Get Lost

13 things to do in the Northern Territory’s Red Centre

Alice Springs and Uluru are a must-visit for anyone visiting Australia. Uluru is a UNESCO Wold Heritage-listed site, and is incredibly sacred and important to the traditional Aboriginal landowners. It’s one of the largest rock formations in the world and one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, and there are many ways to experience it and Alice Springs. From culturally immersive experiences to those that will get your adrenaline pumping, here are 13 ways to experience Australia’s Red Centre.

1. What better way to explore the outback than on the back of a camel. Saddle up and pick a hump and ride over the red dirt as the sun rises behind Uluru.

2. No trip to Uluru is complete without witnessing a sunrise and sunset. There are a number of viewing areas around the park accessible by tour or car, so pack some snacks and a camera, and get snapping.

3. Get the blood pumping and see the Rock from a whole new perspective with a skydiving thrill.

4. If you’re keen to get a bit of fitness into your trip, then you can hire a bike and cycle the 15-kilometre journey around Uluru. It can be easily completed in three hours, or you can take your time and soak in the scenery.

5. Field of Light Uluru is an exhibition light installment by celebrate artist, Bruce Munro. Finishing in December 2020, watching the rhythms of colour light up the desert is a sight to behold.

6. From atop the sandstone walls of Kings Canyon, the climb will be rewarded with spectacular views across Watarrka National Park’s 71,000 hectares.

7. Getting to Uluru is all part of the fun. You can opt to fly, if you want to spend the dollars, but the best way to get there is cruising the Aussie Outback roads. Jump into a four-wheel drive and really explore the region, or stick to the sealed roads and take in the sights along the way.

8. You might be in the middle of Australia, far from the coastal beaches, but that doesn’t mean swimming is totally out of the question. Surrounded by towering walls, Ormiston Gorge is a great place for a dip and scenic walk.

9. Situated 132 kilometres from Alice Springs in the West MacDonnell Ranges, Glen Helen Gorge offers a great overnight spot with plenty of natural attractions, a swimming spot, and an abundance of local wildlife.

10. For swimming, picnicking, walking and camping, take a visit to Ellery Creek Big Hole. This waterhole is surrounded by stunning red cliffs, a sandy creek and plenty of options for walkers with its connection to the famous Larapinta Trail Walk.

11. The sky is one of the best vantage points to appreciate the vastness of Uluru and its surrounds. For a truly unforgettable view of this landscape, an open-door helicopter ride is bound to impress.

12. For a sky-high experience that’s a little different, a sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the red landscape is bound to impress as you peacefully drift with the wind.

13. To immerse yourself in the ecology, culture and astronomy of the centre of Australia, Earth Sanctuary offer award-winning day and evening tours. From delicious lunch and dinner options, to astronomy tours, this is one experience that’ll leave you captivated.

Five Quirky Northern Territory Events You Didn’t Know Existed

Beanies, beer cans and black metal. Territorians love a good festival! Here’s our pick of some of the Northern Territory’s quirkier events.

Alice Springs Beanie Festival June

Alice Springs Beanies, berets, and toques – they’re all here at the Alice Springs Beanie Festival. Yep, it’s a whole festival dedicated to knitted headwear in the middle of the Australian desert. From the flamboyant to the fashion forward, you’re bound to find a one-of-a-kind piece to keep you warm this winter.

Uluru Camel Cup May

Uluru All class and no grass – Uluru Camel Cup is like the Melbourne Cup, with some extra humps thrown in. Enjoy all the racing action and fashion you’d expect from a trackside event, against a stunning desert backdrop in the Red Centre.

Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta July

Darwin The Beer Can Regatta is the event that combines recycling and building boats in a spectacular way. Build a ‘tinny’ from tin-cans and set sail on an epic maiden voyage from Darwin’s Mindil Beach. When you’re ready to dock, grab a feed next door at the famous Mindil Beach Sunset Markets.

Henley-On-Todd Regatta August

Alice Springs No water? No problem! Hosted in a dry riverbed, the Henley-on-Todd Regatta is as close as you’ll get to a seaside escapade in the desert. Join a team and man a bottomless ship with your legs, in Flintstones style.

Blacken Open Air April

Alice Springs Black is the new black at Blacken, a two day heavy metal music festival in the centre of Australia. Spend your Easter weekend camping out and thrashing out to some of the best acts in the Aussie metal scene.

An Elegant Track Through the Tropics

Southeast Asia is no doubt a popular destination for many Australians. With its diverse and interesting mix of culture, art, history, food and traditions, one can never tire of exploring this region. One of the best ways to discover the gems of Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand is by train. Travel between the modern and vibrant cities of Singapore and Bangkok via Malaysia on a luxury rail journey that speaks of the old world colonial charm. Here, you’ll pass through the region’s vast landscapes, towns, quaint villages, tropical jungles, winding rivers and ancient temples, while enjoying the tastes of specialties and rich flavours of the local cuisines.

