Kata Tjuta and Uluru; exploring the Red Centre

We flew to the Red Centre and hired a motorhome in Alice Springs. Then, we travelled to Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (Olgas), Kings Canyon, and the West and East MacDonnell Ranges.

Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Uluru – Ayers Rock is a massive sandstone monolith in the Centre of Australia. Uluru is a fascinating place and important for the Aboriginal people. For them, Uluru is a sacred site.

After stocking up on groceries in Alice Springs, Red Centre, our first stop was the Desert Oaks Resort in Erldunda. On our way to Kata Tjuta

After stocking up on groceries in Alice Springs, our first stop was the Desert Oaks Resort in Erldunda.

Sunset Uluru

Sunset Ulurru At 4/6/2009, 6:22 PM — At 4/6/2009 6:22pm

Uluru - Ayers Rock 6:24 — Two minutes later, 4/6/2009, 6:24 PM

Uluru - Ayers Rock 6:26 — At **4/6/2009, 6:26 PM**

Uluru - Ayers Rock 6:28 — 4/6/2009, 6:28 pm

At sunset, the car park is full of visitors sipping bubbly while watching the event. The huge rock changes from pinkish tones to a vivid orange and red.

Instead of climbing Ayers Rock, we walked around it. The 10.6 km Base Walk is a trail that loops around Uluru and takes three to four hours to complete. The rock formation is stunning from all angles.

In the beginning, Uluru rocks in the Red Centre were grey, but after a thousand years, the minerals were washed away and the red color is caused by iron rusting in the rock.

Uluru rocks were originally grey, but the minerals were washed away after a thousand years, and the iron turned the rock red.

Travel to Kata Tjuta (Olgas)

Kata Tjuta or The Olgas, are a group of wonderful domed rock formations located in the Northern Territory of Australia. Kata Tjuta is of cultural importance to the traditional owners of the land. It is famous for spectacular sunrise and sunset views. It is also a fantastic place for hiking.

Then, we went to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), a massive dome-shaped rock formation about an hour’s drive from Uluru. Katja Tuja is 546 metres above sea level, but the highest peak, Mount Olga, is 1066 metres higher than Uluru.

Kata Tjuta – Olgas, view from the entrance car park.

The Valley of the Winds trail allows people to soak up the dazzling domes of Kata Tjuta. This walk is classed as Grade 4, is steep and rocky in places and takes 3-4 hours

We hiked the Valley of the Winds trek. The trail is Grade 4, steep and rocky in places, and takes 3-4 hours to complete. It gives an excellent view of Kata Tjuta’s spectacular domes.

Beautiful conglomerate boulders.

The Kata Tjuta dune viewing area offers a magnificent panoramic view of the domes.

Then, we took our last photo of Kata Tjuta from the dune viewing area.

Travel to Kings Creek Station

We stayed at the Kings Creek Station, which is a working cattle and camel station near Kings Canyon. It offers a range of accommodations and activities, including guided quad bike tours, camel rides, and scenic helicopter flights. It is a fantastic place to explore the Kings Canyon.

From Kata Tjuta we drove to Kings Creek Station A cattle station with an area of 2,200 sq kilometres, with a range of accommodation options, and a shop for food.Camel riding, helicopter flying, and other activities are also available.

Our next destination is Kings Creek Station, which is a three-hour drive from Yulara. While it is a cattle station, it also has accommodations and a store. In addition, there are camel rides and helicopter flights.

The Kings Canyon Rim Walk is suitable for walkers who are reasonably fit. Not as hard as the valley of the wind in Kata Tjuta. takes between three and four hours to complete. First, you have to climb 1000 steps up, which is hard, but when you get to the top, it's mostly easy to walk.

If you enjoy hiking, the Kings Canyon Rim Walk is a must. It takes around three to four hours to complete. First, you must climb 1000 challenging steps, but the rest is relatively easy once at the top.

When you reach the top, you'll find the Lost City, a sandstone rock dome formation similar to the Bungle Bungles but much smaller.

When you reach the top, you’ll see the Lost City, a sandstone rock dome formation similar to but much smaller than the Bungle Bungles.

A side track down to a steep staircase brings you to the Garden of Eden, a permanent waterhole and an area with lush greenery

Then, we went down a side trail, a steep staircase leading to the Garden of Eden, a permanent waterhole and lush greenery area.

From this point, you look down at King's Canyon Valley in the Red Centre and the car park.

Then, after we had done the more challenging part, we rested with a fantastic view of Kings Canyon Valley.

The view of the Kings Canyon rim on which we had walked.

From the top, the view of the red country is spectacular.

What a stunning, big red country!

You see, while is called the red centre.

This is why it’s called the “Red Centre.”

West MacDonnell Ranges

The West MacDonnell Ranges are a stunning mountain range. They stretch over 160 kilometres west of Alice Springs. The ranges are popular for hiking, camping, and scenic photos of the waterholes. Many sites are of cultural importance for the Aboriginal people

We explored the West MacDonnell Ranges during our drive to Glen Hellens Gorge.

