Adelaide to Uluru Tour

Adelaide to Uluru over seven days — this is the reverse Explorers Way route, heading north from South Australia's wine country into the raw heart of the outback.

You start in Adelaide and drive into the Flinders Ranges on day one. Wilpena Pound, Arkaroo Rock, the Brachina Gorge geological trail — it's a proper introduction to ancient Australia before the desert even begins. The night skies out here are absurdly clear, and your guide knows enough astronomy to point out the southern constellations.

Coober Pedy is next. The town sits on top of one of the richest opal fields on Earth, and about half the population still lives underground in dugout homes. You'll sleep underground too — in a bunkhouse carved from the rock where the temperature never changes. Try your luck fossicking for opals in the mine dumps.

From Coober Pedy you cross into the Northern Territory. Kings Canyon comes first — the Rim Walk is a 6km cliff-edge loop that ranks among Australia's best hikes. Then Kata Tjuta (the domes are actually taller than Uluru and just as impressive) and finally Uluru itself. Sunrise, sunset, the full base walk — your guide walks you through the Tjukurpa (Anangu law and stories) that give the rock its real significance.

Small group of up to 24. Camping under the stars most nights, underground one night. All meals cooked by your guide. This is a journey that builds — each day the landscape gets bigger, redder and more extraordinary.