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.
stay overnight for immersive light installation
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