Insider Journeys: Longitude 131˚ & Red Centre

Journey Overview

Our signature Red Centre to Top End Journey has long been one of our most popular signature journeys, offering a unique way to experience some of Australia's most isolated and impressive outback landscapes in style, over just five days. The signature journey combines half-day hikes at Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon - accessed via a scenic private charter flight - with three nights at Longitude 131, and ending with an overnight journey onboard the Ghan to Darwin. A visit to Nitmiluk National Park is also included as an excursion while on the Ghan during a stop in Katherine.

Read on for our first-hand account of Longitude 131 and the walks featured in our signature journey, as experienced by our team.

What we loved about Longitude 131°

Longitude 131˚ is a luxury lodge within the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, with 16 tented pavilions each offering uninterrupted views over Uluru.

Staying at Longitude is a unique experience, and one I'd had on my personal travel bucket-list for some time. It certainly lived up to all expectations, with the lodge having a wonderful sense of place with the design and furnishing speaking to elements of the landscape beyond the tent walls. In addition to the main restaurant/lounge tent, the lodge features a private viewing deck and plunge pool at the Dune Pavilion, a second (main) swimming pool, and Spa Kinara, which offers treatments inspired by Indigenous healing traditions.

The experiences on offer from the resort are excellent, and we found Longitude to be a truly special place to return to after a day exploring the National Park. After each excursion, a cold towel and welcome refreshment was always waiting for us on arrival back to the lodge, and we loved unwinding on the deck with a view to Uluru and Kata Tjuta - a reminder of our day's walk. Another view worth special mention is the one at Field of Lights, which we visited before it opened to the public one evening.

The dining experience at Longitude 131˚ was another highlight, from the multi-course menu featuring native ingredients and Australian wine matches, to the open bar with free-flowing French Champagne. We also loved that the chef stopped by our table to tell us about the menu and see if we might like any changes. This level of personalization and service is what sets a luxury lodge like Longitude apart.

What we loved about hiking in the red centre

There are three iconic walks featured in our Red Centre to Top End Journey: the Kings Canyon Rim Walk, Uluru Base Walk and the Valley of the Winds hike at Kata Tjuta. The Valley of the Winds was my absolute favourite. I loved starting this walk in the morning as the sun was just lighting up the ancient landscape and the birds were starting to chirp. There was such a sense of peace as we started to walk into the valley, with not another soul around - it was magic. The walk at Kata Tjuta winds through sheer rock gorges, past massive boulders, and across open bushland in a lesser visited corner of Kata Tjuta and takes about 3-4 hours at a leisurely pace. When we visited, recent rain had transformed the usually dry terrain—creeks were flowing, the grass was becoming green, creating a vivid contrast against the ochre domes of Kata Tjuta.

A favourite moment came mid-hike, standing in a natural amphitheatre between towering gorge walls, with the view opening up to the vast rock formations dotted through the valley below.

The next hike we enjoyed was the Uluru base walk, which is a 10-kilometre loop around the giant rock. The sheer scale is something that photos don’t quite capture, and it is unique to view up-close as you circle the base. The hike takes in ancient rock art sites and waterholes and quiet, shaded sections beneath the rock’s overhangs. There’s an energy here that’s hard to describe, especially in the stillness of the early morning. Another highlight was the view of Uluru we enjoyed at sunset drinks one evening at a special viewing location, when it was glowing in deep red hues. The chance to view Uluru at different times of the day and from different perspectives - up close and from a distance (and lying in bed at Longitude!)- allowed us to really feel like we had experienced Uluru in all her glory.

The Kings Canyon Rim Walk provided a dramatic change of scenery on our final hiking day. The day started with a flight from Uluru to the Kings Canyon Station, from where we were whisked to the trailhead for the Rim Walk. The first section of this walk is a challenge—20 minutes of steep, uphill boulders and steps—but reaching the top is worth the effort. From here, the track follows the Kings Canyon rim, offering sweeping views of the sheer canyon walls and Watarrka National Park. The contrast of the sheer red cliffs against the green palm-filled gorges below makes this one of the most scenic walks in the region. Post-walk we enjoyed seeing the canyon from the air as we took off on our private charter flight to Alice Springs to meet the Ghan.

What surprised us?

Some of the most memorable moments on this journey were the ones we didn’t expect. One evening, after returning from dinner under the stars at Table 131˚, we stepped onto our deck to find swags rolled out on the daybed, with a tray of evening snacks and port waiting for us. It was an unspoken invitation to settle in and gaze at the vast night sky—just hours after learning about the constellations during dinner. Lying there under a blanket of stars, with the silhouette of Uluru in the distance, was one of those 'wow moments' that made our Longitude 131˚ stay truly special. Moments like these were sprinkled throughout our stay, along with thoughtful details - from the freshly baked cookies in our room to the evening turndown surprises.

Another surprise came from the scenic flight to Kings Canyon. Initially, I had viewed the flight as a convenient way to cover the distance from Uluru to Kings Canyon, but hadn't expected much (other than red dirt) in terms of the likely view from the plane. How wrong I was! As we soared over the desert at sunrise, the changing colours of the landscape were mesmerising, and then Lake Amadeus came into view. This enormous salt lake stretched out below as far as the horizon, shimmering pink and white in the morning light. Seeing the colours and scale of Lake Amadeus, and spotting the rock formations dotting the landscape as the sun was rising, made what we had expected to be a simple transfer into a highlight of our trip.

Recommended experiences

For those visiting Longitude 131, please consider sleeping under the stars on your private deck for at least one night. With a swag bed laid out under the open sky, it’s a unique way to experience the stillness of the outback, with nothing but the sounds of the desert around you. Waking up to the sight of Uluru glowing at sunrise is something truly special. If you get a bit cold during the night, you can always retire to your bed inside the tent, but the chance to fall asleep under the stars with a front-row view to Uluru is not something you will likely experience again so make the most of it.

It’s also worth setting aside time for a treatment at Spa Kinara, where Indigenous-inspired therapies incorporate native botanicals and traditional healing techniques. After a few days of hiking, it’s the perfect way to unwind. A lodge/spa credit is included with this journey, so booking ahead is recommended to make the most of it.

What’s Nearby?

Given the remote location of Uluru, there isn’t much in the immediate surroundings, but on arrival into Darwin - after your Ghan experience - we highly recommend adding a stay at Bamurru Plains in the Mary River Wetlands. This wilderness lodge offers a completely different experience of the Territory, with floodplains teeming with birdlife, wallabies, and saltwater crocodiles - a great contrast to the arid red centre. You can also access Kakadu National Park on a guided day trip while staying here to complete your Northern Territory adventure.