The ultimate guide to camping and caravanning in the Red Centre

Leah McLennan Leah McLennan
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To truly appreciate the beauty of the Red Centre you need to spend a night or more under the stars.

Road-tripping in the Red Centre, from Alice Springs to Uluru, is nothing short of an epic adventure. To truly connect to the land, you’ll need to sleep close to the earth. Whether it be in a swag, caravan or luxurious safari tent with a plunge pool, the Red Centre is an idyllic place to sleep under the starry skies.

A straight 5.5-hour drive on the sealed Stuart and Lasseter highways from Alice Springs will take you to Uluru, but why rush? From Alice Springs, once you’ve ticked off the East MacDonnell Ranges, take time to soak in the exquisite gorges of the West MacDonnell National Park, where you can camp in the park at Ormiston Gorge, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Redbank Gorge, Serpentine Chalet and Finke Two Mile.

Once you’ve packed up your tent in the West Macs, continue to Watarrka National Park, home to the mighty Kings Canyon and then it’s another 300 kilometres to the giant monolith that is Uluru.

Here’s a closer look at some of the best camping and caravanning spots the Red Centre has to offer. We’ve already got an article about caravanning and camping around Alice Springs. You can check that out here.

Kings Creek Station

Stunning scenery, camels, cattle and a wide range of accommodation options: that’s what the vast Kings Creek Station offers.

Located just 36 kilometres from Kings Canyon, the 180,000-hectare cattle station is on Luritja Road, which connects the Lasseter Highway to Larapinta Drive (the main route through the West MacDonnell Ranges). Cautious travellers should go via the sealed Lasseter, while the more adventurous might prefer the dirt and corrugations of the Red Centre Way (formerly the Mereenie Loop Road).

an aerial view of Kings Creek Station
Base yourself close to Kings Canyon at this excellent station stay. (Image: Tourism NT/Kings Creek Station)

Set among tall desert oaks, the campground features powered and unpowered sites, a pool, campfire, hot showers and toilets. If you want to take it up a notch, pick a tent in one of the three glamping sections – Mort Conway Camp, Drovers Dream and the Dreamtime Escarpment.

the balcony view at Kings Creek Station
The safari tents offer spectacular views. (Image: Tourism NT/Kings Creek Station)

All the safari tents boast air conditioning, plush beds, ensuites, barbecues and the option of a buffet breakfast, breakfast hamper and self-cook barbecue dinner pack. The Dreamtime Escarpment abodes are the crème de la crème of the safari tents, thanks to their elevated platforms, outdoor showers, shared plunge pool and large verandahs, negating the need to head anywhere else for a sundowner. Experiences at the station include helicopter flights, buggy rides and cultural tours.

a look inside the safari-style tent at Kings Creek Station
The safari tents feature air conditioning and plush beds. (Image: Tourism NT/Kings Creek Station)

Facilities: powered, unpowered, camp kitchen, showers, toilets, fire pits, swimming pool, café, pet friendly, laundry.

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Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon

Your idyllic days at Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon will be spent exploring Watarrka National Park, just ten minutes from this remote resort-style retreat.

the view at Discovery Kings Canyon Resort near Watarrka National Park
Settle into the remote resort-style retreat at Discovery Kings Canyon Resort.
The private deck attached to the Deluxe Suites at Discovery Parks - Kings Canyon
The perfect place to take in your surroundings at the end of the day.

The campsite boasts uninterrupted views of Kings Canyon with plenty of powered and unpowered sites and ablution blocks, plus a pool and two restaurants. For those looking for more luxurious accommodation, there are resort rooms and glamping tents.

The bathtub in the deluxe suite at Discovery Parks - Kings Canyon Resort
The bathtub in the deluxe suite is a real showstopper.
Inside the Deluxe Suite at Discovery Parks - Kings Canyon Resort
Staying in the outback doesn’t mean you have to rough it.

Facilities: powered, unpowered, camp kitchen, showers, toilets, swimming pool, restaurant, tennis court, petrol station, laundry.

