Food and Drinks (Camping Safaris Only)

We have designed our menu to be as healthy as possible and appeal to modern tastes.
For breakfast you have a selection of cereals, toast with spreads, orange juice, fresh plunger coffee and black or herbal teas. For lunch we provide salad ingredients and a selection of meats for sandwiches plus fresh fruit. Dinners vary depending on the time of year but usually include chicken or other meat, fresh vegetables, sauces with pasta or rice. Bush bread (damper) will also be prepared for you on an open fire. A glass of sparkling wine will be offered at the Uluru sunset. All other alcohol is BYO. Customers wishing to keep alcohol chilled will need to provide their own ice which can be purchased at various stops along the way.

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS: If you have any specific dietary requirements please inform our reservation staff at the time of booking so alternatives can be discussed. All dietary requirements are to be declared at the time of booking. Wayoutback Desert Safaris will not be held responsible for the catering/food supply for any individual where a dietary condition is undeclared.

Medical Conditions

To ensure your Safari with us is enjoyable and without incident, medical conditions are to be made known to our Reservations staff at time of booking. Due to large distances between towns, we remind you that we may be many hours away from medical facilities. We reserve the right to seek a Medical Clearance before travelling with us. You are encouraged to carry enough medication required for the duration of your safari. Cold storage is available where required. See our Terms and Conditions for more information.

Things You Should Know

Our camping safaris are designed to suit active people who enjoy small group dynamics. When you are on a guided walk our guides are responsible for your well being so it is important you have a reasonable fitness level and are able to stay with the group whilst on all walks.



GROUP PARTICIPATION: Our camping safaris do require a degree of participation with the preparation of meals, loading and unloading camping equipment, collecting firewood and the washing of dishes after meals. 



SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS: The only true way of camping in the outback is sleeping in a swag. This is a canvas bag that zips on both sides with a nice thick camping mattress inside that enables you to view the brilliant night sky as you drift off to sleep beside the campfire. For those afflicted with creepy crawly paranoia, tents can be provided, but as our equipment is loaded in Alice Springs prior to departure, we will need to know before this time if you require one.



TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN: Due to the small group size, children generally do not mix well with our other clients and for this reason we do not accept children under the age of 8 years on our Camping Safaris and 5 on our Hotel Safaris. For families, groups or education based enquiries where participants may be under the age of 8, we recommend you peruse our Groups and Private Charter pages)



GROUP SIZE: The maximum group size is 16 passengers on our Camping Safaris and 14 for Hotel Safaris. Groups smaller than 8 may be operated in smaller vehicles.

Wayoutback has a duty of care for all its passengers. We have a proud history of putting our passengers interests first and foremost as best we can. In general terms our duty of care extends from your accommodation collection point on the first day of your tour to either dropping you off at your accommodation and / or your transit transportation at the end of the tour.

Wayoutback Provides

Late model air-conditioned 4WD vehicles, all meals (as listed on itineraries), camping equipment, swags and pillows, sleeping bags ($15 hire fee), laundered bed sheet ($5 hire fee), reference books, chilled face cloths (summer), some drinks with meals (cordial and juice) and supplies of drinking water (please provide your own bottle). All Park entry fees are included in our Safaris.

Bush showers and toilets available at most of our private bush camps.

What You'll Need to Bring

As we are camping you will need to be prepared for this. You'll need to bring a flashlight (torch), hat (wide brimmed best), sunscreen, insect repellent, a fly head net (summer), any required medication, water bottle (at least 1.5 litres), walking shoes/boots (we do a lot of walking/climbing), warm clothing (winter), sleeping bag ($15 hire fee - winter and summer bags available), toiletries, swim wear, towel, camera (plus extra film, batteries, digital storage device), Travel Voucher/Ticket, BYO wine or beer and a great sense of humour. Customers wishing to keep alcohol chilled will need to provide their own ice which can be purchased at various stops along the way.



