Lonely PlanetSep 22, 2026
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.
24 things in this story
- Karrke guidesPlacelearn about hunting, art, and bush foods
- Elsewhere
- Wintjiri WiruPlaceRed Centre, Australia1100 drones tell an ancient Mala story after sunset
- Kings CanyonSightRed Centre, Australiahike its rim for sweeping views across landscape
- Kata TjutaSightRed Centre, Australiarewarded by a three-hour Valley of the Winds walk
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National ParkSightRed Centre, Australiapark handed back to Aṉangu people in 2025
- Ayers Rock ResortHotelRed Centre, Australiamain accommodation option just outside the park
- ParrtjimaFestivalAlice Springs, Australialight festival in April bathing ranges in color
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural CentreMuseumRed Centre, Australiaexplore Uluru and learn about its culture
- Sounds of SilencePlaceRed Centre, Australiaenjoy a sunset dinner experience
- Valley of the Winds walkTrailRed Centre, Australiathree-hour walk through Kata Tjuta's domes
- West MacDonnell RangesSightAlice Springs, Australiatour waterholes west of Alice Springs
- Red Centre WayTrailRed Centre, Australiascenic route connecting Alice Springs and Uluru
- Watarrka National ParkSightRed Centre, Australiahome to Kings Canyon
- Sunrise JourneysPlaceRed Centre, Australiabreakfast show projecting Aṉangu artwork onto trees
- Field of LightSightRed Centre, Australia50,000 spindles of light spread across desert
- Maruku ArtsPlaceUluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, Australialearn dot painting from an Aṉangu elder
- Kings Canyon Rim WalkTrailRed Centre, Australia6km hike along 300m-high sandstone walls
- Kings Canyon ResortHotelRed Centre, Australiastay overnight for immersive light installation
- Light TowersSightRed Centre, Australiaafter-dark light and sound installation
- Hermannsburg PottersPlaceRed Centre, Australiacraft internationally renowned ceramics
- Art Tours of AustraliaPlaceRed Centre, Australiaoffers watercolor workshops with Anna Dakin
- Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National ParkSightAlice Springs, Australiaexplore peaks and waterholes west of Alice Springs
- Ellery Creek Big HoleSightRed Centre, Australia
- Ormiston GorgeSightRed Centre, Australia