Uluru to Kings Canyon road trip: Distance, drive time & attractions
The Uluru to Kings Canyon drive is 324km long, with a driving time of 3h24m. The best road trip attractions along the way are the Salt Creek Rest Area and the Kathleen Springs walk.
The Uluru to Kings Canyon drive is one undertaken by those who, wisely, realise there’s more to the Red Centre than one huge monolith.
To book a day trip to Kings Canyon from the Ayers Rock Resort, click here. It also possible to book a one-way Ayers Rock Resort to Kings Canyon coach transfer.
Uluru experiences include a lavish dune-top desert dinner with stargazing, a guided walk around the perimeter full of Aboriginal cultural stories and a sunrise tour to the perfect photo stop. To browse a wide array of memorable Uluru experiences, head here. For the best Uluru accommodation deals, search here.
In Watarrka National Park, Kings Canyon offers something very different. It’s the finest example of several gorges cut through the George Gill Range. The Kings Canyon Rim Walk is tough going in places, but it is one of the best day walks in Australia.
Uluru to Kings Canyon distance and driving time
However, Uluru and Kings Canyon are not as close as they might appear on the map. The distance from Uluru to Kings Canyon by car is 324km. These Northern Territory attractions are much closer as the crow flies, but you’re unlikely to be travelling by crow. Alas, that means an annoyingly circuitous route, and a driving time of around three hours and 24 minutes.
Ayers Rock Resort to Kings Canyon
Of course, it’s unlikely you’ll be driving directly from Uluru to Kings Canyon. You’ll probably be setting off from the Ayers Rock Resort in Yulara – the main accommodation option near Uluru.
The distance from Yulara to Kings Canyon is 302km, with a driving time of around three hours and six minutes.
The Uluru to Kings Canyon drive starts along the Lasseter Highway, then turns north along the Luritja Road. This is also known as State Route 3.
Sort out your Red Centre transport now
Uluru to Kings Canyon drive: Salt Creek Rest Area
If you’re wondering where the list of attractions on the Uluru to Kings Canyon drive comes in, then, sorry – there aren’t any. The Salt Creek Rest Area on the Luritja Road is about as good as it gets. This drivers’ rest area is remarkable for its red dirt desert scenery. There’s also a strong chance of seeing dingoes ambling around.
Just before entering Watarrka National Park, the Uluru to Kings Canyon road trip passes the massive Kings Creek Station. This outback station offers various tours across the property.
The essential Kings Canyon checklist
- Book your transfer to Uluru (or from Uluru).
- Or fix up your bus to Alice Springs.
- Book your accommodation at Discovery Parks – Kings Canyon or Kings Creek Station.
- Reserve your place on the guided Kings Canyon Rim Walk.
- Consider doing the easier canyon floor walk with a guide.
- Maybe add the Karrke Aboriginal cultural experience to your trip.
Uluru to Kings Canyon road trip attractions: Kathleen Springs walk
Before you get to Kings Canyon, there’s Kathleen Springs. Pull up at the car park, and there’s a 2.6km return walk to a spring-fed waterhole. There are fabulous views along the way.
The Kings Canyon Resort is the main place to stay in the area – this is home to the Kings Canyon caravan park. It’s also possible to see the rumpled landscape of Watarrka National Park from above on a Kings Canyon helicopter tour. It also possible to book a guided walking tour.
8 great Uluru experiences to book before you arrive
- 1. Understand Uluru’s caves, bulges, gullies and spiritual stories on a guided base walk.
- 2. Be awe-struck by the changing colours on a SUNRISE tour.
- 3. Eat great food on a dune top, and enjoy an expert-guided stargazing session during a once-in-a-lifetime desert dune-top dinner.
- 4. See an entirely different kind of dramatic outback scenery on Kings Canyon day trip.
- 5. Do a lap of Uluru by Segway.
- 6. See the big picture on an outback helicopter flight.
- 7. See Australia’s most spectacular light show – the Field of Light at sunrise.
- 8. Admire the colour-shifting giant rock domes on a Kata-tjuta sunset trip.
Which Uluru accommodation should I book?
Let’s not sugar-coat it: Accommodation at Uluru is expensive. Specialist Australian accommodation website Wotif lists Uluru accommodation for from $300. Check the top deals page to search through the options.
However, if you stay for three nights rather than two, hefty discounts tend to kick in.
The Uluru accommodation options are designed with different target markets in mind. Book which one fits you best.
- For the lowest prices: Ayers Rock Campground.
- For best quality: Sails in the Desert.
- For families and self-caterers: Emu Walk Apartments.
- For mid-range solidity: Desert Gardens.
More Northern Territory travel
Have a beer or seven in the Daly Waters Pub at the end of the Tennant Creek to Daly Waters drive.
Which road should I take from Kings Canyon to Alice Springs?
Stop at Threeways Roadhouse on the drive from Mount Isa to Tennant Creek.
What is the Sydney to Darwin flight time?
Fill up at Barkly Homestead on the Barkly Highway.