Epic Red Centre Experience
Pre-Eclipse Uluru Adventure | Australian Outback
July 14 - 20, 2028
Experience the spirit of Australia’s Red Centre as you journey through landscapes shaped by deep time, powerful natural forces, and the living traditions of the Anangu people. This epic tour showcases the area’s most remarkable scenery and cultural stories. Beginning at Uluru, dawn paints the desert in shifting hues of violet, amber, and fierce red as the monolith awakens with the rising sun. Immerse yourself in the home of the worlds’ oldest civilization as you view ancient rock art shelters, quiet waterholes, and sacred sites that hold the Tjukurpa, the creation stories that guide Anangu culture.
When night falls, the desert sky becomes a breathtaking spectacle—the Milky Way arching overhead with brilliant clarity and so many visible stars that you lose the constellations. The land’s ancient geology, rich cultural heritage, and profound stillness creates an experience that is visually stunning and unforgettable long after you’ve returned home.
Activity Level:
Low - Moderate
Price:
$4950 USD (+ TBD domestic flight)
Duration:
6 nights / 7 days
Trip Highlights
- Uluru Sunrise & Sunset
- Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)
- Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon)
- Sounds of Silence and Wintjiri Wiru Dinners
- Field of Lights Sunrise
- West MacDonnell Ranges
- Alice Springs & Desert Park
- Stargazing under the Miky Way plus so much more…
Pricing and Terms
Payment
- ADULT: $4,950 USD (+ flights TBD) – 18 and older – maximum occupancy of 2 people per room.
- CHILD: 11-17 years old – any child must share a room with 1 adult 18+.
- No Child price on this add-on tour
- Single supplement: $1,500 USD
- Lower age limit is 11 years old.
- To secure a reservation, initial deposit ($1,000) with a completed reservation form is required.
- 2nd payment ($1,500) due January 15, 2027
- 3rd payment ($1,500) due January 15, 2028
- Final payment due April 15, 2028
Cancellations
- Cancellations made on or prior to July 25, 2027 are fully refundable.
- If cancellations are made:
- 07/26/2027 – 03/26/2028 (364-120 days prior to travel):
65% of your total tour cost is refunded. - 03/27 – 05/27/2028 (119-60 days prior to travel):
35% of your total tour cost is refunded. - 05/28 – 06/26/2028 (59-30 days prior to travel):
10% of your total tour cost is refunded
- 07/26/2027 – 03/26/2028 (364-120 days prior to travel):
- There are no refunds on or after June 27, 2028
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Sydney - Uluru
Friday, July 14, 2028
Meet at the Sydney Domestic Airport for your flight to Uluru where you will be greeted by our representatives and transferred to your accommodation for check in.
Spend the afternoon exploring Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park with a visit to the Cultural Centre where you’ll have time to explore the galleries, and you may be lucky enough to see local Aboriginal Artists at work. Travelling to the base of Uluru, you’ll be amazed as your local guide shares the Aboriginal Tjukurpa (creation) stories that breathe life into this giant formation. Feel the spirit of the land as your guide takes you on a walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole, interpreting the meaning of the ancient Rock Art and sacred sites you’ll see along the way.
As the sun sets and darkness falls, dine with fellow travelers at a shared table of up to 10 guests for an unforgettable dining experience with the award-winning Sounds of Silence dinner. Our attentive staff will offer a selection of Australian wine and beer while the first course is served at your table. As the night sky twinkles to life, you will be welcomed to an interactive chef’s station where you will be served your choice from our freshly prepared, bush tucker inspired menu incorporating native bush ingredients.
Settle back and listen to our resident star talker decode the southern night sky. Locate the Southern Cross, the signs of the zodiac, the Milky Way, as well as planets and galaxies that are visible due to the exceptional clarity of the atmosphere.
Accommodation: Sails in the Desert, Yulara
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2
Uluru & Kata Tjuta National Park
Saturday, July 15, 2028
Following breakfast at your hotel, you will have the morning to explore Uluru Resort with a choice of local, indigenous activities including guided garden walks, didgeridoo workshops, bush-tucker food experiences, listen to a bush yarn from local Aṉangu folk or visit the Lawn Gallery with an opportunity to meet Anangu artists, experience the creation of artwork and purchase a piece to take home with you.
