How to have an ultimate couples driving adventure in the Red Centre

Jennifer EnnionBy Jennifer Ennion
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Stay in the good books with this challenging but fun Red Centre holiday for couples.

With desert sunrises, star-smattered night skies and remote hiking trails, the Red Centre couldn’t be more romantic for Outback-loving couples. Follow our seven and 14-day itineraries to make the most of a visit.

Uluru – Days 1-3

Capturing the hearts of Australians for decades, there’s no better place to kick off your Red Centre holiday than at Uluru. There are a tonne of activities to choose from and one that should be at the top of your list is a hike around Uluru’s base.

 

The morning Mala Walk is a fantastic choice, as not only will you have a ranger as a guide but it’s a great way to gain an understanding of how significant this place is to the Anangu people.

 

You’ll also get to see rock art and won’t have to work up a sweat, either, as it’s only a two-kilometre return. During your time at Uluru, you should also head out to Kata Tjuta , also known as the Olgas. Only 59 kilometres away, a journey to this collection of 36 rock domes is worth a morning excursion. The 7.4-kilometre Valley of the Winds walk is the highlight, so pack a picnic, slip on some sunscreen and hit the trail.

 

The activities don’t stop at nightfall, and couples will love getting lost in the beauty of the Field of Light art installation, as well as the magic of the Sounds of Silence dinner overlooking Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Highlight of the day:

Learning about Indigenous culture and why Uluru needs to be respected.

Uluru to Kings Canyon – Day 4

320 kilometres

Red centre holiday Uluru
Stunning Uluru.

Come face to face with Uluru one more time by rising early for an iconic sunrise camel tour. As the sun and sky awaken, watch shadows dance across ‘the rock’ as you explore this ethereal desert landscape. Afterwards, have a hearty breakfast before hitting the road with Kings Canyon in your sights.

 

You’ll want to relax by the time you reach this Red Centre highlight, so what better time to enjoy the pool and restaurants at Kings Canyon Resort ?

Highlight of the day:

Watching the desert come alive while atop a camel.

Kings Canyon – Day 5

Lace up your hiking boots and grab your water bottle for a morning of exploring the star attraction of Watarrka National Park. Fit couples will want to tackle the six-kilometre Kings Canyon Rim Walk, with impressive views of the 100-metre-high sandstone walls that have made the canyon famous. Be sure to also check out the weathered rock formations nicknamed The Lost City.

Highlight of the day:

Viewing the canyon from the seat of a chopper, perfect for couples celebrating special occasions or those who feel like splashing out. The scenic flights are organised by Kings Canyon Resort.

Kings Canyon to Alice Springs – Day 6

330 kilometres

If you wake early, watch the sun rise over Kings Canyon before continuing your road trip north to Alice Springs . Once you arrive in town, get the lay of the land by heading up to the Anzac Hill lookout, the most visited landmark in Alice. In the evening, give yourself a night off cooking by booking a table at one of the handful of restaurants at Lasseters .

Alice Springs – Day 7

On your final day in the Red Centre get a bird’s-eye view of Alice in a hot air balloon. Float silently above the desert town with Outback Ballooning as you soak in the dawn views of the beautiful MacDonnell Ranges.

You’ll then want to spend some time exploring the stores and art galleries of Todd St Mall, before having lunch at the hip and cosy Page 27, hidden down a laneway. In the afternoon, make your way to The Kangaroo Sanctuary, home to rescued and orphaned roos.

Highlight of the day:

Holding a kangaroo joey at the Kangaroo Sanctuary in what will make the ultimate holiday snap.

If you have 14 days…

Alice Springs to West MacDonnell Ranges – Days 8 & 9

Leave the car behind and see the Red Centre in a new light by joining an overnight Outback Cycling adventure that goes deep into the West MacDonnell Ranges . Soak up the solitude of the desert as you and your partner snake along tracks while making your way to a quintessential Aussie bush camp. The tours are for experienced riders, so if they sound too much then opt for one of Outback Cycling’s new four-hour electric mountain-bike tours to Simpsons Gap.

Highlight of the day:

Feasting on damper under a million-star sky.