Curtin Springs Wayside Inn

Just a stone’s throw away from Uluru (a mere 85 kilometres away), Curtin Springs serves as an ideal base for exploring the nearby natural wonders without breaking the bank.

a couple walking at the entrance of Curtin Springs Wayside Inn, Red Centre
Curtin Springs Wayside Inn is a great base for exploring Uluru and other nearby wonders. (Image: Tourism Australia/Global Headquarters)

Be prepared for an all-dirt campground, which is part of a working cattle station, giving you a unique glimpse into the day-to-day life of the Australian outback.

an aerial view of Curtin Springs Wayside Inn
The rustic campground is part of a working cattle station. (Image: Tourism Australia/Global Headquarters)

There is no charge for unpowered sites, while those who want to splash out a little can book a powered site or one of the 27 rooms, which range in size from twin rooms with shared bathrooms to abodes that sleep five with private ensuites.

a man serving food to the couple at the restaurant of Curtin Springs Wayside Inn
The in-house restaurant serves home-style meals. (Image: Tourism Australia/Global Headquarters)

Facilities: pet-friendly, powered, unpowered, barbeque area, fire pits, showers, toilets, restaurant, petrol station.

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Giles Track camping

Camping is not permitted in Watarrka National Park, except for hikers on the 22-kilometre Giles Track. Walkers can camp anywhere between the three-kilometre and 20-kilometre markers, but the best spot is at Reedy Creek. If you’re a visitor to the NT, you will need a park pass.

Facilities: none.

Discovery Resorts – Glen Helen

Discovery Resorts – Glen Helen is currently closed due to water issues.

an aerial view of Discover Resorts - Glen Helen
Discover Resorts – Glen Helen is an outback haven. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)
For more incredible ways to experience the Red Centre read our guide to Alice Springs and Uluru.

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Leah McLennan
Leah McLennan is a freelance writer based in Darwin. She was a journalist in Sydney for over a decade and counts her time as travel editor for Australian Associated Press as one of the highlights of her career. From exploring remote campsites in the Top End with her family, to seeking out new art galleries in faraway cities, she’ll grab an adventurous or arty travel experience within her reach.
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8 reasons why the low season is the best time to explore the Northern Territory

Credit: Tourism and Events NT

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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    September to April in the Northern Territory rewards those who seek adventure.

    Sure, the Northern Territory shines during the high season, but did you know it transforms into lush magnificence in the summer low season? From September to April, hundreds of waterfalls roar into action, vegetation flourishes and natural pools swell, all thanks to spectacular storms. This is when some of the country’s best arts and cultural events hit the calendar, too.

    Travelling at this time of year means you’ll also be rewarded with off-peak travel pricing on accommodation, tours and experiences, and can even enjoy many of the top sites all to yourself.

    1. Kings Canyon is transformed

    A woman reaching out to touch a natural waterhole at Kings Canyon during the best time to explore the NT.
    See Kings Canyon at its most spectacular. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT)

    Kings Canyon’s towering sandstone domes and crevasses are a sight to behold year-round, but during the low season you can witness a rare phenomenon. This ancient outback wonder’s arid landscape bursts to life when it rains, temporarily transforming it with waterfalls that thunder down the cliffs. At the base of the canyon is the verdant Garden of Eden and its permanent watering hole.

    2. John Hayes Rockhole is a natural wonder

    Two women hiking to John Hayes Rockhole, one of the unforgettable experiences during the best time to explore the NT.
    Hike to a desert oasis. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT)

    Hidden in the Trephina Gorge Nature Park in the East MacDonnell Ranges, John Hayes Rockhole is an oasis waiting to be discovered. Visit the narrow canyon during the high season, and you may see only a sandy creekbed, but after rain in the low season the pool is full of cool water. It’s accessible via a 4WD-only track off the Ross Highway, or you can set out early and join the nine-kilometre Trephina Ridgetop Walk. The reward for undertaking the hike is worth every step, and there’s a dedicated, tent-only campground for those who’d like to soak up the serenity overnight.

    3. The Red Centre Light Trail shines bright

    A woman admiring The Light Towers, one of the must-see attractions during the best time to explore the NT.
    Watch the Outback light up after sunset. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT)

    The Red Centre’s rich cultural heritage and lack of light pollution make it the ideal setting for immersive light shows, and you can experience the most iconic ones on an epic six-day road trip in April. Witness the Parrtjima cultural festival in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) before heading to Kings Canyon for Bruce Munro’s Light-Towers, where 69 glowing towers shine to a celestial soundscape. At Uluṟu, Munro’s Field of Light blankets the red soil with glowing frosted-glass stems, and the Wintijiri Wiru drone show lights up the sky in front of the sacred cultural site. Along the way you’ll witness the changing landscapes of the desert from the West MacDonnell Ranges to the Valley of the Winds.

