By Rama Gaind.
It’s time to discover the Red Centre.
It’s time to reconnect with somewhere that’s different as the wish to travel resurfaces. If you seek adventure, road trip, art, culture, festival and events, then, let us catch-up in the Northern Territory.
Famed for its outback desert landscapes, in the arid Red Centre lie the iconic sandstone monolith Uluru (Ayers Rock), the red-rock domes of Kata Tjuta and the sculpted cliffs of Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park. Remote Alice Springs, the gateway town to the Red Centre desert, offers Aboriginal art galleries.
Among the top things to see and do in the NT are to visit Darwin and surrounds, Litchfield National Park; Alice Springs and surrounds, Tjoritja West MacDonnell Ranges; Uluru (Ayers Rock); Katherine and Nitmiluk National Park; Tiwi Islands, Territory Art Trails, Kakadu National Park; Tennant Creek, Barkly Region, Karlu Karlu (The Devils Marbles); and Arnhem Land, a vast wilderness area in the northeast corner of the territory, defined by rocky escarpments, gorges, rivers and waterfalls.
Other tour highlights include watching the changing colours of Uluru at sunset, walking through the domes of Kata Tjuta, catching a sunset at Karlu Karlu, exploring the escarpments and swimming holes of the West Macs, seeing ancient Aboriginal rock art in Kakadu National Park, meeting Aboriginal artists and watching them work, Cruise Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge at dawn, fish for the famous silver barramundi, swim under waterfalls at Litchfield and taste the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets.
Uluru wonderland
Visit one of the greatest natural wonders of the world, Uluru. Not only is it a spectacular natural formation, Uluru is a deeply spiritual place. You can feel a powerful presence the moment you set eyes on it.
Have a luxury outback experience in the heart of the Red Centre when you stay at Sails in the Desert hotel.
When you visit this natural wonderland, among the three must-do experiences are a Sounds of Silence dinner, getting a Field of Light Star Pass and going on an Uluru morning guided base walk tour.
Go on an outing at sunrise or sunset for a spectacular sight as Uluru transforms from ochre to burnished orange and intense red. At 348-metres-high, Uluru is one of the world’s largest monoliths, towering over the surrounding landscape and is some 550 million years old.
Made of sandstone, it is often referred to as the heart of the ‘Red Centre’ and is one of Australia’s most recognisable landmarks. Breathe in, see the colours change before your eyes, hear the stories of time and be amazed as Uluru is sure to capture your heart.
For the local Aboriginal people, the Anangu, UNESCO World Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park holds a special cultural significance where earth and memories exist as one.
Feel the connection to the land as this iconic rock formation hides ancient wisdom and diverse plant and animal life. Discover an awe-inspiring landscape where creation stories are whispered on the winds.
Choose to walk with a Traditional Owner, join a camel tour, self-drive or dine under a canopy of stars. It may surprise you to learn there are more than 101 culturally appropriate activities to experience in the region.
Holiday packages
Discover a desert bursting to life through holiday packages from Qantas and the Flight Centre. Now is the time to get to the Red Centre and get a taste of the real Australia. Take a road trip with a Field of Light Star Pass included or a scenic escape to the gigantic Kings Canyon. Gain a change of perspective on an Uluru Cultural Getaway or discover a desert bursting to life in Alice Springs and its surrounds.
Emu Walk Apartments is ideal for families or couples and friends travelling together.
Here’s a selection of packages to show variety is part of the territory.
Uluru Cultural Getaway offers three nights’ accommodation at the three-star The Lost Camel in a standard room. This contemporary and fun, boutique-style hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Ayers Rock Resort, only 20 minutes from Uluru. This ‘hot’ deal expires on 30 April 2022. Selected travel is between 16 July 2022 and 28 February 2023.
The Luxury Sights and Sounds of Uluru package offers three nights’ accommodation at the five-star Sails in the Desert in a superior room. Dine under the stars on a Sounds of Silence experience on one evening in Uluru. Included are return Ayers Rock Airport transfers, free Indigenous activities program in Uluru and free use of shuttle bus services. Sails in the Desert is just a five-minute walk from the Uluru lookout and is a great spot to take in the desert sunrise or sunset.
If you opt for an Uluru Family Escape for three nights, it is valid for travel between 1 December 2022 to 31 March 2023. Inclusions are accommodation at the four-star Emu Walk Apartments in a one-bedroom apartment, two-hour Field of Light Star Pass, return Ayers Rock Airport transfers, free use of shuttle bus service and free Indigenous activities program.
Start planning your getaway to discover the Red Centre. You’ll uncover a desert bursting to life after you explore unique nature, learn about ancient culture and leave energised with a fresh perspective and outlook.
DETAILS BOX
www.northernterritory.com
www.ayersrockresort.com.au
Qantas
13 70 66
Flight Centre
1300 536 716
