The Outback is a quintessential Aussie experience. With vibrant red sand and an even more vibrant culture, The Red Centre offers backpackers a glimpse of the true, untouched Australia. What you may not know is that if you’re flying into Ayers Rock rather than Alice Springs, a select few tours will pick you up from this airport, it’s surely worth asking your travel agent about so you can secure that cheaper flight!

Darwin (Kakadu & Litchfield National Park)

Darwin buzzes with bars, restaurants & events but the surroundings are what attracts visitors from all over the world. Arnhem Land, the stunning Katherine Gorge, the waterfalls of Kakadu and Litchfield National Park are all within easy reach of the city.

Alice Springs

Alice Springs is Australia’s biggest outback town and gateway to the Red Centre sights of Uluru, Kings Canyon and Kata Tjuta National Park. This unique cultural town is located at the base of the MacDonnell Ranges attracting visitors to the area to explore the waterholes, gorges and peaks that the ranges provide.

The highlights of the Red Centre

1. Take in the beauty of Uluru
It’s hard to explain how beautiful Uluru is unless you’re standing in front of it (particularly at sunrise or sunset…with a bevvy in hand). This huge red rock really blows you away, particularly when you get a chance to understand the cultural significance of it and learn stories from the Indigenous Australians. Most overland Alice Springs to Uluru tours will include the chance to experience Uluru, in fact, the majority camp very close to this magical landmark so you can sit back, enjoy a glass of champagne and appreciate its magic in no rush!

2. Hike Kata Tjuta
Just around the corner from Uluru (well in Australia standards anyway), Kata Tjuta is another stunning rock formation in The Red Centre. Hike through this amazing collection of vast stand-alone rocks and take in some of the most stunning views of the region.

3. Cuddle up with a kangaroo
Sure you’ve probably seen your friends cuddle a koala, but how many have cuddled a kangaroo joey? Lucky for you, there’s a spot just outside Alice Springs where you can.

4. Sleep in a swag and count the stars
There’s nothing quite as outback as sleeping in a swag. Sort of like really thick sleeping bags, or really small tents with no roof, a swag is the perfect place to take in the incredible number of stars that litter the outback sky.

5. Explore King’s Canyon
Sure the steps at the start are hell on earth (particularly if you’re nursing a hangover) but watching the sun rise through King’s Canyon really is a once in a lifetime.