    4. The Parrtjima festival lights up the Red Centre

    Festival lights illuminating the Northern Territory, showing why the best time to explore the NT is during festival season.
    Witness the magic of Parrtjima. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT)

    For 10 days every April, the Red Centre turns into a dazzling display of colour for the Parrtjima festival. Held at Alice Springs Desert Park, the unmissable celebration shines a spotlight on the world’s oldest living culture using modern technology. Artworks by local Aboriginal artists are transformed into large-scale illuminated installations with accompanying soundscapes, offering a unique opportunity to see the spectacular sunburnt landscapes, night skies and 300-million-year-old West MacDonnell Ranges in a new light. The jam-packed line-up of art and cultural events also includes workshops, markets, short films, talks and live music.

    5. Cruising along Nitmiluk Gorge is breathtaking

    Aerial view of Nitmiluk Gorge, showcasing its dramatic cliffs and waterways.
    Sail between towering sandstone cliffs. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT/Nic Morley)

    Drifting down the emerald waters of Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge between towering red sandstone cliffs carved over millions of years, all while waterfalls stream down around you, is an experience like none other. Nitmiluk Katherine’s two-hour NitNit Dreaming Two Gorge Tour sails through gorges past ancient rock art while a local guide imparts knowledge about the Jawoyn culture and significance of the landscape.

    6. You can explore local culture on the Tiwi Islands

    A quick boat ride from Darwin lies the peculiarly pink shores of Melville Island, Tiwi Islands. Populated by the hilariously cheeky Indigenous Tiwis, stepping onto the Islands is like stepping back in time. Sweeping rusty dirt roads meander through the eucalypt forest and are interspersed only by small communities and freshwater springs.
    Immerse yourself in Tiwi culture. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT/Elise Cook)

    Take an 80-kilometre ferry ride from Darwin to arrive at the Tiwi Islands, an archipelago of 11 picturesque islands and a haven for art lovers and anglers. On the Tiwi By Design walking tour you’ll be guided to the Tiwi Design Art Centre, one of Australia’s oldest art centres, to observe local artists in action and join a screen printing workshop.

    If you’re more partial to sinking a line, book a stay at Tiwi Island Retreat in April. It’s one of the best months to fish for barramundi, and their world-class fishing adventures are your best chance at reeling in a prized catch.

    7. Scenic flights over Kakadu’s waterfalls are jaw-dropping

    Jim Jim Falls from above during a wet season helicopter tour. Covering nearly 20,000 square kilometres, Kakadu National Park is teeming with wildlife, home to important Aboriginal rock art sites, and takes in diverse and exotic landscape.
    Soar above Jim Jim Falls. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT/Jarrad Seng)

    Seeing Kakadu National Park’s gushing waterfalls and dramatic escarpments from above offers a dose of unparalleled beauty – and it’s all best witnessed in the low season.

    Taking flight from Darwin, Kakadu Air Services offers an unforgettable experience, with doorless helicopters revealing unobstructed views of the 1.8-billion-year-old landscape. Soar above the untouched savannah that turns into a tropical green paradise, marvel at the thunderous Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls, and whiz through ancient sandstone canyons. If you’re lucky, the scenery will look all the more dramatic with rolling tropical storm clouds in the distance.

    8. Litchfield National Park is an amazing place to cool off

    Litchfield National Park
    Dive into natural swimming holes. (Image: Tourism NT/Joshua Griffen)

    Litchfield National Park is peppered with stunning natural swimming pools for you to beat the heat in. Take a refreshing dip in pristine, crocodile-free spots such as Buley Rockhole, a series of spring-fed cascading pools, and the nearby Florence Falls, which is enveloped by monsoon rainforest and features a crystal-clear plunge pool fed by a 15-metre-high waterfall. Be sure to check the Northern Territory Parks & Reserves website for closures before you go.

    Start planning your low season adventure of a lifetime at northernterritory.com.