Connect With Country: Five Reasons To Visit The Red Centre

A trip to the Red Centre, would not be complete without a visit to Uluru. Not only is it a spectacular site that is famous all over the world, but it is also an incredibly spiritual location steeped in history and culture. For the local Anangu people, Uluru is the place where the earth and memories exist as one. 

Climbing Uluru has been banned, but they are still many ways to explore the 600-million-year-old monolith that are much more respectful of the sacred site. One of the best ways to fully appreciate its scale is to walk around the base of Uluru and get up close and personal to its beauty. You could also join a guided tour that will take you through stories of the Dreamtime and showcase incredible rock art. 

Uluru is famous for its spectacular sunrises and sunsets. When the light hits the surface, its colour transforms from ochre brown to burnished orange to intense red, making this the best time to visit the sacred site. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park has five dedicated viewing areas which are perfectly positioned so you can witness the spectacular moment.

Taking a dip probably isn’t the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Alice Springs. The West Macdonnell Ranges, or Tjoritja as it is traditionally called, offers a number of great water holes that are a fantastic place for a swim!

Dive into the cool and refreshing waters of Redbank Gorge (Rwetyepme) as you marvel at the magnitude of the crevasse walls or spend the day relaxing at Ormiston Gorge (Kwartatuma), a beach in the heart of the outback.

Just three hours’ drive from Uluru lies the Watarrka National Park, home to the mighty Kings Canyon. Kings Canyon is a truly stunning destination with 300-metre-high sandstone walls and views that will make you feel on top of the world.

One of the best ways to experience Kings Canyon is to lace up your hiking boots and go on a rim walk. The six-kilometre circuit will take you down through the beautiful Garden of Eden before ascending to the top for jaw-dropping 360-degree views of the Aussie outback. The best time to do this walk is before the sun rises and the temperature starts heating up!

While Australia’s Red Centre may appear vast and empty, a closer look reveals deep ties to one of the oldest cultures in the world, and a wealth of history. 
 
Alice Springs, or Mparntwe as it is known in the local language has been home to the Arrernte people for tens of thousands of years. Traditionally, the area was used as a place of meeting and trade. Spend some time exploring the many important sites, museums and galleries in Alice Springs. 
 
The Alice Springs Desert Park is one of the great places to go if you are looking for a cultural experience. Here, visitors will learn about local the local language, art and the Dreamtime stories of the area’s traditional owners. 

It may surprise you to learn that Alice Springs is an emerging foodie destination with a range a great dining and drinking options that go beyond the ‘pub grub’ you might expect.

If you are looking for a fine dining experience, head to Hanumanu, which offers a range of Thai and Indian-inspired dishes. Another great option is the Jump Inn, which offers great Vietnamese options including bao and pho.