• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Travel Notes & Beyond logo

The Opinionated Travelogue of a Photo Maniac

  • Home
  • DESTINATIONS
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • Europe
    • Middle East
    • North America
    • South America
    • Pacific Islands
  • FOOD & WINE
  • TRAVEL GUIDES
  • TRAVEL RESOURCES
  • OTHER TOPICS
    • Rants & Raves
    • Reviews
    • Travel Blogger Interviews
  • ABOUT
    • Contact Form
    • Privacy Policy
    • Media Kit
    • Featured Elsewhere
  • Search
  • Home
  • DESTINATIONS
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • Europe
    • Middle East
    • North America
    • South America
    • Pacific Islands
  • FOOD & WINE
  • TRAVEL GUIDES
  • TRAVEL RESOURCES
  • OTHER TOPICS
    • Rants & Raves
    • Reviews
    • Travel Blogger Interviews
  • ABOUT
    • Contact Form
    • Privacy Policy
    • Media Kit
    • Featured Elsewhere
  • Search
Image from Australia

How To Explore the Australian Outback: Red Centre Way Itinerary

Home » DESTINATIONS » How To Explore the Australian Outback: Red Centre Way Itinerary

Last Modified: August 23, 2023 //  by Anda //  17 Comments

The great thing about Australia is that although most of its regions have been highly urbanized, you can always visit the Australian Outback to take a breather. When you feel like you want to get away and explore the wilderness for a little while, you can always count on the open spaces and the picturesque natural locations of the Outback. 

Table of Contents

  • How to Explore the Australian Outback
  • Australian Outback Destinations
    • Alice Springs
    • Finke Gorge National Park
    • Uluru and Kata Tjuta
    • Kings Canyon
  • Tips on Traveling the Australian Outback

How to Explore the Australian Outback

One of the most recommended road trips in Australia is the the Australian Outback in the Red Centre Way. It is all about mountain ranges, desert plains, and Aboriginal sacred sites. In this article, we will talk about some of unmissable locations and experiences at the Red Centre. 

Australian Outback
Australian Outback (Photo credit: Lola Johnson)

The best way to explore the Australian Outback is no doubt on a road trip. You can either do it by car, rent a camper van, or if you feel more adventurous, do it on a motorcycle. There is nothing like feeling the wind in your hair when riding a Harley! 

Australian Outback Destinations

Alice Springs

The first stop on the Red Centre Way itinerary is Alice Springs, a place that should be on any Australia bucket list. You can visit the Araluen Arts Centre to look at a collection of Aboriginal art or check out Aboriginal rock art at the Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park. Then you can choose to drive around, or simply hike or bike to the Simpsons Gap where a sacred waterhole is located.  

You can also see Australian evergreen trees called Ghost Gums around the Simpson’s Gap, take a scenic walk to Standley Chasm, or get a cool view of the Serpentine Gorge from above the cliffs.

Alice Springs, Australian Outback
(Photo credit: Charlie Lawrence)

Afterwards, you can make your way to the West MacDonnell Ranges where you can visit the swimming holes of Ormiston Gorge, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Redbank Gorge, and Glen Helen Gorge. If you want, you can pitch a tent by any of these swimming holes and spend a star-filled night before going to your next location.

Finke Gorge National Park

You can also visit the Fink Gorge National Park, which is home to 458 kilometers of rare plant species that can only be found in the park. Be sure to check out the Fink River, towering sandstone cliffs, salt pans and beautiful mountain ranges.

Here, you can also see the remarkable desert oasis of Palm Valley. This is the only place in the world where you get to see the very rare Red Cabbage Palms, a tree that was a remnant from the time when Australian Outback was wetter.

Uluru and Kata Tjuta

Uluru is one of the Australian landmarks. Also known as the Ayers Rock, Uluru is a sandstone monolith in the Red Centre. It is considered sacred to the Aboriginals and is thought to have formed 550 million years ago. The reason why you should not miss Uluru is that it changes colors at sunrise or sunset, glowing hot red in the Northern Territory. No wonder it gained the name of Australia’s most natural icon.

