From Yulara: 3 Day Uluru-Kata Tjuta Kings Canyon Adventure


About This Experience
Autopia Tours collects guests from Ayers Rock Airport or Yulara between about 1:30 and 1:55 pm and heads straight out on tour, so eat lunch before pickup. The first stop is the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, followed by a guided walk at the base of Uluru to Mutitjulu Waterhole, with stories of Kuniya the python and Liru the venomous snake, and on to Kantju Gorge, where a seasonal waterfall runs after rain. You watch sunset at Uluru and have dinner at camp.
Day 2 begins before dawn for sunrise in the national park, then continues to Kata Tjuta for a walk through the Valley of the Winds or Walpa Gorge. After a meal back at camp, the group drives to the Kings Canyon region in time for sunset and a campfire dinner at a private bush camp built in partnership with the Wanmarra Community.
On day 3 an early start takes you to Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park for the Rim Walk past cliffs about 100 m high, with your guide explaining the geology, plants and animals. The tour then returns to Alice Springs by the main highway or, conditions permitting, the Mereenie Loop or Ernest Giles Road, arriving between 6 and 6:30 pm.
If you want to finish at Yulara instead, a shuttle from Kings Canyon arrives at about 4:30 to 5 pm; request it when booking, as seats are limited. Both nights are at permanent outback campsites, in an eco tent or a bush swag depending on the option booked, with shared bathrooms and guests helping with meals and camp duties.
Highlights
- Guided base walk at Uluru to Mutitjulu Waterhole, with the Kuniya and Liru stories
- Kantju Gorge, where a seasonal waterfall runs after rain
- Sunset at Uluru on day 1 and sunrise in the park on day 2
- Valley of the Winds or Walpa Gorge at Kata Tjuta
- Kings Canyon Rim Walk in Watarrka National Park
- A night at a Kings Canyon bush camp built with the Wanmarra Community
What's Included
- ✓ 2 nights at permanent outback campsites near Uluru and Kings Canyon (eco tent, or bush swag option)
- ✓ 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners, with guests helping to prepare them
- ✓ All national park entry fees
- ✓ Accredited outback driver guide with local commentary
- ✓ Air-conditioned small-group mini-coach
- ✓ Guided bush walks of about 9 km in total
Not Included
- Lunch on day 1 (eat before pickup)
- Sleeping bag for the swag option
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Travel insurance and personal spending
What to Bring
- Refillable 3-liter water bottle
- Hiking shoes and a daypack
- Warm and thermal layers for the nights
- Sleeping bag if you choose the swag option
- Flashlight and power bank
- Hat, sunscreen and insect repellent
Good to Know & Caveats
- Expect 9 to 11 km of walking over rocky, uneven and exposed ground; a moderate to high fitness level is needed.
- Children must be 8 or older, and guests aged 8 to 17 must travel with an adult or legal guardian.
- The Valley of the Winds closes at Karu Lookout from 11 am at 36°C or above, and on days forecast to reach 36°C the Kings Canyon Rim Walk must be started before 9 am.
- Finishing at Yulara needs a shuttle from Kings Canyon, subject to availability and requested when booking.
- Sections of the Uluru base walk had storm repairs in 2026 and can close; routes and walks may change for weather, roads or park closures.
Not Suitable For
- Children under 8 years
- People with mobility impairments or wheelchair users
- People over 75 years
- People with pre-existing medical conditions or recent surgery
Meeting Point
Pickup at Ayers Rock Airport or selected Yulara resort locations, 1:30 to 1:55 pm; ends in Alice Springs or Yulara
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.8/5 by 258 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
Our guide Taylor was exceptional, really knowledgeable, really clear at all times. Kept the vibes high without being in your faces but also was able to keep us all on time without feeling overbearing. 10/10 you could tell she really cared. The hikes were amazing and we were lucky enough to see Uluru in the rain with waterfalls down the sides. Spectacular!
— Rónán, 2026-10
The best trip ever! We highly recommend this tour. Our guide, CJ, was amazing and so knowledgeable. The walks and experiences you get in the 3 day tour are incredible and you get to experience and learn so much in a short time. The food was so delicious and the amount the tour provides is more than enough (which we did not expect). The campsites are stunning especially the second night campsite off the grid. Learning about the Red Centre and Indigenous Peoples has been an unforgettable experience and we recommend this tour to anyone and everyone who is lucky enough to come! - Mel and Lara
— Mel, 2026-10
We had a really great experience with Adam throughout our trip. From start to finish, everything was incredibly well organised, smooth, and relaxed. Looking after a larger group over several days and being constantly on the move is not easy, but he handled it with great professionalism, patience, and attention to detail. He always knew exactly what needed to be done and kept everything running smoothly, while making the whole experience enjoyable. What we particularly appreciated was his positive and easy-going attitude. His enthusiasm made it feel completely natural for us to get involved and help out along the way. Everyone simply pitched in, and everything came together so easily. It really added to the great atmosphere throughout the trip. He was knowledgeable, reliable, attentive, and genuinely cared about our experience. We always felt we were in good hands. We are very grateful to Adam for being such a great guide and would be very happy to have him as our guide again!
— Alexander, 2026-09
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the 3-day tour start and end?
It departs from Ayers Rock Airport or selected Yulara resort locations between 1:30 and 1:55 pm. It ends in Alice Springs between 6 and 6:30 pm on day 3, or at Yulara at about 4:30 to 5 pm if you request the Kings Canyon shuttle when booking.
Do you sleep in tents or swags?
Both nights are at permanent outback campsites near Uluru and Kings Canyon. Depending on the option you book, you sleep in an eco tent with a mattress, sheets and pillow, or in a canvas bush swag, for which you need a sleeping bag. Bathrooms are shared.
How much walking is involved?
Plan on 9 to 11 km of walking over the three days on rocky, uneven and exposed ground, including the Kings Canyon Rim Walk. The operator asks for a moderate to high fitness level.
Are park fees and meals included?
Yes to both, with limits. All national park entry fees are included, plus two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners. Lunch on day 1 is not included, so eat before pickup, as the group heads out on tour straight away.
Can kids join this tour?
Children must be at least 8 years old, and guests aged 8 to 17 must travel with a parent or legal guardian. The walking load of 9 to 11 km is the main thing to consider for younger travelers.
What is the cancellation policy?
The listing allows free cancellation up to 14 days in advance for a full refund. Cancellations inside 14 days are not refunded under the listing's terms.






























