5 places you have to see in Australia's Red Centre

The Red Centre is a beautifully remote region in the heart of Australia that's famous for the world’s biggest rock, but it’s a lot more than that.

As spectacular as Uluru is, the middle of Australia is filled with scenery that goes well beyond the world heritage listed icon.

To get there and see it all you have to take at least part of The Red Centre Way, a 700km loop from Alice Springs that takes you to the rock and back. Passing highlights along the way including the West MacDonnell Ranges and Kings Canyon, here are 5 places you shouldn’t miss in Australia’s Red Centre.

1. Kings Canyon, Watarrka National Park

Located halfway between the airport in Alice Springs and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, (where Uluru is) Kings Canyon is an absolute must-see. Although not as well-known than its more famous cousin, many people say it's a superior all-round experience. 

Often referred to as 'Australia's Grand Canyon', Kings Canyon is a natural treasure trove that you can explore on the world famous Kings Canyon Rim Walk.

The Kings Canyon Rim Walk is a 6-kilometre up and down trail that takes hikers on a truly spellbinding journey. On it you will discover ancient geological formations with names like the 'Lost City', the 'Garden of Eden' and 'Priscilla’s Crack' - where scenes from the Aussie classic ‘Priscilla: Queen of the Desert’ were filmed.

King’s Canyon’s proximity to a cultural heritage that is tens of thousands of years old makes being here an opportunity to finally immerse yourself in Australia’s incredible Indigenous ancestry.

Take in a view of Watarrka by air, learn how the traditional owners survived for so long in these conditions, enjoy a sunset drink and make the iconic 6km hike to the top of Kings Canyon itself, where 360 degree views of Watarrka National Park await.

2. Uluru (Ayers Rock), Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

There is nowhere else in the world like Uluru.

Located inside the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, this Australian icon is a bare sandstone rock that stands 348 metres high and measures 9.4 km (5.8 miles) around.

Changing colours with the position of the sun, Uluru offers up a painter's palette of reds, browns, oranges and purples no photo can ever do justice. 

Walking tracks will get you around the entire circumference of Uluru, and it's highly recommended you walk with a local Anangu guide to learn about the Dreamtime ties to the most famous Australian landmark of them all.

3. Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Meaning ‘many heads’ in the language of the Anangu Aboriginals (pronounced ‘arn-ung-oo’), who have lived in the region for approximately 30,000 years, the 36 unique domes of Kata Tjuta are estimated to be over 500 million years old.

Originally named the Olgas after Queen Olga of Wurttemberg in 1872, fortunately the Indigenous name was formally adopted in 1993 and has been in much wider use ever since.

The Valley of the Winds walk is a popular activity in Kata Tjuta. Allow about 4 hours for the full 7.4km circuit due to its steep and rocky terrain. Alternatively, take shorter walks to scenic points like the Karu and Karingana Lookouts.

Find out more about Uluru and Kata Tjuta by downloading the park service's visitor's guide.

4. Alice Springs

Alice Springs is a stunning location enriched with colonial history, Indigenous ancestry and fascinating attractions.

At the beating heart of Central Australia and at the start of the Red Centre Way, the remote town of 'Alice' is close to many of the Northern Territory’s most iconic monuments. Plus, as a hub of outback hospitality, Alice Springs is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the NT way of life.

Start by exploring Aboriginal art galleries, then trek a section of the 223 kilometre Larapinta Trail. After that why not float about in a hot air balloon over the West MacDonnell Ranges?

5. West Macdonnell Ranges, NT

The West MacDonnell Range is 200km west of Alice Springs and home to the Larapinta Trail.

Also home to the West Aranda Aboriginal people for tens of thousands of years, the Larapinta Trail is a 223 kilometre walking track that follows the ranges and has well-marked signs, campsites, natural waterholes, sacred sites and scenic views along its path.

Highlights include the black-footed rock wallabies at Simpsons Gap, picnics amongst the amazing geology of Ellery Creek Big Hole, diving into the Glen Helen Gorge's beautiful watering hole and hiking the red cliffs at Ormiston Gorge.