Some listed items can be purchased from Wayoutback on departure.



Space is limited, please bring only one small bag per person. Ask at reception of your accommodation for excess baggage storage.

Departure Days

Our tours depart Alice Springs and Ayers Rock all year round during both summer and winter.

Our 2.5 Day MacDonnell Ranges "Caterpillar Dreaming" 4WD Safari departs Alice Springs, Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays except Xmas and New Years day.

Our 3 Day Uluru - Red Centre "Goanna Dreaming" 4WD Safari departs Alice Springs or Ayers Rock daily except Xmas and new Years Day. This tour may run reverse allowing for the joining of the tour at Alice Springs and departing the tour at Ayers Rock, please enquire at the time of booking for the availability of this service.

Our 5 Day Uluru - Red Centre "Kangaroo Dreaming” 4WD Safari departs Alice Springs or Ayers Rock Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday except Xmas and New Years day.

Our Private Charter 4WD Safaris can depart Alice Springs or Ayers Rock any day of the year except Xmas and New Years day. This tour may also begin at Alice Springs and finish at Ayers Rock on the last day of the tour, please enquire at the time of booking for the availability of this service.

Booking and Payment

You can book direct with us by phoning 1300 551 510 or through our website. You can also book through most Travel Agents, Hostels and Hotels.



You will be required to pay for your safari in full at the time of booking. Credit card details are required for Internet and Phone bookings. Credit Card payments incur a Merchant Levy and are subject to change without notice. MasterCard & Visa 1.4%. 



A Travel Agent may take a deposit or the full amount depending on their relationship with Wayoutback. If a deposit is taken we will require credit card details to secure your booking and charge the outstanding amount.

See Terms and Conditions for information on changes to existing or confirmed bookings.


On-Line Bookings

Please note that all bookings made over the internet are NOT live bookings. You will be notified by email once availability has been confirmed. Your credit card will NOT be charged until availability is confirmed.

Confirming and Joining your Safari

For all safaris please call our Reservations no later than 48 hours prior to departure to confirm your pick-up point and time. Ayers Rock Airport pick-ups: Please notify Reservations of your Ayers Rock flight number and arrival time no later than 48 hours prior to departure for meeting instructions.

To Climb or Not to Climb Uluru

Passengers visiting Uluru (Ayers Rock) should be aware that the local Aboriginal Custodians (Anangu) prefer that visitors don’t climb the Rock, mainly due to cultural reasons as the track to the summit crosses over a sacred Tjukurpa (religious) site. In addition, there are a surprising number of fatalities that have occurred over the years as a result of people climbing Uluru which they feel a responsibility for as the local custodians.

Ultimately the decision to climb or not to climb rests with the individual as there is no mandate on the subject from Anangu or Wayoutback. Our own records from our end-of-tour questionnaires suggest that approximately 95% of Wayoutback customers choose not to climb.

If, however, you do want to climb Uluru then you should be aware there are four conditions whereby the climb is closed by Park Management that can apply ‘without notice’. They are:

• Temperatures over 36°C
• Strong winds at the summit
• Forecast and pending storms
• Rain

Wayoutback Merchandise

Wayoutback has a range of merchandise that you are able to purchase on the day of departure that will make your safari more comfortable. Some of the items such as Hats, Caps, T. Shirts and Beer Coolers are branded Wayoutback (tastefully of course) and will be a reminder of your trip with us. The full range includes:

• Hats and Caps
• Fly Nets
• Water Bottles
• Water Bottle Holders
• T-Shirts
• Beer Coolers

Travel Insurance

Because of the unpredictability of the weather and the adventurous nature of our safaris, it is not possible to guarantee exact pick-up and drop-off times. Because of this, Wayoutback Desert Safaris strongly recommend that all travellers take out Travel Insurance. Not only does it protect you against the costs of injury but it also gives you Cancellation Cover.

See our Travel Insurance page for a quote.