Lonely PlanetSep 22
Guide to Australia's Red Centre
Far from the white-sand beaches and sparkling cities of Australia’s East Coast is the Red Centre. Here is what you need to know to visit now.
6km hike along 300m-high sandstone walls
24 things in this story
- Wintjiri WiruPlace1100 drones tell an ancient Mala story after sunset
- Kings CanyonSighthike its rim for sweeping views across landscape
- Kata TjutaSightrewarded by a three-hour Valley of the Winds walk
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National ParkSightpark handed back to Aṉangu people in 2025
- Ayers Rock ResortHotelmain accommodation option just outside the park
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural CentreMuseumexplore Uluru and learn about its culture
- Sounds of SilencePlaceenjoy a sunset dinner experience
- Valley of the Winds walkTrailthree-hour walk through Kata Tjuta's domes
- Red Centre WayTrailscenic route connecting Alice Springs and Uluru
- Watarrka National ParkSighthome to Kings Canyon
- Sunrise JourneysPlacebreakfast show projecting Aṉangu artwork onto trees
- Field of LightSight50,000 spindles of light spread across desert
- Kings Canyon Rim WalkTrail6km hike along 300m-high sandstone walls
- Kings Canyon ResortHotelstay overnight for immersive light installation
- Light TowersSightafter-dark light and sound installation
- Hermannsburg PottersPlacecraft internationally renowned ceramics
- Art Tours of AustraliaPlaceoffers watercolor workshops with Anna Dakin
- Ellery Creek Big HoleSight
- Ormiston GorgeSight
- Elsewhere
- ParrtjimaFestivalAlice Springs, Australialight festival in April bathing ranges in color
- West MacDonnell RangesSightAlice Springs, Australiatour waterholes west of Alice Springs
- Karrke guidesPlaceWatarrka National Park, Australialearn about hunting, art, and bush foods
- Maruku ArtsPlaceUluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, Australialearn dot painting from an Aṉangu elder
- Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National ParkSightAlice Springs, Australiaexplore peaks and waterholes west of Alice Springs