The Larapinta Trail – Days 10-12

It’s time to head off the beaten track again with one final Red Centre adventure – the famous Larapinta Trail. This 223-kilometre trek, which begins on Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve and heads into the West MacDonnell Ranges, isn’t for the faint-hearted.

 

But don’t fret, you don’t need to go the whole hog (about two weeks) to experience Larapinta’s magic. Australian Walking Holidays offers three-day assisted self-guided treks, which include food drops, route maps, camping gear, emergency support and transport.

Highlight of the day:

Red centre holiday West MacDonnell Ranges
Larapinta Trail and West MacDonnell Ranges, Central Australia

Wandering through narrow canyons and around beautiful waterholes.

Alice Springs – Days 13 & 14

Take it easy for your final two days in the Red Centre by exploring some of Alice Springs’ most popular attractions. These include Alice Springs Desert Park, which runs a fantastic wedge-tailed eagle encounter between March and October; Alice Springs School of the Air visitor centre, where you can learn about Australia’s original home-schooling program; and eclectic Todd Mall Markets (held every second Sunday, Feb-Dec).

For more information on things to do in the NT, visit the official Northern Territory website at northernterritory.com

Jennifer Ennion
Jennifer Ennion is a freelance travel and ski journalist who loves encouraging people to spend more time outdoors. From snorkelling with belugas in sub-Arctic Canada to hiking the Himalayas, Jennifer is constantly searching for stories that inspire readers to push their boundaries.
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8 Northern Territory secrets the locals don’t want you to know

    Lee MylneBy Lee Mylne
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    Summer transforms the Northern Territory into a lush paradise of colour and life, as a visit during the ‘low-season’ reveals secrets the locals willingly share.

    Waterlilies bloom, floodplains are alive with birdlife, waterfalls are gushing, and everywhere the green is dazzling. Summer in the Top End and the Red Centre is a kaleidoscope of unexpected wonders that delight and surprise visitors. Of course, the locals know only too well that the Northern Territory low season is often the best time to see and experience this amazing part of Australia.

    Here are some of the reasons why savvy travellers – avoiding the crowds – are discovering a new dimension to the Territory. Remember that you’ll need a Parks Pass to visit national parks.

    1. Take a dip in the Florence Falls waterhole

    Wander through savanna woodland and monsoon forest to discover the perfect place to cool off – the waterhole at the base of spectacular Florence Falls in the magnificent Litchfield National Park , just 90 minutes’ drive from Darwin. The falls flow year-round but are most spectacular during the summer. Camping is available nearby but bookings are essential and must be made online before you visit.

    Surrounded by lush forest, a woman cools off in Florence Falls, just one of many incredible things to do in the Northern Territory.
    Cool off beneath the cascading waters of Florence Falls. (Image: Joshua Griffin)

    2. Wind down at Buley Rock Hole

    Another popular local swimming spot in Litchfield National Park is Buley Rock Hole , open year-round. This is a great place to wind down after exploring everything the park has to offer, including towering termite mounds. Wade through the rock pools, soak up the scenic bush or just lie back and relax as the cool water rolls over you.

    Buley Rockhole, Litchfield National Park
    Let the cool water wash over you. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    3. Tour the Tiwi Islands

    The Tiwi Islands , a scenic 80km flight from Darwin across the narrow Clarence and Dundas Straits, reveal a different side to the Territory, with their own distinctive culture. Take a day tour with Tiwi by Design to visit Bathurst Island and learn about creation stories, the Mission days, World War II history and the islanders’ obsession with AFL!

    Take a ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour of Tiwi Design’s screen-printing workshop and pick up a great souvenir in the form of art. Choose from contemporary or traditional Tiwi designs and a wide range of work including carvings, paintings, pottery, printmaking, bark paintings and tunga (bark baskets).

    A creative moment shared inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing space.
    Take a peek inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing studio. (Image: Tourism NT)

    4. Dine in Darwin

    Foodies are spoilt for choice in multi-cultural Darwin. Try Sri Lankan flavours at Ella by Minoli, where Masterchef contestant Minoli De Silva creates delectable dishes, or head to Charlie’s of Darwin for gin-tasting, cocktails and more. Bowls of fragrant laksa, excellent coffee, fresh vegetables and authentic crafts are all part of a weekend visit to Darwin’s Parap Markets , Rapid Creek Markets and the Nightcliff Markets .

