Alice Springs to Uluru: a 7-day road trip on the Red Centre Way

Travelling to Alice Springs from the UK is straightforward, with options including one and two stopovers.

• One stopover: You can fly non-stop from London Heathrow (LHR) to Perth (PER) on Australia's west coast, then take an easy domestic flight to Alice Springs (ASP).
• Two stopovers: Fly via major hubs like Singapore (SIN) or Dubai (DXB) into Australia's eastern cities including Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL) or Brisbane (BNE). From here, hop on a domestic flight to Alice Springs (ASP).

Getting to Alice Springs from China is straightforward, often only requiring one stopover.

• One stopover (fastest route): Fly non-stop from major Chinese hubs – like Guangzhou (CAN), Shanghai (PVG) or Beijing (PEK) – into Australian cities such as Sydney (SYD) or Melbourne (MEL). From there, it's an easy domestic flight to Alice Springs (ASP).
• Two stopovers (multi-city route): Alternatively, fly through international transit hubs like Singapore (SIN) or Hong Kong (HKG) to an Australian gateway like Sydney (SYD) or Melbourne (MEL). Then hop on a domestic flight to Alice Springs (ASP).

Yes, this Red Centre road trip is an unforgettable adventure for families, best suited to those travelling with school-aged children or teenagers. While the outback has attractions for all ages, the drives along rugged terrain require local road permits and a bit more logistical planning.

Kids will love spotting rock wallabies at Simpsons Gap, riding camels with Uluru Camel Tours and seeing rare nocturnal wildlife at the Alice Springs Desert Park. The itinerary includes stops at natural desert plunge pools like Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge, promising family memories you'll talk about for years to come. 

Start your trip with a stay in Alice Springs' city centre, where you’ll find a range of accommodation options that are walkable to Todd Mall's galleries and eateries. Along the route, you can stay in outback lodges, resorts and campgrounds close to key attractions.

The best time to visit the Red Centre is during the cooler months between April and October, when daytime temperatures hover comfortably between 20-30°C (68-86°F).

This window offers ideal conditions for walking around Uluru and Kings Canyon. At night, temperatures can drop below 5°C (40°F), so bringing layers for enjoying sunrise and sunset activities is a must.

If you choose to travel during the hotter summer season (November to March), expect extreme daytime heat. Walking tracks are frequently closed after 11am for safety, and protective head nets are highly recommended for managing desert flies.