After lunch at a venue of your choosing (own expense), your guide will take you to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). Walk between the mighty conglomerate rock walls into Walpa Gorge and hear how the 36 domes that make up Kata Tjuta have evolved over millions of years. Take time to listen to the wind (Walpa) far above you. The spirituality of this amazing location embraces everyone who ventures here.
Returning to your hotel to freshen up, you will then experience the wonders of Wintjiri Wiru; take a gentle evening stroll through the desert along an elevated walkway until you reach the open-air theatre, set upon a dune top. Embark on a culinary adventure with a gourmet dinner hamper where native ingredients are combined with modern culinary techniques to create a masterpiece for the palate, perfectly complemented by premium matching wines.
With the heart of Australia as the backdrop, a story passed on for thousands of generations, now passes to you. Choreographed drones, lasers, and projections will take flight, lighting up the night sky in a modern, artistic expression of an ancient, Anangu story. Feel a powerful connection to country as you listen to a traditional Inma soundtrack and narration in the local Pitjantjatjara language, and immerse yourself in a living story.
Accommodation: Sails in the Desert, Yulara
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 3
Uluru via Kings Canyon to Erldunda
Sunday, July 16, 2028
Just when you thought you’d experienced all there is of Australia’s heart, this morning we explore the Field of Light and witness Sunrise over Uluru. Commencing 2 hours prior to sunrise (approximately 5:30am), as the slow rising sun marks the day, a stunning piece of artwork, created by three local Anangu women comes to life through laser projection, music and the natural environment of the desert floor. The iconic Uluru is our backdrop. Feel the shared connection to the land. Be reminded of the experiences we understand as humans. By coming together, past, present and future – we are one.
Sunrise Journeys is an intimate and sensory travel experience designed to last well beyond your stay…this experience is a result of a collaboration between three renowned Anangu artists – Selina Kulitja (Maruku Arts), Denise Brady (Kaltukatjara Art), and Valerie Brumby (Walkatjara Art) – along with Anangu musician and composer Jeremy Whiskey, and expert visual experience creator Mandylights.
Returning to your accommodation, enjoy breakfast before checking out at 10:00am.
Driving to Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) arriving early afternoon, we take a break to enjoy lunch at Kings Creek Station (own expense). We continue to Kings Canyon where your Guide will take you on a 1 hour walk through the Kings Canyon Riverbed, experiencing the oasis and surrounds.
We finish the day with a 3 hour drive to “The Centre of the Centre”, Erldunda Roadhouse and the Desert Oasis Resort. Experience the “real” outback hospitality of Australia at this quirky property as we settle in for a 3-Course set menu dinner the Australian way!
Accommodation: Desert Oasis Resort, Erldunda
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4
Erldunda to Alice Springs
Monday, July 17, 2028
Rise early and start your day at the Sunrise Viewing Platform, just steps from the Roadhouse, where the outback sky shifts from deep indigo to blazing gold over the rust-red desert horizon. The central outback is a land of dramatic extremes, with scorching days, cool desert nights, hidden waterholes, and a deep Aboriginal cultural heritage that stretches back tens of thousands of years. Return for a hearty, satisfying roadhouse breakfast, then spend the morning exploring the surroundings at your own pace.
A highlight is meeting Carlotta, the reigning Queen of the Desert Oasis. This charismatic camel shares her enclosure with a family of rescue kangaroos and the famously confident Cluck Norris, a rooster who is convinced he’s a kangaroo. The Outback is a birdwatchers paradise with more than 170 species of birds living in the area as well as a diverse array of desert-adapted mammals, reptiles, and insects.
After a relaxed lunch at the Roadhouse café (own expense), we depart for Alice Springs, arriving in the mid-afternoon. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure: check in to your hotel, unpack, and unwind after a memorable morning in the Red Centre.
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton, Alice Springs
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5
Alice Springs
Tuesday, July 18, 2028
Following breakfast at the hotel, we set out to Desert Park to discover the unique flora and fauna of Australia’s red centre on this self-guided walking tour. Get up close with dingos, wander through the kangaroo enclosure and listen to fascinating presentations. Entry includes access to talks, walking trails, the world’s largest nocturnal house and much more.
Returning to Alice Springs, you have free time to purchase lunch before embarking on a historic city tour including School of the Air, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Telegraph Station and ANZAC Hill for stunning view across Alice Springs and the West MacDonnell Ranges.
Dinner will be at your own expense this evening as we prepare for our next day in Australia’s heart.