Zip-line underground in Wales

Venturing below the earth’s surface may not conjure thoughts of soaring vast distances with abandon. But beneath the countryside of Snowdonia, the Zip World Caverns are challenging the status quo. Caves within 200-year-old slate mines in Blaenau Ffestiniog have been sectioned off and transformed into the world’s largest underground zip-line course.

The grotto’s 11 zip-lines, as well as rope bridges and via ferratas, are suspended almost 30 metres above the cavern floor, ensuring non-stop adrenaline. Colourful lights illuminate the immense caves and narrow chambers as you zoom through. Becoming part of the underworld has never been more exhilarating.

Cave a Hidden Wonder

Majlis al Jinn Cave is bloody hard to get to, and even harder to get inside of – but it’s so awesome we couldn’t resist including it in our must-do experiences. To get to the remotely located cave, you’ll have take a five hour 4WD journey and vouch on good weather. If you want to abseil inside this cavernous chamber – which could comfortably accommodate 10 jumbo jets wing-to-wing – you can try your luck at obtaining a permit.

Unfortunately though, this cave is indefinitely closed for redevelopment to make it easily accessible to tourists. Be patient, and one day, you’ll be able to explore this colossal wonder.

Relax with a Sawdust Soak

What could be more relaxing than soaking in a deep bath of sawdust. Wait, what? That’s right, no bulldust here – sawdust is the new bathing buzzword of modern alternative therapies. Immersing yourself in cedar enzymes is an ancient Japanese tradition that boasts a bundle of health benefits.

Although taking a bath in fine wood chips sounds like a prickly splinter-fest, when heated, the enzymes from the cypress and cedar trees ferment, creating healing, detoxification properties. Cedar baths are renowned for reducing muscle tension and even boosting the digestive system. Get that chip off your shoulder and give it a go.

Unlucky Irish at Kilmainham Gaol

Dublin’s draconian-looking lockup, built in 1796 and complete with its own hanging cell, Kilmainham Gaol has incarcerated an eclectic mix of unfortunates in god-awful conditions, from women and children accused of petty crimes through to some of the most influential figures to ever stride through Irish history – rebels, politicians, poets and nation shapers.

It was here that the British executed the leaders of the 1916 Easter Uprising, leading to the War of Independence and all manner of punch-ups ever since. No longer in service, these days – when it’s not being used as a film set (it’s starred in many movies, from The Italian Job to In the Name of the Father) – it’s a popular attraction for visitors.

Right Royal River Run

As the first luxury safari cruise ship in Africa, the Zambezi Queen sets the standard rather high. This chic floating hotel boasts panoramic views of the famous Chobe National Park, home to an astonishingly dense population of wildlife. Gawk at elephants from the comfort of your bed, or opt for a small boat excursion for a more up-close view. Don’t fancy a dip with the crocodiles? Instead, why not retreat to the top-deck spa with a glass of Stellenbosch’s finest as a herd of zebra graze just metres away.

Swimming Spot

The Colca Canyon is one of the deepest in the world (twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, in fact) and a magnet for tourists who visit to spot giant birds of prey at Cruz del Condor and see the pre-Incan ruins of Kallimarka. But few venture into the canyon itself, a rugged knee-crunching hike that rewards the energetic with a valley-floor dip that’s not to be missed.

The oasis of Sangalle is where the desert becomes sub-tropical and lush vegetation surrounds a surprising series of man-made swimming pools filled with spring water. Most do the three-hour downhill hike from the town of Cabanaconde and stay overnight before hitting the trail for the steep walk back.

Salsa in the streets of Cuba

A visit to Cuba isn’t complete without making your way down to the idyllic, cobblestoned town of Trinidad. If you can tear your eyes away from the colourful houses, and quaint villages, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to take part in a salsa dancing lesson. Cuba has a vibrant music scene, and being the birthplace of salsa, there’s no better place to let your hair down and give it a whirl. In a lesson, you’ll be guided through the basic steps of the salsa, which you can dance alone or with a partner. Sway your hips, smile and just let the music guide you.

It won’t be long before you’re confidently stepping out onto the dance floor with the locals to show off your new moves. In between putting your best foot forward, Cuba consistently surprises and delights on Intrepid Travel’s Best of Cuba tour. You’ll get lost in the old-world charm of Havana, plunge into the iridescent waters of Bahia de Cochinos in Cienfuegos, shimmy to Afro-Cuban beats in Santiago de Cuba, and savour the taste of prawns in coconut sauce and banana-stuffed tamales in Baracoa. Sure, people will tell you the internet is slow and expensive and there’s occasions where creature comforts can be few and far between, but Cuba’s charm is undeniable.

WHICH LETTER DOES YOUR DESTINATION START WITH?

highlightCategory: Do