata : tall gum trees sidling up to a refreshing watering hole (fed by the West MacDonnell Ranges and surrounded by rugged red cliffs.

Swim in the cooling waters, hike the cliff tops, watch for birds and even stargaze as you camp here overnight. It’s locations like this that attracted the film’s director Kate Woods to the project.

“It humbles you to be in this environment: it’s so beautiful, so old and so vast,” she explains. “I was thrilled to get a chance to … shoot such a beautiful story in the incredible landscape of the Northern Territory.”

7. Larapinta Drive

aerial of Larapinta Drive into alice springs — Drive along Larapinta Drive. (Image: Tourism NT)

There is no better way to get a feel for how the characters arrived at the fictional Central Australian town of Silvergum than to travel along the iconic state road, Larapinta Drive.

Connecting Alice Springs to the mighty King’s Canyon in the west, via the historic community of Hermannsburg, this road takes in the West MacDonnell National Park, Alice Springs Desert Park and artist Albert Namatjira’s house, among other attractions. Take your time, bring a camera and prepare for numerous stops along the way.

8. Todd River

competitors in Henley on Todd Regatta, alice springs — Join in the fun of the quirky Henley on Todd Regatta. (Image: Tourism NT/ TImparja Creative)

Meandering through Alice Springs like a lazy Western Brown snake, the Todd River is a central part of Alice Springs culture. Known as an ‘intermittent river’, the Todd can go from a dry dusty riverbed to a flowing waterscape in less than 15 minutes after heavy rainfall.

When it’s dry, the famous Henley on Todd Regatta fills the sandy riverbed with handmade ‘boats’ carried by sailors. This is the world’s only dry river boating event, and it’s referenced in the ‘Silvergum Boat Race’ in the movie. Inspired by the real-life event, the characters built quirky “Flintstones-style boats” and competed in teams.

See Kangaroo in cinemas now, and start planning your NT getaway at northernterritory.com.

7 incredible Alice Springs to Uluru tours you’ll want to try