Welcome to Part 3 of 'Go North' series: The Red Centre
See the Red Centre before it's too late. Walk among ancient landscapes, witness iconic natural attractions and immerse yourself in the world's oldest living culture.
3 road trip itineraries to warm up your winter:
Part 1 - The Pacific Highway (Sydney to Townsville)
Part 2 - Savannah Way (Cairns to Darwin)
Part 3 - Red Centre (Alice Springs to Uluru to Kings Canyon)
Part 3: Red Centre Way (Alice Springs to Uluru)
Although it’s most famous for Uluru, first-timers might not know that there’s so much more to the Red Centre than the world’s biggest rock.
An iconic region of Australia known for its stunning natural landscapes, rich Indigenous culture and unique experiences, here are five must-sees on any Red Centre road trip.
5 RED CENTRE MUST SEES
Alice Springs
West MacDonnell Ranges - Glen Helen
Kings Canyon
Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)
GETTING TO THE RED CENTRE
Before we start, it’s important to mention the distances involved in any Red Centre road trip, which will always start in Alice Springs.
There are only two real ways to arrive here. One is a 1500 km trek from Darwin via Katherine and Tennant Creek, which you should allow a minimum of 2-3 days for.
The second is a similar distance from Adelaide in South Australia, which should include stops at the Eyre Peninsula’s Port Augusta and the unique mining town of Coober Pedy.
Alice Springs (Mparntwe)
Credit: Northern Territory Tourism NT
Central to many of the Northern Territory’s most significant natural attractions, Alice Springs is the ideal base from which to explore the Red Centre.
An important hub for tourism and commerce in the region, Alice marks the beginning of the Red Centre Way, a 700 km loop that will take you to the ‘the rock’ and back. Enriched by both a colonial and Indigenous history that dates back tens of thousands of years, ‘Alice’ is very much at the beating heart of Australian history and cultural identity.
5 things not to miss in Alice Springs
Alice Springs Desert Park
Part adventure safari park and part natural history museum, Alice Springs Desert Park is your chance to get face to face with red desert kangaroos, emus and other native wildlife, and walk thru the biggest nocturnal bird house in the southern hemisphere.
Credit: Northern Territory Tourism NT
Alice Springs Telegraph Station
This is where the town of Alice Springs started, and happens to also be the location of the real life ‘spring’ in Alice Springs. Look through the beautifully restored Alice Springs Telegraph Station buildings, learn about life as a colonial pioneer and the Aboriginal elders who helped establish the town.
Credit: Northern Territory Tourism NT
Araluen Cultural Precinct
The Araleun Cultural Precinct is an opportunity to engage with world-class visual and performing art projects, learn about Indigenous dreaming and participate in a diverse range of mutliculatural events.
Credit: Araluen Arts Centre
Take a Camel Ride across the Desert
Something for the whole family, and Alice Springs Camel Ride is an outback activity not to be missed. Choose from a morning, afternoon or sunset experience led by trained camel professionals!
Credit: Northern Territory Tourism NT
Outback Hot Air Ballooning
What better way to see the outback than from 1,000 feet up! Float above Alice and get that breathless feeling as the sun slowly rises over the desert on an awe-inspiring ballooning adventure.
DID YOU KNOW?
Every year Alice Springs lights up at one of the most incredible outdoor light shows in the world. Engaging with local and international artists, Parrtjima: A Festival of Light is a free community event over ten days that captures the imagination of guests from all over the world.
With rotating themes around connection and country, and very much led by the Traditional Owners, Parrtjima is a magical festival of light, sound, music and culture.
West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjotitja) - Glen Helen
Alice Springs to West MacDonnell Ranges (Glen Helen)
Distance from Alice Springs: 133 km
The first series of stops on your Red Centre road trip is the West MacDonnell Ranges. Beginning at around 130 km due west of Alice Springs, the West MacDonnell Ranges are a significant mountain range of about 200 km in length and popular with hikers, walkers and adventure seekers.
Featuring a number of attractions of significant cultural importance, and home to the Arrente Indigenous people for tens of thousands of years, single and multi-day hikes along the Larapinta Trail are a popular reason to arrive in this part of Australia.
5 things not to miss in the West MacDonnell Ranges
Glen Helen Gorge
Next to a towering sandstone cliff, Glen Helen Gorge is a great spot to take a refreshing dip, get a view of the ranges and is an important refuge for local wildlife.
Credit: Northern Territory Tourism NT
Ormiston Gorge
Another great place to cool off, Ormiston is the most famous gorge along the ‘West Mac’ ranges. Just 500 metres from the Visitor Centre, the gorge acts as a trail head for a section of the Larapinta Trail, and you can explore the surrounding area via the Ormiston Pound Walk.
Credit: Northern Territory Tourism NT
Ellery Creek Big Hole
This is one of the most popular picnic and swimming spots in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Surrounded by dramatic red cliffs and the sandy Ellery Creek, the site offers access to the Larapinta Trail and can be easily explored via a three-kilometre Dolomite Walk.
Credit: Nothern Territory Tourism NT
Simpsons Gap
One of the earliest highlights as you approach from Alice Springs, Simpsons Gap is one of the most prominent gaps in Australia. There are several short walks that pass native plants including ancient Ghost Gums, and for keen mountain bikers the gap can be reached via a 17 km cycle path.
Credit: Journey Beyond
Standley Chasm
Another iconic feature, Standley Chasm is regarded as a must-see spectacular icon of Central Australia. Take the opportunity to learn more about the local Indigenous culture via bush tucker tours, art workshops and language classes.
