10 things not to be missed in The Red Centre of Australia
A family holiday to The Red Centre of Australia is a chance to swim in outback waterholes, visit national parks, see the vast night sky in all its glory, learn about the indigenous culture and, of course, pay a visit to Uluru.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that Uluru is the only thing out there, though. You’ll be just as amazed by the other things to see and do in The Red Centre.
The Red Centre of Australia
10 things to see and do
Learn about the native flora and fauna at the Alice Springs Desert Park
The Alice Springs Desert Park is an environmental education facility in Alice Springs. I recommend a visit here before you begin your adventure. It’s a great introduction to the native animals and plants found in the Red Centre of Australia.
The park has separate walk-through habitat areas such as desert rivers, sand country, and woodland. It also has a great nocturnal house, which kids will love! The Alice Springs Desert Park is a chance to see unique animals we usually don’t get to see.
Swim in stunning outback waterholes
The outback waterholes in The Red Centre were a complete surprise and totally amazing. So much for expecting to see nothing but red desert! I would even go as far as to say that they are better than a holiday at the beach. Why? The scenery is stunning and there are no sharks, rips, crocodiles or stingers to worry about.
Don’t miss the three swimming holes west of Alice Springs in the West MacDonnell Ranges: Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, and Redbank Gorge. All three are backed by beautiful gorges and in particular, Ormiston Gorge is exceptionally picturesque.
Despite this, Redbank Gorge was our absolutely favourite due to the lack of visitors, the hike in, and the narrow chasm you can float down.
Watch the walls of Standley Chasm (Angkerle Atwatye) glow red
Standley Chasm is approximately 50km west of Alice Springs. There is a short walk down to the chasm itself, but don’t worry, it’s easygoing.
The quartzite walls of the chasm were formed by ancient sea beds and, under direct sunlight, appear to glow a fiery orange-red. Not many people get to see this spectacle though! Due to the direction of the walls of the chasm, there is only 90 minutes out of every day when you can see this magic happen. Make sure to time your visit for midday!
Stand in a crater at Tnorala Conservation Reserve (Gosse Bluff)
Tnorala Reserve is approximately a 210km drive west of Alice Springs and is in a great position to break up the drive when driving the Red Centre Way from Alice Springs to Uluru. It’s actually a crater, believed to have formed from a comet crashing into the earth 142.5 million years ago.
There is a picnic table, beautiful surroundings (especially in spring when the wildflowers are blooming) and walking tracks.
Hike along the rim at Kings Canyon
Much like Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata-Tjuta (The Olgas), Kings Canyon is a must-see on an adventure to the Red Centre of Australia. There is a great resort with both hotel and camping facilities at nearby Kings Canyon Resort. The glamping tents here are divine!
Kings Canyon has some awesome scenic walks to choose from. We chose to do the Kings Canyon Rim Walk with our kids, but there are shorter and easier ones to do as well if you aren’t feeling up to a decent hike with the kids.
Experience the wonder of Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Uluru is on everyone’s Red Centre bucket list for good reason. It’s simply amazing in person! Make sure you view it at either sunrise or sunset as well as during the day.
Australia’s much-loved icon is an incredibly family-friendly place to visit. Apart from Uluru, the landscape is flat, so walking or riding around it is very easy. There is a great 2km walk called the ‘Mala Walk’ (it has a free guide if you get there at the right time), which is easily managed with young kids.
Don’t miss the sunset at Kata-Tjuta (The Olgas)
I took the kids on a holiday to the Red Centre of Australia specifically to experience Uluru, but I actually fell in love with Kata-Tjuta. The many domes of Kata-Tjuta are much higher than Uluru and it’s a lot less touristy.
Don’t miss the ‘Valley of the Winds’ walk. The views are spectacular! Unlike Uluru, the walking path is not suitable for strollers, so you will need a carrier of some sort for young kids here. Kata-Tjuta is a must see when visiting the Red Centre of Australia.
Stroll around the Devil’s Marbles (Karlu Karlu)
The Devil’s Marbles are just off the Stuart Highway, approximately 100km past Tennant Creek if coming from the north and heading towards Alice Springs. They are free to visit and are in a great location to break up the drive. The boulders appear to defy gravity and are truly a Red Centre icon.
Adventure off-road into the East MacDonnell Ranges
The East MacDonnell Ranges are strictly 4WD only for the majority of the road trip. Here you’ll find an old abandoned gold town, Aboriginal rock art, dramatic landscapes, charming homesteads and a sandy river bed teeming with red garnets.
Go fossicking for gems at Gemtree
Gem Tree is located on the Plenty Highway in Central Australia just north of the East MacDonnell Ranges. It’s a wonderful holiday park with all the facilities, including fuel, great food, showers, toilets, washing machines and a massive camp area with both powered and unpowered sites. Cabins are also available for those not camping. If you order dinner from the front office, they will even deliver it via quad bike to your campsite. I recommend the burgers!
The highlight of Gem Tree though are the fossicking tours on offer. Choose between red garnets or zircons and head out on a tag-a-long tour to learn the ropes. All equipment is supplied. If you are struggling with the heat, I would choose the garnet tour. They are much less labour-intensive to dig up.
Exploring the Red Centre of Australia is truly memorable!
Exploring the Red Centre of Australia with kids is truly memorable. WiFi and reception is only available at the resorts and built-up areas, which are few and far between. This means the days are spent getting outdoors, relaxing by an outback waterhole, and unplugging to reconnect with your family.
Australia’s Red Centre is an incredibly rewarding destination for families and it’s absolutely worth ditching the usual holiday at the beach for!
Looking for more awesome family holiday ideas?
For more information on visiting Central Australia, jump over to our Central Australia page. Alternatively, head on back to the home page for inspiration on destinations worldwide and around Australia.
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Resources for booking your getaway to Central Australia
Getting to the Red Centre of Australia
Most capital cities have flights to Central Australia, with flights landing in Alice Springs and Yulara, a smaller airport near Ayers Rock Resort. Find great deals on flights to Central Australia at Trip.com.
Getting around Central Australia
Car hire is available in Alice Springs. Compare car hire prices across major brands at Discover Cars. Don’t forget you will need a 4WD to drive the Mereenie Road Loop or see the entirety of the East MacDonnell Ranges.
Accommodation in Central Australia
Ayers Rock Resort in the obvious choice at Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park, with a range of accommodations from camping to hotel rooms. For the ultimate in luxury at Uluru, stay at Longitude 131.
Kings Canyon Resort is a great choice for visiting Kings Canyon in the Watarrka National Park. Their glamping tents are divine, but the campgrounds are well-serviced if you’re on a camping road trip.
Glen Helen is the only non-camping option available in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Camping is also available at Ellery Creek, Ormiston Gorge, Finke 2 Mile and Redbank Gorge. Alternatively, you can book accommodation in Alice Springs and easily day-trip out to the West Macs.
If exploring the East MacDonnell ranges, check out Hale River Homestead and Ross River Homestead.
Tours and activities in Central Australia
Book your Central Australia tours and activities through Viator.