Standley Chasm is a must-see for anyone visiting the Red Centre. The trail into the chasm is only 1.2 kilometres long. The best time to visit is during the midday sun when the chasms glow red and orange.

The track is mostly in the shade and has beautiful vegetation, such as gum trees, ferns, cycads, and wildflowers. You may see a wallaby or a dingo if you are lucky.

Even though it is midday, the track is mostly in the shade and has lovely vegetation like gum trees, ferns, cycads, and wildflowers. If you’re lucky, you might spot a wallaby or a dingo.

The next stop, Ellery Creek Big Hole, 90 km from Alice Springs, is a popular place to swim, picnic, camp, and walk the 2.5 km Dolomite Circuit.

While at Ellery Creek Big Hole, a popular spot for swimming, picnicking, and camping, we hiked the 2.5-kilometre Dolomite Circuit.

A little further away are the Ochre Pits, which have colourful rock formations made of ochre that come in many different colours. It was used for painting, body decoration and medicinal purposes by the Aboriginal people.

A little further away are the Ochre Pits, with colourful ochre rock cliffs in various colours. The Aboriginals used the ochre for painting and medicine.

Near Glen Helen is the Ormiston Gorge, which has a permanent waterhole that is good for swimming. The Ormiston Pound Walk is a 9 km circuit, and is one of the best walks in the West MacDonnell Ranges. It took us 4 hours to complete the walk.

Then, we went to Ormiston Gorge, where we hiked the Ormiston Pound Trail, a 9-kilometre loop among the best in the West MacDonnell Ranges. The hike took us 4 hours to complete. Furthermore, there is a permanent swimming hole.

After climbing the ridge, we had a great view of the Pound, and then we went down into the big valley.

After climbing up the ridge, we had a great view of the Pound and went into the big valley.

The beautiful red cliffs at the end of this wonderful walk.

The stunning red cliffs at the end of this fantastic walk.

When we returned to the waterhole, the park ranger did some backburning.

Visitors to Glen Helen Gorge Resort, Red Centre,enjoy the spectacular scenery, bushwalking, and swimming in the clear waters of the gorge. We stayed at Glen Helen resort's camping ground for two days and had a great view of the cliff and Mt. Sonders. After long walks, we enjoyed a drink, meal and the piano men at the restaurant.

During our stay at the camping ground in Glen Helen Resort, we had a great time enjoying the stunning scenery, hiking, and swimming in the gorge. After our long hikes, we relaxed with drinks and a meal at the restaurant while listening to the piano music.

Visitors to Glen Helen Gorge Resort enjoy the spectacular scenery, bushwalking, and swimming in the clear waters of the gorge. We stayed at Glen Helen resort's camping ground for two days and had a great view of the cliff and Mt. Sonders. After long walks, we enjoyed a drink, meal and the piano men at the restaurant.

Mount Sonder, at 1380 metres above sea level, is the fourth-highest peak in the Northern Territory. The trail to Mount Sonder is about 16 kilometres long each way and can take 6–8 hours to complete. This is not for us!!!

East MacDonnell Ranges

The East MacDonnell Ranges east of Alice Springs, is less frequented by tourists than West MacDonnell Ranges. We loved camping and hiking the Trephina Gorge.

If you are in the Red Centre don’t forget East MacDonnell Ranges. From Alice Springs, we travelled to the Ross River Resort, passing the remarkable Terry Michael Gill (Fish) memorial along the way. My beer can (VB) is on the left.

Two wonderful days at Trephina Gorge Nature Park—a view of the sandy creek bed.

We walked along the Trephina sandy creek bed with large River Red Gum trees, 'Celery' trees, and Ghost trees, and up the ridge where we had fantastic views.

While in Trephina, we hiked the sandy creek bed. Along the trek were River Red Gum trees, ‘Celery’ trees, and Ghost trees. Then, we walked up the ridge, where we had fantastic views.

We stopped at the Corroboree Rock Conservation Reserve on the way back to Alice Springs.

On the way back to Alice Springs, we stopped at the Corroboree Rock Conservation Reserve

Palm Valley

Palm Valley is a stunning place in the Finke Gorge National Park. It is about 140 kilometres from Alice Springs. Access by a 4WD vehicle only, due to the rough and sandy track. It is famous for the Red Cabbage Palm Red Cabbage Palm.

Furthermore, we went on a 4WD Outback Safari with AATKings. We were following the Finke River to Palm Valley, an oasis in one of Australia’s driest regions.

In the Red Centre,Palm Valley, we went on hiking the trail (5 km, 2 hours return). We walked through spectacular rock formations, white sands, rock pools, and palm trees.

Then, we went on hiking the trail (5 km, 2 hours return). We walked through spectacular rock formations, white sands, rock pools, and palm trees.

The red cliff above Palm Valley.

A view of the beautiful red rock formation.

Photo 2010

1954 watercolour painting ‘Twin Ghosts’

The heritage-listed ghost gums to the left of the images were a gathering place for lovers of Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira. An arson attack destroyed the trees in 2013.

More from Northern Territory: Kakadu

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