Credit: Northern Territory Tourism NT
Kings Canyon (Watarrka)
Glen Helen to Kings Canyon
Distance: 226 km
Over 400 million years in the making, the rugged sandstone peaks of Watarrka (Kings Canyon) are at the halfway point of your Alice Springs to Uluru journey. Much more than a quick stop along the road, many people consider Kings Canyon equal to, if not superior to Uluru as a bucket-list travel experience.
The spellbinding Kings Canyon Rim Walk is very much at the heart of this, and Kings Canyon itself is often referred to as ‘Australia’s Grand Canyon.’ Although not as well known as its more famous cousin, the 6-kilometre walk around it is a must-do.
Kings Canyon’s location also puts you in close proximity to a cultural heritage that is tens of thousands of years old. Being amongst it is an opportunity to discover the real history of Australia, and an incredible part of your Red Centre trip.
5 things not to miss in Kings Canyon
Kings Canyon Rim Walk
Rediscover wonder as you take this iconic 6 km hike to the top of Kings Canyon. Book a guide and go deep on the history of its formation and the significance of its unique geology.
Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience
Learn more about the local Indigenous community and their ancient culture through this fascinating hour-long workshop that will take you through weapons, musical instruments, bush tucker, medicines and the evolution of local languages.
Credit: Northern Territory Tourism NT
Dining Under a Desert Moon
This is an outback dining delight only available at Discovery Resorts - Kings Canyon. Start the evening with canapes on the lawn and progress to a unique dinner at a secret location under a canopy of stars.
Light Towers at Discovery Resorts - Kings Canyon
Awaken your senses to the mystery of the outback. Light Towers by Bruce Munro is an installation that will immerse guests in the pure magic of light, sound and landscape in an iconic location.
Kings Canyon Helicopter Scenic Tour
Get a birds-eye view of the majesty and the rise and fall of the sandstone dunes and geological diversity of Kings Canyon. An opportunity you won’t forget.
Credit: Northern Territory Tourism NT
There is nowhere else in the world like Uluru, previously known as Ayers Rock.
Located inside the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, this Australian icon is a bare sandstone rock that stands 348 metres high and measures 9.4 km (5.8 miles) around.
Changing colours with the position of the sun, Uluru offers up a painter's palette of reds, browns, oranges and purples. Walking tracks will get you around the entire circumference of Uluru, and it's highly recommended you walk with a local Anangu guide to learn about the Dreamtime ties to the most famous Australian landmark of them all.
5 things not to miss in Uluru
Watch the sunset over Uluru
The internationally recognised UNESCO world heritage site is one of the great wonders of the world and its famous sunsets should not be missed. Join an evening tour and you'll be toasting the sunset with a BBQ dinner served in the outback.
Credit: Experience Oz
Field of Lights
As far as the eye can see, view colourful lights as you wander through pathways that mysteriously draw you in. See Uluru illuminated like never before with this art installation that has remained in place due to popular demand.
Credit: Voyages Ayers Rock Resort - Field Of Lights
Scenic Flights over Uluru
Only on a scenic flight can you comprehend the scale of Uluru- the second largest rock on the planet and one of the great natural wonders of the world. Book a Uluru helicopter flight for incredible views of the outback.
Credit: Experience OZ
Join a Segway Tour
An Uluru Segway tour allows you to cover more ground than you would on foot- without breaking out into a sweat- and with some incredible photo opportunities.
Credit: Experience OZ - Segway Tour
Uluru Morning Guided Base Walk inc. Breakfast
Discover the beauty of Uluru on this guided base walking tour of Uluru. This is one of the top things to do in Uluru taking you up close to this Aussie icon.
Credit: Uluru Australia - The Olgas
Just an hours drive away from the base of Uluru, Kata Tjuta is another must-do Red Centre experience. Meaning ‘many heads’ in the language of the Anangu Aboriginals (pronounced ‘arn-ung-oo’), who have lived in the region for approximately 30,000 years, the 36 unique domes of Kata Tjuta are estimated to be over 500 million years old.
Originally named the Olgas after Queen Olga of Wurttemberg in 1872, the Indigenous name was formally adopted in 1993 and has been in much wider use ever since.
5 things not to miss in Uluru
The Valley of the Winds
The Valley of the Winds walk is a popular activity in Kata Tjuta. Allow about 4 hours for the full 7.4km circuit due to its steep and rocky terrain. Alternatively, take shorter walks to scenic points like the Karu and Karingana Lookouts.
Credit: A Little Off Track - Hiking the Valley of the Winds
Take a Guided Tour
There isn’t a better way to immerse yourself in one of the Red Centre’s most iconic attractions. Book a guided tour with one of the Anangu Indigenous guides and learn about the true history and cultural significance of these epic structures.
Credit: Experience Oz
Watch a sunset or sunrise over the Olgas
Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) are known for their spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Watching the sun rise or set over these incredible rock formations is an unforgettable experience.
Credit: Voyages Ayers Rock Resort - Seit Kata Tjuta
Take to the skies
Take a helicopter tour: For a truly breathtaking experience, consider taking a helicopter tour over the Olgas. This will provide you with a unique perspective on the rock formations and the surrounding landscape.
Credit: Experience Oz
Watch the stars
Stargazing: The Olgas are a great opportunity to stargaze due to the clear and dark skies. Join a stargazing tour or explore on your own.
Credit: Nothern Territory Tourism NT
READ PART 1 AND 2 OF GO NORTH: 3 AWESOME ROAD TRIP ITINERARIES
