The Red Centre

Picture courtesy of Australia Tourism. Whether you arrive by rail or air, your first impression of the Red Centre will be awesome; a vast area of arid outback, punctuated by strangely shaped rocks and small hills that change in colours according to the time of day. A short itinerary incorporating Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kings Canyon and Alice Springs

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[wptabtitle] Summary[/wptabtitle] [wptabcontent]

The Red Centre

Uluru/Ayers Rock was originally named by the Pitjantjatjara people and subsequently by surveyor William Gosse in 1873, but it is only since 1993 that the feature was officially given its dual name.  It is, none the less, not only one of the major attractions of the Red Centre and Northern Territories, but of the whole vast continent of Australia.

Day 1: Alice Springs

Day 2: Glen Helen

Day 3: Kings Canyon

Day 4: Uluru (Ayers Rock)

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[wptabtitle] Description [/wptabtitle] [wptabcontent]

Description

Whether you arrive by rail or air, your first impression of the Red Centre will be awesome; a vast area of arid outback, punctuated by strangely shaped rocks and small hills that change in colours according to the time of day. This itinerary offers a four wheel drive self drive itinerary following the Mereenie Loop Road…

Day 1: Alice Springs
Pick up your 4WD and spend the first night in Alice Springs itself. This little town nestles at the base of the MacDonnell Ranges, and formed a vital link in the laying of the Telegraph line from the new lands of Australia to England. A visit to the Telegraph Station gives an impression of the original settlement, before the centre of the town grew on its current site. Visit the School of the Air and the Flying Doctor base.
Alice Springs 1 night

Day 2: Alice Springs to Glen Helen
Today’s drive takes you through the West MacDonnells to Glen Helen – a drive of a little over 100km as the crow flies. Along the way, you may linger at the many chasms, gorges and creeks clearly marked from the main road.
Glen Helen 1 night

Day 3: Kings Canyon
Your entire journey today will be on the gravel road, joining the Mereenie Loop Road. The scenery will change dramatically from the rugged hills of the West MacDonnells to the flatter scrub of the desert. Gosse Bluff should not be missed; allegedly a crater formed by a meteorite crashing to ground and with spiritual significance for the indigenous people. Arrive at Kings Canyon in time for an evening walk in the base of the canyon.
Kings Canyon 1 night

Day 4: Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Rise early to walk along the canyon rim – about 6 km of spectacular scenery but not for the faint hearted as the first stage involves a steep climb. Today’s drive takes you to Uluru. You will be rewarded with your first sight of the Rock itself – inspirational, eerie, quiet – decide for yourself. Two nights at Ayers Rock Resort will give you time to visit Uluru at dawn and dusk, visit Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), take part in the Sounds of Silence dinner, or sunrise breakfast. Finally, drop your car at Ayers Rock Airport before continuing your adventure…
Two nights Uluru (Ayers Rock)

All photographs: Tourism Australia Copyright

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Little Gems

The true spirit of the outback is the ice cold ‘stubbie’ thrust in your hand as a welcome to Glen Helen – before you’ve even checked in!

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[wptabtitle] What our clients say[/wptabtitle] [wptabcontent]

Client Feedback

Well, where do we start? The itinerary you devised for us could not have been better. Everything worked out so well and the accommodation was great, although when you said that Glen Helen was rather basic, you were not wrong! We were glad it was only the one night, but the staff were friendly and helpful enough and the food was good. It all added to the ‘experience’! So, all in all, we couldn’t fault any of the accommodation you booked for us. All the flights (all nine of them!) worked out fine, the worst delay was San Francisco to Honolulu where we were delayed by only around 50 minutes! Ayers Rock was a fantastic spectacle. 43 degrees and billions of flies! It’s a not-to-be-missed sight, one of those ‘icon’ destinations.

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