5 Day Red Centre For Families Itinerary

As your plane descends into Alice Springs over the deep red earth of the outback, you'll realise you have arrived somewhere special where adventure awaits!

Nestled between the beautiful MacDonnell Ranges and surrounded by gorges and stark desert plains, remote Alice Springs feels a bit like a Wild West outpost, filled with friendly and colourful characters. Once you have settled in to your comfortable accommodation it's time to head out and explore.

Alice Springs Desert Park is THE place to discover the beauty and mystery of Australia's deserts. Wander through the ancient landscape and discover the plants, animals and culture of the place. Don't miss the birds of prey show — you'll witness desert-dwelling owls, eagles and falcons swooping over your head!

Stroll through Todd Mall Markets, popping into the Aboriginal art galleries, souvenir shops and cafes. Or find out how children living in remote areas go to school in the world's largest "classroom" at the Alice Springs School of the Air: it covers an area twice as big as Texas USA!
 

Accommodation: Alice Springs - 2 Nights

A luxury air-conditioned coach sweeps you away for a day trip to the West MacDonnell Ranges, a wonderland of beautiful gorges and waterholes, flora and fauna.

West MacDonnell Ranges Day Tour

During the drive, keep an eye out for rock wallabies and plenty more desert wildlife and birdlife wandering the landscape — how many different species can you spot?

Stretching over 600 kms east and west of Alice Springs, the Ranges feature some of the Northern Territory's most iconic sights. You'll explore Simpsons Gap, Angkerle (Standley Chasm) and Ellery Creek Big Hole, a wonderful swimming spot which carves its way through a gorge in the Ranges.

Enjoy a fresh bushman's lunch at Glen Helen Gorge, where the permanent waterhole is home to a variety of water birds and fish.

 Visit the Ochre Pits to find out how indigenous people have used this natural resource for thousands of years (the amazing ancient cliff-face paintings will give you a clue).

Return to Alice Springs with the late afternoon sun reflecting on the MacDonnell Ranges along the way.

Today you'll travel by coach through the rugged desert landscapes to Ayers Rock (Uluru): seeing this magnificent natural wonder for the first time is a moment the whole family will remember forever.

Ayers Rock is also known as Uluru; this is the name given by the Yankunytjatjara people, whose land the rock is situated on.

Travel to Uluru

It's a big journey today, but there will be plenty to keep you occupied! Your friendly Driver/Guide will entertain you with commentary about the natural history of the region, as well as awesome Australian desert creatures like the Thorny Devil and the Red Kangaroo. You will learn about the traditional customs and beliefs of the local Aboriginal people too: in fact, by the time you arrive, you will be an expert on the Red Centre!

When you arrive at Ayers Rock Resort, settle into your self-catering apartment and prepare to witness the most epic sunset you can imagine.

Ayers Rock (Uluru) Sunset Tour

Travelling to Uluru with your guide, you'll see the many moods of this iconic Rock as the colours change with the setting sun.

Visiting waterholes and rock art sites, you will learn the local Tjukurpa (Aboriginal creation stories) and see how these stories are mapped out in the landscapes right before your eyes.

Then relax and witness a spectacular sunset and absorb the majesty of this powerful place: it will take your breath away.

Accommodation: Uluru / Ayers Rock - 2 Nights

Enjoy a free morning at Ayers Rock Resort where you can take advantage of some awesome cultural and wildlife-based activities. Speaking of wildlife, it's time to try camel-riding this afternoon! 

Suggested activities at Ayers Rock Resort (own expense)

• Try some Bush Tucker: Who says nothing can grow in the desert? Learn about local bush foods ("Bush Tucker") and tickle your taste buds with local seeds, fruits, and spices. Enjoy a cooking demonstration using these ancient native ingredients.
   
• Red Desert Reptiles Show: The desert is home to 73 species of reptiles — how do they survive in the harsh climate? Learn about these hardy creatures you'll even have the opportunity to hold some of them if you dare...
   
• Dot Painting Workshop: Join local Indigenous artists and learn about the different symbols used in Aboriginal art to depict Creation Time (Tjukurpa) stories. Then create your own dot painting artwork to take home with you.

Tour the Desert by Camel

Believe it or not, Australia is home to over a million camels! This afternoon you will ride high above the red desert dunes, ten feet above the ground, on a camel of your very own. Plodding through the desert sands with Uluru and Kata Tjuta as a stunning backdrop, you will see the region the way the early pioneers did. Camels were brought to Australia in the 19th century and they were the main form of outback transport before railways and roads were built.

 Central Australia has the most amazing night sky so don’t forget to look up make the most of the bright starry ceiling above you before you go to bed.

On the final day of your journey head back to Alice Springs, Australia's most famous outback town. The day is free for you to enjoy at your leisure before departing Alice Springs. Visit the Aboriginal art galleries, historic sites, or take a desert drive to see the gorges, waterholes, and cliffs. Your Red Centre experience ends here in Alice Springs.