On our 2024 Mondumo Australia tour, we included Alice Springs and Uluṟu as part of the itinerary. For 2025 we have decided to drop these in favour of more time spent in rural Australia—Coffs Harbour and Uralla—allowing for more contact with local people.
Having Alice Springs and Uluṟu on the itinerary meant a couple of very long driving days on the bus and dealing with the unpredictability of the heat in the Outback. One day it reached over 104F during our hike in The Olgas.
We also wanted to add a bit more of the rural Australia experience, which is now enhanced by the extra days we spend around Coffs Harbour and Uralla.
In the following article I’ll explain a little more about our 2024 journey and how you can add Alice Springs and Uluru to the start or end of our new Mondumo Australia in 14 Days Tour, should you wish to visit these places on your own.
Alice Springs and Uluṟu (Ayers Rock)
In 2024 we spent two nights in Alice Springs. We visited the School of the Air and Flying Doctors, and went for several hikes. From here we broke up the drive to Uluṟu with an overnight stay in Kings Canyon, about five hours away including a lunch stop. Between Kings Canyon and Yulara, the township close to Uluṟu, we started the day with the option of a couple of different hikes at Kings Canyon, then hit the road. It was another hot four hours inside the bus on the straight desert roads to Yulara.
The heat in the Red Centre gets particularly challenging at certain times of year. We plan our tour dates in an attempt to avoid the extreme heat of summer, but temperatures can be unpredictable year-on-year. Without being able to accurately predict how hot it might get, we don’t want to risk having an itinerary that takes people on walks in the heat of the desert with few alternatives. Most of the things to do in the outback are limited to the outdoor natural wonders.
How to visit Alice Springs and Uluru on your own
It is very easy to arrange a visit to Alice Springs and Uluṟu on your own before or after our tour.
There are several operators running regular, short term tours between the famous sites.
AAT Kings is the main operator and they have a few variations on the length of time and combinations of places you visit. There are also a couple of smaller operators called Emu Run and SEIT. AAT Kings have large comfortable buses, usually with group sizes to match; SEIT use smaller vehicles and offer a more personal experience; and Emu Run is somewhere in between in terms of quality and group size.
Remember that the seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere, so if you are joining a
Mondumo tour that starts in October, you will have a better chance of cooler weather conditions if you add this leg before the start of our tour. If your Mondumo tour is in March/April, going to the Red Centre after the tour will be the better option.
Real Conversations and Rural Charm: Coffs Harbour and Uralla
By taking out the Alice Springs and Uluru portion of the tour, we have been able to add two nights in Coffs Harbour and two nights in Uralla, New South Wales. This reduces the tour to 14 days instead of 15. The touring we’ll have around Coffs Harbour and through that part of New South Wales also gives us a lot more contact with locals—something that we sadly didn’t get much of in the desert. We’ll also get to experience Australian farming life firsthand—a unique glimpse into a way of life that has shaped the country’s history and still plays a vital role in its economy today.
Ready to explore the real Australia?
Whether you're drawn to the charm of rural towns like Uralla, the scenic coastline around Coffs Harbour, or the unique cultural experiences only Mondumo can offer, our Australia in 14 Days tour is designed to give you a rich, memorable journey—without the extremes of outback travel.
Thoughtfully curated with meaningful local encounters, stunning landscapes, and just the right pace, it’s the perfect way to discover the heart and soul of Australia.
Learn more and book your spot today
Main Photo: McCrossin's Mill Museum, Gallery and Function Centre VisitNSW