Northern Territory Red Centre

Alice Springs is the major town of the region. Visit the Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre for  throwing the boomerang and spear and trying to play a didjeridu. The Alice Springs Desert Park shows off the flora and fauna of the desert and the traditional land management techniques of the local Aboriginals.

Visit the Anzac Hill lookout for views across the MacDonnell Ranges. A "must see" is the the paintings of Albert Namatjira and local artists in the Araluen Arts and Entertainment Centre. Fossils, native animals, meteorites and more Aboriginal art and culture is on display at the Central Australian Museum.

History buffs will appreciate a visit to the grave of John Flynn, founder of The Flying Doctor Service. For a change of pace, try a desert camel ride. Light planes, helicopters and hot air balloons provide tours to most of the the popular attractions around Alice Springs

West MacDonnell Ranges provide some of the most spectacular desert scenery in central Australia. Just a day trip from Alice Springs, the West MacDonnell National Park includes Standby Chasm, Simpsons Gap, Ormiston Gorge, Ellery Creek Big Hole, the Ochre Pits and the Redbank, Glen Helen and Serpentine Gorges. The ranges hold pockets of permanent water that sustains unique animals and plants.

Further to the south is the 4WD area of Finke Gorge National Park, site of the unique and rare palms in Palm Valley. While you are in the area, visit the Hermannsburg Historical Precinct Lutheram Mission and home of Albert Namatjira, the famous Aboriginal artist. Further west is Gosse Bluff, site of a 25km diameter meteorite crater that is best seen from the air or from Tylers Pass to the north.

East MacDonnell Ranges is a site not as well known or as popular as the western range although more people are now discovering its hidden attractions. This is god countryside for  bushwalking and 4WD exploring. Visit the ghost town at Arltunga and the outback bush pub. Try your luck with some gem fossicking at The Gemtree. The adventurous can try the The Ruby Gap Nature Park which is strictly 4WD. Camp out under the quartzite cliffs and river red gums at Trephina Gorge.

Uluru, The Olgas and Kings Canyon are the familiar icons of the Northern Territory and central Australia. Uluru (previously called Ayers Rock) is the most famous rock in the world, standing 348 metres high and with a girth at ground level of 9.4 km. It's thought that only one-third of the rock is above ground. Sunset is the best viewing time.

Climbing Uluru is best done early in the morning so as to avoid the mid-day and afternoon heat. The climb requires some effort and should only be attempted by persons who are fit and healthy. Always carry plenty of water on the climb. The rock is an Aboriginal sacred site and guided tours are available.

Some 50km to the west of Uluru is The Olgas, or Kata Tjuta which is the Aboriginal name.  meaning "many heads".  This is a collection of 36 weathered red domes, which some people consider to be even more impressive than Uluru. This site is also best viewed at sunset. There are trails available for both novice and experienced walkers.

To the north of Uluru and The Olgas is Kings Canyon in the Watarrka National Park. The site has spectacular, vertical, weathered red sandstone faces that drop 300 metres to lush vegetation and rock pools at the canyon floor. The 6km return walk to the canyon rim is recommended. 

The Simpson Desert spills over the border into Queensland and South Australia and attracts 4WD enthusiasts looking to explore remote regions that have not changed through the millenia. This is an area of scorching heat, sandhills and herds of wild camels.

The solitary Chambers Pillar is a 50m high explorers navigational aid. Visit the Ewaninga rock carvings and the Rainbow Valley Reserve with its banded sandstone layers at sunset.

Northern Territory Travel & Holidays
Uluru Information & History