Red Centre Sealed Road Loop
Depart from Alice Springs and travel entirely on sealed roads to explore Uluru, Kings Canyon, and the West MacDonnell Ranges.
A Red Centre loop that can be completed in a standard 2WD vehicle. First, see Uluru and Kata Tjuta, then hike the Kings Canyon Rim Walk, and finally return to Alice Springs to explore the gorges of the West MacDonnells. Daily driving distances are long but road conditions are excellent, making this ideal for first-time self-drive travelers. Skipping the Mereenie Loop (which requires a 4WD and a permit) ensures peace of mind regarding car rental and road conditions.
Summer temperatures can reach 45°C; the Rim Walk closes during extreme heat, so aim to start hiking early in the morning.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Alice Springs & Desert Ecology
Alice Springs（Alice Springs Desert Park、Todd Mall、Anzac Hill）
Pick up your car at the airport and drive about 20 minutes to town; attractions within the city are all within a 15-minute drive.
Fill up on fuel and stock up on water and dry rations in Alice Springs before setting off.
Stay: Todd Mall city centre
Day 2 · Head South to Yulara for Uluru Sunset
Uluru-Kata Tjuta（Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre、Uluru Sunset Viewing Area）
Drive about 470 km via the Stuart and Lasseter Highways, taking around 5 hours on fully sealed roads.
Avoid driving after dusk, as camels and kangaroos frequently wander onto the road.
Stay: Yulara Resort
Day 3 · Uluru Sunrise & Base Walk
Uluru-Kata Tjuta（Talinguru Nyakunytjaku Sunrise Viewing Area、Uluru Base Walk、Mala Walk & Kantju Gorge、Mutitjulu Waterhole (Kuniya Walk)、Field of Light Uluru）
Yulara to Uluru is about 20 km; spend the day driving and walking within the park.
The Base Walk is about 10.6 km; start early in the morning and bring plenty of drinking water.
Stay: Yulara Resort
Day 4 · Kata Tjuta to Kings Canyon
Uluru-Kata Tjuta（Kata Tjuta Dune Viewing Area、Valley of the Winds Walk、Mount Conner (Artilla)） → Kings Canyon (Watarrka)（Kings Canyon Sunset Viewing Area）
Explore Kata Tjuta in the morning, then drive about 330 km via the Lasseter Highway and Luritja Road in the afternoon (about 4 hours).
Sections of the Valley of the Winds walk close during high temperatures; follow on-site signage.
Stay: Kings Canyon Resort
Day 5 · Kings Canyon Rim Walk
Kings Canyon (Watarrka)（Kings Canyon (Watarrka National Park)、Lost City (Kings Canyon)、Garden of Eden、Kathleen Springs）
The resort is about 10 minutes from the trailhead; in the afternoon, you can drive about 30 minutes east to Kathleen Springs.
The Rim Walk is about 6 km and takes 3 to 4 hours; start at sunrise.
Stay: Kings Canyon Resort
Day 6 · Long Drive Back to Alice Springs
Kings Canyon (Watarrka)（Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience） → Alice Springs（Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility）
Drive about 475 km via Luritja Road, Lasseter Highway, and Stuart Highway, taking about 5 hours.
Stay: Todd Mall city centre
Day 7 · West MacDonnell Gorges Day Trip
Alice Springs（Simpsons Gap、Standley Chasm (Angkerle Atwatye)、Ellery Creek Big Hole、Ormiston Gorge）
Drive west along Larapinta Drive and Namatjira Drive for about 135 km (1.5 hours), returning to the airport in the evening.
Try to book flights for the late evening. Water temperatures in the gorges can be very cold, so keep warm.