    Prefer to catch your own dinner? Book a Top End fishing charter to bag a barramundi – and from October register for the annual Million Dollar Fish competition. Hooking one of the tagged barra released each year in waterways across the Territory could win you up to $1 million.

    A bowl of Laksa.
    Eat your way through multicultural Darwin. (Image: Tourism NT)

    5. Up close with Uluṟu

    The magnificent monolith Uluṟu is even more magical when the summer rains fall. When it rains on The Rock, the locals come out to watch – consider yourself lucky if that happens when you visit. Waterfalls cascading off the sides of Uluṟu is a sight that relatively few tourists see.

    There’s so much to do at Uluṟu, from guided walks to learn the stories of the Aṉangu people and the ancient landscape they live in to scenic flights for a bird’s-eye view or a leisurely walk around the base of Uluṟu. Book ahead to spend the evening wandering through the Field of Light installation by Bruce Munro.

    A closer look at Uluru and uncover its ancient stories, sacred sites, and striking natural beauty – one of the most iconic things to do in the Northern Territory.
    Discover the details that make Uluṟu truly sacred. (Image: Tourism NT)

    6. Drive the Red Centre Way

    From Alice Springs, take an epic road trip along the Red Centre Way, taking in Uluru and Watarrka National Park, home to the magnificent Kings Canyon. Allow at least a week to drive through the red heart of Australia by 4WD, a little longer on the sealed road by 2WD vehicle, travelling through ochre deserts, palm-lined valleys and dramatic gorges. Stop off at waterholes for a refreshing dip along the way.

    Kings Canyon offers hiking options for all levels of fitness, from the three-hour Rim Walk atop soaring sandstone walls to the gentler Kings Creek Walk. Either way, you’ll have breathtaking views.

    SEIT Outback Australia is a small group touring specialist offering exciting, adventurous, exclusive and specialised iconic, pioneering and cultural touring in the Red Centre of Australia, giving you the time to learn, absorb and relax in the heart of Australia.<br /><br />This innovative tour company focuses on providing clients with the ultimate interpretive touring experiences with a range of products and customised touring itineraries for small groups and bespoke private charters.<br /><br />The company bases its philosophies from the key words of Spirit, Emotion, Intellect and Task (SEIT).
    Drive through Australia’s heart. (Image: Outback Australia Tours)

    7. Take a walk at Kata Tjuṯa

    Head out early to tackle the Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuṯa . This natural wonder, also known as The Olgas, is a labyrinth of soaring ochre domes that glow golden at sunrise and sunset (the walk may be closed during the middle of the day as temperatures rise).

    Walking trails range from easy to longer, more difficult tracks. At the Kata Tjuṯa dune viewing area, take in the panoramic view of the domes. The longest of the trails is the Valley of the Winds Walk, a 7.4km circuit that winds between the domes and through creek beds. It’s moderately difficult and steep in places, but offers stunning views – and occasional encounters with kangaroos.

    The Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuta is one of the most awe-inspiring things to do in the Northern Territory, especially at sunrise when the domes glow golden.
    Step into the golden light of Kata Tjuṯa. (Image: Tourism NT)

    8. Explore Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges

    Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park lies 135km west of Alice Springs, with many fascinating natural features to beguile visitors. The ‘West Macs’ formations include chasms, gorges and waterholes – take your swimsuit for a dip at Ormiston Gorge waterhole, open year-round. The Ormiston Pound Walk is a three to four-hour circuit that leaves from the visitor centre and loops back along the gorge via the main waterhole. Other places of interest in the park include Simpsons Gap , Standley Chasm , Ellery Creek Big Hole and Glen Helen .

    Soaking in the serenity of Ormiston Gorge, these two travellers enjoy one of the most scenic things to do in the Northern Territory.
    Take the plunge at Ormiston Gorge waterhole. (Image: Joshua Griffin Litchfield)

    Start planning the NT road trip of a lifetime at northernterritory.com