During your visit, you can also swim in the tropical pools of Garden of Eden and check out the rock domes of the Lost City. The flora and fauna is also something that will amaze you. Aboriginals would often inform you about the rare plants endemic to the area. The ambiance of the place makes you feel like you are in a different world.

View of Uluru Rock on the Australian Outback
Uluru (photo credit: Gerold Hinzen)

Within the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, you can also visit the 36 red-rock domes of Kata Tjuta, also known as Olgas. There are bushwalking trails you can follow if you want to spend a couple of hours hiking the area.

Kings Canyon

Take one last trek to the rim of Kings Canyon where you can see amazing views of the gorges of Watarrka National Park. You can also check out the cattle or camel station at the Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge on Kings Creek Station. Don’t forget to visit Tnorala, a 20 kilometer wide comet crater that is special to Aboriginal people. It is believed to be 140 million years old.

View of the King's Canyon on the Australian Outback
Kings’ Canyon (Photo credit: Jacqueline Wales)

Afterwards, you can cap off a long Red Centre Way tour by relaxing and enjoying gourmet meals at the Kings Canyon Resort. These red rock formations me a lot about the scenery of Sedona, Arizona, There are activities such as helicopter flights or quad bike rides if you want one last look of the rugged bluffs in Kings Canyon.

Tips on Traveling the Australian Outback

When you decide to go forward with this trip, remember to research the areas first. The whole trip might take 4 or 5 days, so you might want to look for accommodation in each of the locations or prepare camping equipment. If you are going camping, pack light but make sure you have the following with you:

  • Fly nets
  • Non Perishable food (for when you have cravings and there is no restaurant near you)
  • Extra clothes (pack more than what you will need)
  • Sunscreen
  • Extra money (for food and other purchases you want to make)

And make sure to drive a vehicle that can take the changing terrains like a caravan, a 2WD, or a 4WD. The Australian Outback is not an easy place to visit, despite driving your own caravan or 4WD to roam around the vast land, the travel can be long and winding.

You need to have the right equipment, enough food and survival gears to be sure that you’ll enjoy your visit. The Outback in the Red Centre Way can be challenging but it is one of the experiences that you will forever be thankful for doing.

Category: Australia, DESTINATIONSTag: Destination Guides

About Anda

Anda is an award winning travel writer, avid globetrotter and passionate photographer. She is the voice behind "Travel Notes & Beyond," a collection of stories and travel impressions from her wanderings around the world. When she is not busy writing, traveling, or editing photographs, you can find her hiking in the foothills behind her house together with her husband and their dog.

Previous Post: « Silence and Serenity at Quebec City’s Monastère des Augustines
Next Post: The Ultimate First-Time Visitor’s Guide to Québec City Quebec City Guide»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. sluggo

    September 6, 2021 at 9:30 am

    As an Aussie, I have not yet visited ‘The Dead Center’ yet. It is on my bucket list. Nature is my thing,
    I did 1. Great Barrier Reef. dived there, beyond belief .
    2. Canarvon Gorge in Qld. (the Aboriginal paintings are exquisit).
    3. Tasmania , very good. lots of history & friendly people.
    4. Nullarbore Plain, S A.big bugger, not much there. A sign says “if you are crook (sick) come to Cook ( very small town) trying to save it’s Hospital.

    Reply
  2. Maria Mitchell

    November 21, 2018 at 11:12 pm

    Amazing places and beautiful photos, I hope to see these places soon when I visit Australia.

    Reply
  3. Wilcox

    August 5, 2018 at 7:43 pm

    I am planning on visiting the wonderful country of Australia this year, and I am really looking forward to it after seeing these beautiful photos you shared with us.

    Reply
  4. Agness of eTramping

    August 26, 2017 at 9:38 am

    Wow! These places are simply breathtaking and amazing destinations. Which ones would you choose as a great place for hiking?

    Reply
  5. Michelle | michwanderlust

    August 25, 2017 at 8:49 pm

    Loved this post and stunning photos as usual! As I travel more / get older (not sure which of these is to blame), I find myself being drawn more to the countryside and away from the cities. Australian cities aren’t very high on my priority list, but I’d definitely visit the outback just to see that amazing scenery you’ve outlined!

