Australian Outback Tours & Trips
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Table of contents
- The best Australian Outback tour packages
- What people love about Australian Outback Tours
- Travel Australian Outback your way
- Best tour companies for Australian Outback tours
- Popular Australian Outback Cruise Ships
- Best places to start your Australian Outback tour
- Discover Australian Outback tours for every budget
- Australian Outback tours for every type of group
- Top Australian Outback travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Australian Outback
- Contact our Australian Outback travel experts
- What our customers ask about Australian Outback Tours & Trips
The best Australian Outback tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaAustralian Outback travel expert at TourRadar
3 Day Uluru Kata-Tjuta Kings Canyon (Camping) - From Alice Springs
29 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This tour was definitely a highlight of my time in Australia! We had a small group of just 10 people, which I really enjoyed.”
Samantha, traveled in April
The Australian Outback reveals itself on this 3-day adventure from Alice Springs. Guided hikes through Kings Canyon and Valley of the Winds complement stays at remote campsites. Permanent safari tents or swag camping options available as expert guides share Aboriginal cultural knowledge.
Duration 3 days Destinations Alice Springs, Yulara, Uluru, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Kings Canyon, Watarrka National Park Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Autopia Tours From $1,255
6% Off- NZ$1,179You save $75
Duration 4 days Destinations Alice Springs, Kings Canyon, Uluru Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $3,080
25% Off- NZ$2,310You save $770
3 Day Uluru Red Centre Kings Canyon (Camping) - From Ayers Rock
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Everything was better than what I expected in this camping experience. This is the way to go.”
Natacha, traveled in November
Uluru Cultural Centre and Kata Tjuta's Valley of the Winds highlight this outback journey. Camping at Ayers Rock and Kings Canyon, guided by experts rated 5.0. Suitable for ages 8+, covering 1006km of sacred landscapes.
Duration 3 days Destinations Uluru, Yulara, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Watarrka National Park, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Autopia Tours From $1,255
6% Off- NZ$1,179You save $75
7-Day Adelaide to Uluru Tour
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Excellent tour with a highly professional driver/guide.”
Serge, traveled in December
Australia's red heart unfolds from Flinders Ranges to Uluru. Coober Pedy's underground world, Kings Canyon's rim, and Uluru's sunsets create unforgettable memories. Indigenous experiences, bush camping, and sacred Aboriginal sites highlight this route.
Duration 7 days Destinations Adelaide, Flinders Ranges, William Creek, Coober Pedy, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Uluru, Yulara Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Untamed Escapes From
6% Off- NZ$1,686
Authentic station life thrives at Bullara and Cheela Plains. Starlit camping in Karijini National Park, Tom Price mining town visits, and hidden waterholes in Hancock Gorge create memorable adventures. Traditional station activities and guided bush walks complete the experience.
Duration 6 days Destinations Exmouth, Paraburdoo, Tom Price, Karijini National Park, Coral Bay Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Via Travel Australia From
6% Off- NZ$1,893
What people love about Australian Outback Tours
- 3 Day Uluru Kata-Tjuta Kings Canyon (Camping) - From Alice Springs
Great tour and great guide! Would recommend 10/10
- 7-Day Adelaide to Uluru Tour
Lots to see and do, appreciated flexible alternatives for those who might wantto do a long hike. Excellent driver/guide, really nice passengers both contributed to making it a really positive experience.
- 8-Day Uluru to Adelaide Tour
This was an incredible experience! Amazing views, beautiful sunrise hikes, (bush) camping in swags and learning so much about geological and cultural history. My tour group was very small which created a very relaxed dynamic. No one was left behind or left out. Teamwork makes the dream work. Sid, our tour guide, is pretty damn awesome in what he does. I learned so much about these parts of Australia and he really kept me engaged because he showed authenticity and genuine engagement with people and his surroundings. He was very professional and cool even when things went a little south (blown out tire with a very long drive ahead). He had to stray away from the itinerary a couple of times but I fully trusted him to give us the best experience on this tour. He noticed when you took an interest in learning specific things and would try and teach you about what he knows. Also shoutout to Gary, who was a trainee tour guide. He'll do great on his first tour through the desert and that group will be lucky to have him. This part of Australia is so unique compared to the east coast and south. It's definitely in my top 2 of tours I've been on.
Travel Australian Outback your way
For serious trekkers, the Larapinta Trail delivers an authentic outback hiking experience across Australia's rugged center. The 7-day trek from Alice Springs combines challenging day walks with comfortable bush camps under impossibly clear night skies. Our travelers particularly value the early morning summit climb of Mt Sonder, where watching sunrise from the peak provides sweeping views across the vast desert landscape. For those seeking a longer wilderness immersion, the 13-day Kimberley walk offers extended hiking through gorges and ancient rock formations, with highlights like swimming in Manning Gorge and exploring the beehive-shaped domes of Purnululu National Park. The trek includes special access to Aboriginal cultural sites and guided bush tucker walks that our customers consistently rate as trip highlights.
