The Northern Territory is home to wondrous natural attractions, rich Indigenous culture, and exciting things to see and do. If it’s not already on your bucket list, it should be! Start planning your ultimate Northern Territory escape, and be inspired by our top things to see while journeying through the Red Centre.

A delectable feast of landscapes

Home to remarkable landscapes, hidden communities, and contemporary and traditional art, start your trip by packing a feast and heading down to the West MacDonnell Ranges. Start by following Larapinta Drive and make a right turn at Namatjira Drive towards Ellery Creek Big Hole – a peaceful gorge encircled by rugged cliffs, known for its tranquil and picturesque atmosphere. A popular spot to take a dip and to cool down, this waterhole, which was carved by massive floods thousands of years ago, is surrounded by sandy and elongated cliffs, and offers access to particular sections of the 231-kilometre Larapinta Trail walk.

Continue your journey down to Simpsons Gap, a 23-kilometre drive from Alice Springs, to view towering cliffs and resident wildlife. Try to make it before dusk – or at dawn – to catch a glimpse of the black-footed rock-wallabies bouncing along the track, which sprouts more than 40 rare plants, such as the 12-metre-tall mulga shrub.

Hop on a camel

Watch the sun illuminate the Uluru sky while taking a joyride on a camel. These one-hour trips are perfect for those wanting to photograph the beautiful morning scenery, before indulging in an Aussie breakfast, including a billy tea and fresh-baked beer bread – all a part of the tour and prepared by the guides. The tour will take you through the astonishing backdrops of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. The tours are based at Voyages Ayers Rock Resort, which is open all year round to visitors, who can explore its camel museum – home to more than 70 working camels!

Dine with the stars

Experience a starlit dinner you’ll never forget. The Sounds of Silence dinner is an unique dining experience with a 360-degree view of Uluru and Kata Tjuta, beginning at sunset and located on top of a dune overlooking the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The evening starts with canapes and sparkling wine, followed by a gourmet barbecue and bush salads. As you finish off your tucker, enjoy the sounds of didgeridoos, followed by a traditional dance performance and a guided night sky tour from the resident ‘star talker’.

Read more about Red Centre in the Summer 2022–2023 edition of Caravanning Australia!

_{Image: West MacDonnell Ranges (C) Tourism NT; Sean Scott}