    Reply
  6. Ruth | Tanama Tales

    August 25, 2017 at 8:04 pm

    There are so many gorgeous places in Australia’s Outback. Not sure if I am going to make it there one day but I can dream about it. I think I will have to conform with the red tones of our Southwest (I can not complain about that).

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      August 27, 2017 at 2:17 am

      Yea, I hear you Ruth. I believe our Southwest areas are equally beautiful.

      Reply
  7. Lydia C. Lee

    August 25, 2017 at 7:06 pm

    Really want to visit – not been yet, can you believe?!

    Reply
  8. Mary {The World Is A Book}

    August 25, 2017 at 5:24 pm

    What a beautiful area! We’ve been to Sydney, Melbourne and the Great Barrier Reef area but have missed this unique area. Uluru has been on the wish list for some time.

    Reply
  9. Shere

    August 25, 2017 at 1:55 pm

    We love caravan road trips! We drove 3 weeks from Sydney to Cairns and the part we enjoyed the most was the less inhabited places. We would love to go on a trip to the red centre, just the 24hours flight hold us back

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      August 30, 2017 at 1:19 am

      I agree, There. A 24-hour flight would scare me too, especially with two small children.

      Reply
  10. Esther

    August 25, 2017 at 1:32 pm

    I can’t agree more! I loved travelling through the red centre of Australia, such stunning scenery. For us Dutchies it was so spectacular as we were never that far removed from the sea before!

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      August 30, 2017 at 1:24 am

      Hahaha, I hear you, Esther. Thanks for dropping by this weekend.

      Reply
  11. jill

    August 25, 2017 at 1:01 pm

    I’ve not been to Australia but whoa – fantastic photos! And it’s on my list, isn’t it on everyone’s? Looks wonderful!

    Reply
  12. Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields

    August 25, 2017 at 5:00 am

    Uluru is also known as ‘Ayers Rock’ not Avery Rocks. It is a stunning natural sight and not just because it appears to change colour with the changing light. One thing you haven’t mentioned is that it is extremely hot in the centre of Australia in summer so it is sensible to go in winter.

    Reply
    • Anda Galffy

      August 30, 2017 at 1:46 am

      Hahaha, I wrote ‘Ayers Rock’ but the computer turned it into ‘Avery Rock’ without me noticing it. Thanks for pointing that out, Lyn.

      Reply
  13. Rhonda Albom

    August 24, 2017 at 7:38 pm

    I have visited quite a few of the major cities and some of the coastal areas of Australia but have not gone too far inland. It is a vast wilderness and your photos make it enticing.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

ABOUT THIS BLOG

Travel Notes & Beyond a collection of travel stories and itinerary ideas designed to encourage independent travel at any age, while providing tips and useful information to help you make the most of your trip. Read More

 

Opt-in Form

POPULAR POSTS

  • Riding the Golden Pass Line from Lucerne to Interlaken
  • Towns in Sicily 10 Amazing Towns in Sicily That Everyone Should See
  • Red Rock Crossing Sedona, Arizona Red Rock Crossing – Hiking Sedona’s Most Iconic Trail
  • “The Crucifixion” – the Largest Painting Ever Painted
  • Places to Visit in Jerusalem 23 Historic Places to Visit in Jerusalem Old City

Footer

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

All rights reserved © Travel Notes & Beyond. The material on this website is protected by copyright law. Republishing the content on this blog (including text, photography, etc.) is strictly prohibited.

Awards

  • Gold Award Winner
  • Silver Award Winner

AFFILIATE PROGRAM DISCLOSURE

Some of the pages and posts of this blog contain links to products and services that may be useful for my readers. When clicking on these links you will have the option to purchase or register for a service at no extra cost to you, but doing so can help me offset the costs associated with running this blog. Thank you for your support!

Orbitz
SHOP AMAZON HERE
Auto Europe vous offre des promotions sur les autos, les vols, et les hôtels.
Save On Airport Parking

Copyright © 2025 · Travel Notes & Beyond. All rights reserved

24 shares
  • 22