Our explorer tours in the Red Centre run between 3 and 8 days, taking you right to the heart of Uluru and Kings Canyon. You'll walk Uluru's base with First Nations guides who really bring the place alive - they'll point out bush tucker and share stories passed down through generations. The early morning starts are worth it when you see the desert light up at sunrise. Over at Kata Tjuta, you'll weave between towering red rocks on foot, and our travelers often tell us how much they learn from the guides about the spiritual meaning of places like Mutitjulu Waterhole, along with cool facts about local plants and animals they spot along the way.
Select from our extensive range of 140 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Australian Outback with our expert guides leading the way.
Explore a wide diversity of partially guided tours through Australian Outback. We have 19 adventures that vary from 3 days to 23 days. With the greatest number of departures in August, this is also the most popular time of the year.
More travel styles:
Best tour companies for Australian Outback tours
Looking at both tour operators, Intrepid Travel stands out for their guides - particularly Robbie who's gained quite a following for the way he brings local stories to life during his tours. Our travelers consistently mention how he goes beyond the standard itinerary to create genuine moments they wouldn't get elsewhere. Autopia Tours has built a solid reputation with guides like Damian, Adam and also Madi who know the outback inside out. The food gets lots of mentions in customer feedback, and they've clearly got their logistics sorted with well-timed stops and smooth transitions between sites. It's worth noting though that some people who took Intrepid's Uluru & Kings Canyon tour had issues that you should know about. A few travelers found the accommodations weren't what they expected based on the descriptions, and there were some questions about what was actually included in the price versus what they thought they were getting. It's a good reminder to double-check all the details and ask specific questions about where you'll be staying and exactly what's covered in the tour cost. Both operators know their stuff when it comes to the outback, but you'll want to carefully read through the accommodation details and pricing structure, especially for the Uluru tour, before making your final choice.
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Popular Australian Outback Cruise Ships
Best places to start your Australian Outback tour
Alice Springs serves as our main jumping-off point for outback trips, with 26 tours starting from this historic town. Darwin's not far behind with 20 departures, while Broome kicks off 19 different journeys into the western outback region. Another 18 tours begin right at Uluru (you might know it as Ayers Rock), putting you right in the heart of the Red Centre. We've learned from experience that booking about 4 months ahead - around 121 days - works best to get the dates you want, since these trips fill up fast between May and September. Those winter months give you the nicest weather for exploring, with clear nights that are perfect for campfire chats and looking at stars. Our travelers particularly like the small group format that mixes traditional camping with visits to working stations, giving you a real taste of outback life while keeping things comfortable and safe in these remote areas.
Discover Australian Outback tours for every budget
The Adelaide to Uluru 8-day route really gets you into the heart of the ancient Ikara-Flinders Ranges. You'll sleep under some of the clearest night skies you can imagine, with excellent guides sharing Aboriginal stories while walking through places like Kata Tjuta. Our travelers love both directions of this journey, particularly mentioning the remote camping spots and authentic cultural experiences along the way. If you're short on time but want to see the essential Red Centre spots, the 3-day tour hits Uluru, Kings Canyon and also Kata Tjuta. The local guides know exactly where to set up camp for the best stargazing and they're pretty handy cooks too.
The Territory Explorer and Kimberley tours show what luxury really means in the outback. Over 21 days, you'll mix premium lodging with genuine wilderness experiences. Picture dining at Uluru's Field of Light installation with 50,000 lights twinkling above you, then taking helicopter rides over Mitchell Plateau the next day. The Kimberley cruise lets you discover hidden gorges, ancient rock art and also rare wildlife, all explained by naturalist guides who know every inch of this place. Our guests often tell us how much they appreciate the mix of exclusive wilderness camps and elegant ship accommodation - it's refined without losing that real outback feeling.
Australian Outback budget tours
Australian Outback tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
156 tours in Australian OutbackTravel with others through Australia's heart and watch the friendships develop naturally. The 14-day Kimberley Trail gets lots of positive feedback for balancing camping with comfort - you'll discover hidden gorges, take dips in freshwater pools and connect with Aboriginal culture through local guides. The full Larapinta Trail over 14 days is another favorite; our customers often mention how tackling tough hikes and sharing campfire meals creates real team spirit.
Small Group
15 tours in Australian OutbackSmall groups mean more flexibility and personal attention. The Darwin to Broome 10-day journey keeps numbers low so you can explore less-visited spots like Tunnel Creek's caves and Manning Gorge's clear pools. Our travelers mention how the smaller size lets guides adjust the pace and share deeper insights about the landscapes and cultural sites you visit.
