Activities not to miss in the Red Centre
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Adventures in the Red Centre you didn't know about
The Red Centre is strongly connected to Aboriginal people’s art and culture, the land and Australia’s pioneering history. When you arrive in this vast and unique landscape, you’ll find a wealth of exciting and fun summer adventures.
The water bodies are complete and ready for swimming; you can escape the heat with sunrise walks, and summer is also the perfect time to dine under the stars and enjoy the changing colours at dawn and dusk.
The Red Centre offers much more than a visit to “one of the most famous rocks” worldwide. This article reveals all the secrets of what you can do for an incredible holiday.
Explore hidden waterways
Surrounded by desert on all sides, the Red Centre may be one of Australia’s driest landscapes and an unforgettable experience, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get wet. Plenty of secluded bodies of water are just waiting for you to dive in.
Ellery Creek Big Hole and Redbank Gorge are two perfect pools surrounded by majestic red rock walls. Fringed Rocka Beach and the palm trees in Ormiston Gorge make it hard to believe you’re in the desert. You might think you’re on a private island.
You can also swim in Glen Helen Gorge, on the Finke River. End your day with a beer at the Homestead Lodge and watch the magnificent sunset.
Marvel at the stars and the night sky
Central Australia’s night skies are known for their millions of visible stars. Add one of these stargazing experiences to your must-do list.
Enjoy a cosmic adventure with Earth Sanctuary in Alice Springs while their astrologers observe the bright Milky Way through telescopes.
There are plenty of opportunities to discover the stars in Uluru-Kata Tutu National Park. You won’t be disappointed as your astronomical guides take you on an unforgettable journey of sights, sounds and surprises with Uluru Astro Tours. Take pictures of Uluru under the Southern Cross and create unforgettable memories to take home and share with others.
Or dine under the stars at Sounds of Silence or watch the desert come alive at night at Field of Light. For a truly unique experience, Wintjiri Wiru tells the story of the Mala (Anangu) people through a symphony of light, lasers, sounds and over 1,000 drones.
If you’re in Watarrka National Park, immerse yourself in the light towers at Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon.
Encounter the local wildlife
From wedge-tailed eagle encounters to nighttime adventures, Alice Springs has plenty of wildlife to keep you enthralled.
Visit the Alice Springs Reptile Centre to see all things hissing and slithering. Hold a python, watch lizards feed, or observe Terry, the resident crocodile, from a safe glass display case.
If you want to make furry friends, head out of town to the Kangaroo Sanctuary, where Chris ‘Brolga’ Barnes from the BBC’s Kangaroos of Dundee rescues orphaned cubs for you to feed and cuddle!
Alice Springs Desert Park is an excellent option for experiencing the wildlife of Central Australia in one place. See rare and endangered animals, such as the 30cm shaggy-headed malala, which will touch you with its friendliness in the dim light of the night lodge. Likewise, the Mile High Club, located in broad daylight, offers a fascinating and diverse array of bird interactions.
Travel back in time and discover the secrets of the past
Learn the stories of early settlers and explore how people arrived in Central Australia and adapted their lives to survive at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. Located just six minutes from Alice Springs, it has been restored with furniture and artefacts dating back to the early 1900s.
Continue your journey at the Alice Springs School at the Air Travel Centre and see the world’s largest classroom come to life. Then, get inspired at the Australian Women’s Museum, which celebrates the achievements of women pioneers and showcases their courage, perseverance and determination. At the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Old Gaol, you can also experience first-hand what life was like for prisoners.
Finish your day of historical exploration by discovering the fascinating story of Central Australia’s fauna from the Miocene era, some eight million years ago, at Megafauna Central in the CBD. Here, you can see the skeleton of the world’s giant bird, a colossal crocodile and many other fabulous discoveries. It will take your breath away.
Walking and rock painting in the East McDonnell Ranges
Start your day trip in Alice Springs
Alice Springs is an excellent base to start your journey to the Red Centre. Join an all-inclusive tour or create your day trip and discover the best of the area.
Tucked away in the rugged Finke Gorge National Park, Palm Valley transports you back to when Central Australia was covered in rainforest. It is only accessible by four-wheel drive and is 140 km from Alice.
You can also head to the West MacDonnell Ranges. The West Macs, as they are affectionately known, inspired some of Albert Namathira’s most famous watercolours. Visit historic Hermansburg, where the artist lived, and discover the area’s rich history.
Want someone else to drive for a change? Hop on board an air-conditioned bus for a day of relaxation, enjoy the views and swim. Visit Alice Springs Visitor Information Centre for tour operators.
Unleash your adventurous spirit on an exciting journey
Abundance will keep you busy if you love a holiday with adrenaline, excitement, and a spoonful of the unknown. Explore the Australian outback with Alice Springs Helicopters for a unique aerial experience.
Unlimited panoramic views are the perfect way to capture the postcard city and the vibrant colours of the East and West McDonald Ranges. While your head is in the clouds, get a bird’s eye view of Uluru, the world’s largest monolith, with Ayers Rock Helicopters. It’s an experience in itself.
To see Uluru from a different perspective, hop on the back of a charismatic camel or explore the rock with sunriRockn, a segway tour with drinks and snacks included. Alternatively, soak up under the sun on your way back to Alice Springs on the Pyndan Camel Tracks.
Or, if you’re looking for an easy overnight adventure in Alice Springs, camp in the beautiful Rainbow Valley. Plan for sunset and watch the colourful sandstone cliffs turn from fiery ochre to purple in the fading light. There are toilets, barbecues and picnic tables, but you must bring water. You will also need a four-wheel drive vehicle to get here.
Journey to the heart of Aboriginal art and culture
Immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture and discover art on the Territory Arts Trail. Discover the local art scene in Alice Springs, shop for art at one of the city’s many galleries and download the complete Red Centre Art Guide to discover the region’s wealth of art.
Alternatively, spend a day in the Araluen Cultural Precinct on Larapinta Drive, where you’ll find museums, galleries and theatres to help you understand history, art and culture.
If you’re in Watarrka National Park, learn how the seeds of native trees are used to make beautiful necklaces and bracelets and immerse yourself in authentic Aboriginal art and culture on the Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience at Kings Canyon. Please note that this centre is closed in January and February.
Discover the secrets of an ancient culture
If you’re looking for a unique experience, the Red Centre’s desert wilderness and ancient landscapes are the place to be.
See the vibrant colours of the mineral ochre, which local aborigines have mined for generations, and look at the “Time of Dreams”.
You can also see petroglyphs and rock paintings made by the original Arrente Aborigines at the Ewaninga Rock Carvings Conservation Reserve, 39km south of Alice. This six-hectare reserve provides a better understanding of ancient culture. Visitors need a park pass.
Further south, wander through the otherworldly landscape of the Hanbury Meteorite Reserve, formed when a meteorite fell to earth. Here, you can see 12 craters, the most enormous 180 metres wide and 15 metres deep.
Hit the road for adventure
At this time of year, renting a car with unlimited mileage will allow you to travel and see all the sights in excellent air-conditioned comfort. Start planning your epic trip by contacting the Alice Springs Visitor Information Centre.
From Alice Springs, take a journey through the red heart of Australia on the Red Centre Way and explore the region’s many attractions, including a magical sunrise walk through King’s Canyon and a bike ride around the legendary Uluru.
Uluru is the place to visit if you’re lucky enough to survive the summer rains and thunderstorms. The flowing water creates waterfalls and turns the rock into varRock in shades of burgundy and silver. This only happens twice a year, so do the rain dance, keep your fingers crossed, and ensure you’re ready between November and March.
