Red Centre adventure
Central Australia is the last frontier for many travellers. There’s no better way to discover this vast expanse than by driving the Red Centre Way, a week-long self-drive journey through the region’s famous landmarks. Pack the motorhome or caravan and expand your horizons on this epic outback odyssey.
Close your eyes and imagine a diverse natural habitat of sandstone cliffs, salt lakes, sand dunes, gorges, rockpools and waterholes, densely populated by native flora and fauna, blanketed by a diffused sky that changes colour when the sun comes up and goes down. Sounds like paradise, doesn’t it?
Shaped over millions of years by natural, celestial and mythological forces, the grandeur of Central Australia will simply leave you in awe. However, the beauty of the bush only tells part of the story. This ancient land evokes profound spiritual connections.
Every grain of dirt, every native plant and animal, every twinkle in the starry night sky holds deeper meaning for the Traditional Owners of this region.
Alice Springs
Known as Mparntwe to the Arrernte people, who’ve lived in the area for tens of thousands of years, Alice Springs is easily accessible by rail, road or air. It’s also the geographic heart of Australia, and an obvious starting point for any outback adventure.
Alice Springs makes a great base for exploring cultural and tourist attractions, including renown art galleries such as Yubu Napa, Papunya Tjupi Arts and the Araluen Art Centre, and camel rides and sunrise balloon flights. Parrtjima – A Festival in Light, DesertMob art fair and Desert Festival are not to be missed.
Meet kangaroos, snakes, lizards and other native fauna at the Alice Springs Desert Park and the Kangaroo Sanctuary. Venture outside of town and you’ll discover a largely untouched world.
Sandstone bluffs define Rainbow Valley, a 75km drive south of Alice Springs on a partially unsealed road. Given the rough terrain on the two-hour trip, a 4WD is recommended.
When soft light breaks through in the early morning and late afternoon, the rainbow-like rocks undergo a dramatic transformation, changing colour from ochre red to orange and purple. During heavy rainfall, the rocks cast a dazzling reflection in the claypans skirting the base.
Follow the Mushroom Rock walking trail to a tunnelled sandstone sculpture chiseled by wind and rain over millions of years. This is the perfect spot to set up camp for night.