Private / Personalized
6 tours in Australian OutbackThe Northern Territory Escape private tour gives you room to explore Alice Springs and Uluru exactly as you want. You'll get your own guide for walking through historic sites, private transfers and carefully picked accommodations that suit your style. Going for the Uluru & Kata Tjuta Independent Adventure means having exclusive guide service for the base walks and cultural sites, plus you can adjust timing to catch the perfect light for sunrise and sunset. Our customers really value having extra time to learn about Aboriginal culture and photograph Uluru as its colors shift throughout the day.
Top Australian Outback travel itineraries to fit your plans
You can get a real taste of the Red Centre in just 3 days, joining our most-booked tours that take in Uluru, Kings Canyon and Kata Tjuta. Starting from Alice Springs or Uluru, you'll walk the base of Uluru with guides who share Aboriginal stories passed down through generations. The tours include special spots like Mutitjulu Waterhole and both sunrise and sunset views of Uluru. Everyone loves the Valley of the Winds walk through Kata Tjuta, and the Kings Canyon rim walk shows off those impressive 300-meter cliffs. Our travelers tell us the campfire cooking is a highlight, and most enjoy sleeping in swags under the stars - though we've got proper tents if that's more your style. The guides get great feedback for sharing their knowledge about bush tucker, desert wildlife and Indigenous traditions.
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A week gives you time to really dig into the desert, whether you're trekking the Larapinta Trail or heading up to Darwin. The Larapinta walks cover about 72km of the West MacDonnell Ranges, with nights at peaceful spots like Birthday Waterhole and Simpson's Gap. If you're keen on Broome, our 7-day tours mix the pearling heritage and Cable Beach with Indigenous cultural experiences and camel rides at sunset. Desert Park shows you Australia's three main desert types, and we can arrange extras like Indigenous dot painting classes or evening cruises around Darwin Harbour. You get a good mix of guided walks and cultural experiences, plus enough time to actually take in just how vast the outback really is.
Ten days in the Kimberley and Northern Territory shows you some of Australia's most isolated places. Whether you start from Darwin or Broome, you'll travel the Gibb River Road, stopping for swims at Manning Falls, Bell Gorge and other natural pools. The journey takes in Tunnel Creek's cave networks, shares stories of Aboriginal warrior Jandamarra and includes camping at El Questro Wilderness Park. Our customers often mention how much they enjoy seeing the contrast between massive cattle properties and green gorges hiding waterfalls. The striped domes of the Bungle Bungles and Cathedral Gorge's natural concert hall always get mentioned in the feedback as real highlights.
Demographics
That 8-day Adelaide to Uluru trip really hits the mark for solo travelers - they particularly enjoy mixing outback camping with those quirky underground stays in Coober Pedy. The small groups click naturally; you'll find yourself sharing stories by the campfire and helping each other out on walks before you know it. There's loads of chances to meet people while exploring the Flinders Ranges, and our local Aboriginal guides add real depth to the experience. Our solo guests tell us they love choosing their own pace - tackling those challenging Kings Canyon hikes or taking it easier with cultural activities at Uluru.
Couples often pick our 3-day Uluru tours for a romantic escape, sharing quiet moments as the rock changes colors at dawn and dusk. The Kings Canyon Rim Walk gives you perfect photo spots together, and evenings bring shared dinners under some of the clearest starry skies you'll ever see. For a longer trip, our 15-day journeys on The Ghan mix luxury train travel with private touring. The exclusive Field of Light experience and intimate Darwin harbor cruises at sunset are particular favorites among couples.
Young adults after a proper outback experience tend to love our 3-4 day tours that blend camping with cultural learning. You'll tackle some serious walks - the Kings Canyon rim and Valley of the Winds at Kata Tjuta will definitely get your heart going - while evenings bring chances to learn about bush medicine and dot painting from First Nations guides. Groups naturally come together over shared experiences like walking Uluru at sunrise and cooking at remote camps. The mix of planned activities and free time works perfectly; you can make the trip your own while our experienced guides sort all the practical stuff.
Senior travelers tell us they value our mix of comfort and authentic experiences on the 15-day Territory Complete tour. They stay in quality spots like Sails in the Desert and the unique Crocodile Hotel in Kakadu. Having different walking options matters - especially at Kings Canyon where you can choose between the rim or creek bed routes. The schedule gives proper time to take in each place, from Aboriginal art galleries in Katherine to wildlife cruises through Kakadu's waterways.
