I can still remember the first time I visited the Northern Territory’s Red Centre. Like most first-time visitors, images of Uluru and Kata Tjuta – plus the town of Alice Springs – had crowded my imagination, so I had already asked myself that cliché question of “what else is out there?”. I soon discovered on that first trip – and have continued to on my numerous returns to this magic part of Australia – that there is plenty, and then more again.
There’s little doubt the Red Centre encapsulates what most people think of ‘the outback’, with its red-rock cliffs, gorges dotted with secret waterholes, the multi-coloured sands and endless horizon that is the desert country, and its people. Its ancient and strong First Nations culture, along with all those who call it home, are part of the greater whole of this region, and combined with its natural attractions, helps, contribute to is what I call an incredibly strong ‘sense of place’. Visitors will feel it when they’re camping in their own special slice of this outdoor paradise, and the locals will talk about that same sense of being a small part of a bigger, incredible thing. In this case, Central Australia.
I have been incredibly fortunate to have visited the Red Centre around 10 times now, and each time I have discovered something new, reinforcing my initial thoughts that there really is a whole lot more here than most of us realise, all within easy reach of the curious traveller.
That accessibility is, of course, a very good thing; a ‘secret’ or lesser-known destination out here may seem remote, but it is actually quite easy to get to, thanks to passionate local guides, ease of renting a vehicle and gear you need, plus some very handy planning tools and suggested itineraries. All of this helps visitors to access some of the region’s most beautiful ‘off the beaten track’ destinations that are beyond the famous Red Centre icons – and provides the perfect excuse to return again, and again.
Whether it’s the incredible beauty of remote Boggy Hole, in Finke Gorge National Park, the Lost World sensation of camping deep in the East MacDonnell Ranges’ Ruby Gap Nature Park, or taking a cooling dip in Old Police Station Waterhole (right near your waterside campsite), in the Barkly region’s remote Davenport Ranges National Park, going beyond those (deserved) Red Centre icons will reward you with an experience that’ll stay in your heart forever.
It’s those uniquely memorable moments out here, plus the ease in which they can be achieved, that will stay in your mind (and seep into your skin) to tide you over until you return to the Red Centre. And it will happen that way; take it from someone who still, many return visits later, finds something new and enriching in this beautiful part of Australia each time they come back.
