8 must-do experiences in the Red Centre

Posted 11 December, 2025 Sasha Oelsner

Next time you head off on holiday, swap the sea change for a red reset and journey to the beating heart of Australia.

There are some common misconceptions about the Red Centre. Namely that it’s stinking hot and there’s not much else to do apart from visiting Uluru.

This is far from the truth. There’s an ever-growing list of things to see, do and experience in this vast, otherworldly landscape. Sure, it’s hot in summer, but during the cooler months, visitors can expect temperatures in the low 20s (and yes, it can even get quite cold overnight).

It was a tough choice but to get you started, we’ve narrowed down eight Central Australia highlights.

1. Discover desert creativity at Araluen Arts Centre

Art is deeply woven into Aboriginal culture. Going far beyond aesthetics, it’s a language used to express deep connections to Country, to educate younger generations and to relay contemporary social commentary.

With so many galleries and studios in Central Australia, it can be hard to know where to begin. The Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs is the perfect place to start. The gallery is home to more than 1100 works of Central Australian art, including watercolour pieces by renowned Arrernte artist Albert Namatjira, Hermannsburg pottery and intricately woven pieces by the Tjanpi Desert Weavers women’s collective.

This gallery gives visitors a powerful introduction to the variety of art forms in the region.

2. Meet the Mala at the Alice Springs Desert Park

Think the desert is empty? Think again. The Alice Springs Desert Park proves it’s teeming with life, from hardy plants to fascinating wildlife that have all expertly adapted to the arid environment.

See the culturally significant Mala (rufous hare-wallaby), an adorable marsupial once prevalent in Central Australia, but now extinct in the wild. Learn how Traditional Owners and scientists are working together as they reintroduce the species to predator-free areas of Country.

Catch the breathtaking free-flying birds of prey show (and maybe an inquisitive willie wagtail), meet cleverly adapted reptiles  safely behind barriers, and learn how Aboriginal people identify and find important food and medicines in the desert. Book tickets with RAA and save on entry to the park with your membership.

3. Hike then cool off at Ellery Creek Big Hole

Take a scenic day trip from Alice Springs into the Tjoritja / West MacDonnell Ranges – home to some of Central Australia’s most stunning landscapes. Start with a short walk through the red rock walls of Simpsons Gap and the dramatic gorges of Standley Chasm. Both desert oases have tempting waterholes however, they’re not suitable or culturally appropriate for swimming.

Instead, do as the locals do and take a refreshing dip at Ellery Creek Big Hole.

The area is known for its geological beauty, towering cliffs, and ancient riverbeds. Pack your bathers, a picnic, and your camera, and don’t worry – there’s no crocs here.

4. Connect to Country at the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Cultural Centre

Once inside the Uluṟu–Kata Tjuṯa National Park, the sight of the rust-red rock of Uluṟu rising nearly 350m from the flat desert is profound. For scale, the tallest building in Australia is the 323m Q1 Tower on the Gold Coast.

Before exploring or taking photos, visit the Cultural Centre at the base of the rock. Built using traditional methods, it offers insights into Aṉangu culture and Tjukurpa (pronounced “chook-orr-pa”) – the Aṉangu’s spiritual law, connecting people, land and ancestors.

Learn about the cursed ‘sorry rocks’ taken from Uluṟu, watch artists at work and understand why this place is such sacred Country.

5. Choose your adventure at Kings Canyon

Break up the long journey from Alice Springs to Uluṟu with a stay at Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park. Sometimes overlooked when making a beeline for Uluṟu, Kings Canyon is a not-so-hidden gem worth visiting for a few days. Pack your hiking shoes, plenty of water and twitcher’s handbook because the area is a bird and nature lover’s delight. The easy 2.6km round-trip Kings Creek Walk follows the canyon floor through shady gullies, which are rich in birdlife. This path is open during all weather conditions, even during the midday heat

For a challenge, take the 6km Kings Canyon Rim Walk, which rewards early risers with a stunning sunrise view after the steep ascent. Allow three to four hours, and check for heat or weather closures before setting out.

6. Watch the sun rising at Field of Light at Uluṟu

Watching Uluṟu shift through a kaleidoscope of colours at sunrise is unforgettable. Add the acclaimed Field of Light Uluṟu installation, and it’s next level.

Arrive before dawn, while the Milky Way fills the sky, and wander among 50,000 solar-powered stems gently glowing against the desert darkness. As the sky lightens, the artwork dims and the silhouetted Uluṟu emerges on the horizon.

Created by artist Bruce Munro, this immersive experience is peaceful, awe-inspiring and well worth the early start. Use your RAA membership to save on your early morning experience.

7. Taste bush flavours with an Australian native high tea

Australia’s arid landscape hides an abundance of edible – and delicious – native ingredients. The elegant Australian Native High Tea at Ilkari Restaurant in Yulara showcases these in every exquisite morsel.

Sample unique sandwiches made from Central Australian damper, and delicious savoury and sweet temptations featuring flavours like highly nutritious wattleseed, lemon myrtle, bush tomatoes and quandong.

Paired with herbal teas featuring bushtucker flavours, it’s a delicious way to explore many different flavours of Country in one go.

8. Take to the skies with a helicopter flight

If you’re going to splurge on one experience, make it a scenic helicopter flight over Uluṟu and Kata Tjuta. From this perspective, you’ll understand the true scale of these sacred formations, with Uluṟu’s massive monolith on one side and Kata Tjuṯa’s36 domes stretching across the desert on the other.

Flights range from short hops to extended tours and often include commentary on the land’s geology and cultural stories. Test your eyesight and see if you can spot wild camel picking their way through the spinifex dotted red desert below. RAA offers discounts on scenic flights for members – trust us, the views will stay with you long after you’ve returned home.