Our family trips around Uluru work perfectly as 4-day tours with kids - they're just rustic enough with permanent tents and proper stretcher beds to feel like a real bush experience. Parents love how the Kings Canyon walks adapt to different energy levels, and the guides have a knack for getting children excited about Aboriginal culture and bush tucker. The 5-day Kimberley tours let families cool off in spots like Galvans Gorge, Manning Falls and join Aboriginal art sessions in Derby. It's brilliant how the guides handle all the details from meals to cultural stories, so families can focus on making memories together under those starlit outback skies.
- Solo Travelers70 tours
- Couples37 tours
- Seniors (50+)46 tours All tours for Seniors
Best time to visit Australian Outback
- Summer 2025
Summer tours in the outback focus on early morning walks and afternoon cultural activities to handle the heat smartly. Many of our travelers pick tours featuring Kings Canyon's shaded gorges, cool swimming at Ellery Creek and also evening walks once temperatures drop. The guides are experts at heat management - they time Uluru base walks perfectly and include plenty of stops at water-rich spots like Mutitjulu Waterhole. Summer's perfect for learning traditional survival skills from First Nations guides. Multi-day tours blend camping with air-conditioned stays, giving you that real outback feel while keeping comfortable.
- popular 55 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Autumn creates perfect conditions for extended walking tours through the Red Centre. Our travelers really appreciate doing Kings Canyon rim walks, Valley of the Winds trails and also Uluru base circuits during these months. The 8-day journeys work particularly well, letting you explore ancient gorges in the Flinders Ranges and learn from Aboriginal guides about seasonal bush tucker and medicine. Many tours include special sunset platforms for watching Uluru's changing colors, followed by dinners around the fire under incredibly starry skies. The weather's great for both camping and accommodated trips - our guests often tell us how those cooler nights make their outback experience even better.
- popular 54 tours
- 42 tours
- 38 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
The Australian outback really shines in winter with ideal temperatures for exploring. Our travelers get the most out of Kings Canyon rim walks and Uluru base trails during the cooler parts of the day. The permanent tented camps come with proper stretcher beds that keep you warm through those crisp desert nights. First Nations guides lead cultural walks to special places like Mutitjulu Waterhole, sharing stories that take on new meaning in the winter light. The shorter 3-4 day tours pack in plenty of walking time, while the longer 8-day journeys let you add dot painting workshops, cultural experiences and also stargazing with expert astronomers in the Flinders Ranges.
- popular 36 tours
- 34 tours
- 35 tours
- Spring 2026
Desert wildflowers and mild temperatures make spring perfect for outback exploration. The Adelaide to Uluru routes draw lots of interest, combining Flinders Ranges walks with authentic station stays. Our guests love camping under the clearest skies at places like Willow Springs Station, where astronomers bring telescopes for spotting Saturn, Jupiter and also distant galaxies. At Kata Tjuta, the Valley of the Winds walk becomes extra special as Aboriginal guides explain how seasonal changes connect to their traditional stories. Tours running 6-8 days give you time for unique experiences like sleeping underground in Coober Pedy, meeting local artists and also joining cultural workshops.
- 34 tours
- 23 tours
- popular 39 tours
Contact our Australian Outback travel experts
Melissa
Expert in Australian Outback at TourRadar
Melissa is one of our seasoned Australian Outback Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Australian Outback tours answered!
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+64 4888 0182What our customers ask about Australian Outback Tours & Trips
Want to Experience True Aboriginal Culture in the Outback?
You'll get the best authentic experience at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre where Anangu people and park rangers share their knowledge through exhibits and talks. Join in on a dot painting workshop with local Anangu artists and you'll learn about their ancient symbols art teachings and even pick up some Pitjantjatjara words. If you're taking the 8-Day Uluru to Adelaide Tour you'll get to walk with a local Park Ranger who's a proud Adnyamathanha man sharing stories about his people their traditions bush food and medicinal plants. Don't miss the cultural smoking ceremony it's really something special.
Where Can I See the Best Australian Wildlife?
Kakadu National Park is your best bet with its incredible mix of environments. Take a cruise on Yellow Water Billabong and you'll see crocodiles water buffalo and loads of different birds. Keep your eyes open when you're traveling the outback roads too - just ask Frederico one of our TourRadar customers who spotted camels and even a thorny devil during his Uluru and Kings Canyon trip!
How's Kings Canyon Different from Uluru?
While Uluru's this amazing sacred sandstone rock where you can do cultural walks and watch incredible sunsets Kings Canyon offers something completely different. It's part of Watarrka National Park and you'll find yourself surrounded by massive sandstone cliffs and hidden waterholes. Take on the 3-hour Rim Walk and you'll discover everything from the "Lost City" to the "Garden of Eden" or if you're after something easier there's a nice walk along the canyon creek bed.