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton, Alice Springs
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6
Western MacDonnell Ranges
Wednesday, July 19, 2028
Following breakfast you will be collected from your hotel for a full day experiencing the magic of the Western MacDonnell Ranges.
Enjoy beautiful walks through Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm where we stop for morning tea, and the Ochre Pits. Continue on to Ormiston Gorge to replenish with a Bushman’s Lunch of wraps and cold drinks. On our return to Alice Springs, we stop to spend time at Ellery Creek Big Hole; Central Australia’s most pristine waterhole where you can brave the winter-cold for a swim, if you’re game!!
We finish our day with a 3-Course Set-Menu farewell dinner at Saltbush before retiring for the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Light Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton, Alice Springs
DAY 7
Alice Springs to Sydney
Thursday, July 20, 2028
Relax for the morning after breakfast and some last minute souvenir shopping before being transferred to Alice Springs Airport. You will be collected 90 minutes prior to your flights’ departure time giving you sufficient time to say your farewells to fellow guests and Central Australia.
For those joining Sirius Travel’s eclipse tour, you will be transferred from the Sydney domestic airport to the Intercontinental Hotel where you will join your next tour.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Return Flights between Sydney & the Red Centre (TBD once the airlines open the flights)
- 6 nights Twin Share accommodation in 4 & 5 Star Properties or best available
- Explore Uluru for Sunset and Sunrise as well as guided walks
- Field of Lights and Sounds of Silence Dinner experiences
- Discover Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) on a guided walk
- Visit Watarrka National Park and talk the Valley floor Walk
- Highlights of Alice Springs half day tour
- West MacDonnell Ranges day tour
- Alice Springs Desert Park (wildlife)
- Tour Hosts
- Meals – 7 Breakfasts & 4 Dinners
Not Included
- Flights/transportation to meet in Sydney for the pre-eclipse tour
- Items of a personal nature
- Alchoholic beverages (unless specifically included)
- Tips for drivers and guides
- Meals not specified in the itinerary
- Activities or services not mentioned in the itinerary
- Travel insurance
Other Information
Trip cancellation, health, and accident insurance is required. It will save you money if you are forced to cancel or alter your trip after our 100% refund deadline. We recommend that all travelers purchase their insurance 7-14 days after their initial reservation to take advantage of any pre-existing condition or Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) clause.
Precautions should always be taken seriously and pre-trip education on what to eat or to avoid should be planned. Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC website.
It is every traveler’s responsibility to consider all appropriate medical advice regarding whether or not they are fit to take this trip prior to booking their reservation. We recommend that all travelers check with their healthcare provider before signing on.
Children 11 and older are welcome on this tour but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian if they are under 18. Please note that most countries have very strict entry/exit requirements for minors (under the age of 18 years old), especially minors traveling with only one parent. Please review the destination requirements before choosing to travel with a minor.
If you are traveling alone, you may save quite a bit of money by opting to share a room. We will match solo travelers of the same gender so that they can share a double occupancy room with two beds. We will do our best to match travelers but if we cannot find a match for you then you will be required to pay the single occupancy price.
Temperatures: Weather in Alice Springs is at its most excellent in July. Highs reach 22°C (72°F), while nights settle around 5°C (41°F). July marks the winter season. This creates a mild day-to-night pattern that is generally easy to manage with the right clothing..
Conditions: Expect a lot of sunshine this month, with about 285 hours of sun. These sunny conditions add to the overall experience and rain is rarely an issue.
In July, Uluru is cool by day (~20 °C) and cold at night (~3–7 °C), so pack light, breathable layers for daytime and warm mid‑layers for evenings. Links here are the same as those on our “packing suggestions” page and are Amazon affiliate links.
- Comfortable runners or hiking shoes with good tread for exploring walking trails and national parks.
- Light top or T‑shirt for sun protection and comfort during the day
- Long‑sleeved shirt or light jacket for sun and insect protection
- Light trousers or long shorts — long trousers are better for sun and bug protection
- Removable mid‑layer (fleece or light sweater) for early morning or cool spots
- Warm mid‑layer (fleece, light jacket) to handle drops to 3–7 °C
- Warm jacket if you plan to stay out late for sunrise/sunset
- Beanie or hat and light gloves are optional but useful for the coldest nights
- Swimsuit – In case want to relax in hotel swimming pools after a long day