Australia's Spiritual Heartland
There are few places on Earth where landscape, culture, and silence converge as powerfully as Australia's Red Centre. Uluru — a 348-metre sandstone monolith sacred to the Anangu people — changes colour from dawn to dusk, shifting through ochres, carmines, and deep purples that photography can never quite capture.
Nearby, the 36 domed rock formations of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) guard the Valley of the Winds — one of Australia's most rewarding desert hikes. And further north, the sheer sandstone walls of Kings Canyon plunge 270 metres into a hidden oasis known as the Garden of Eden.
Cooee Tours connects you with all three in small-group guided itineraries that weave together Aboriginal storytelling, geology, wildlife, stargazing, and the kind of quiet that only the desert can deliver.
What Makes a Red Centre Tour Unforgettable
Sunrise & Sunset Ceremonies
Watch Uluru transform through a spectrum of reds as the desert sun rises and sets — guided by experts who know the best vantage points.
Aboriginal Cultural Immersion
Learn from Anangu guides about Tjukurpa (Dreamtime stories), rock art, bush tucker, and the deep cultural significance of these sacred lands.
Iconic Desert Hikes
Trek the Valley of the Winds at Kata Tjuta and the Kings Canyon Rim Walk — two of Australia's most spectacular walking trails.
Outback Stargazing
Zero light pollution reveals the Milky Way in breathtaking detail. Astronomy-guided stargazing sessions bring the southern sky to life.
Three Landmarks, One Epic Journey
Each site reveals a different face of the ancient Australian interior. Our tours connect all three with expert guiding and seamless logistics.
Choose Your Red Centre Adventure
Three tiers designed for different timeframes and ambitions. Every package is fully customisable.
Uluru Base & Sunset
- 1 night's accommodation at Yulara
- Uluru base walk with cultural guide
- Mutitjulu Waterhole & rock art
- Sunset & sunrise viewing sessions
- Airport transfers
- Optional: Kata Tjuta add-on, stargazing
Red Centre Explorer
- 3 nights' accommodation (4-star)
- Full Uluru base walk + cultural immersion
- Kata Tjuta Valley of the Winds hike
- Bush tucker experience & Aboriginal storytelling
- All transfers & guided touring
- Optional: Kings Canyon day trip, helicopter flight, photography tour
Outback Adventure & Kings Canyon
- 4 nights' luxury accommodation
- Full Uluru & Kata Tjuta experiences
- Kings Canyon Rim Walk & Garden of Eden
- Aboriginal cultural workshops
- Outback stargazing evening
- All transfers, meals & guided touring
- Optional: helicopter flight, camel ride, sunrise hot-air balloon
5 Days in the Red Centre
A taste of our "Outback Adventure & Kings Canyon" package. Every detail can be tailored to your pace and interests.
Arrive at Yulara
Airport transfer and check-in at your desert resort. Late-afternoon optional sunset camel ride along the dune ridge with Uluru as your backdrop. Evening welcome dinner under the stars.
Uluru — Base Walk, Culture & Sunset
Pre-dawn start for sunrise at Talinguru Nyakunytjaku. Full 10.6 km base walk with an Aboriginal cultural guide — Mutitjulu Waterhole, ancient rock art, and Tjukurpa storytelling. Bush tucker tasting, then a sunset dinner with the rock glowing crimson.
Kata Tjuta — Valley of the Winds
Early-morning hike through the Valley of the Winds — towering gorges, desert wildflowers, and panoramic lookouts. Afternoon at leisure or optional scenic helicopter flight. Evening Outback stargazing session with an astronomy guide.
Kings Canyon — Rim Walk & Garden of Eden
Drive north through quintessential Outback scenery. Tackle the 6 km Kings Canyon Rim Walk — sheer 270 m sandstone walls, the Lost City rock formations, and a descent into the lush Garden of Eden waterhole.
Canyon Sunrise & Departure
Optional sunrise viewing at the canyon rim. Leisurely breakfast, then transfer to Ayers Rock Airport or Alice Springs. Depart with ochre-red memories that last a lifetime.
The Cooee Difference
Every element carefully considered so you can focus on the experience, not the logistics.
Small Groups
Maximum 12 travellers per tour. Intimate, unhurried experiences with personal attention from your guide at every stop.
Expert Local Guides
Accredited Outback guides with deep knowledge of geology, ecology, Aboriginal culture, and the best sunrise vantage points.
Quality Accommodation
Hand-picked stays at Yulara from comfortable lodges to luxury resorts like Sails in the Desert and Longitude 131°.
Air-Conditioned Transport
All transfers in modern, air-conditioned vehicles. Airport pickups, inter-site transport, and scenic drive commentary included.
Cultural Workshops
Dot painting, bush tucker foraging, didgeridoo sessions, and guided rock-art interpretation with Aboriginal hosts.
Stargazing Sessions
Zero-light-pollution desert skies, telescopes, and an astronomy guide who brings the Southern Cross and Milky Way to life.
Outback Dining
Sunset dinners, bush breakfasts, and optional "Sounds of Silence" style dining under a canopy of stars at Uluru.
Fully Customisable
Add helicopter flights, camel rides, hot-air ballooning, photography workshops, or extend to Alice Springs and the MacDonnell Ranges.
What Our Travellers Say
"Watching the sunrise at Uluru was genuinely life-changing. The silence, the colour, the scale — nothing prepares you for it. Our guide's knowledge of Anangu culture made it so much richer."
"The Valley of the Winds hike at Kata Tjuta was the highlight. And the stargazing that night — I've never seen the Milky Way like that. Cooee's logistics were seamless."
"We did the 5-day tour with our teenagers. Kings Canyon blew us away, the cultural workshops were fascinating, and the camel ride at sunset was pure magic. Can't recommend enough."
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Uluru?
May to September offers warm days, cool nights, and minimal rain — ideal for hiking and photography. October to April is hotter but less crowded, with dramatic summer thunderstorms and vivid sunsets.
Can I climb Uluru?
No. Climbing has been permanently closed since October 2019 out of respect for the Anangu traditional owners. The 10.6 km base walk and many other cultural and natural experiences remain fully accessible.
Are tours suitable for all fitness levels?
Yes. We offer options from gentle flat walks (Uluru base) to more challenging trails (Kings Canyon Rim Walk). Guides adjust pacing for the group and carry extra water. Let us know your needs when booking.
How far is Uluru from Alice Springs?
About 470 km (4.5 hours' drive) south-west via the Stuart and Lasseter Highways. We offer scenic transfers with stops, or you can fly directly into Ayers Rock Airport (20 minutes from the rock).
What accommodation is available?
Yulara (Ayers Rock Resort) offers everything from campgrounds to the ultra-luxury Longitude 131°. Our packages include hand-picked accommodation matched to your budget and style.
Is transport included?
Yes. All packages include airport transfers, inter-site transport in air-conditioned vehicles, and guided touring. Flights to Uluru are not included but can be arranged on request.
