It’s a place like no other. Red dirt kicks at your ankles and there are more celestial stars than cars. You feel alone, but never lonely – surrounded by the sound of the land breathing. There’s something deeply spiritual about the Red Centre; the vastness of the landscape stretching endlessly towards the horizon, the crisp night sky illuminated by the Southern Cross and the Milky Way, the primal sound of dingo howls echoing across the desert after dark.
It puts you in your place – not in a harsh ‘look how small you are’ kind of way, but in a quietly humbling way that reminds you that you’re only a small part of something far bigger and far older than yourself. The Red Centre truly centres you.
If a trip to the heart of Australia has long been on your bucket list, this six-day itinerary is the perfect place to start.
The journey into the heart of the outback begins
When most people think of the Red Centre, their mind instantly goes to Uluru. And while it absolutely deserves a place on any itinerary through the vast Petermann region of the outback, it’s far from the only landmark worth your attention.
To kick off your trip we recommend a stay at the iconic Kings Creek Station. After flying into Alice Springs, pick up a hire car from the airport before setting off on your outback adventure. The roads are generally well maintained, but you’ll encounter long stretches of open highway with little to no fencing, and it’s not uncommon to spot wild brumbies or cattle casually strolling across the middle of the road. For this reason, a 4WD is strongly recommended, and a bull bar is a sensible addition for added peace of mind.
Kings Creek Station is approximately a 4.5-hour drive from Alice Springs via sealed roads. While there is a shorter route via Ernest Giles Road, it’s unsealed and can be extremely rough in sections. To minimise the risk of tyre damage or a chipped windscreen, the longer route along the Lasseter Highway is the safest and most reliable option.
The roads stretch endlessly towards the horizon. In the distance, road trains first appear as giant glowing orbs before slowly morphing into something recognisable. The further you get from Alice, the more you notice the outback salute; a wave, a thumbs-up, a two-fingered gesture of camaraderie from passing drivers. It’s a quiet acknowledgement of another human lifeform on this vast desert highway.
The scenery on the drive is breathtaking; ancient volcanic plugs and weathered rock formations rise from the landscape, shaped over thousands of years. Desert shrubs line the roadside, rooted in stunning red, sand-like dirt.
Kings Creek Station: Where rugged landscape meets desert hospitality
Kings Creek Station has accommodation to suit every kind of traveller. If you’re a camping enthusiast or travelling with a caravan in tow, there’s a large campground with both powered and unpowered sites. Or, you can opt for a bush tent – a step up in comfort, featuring air conditioning and two single beds.
If you’re after a more elevated outback experience, Kings Creek Station can certainly cater for that with its Drover’s Dream tents. Complete with ensuite bathrooms and kitchenettes, they overlook the mesmerising George Gill Range and the ever-changing colours of the expansive Watarrka skyline.
And for an absolute five-star experience, you can’t go past the Dreamtime Escarpment package. Check into one of these three glamping tents for the ultimate in outback luxury. A fully stocked fridge, a bath under the cosmos, a swimming pool, and a deck area built into the rock face – this is high-end relaxation, outback style. Slip into your robe and sit by the fire pit, sipping sparkling as the desert sky deepens above you and the stars begin to take over.
There’s so much to explore in and around Kings Creek Station. A three-night stay will allow you enough time to tick most things off your list.
Priscilla’s Crack, rim walks and red rock silence
If you’re a nature lover or keen hiker (and let’s be honest – if you’re in the outback, you probably are), a visit to Kings Canyon is essential. It’s about a 30 minute drive from Kings Creek Station. Estimated to be more than 400 million years old, this extraordinary landscape is one of the most breathtaking in the Red Centre. Its soaring 270-metre cliffs are formed from ancient Mereenie and Carmichael sandstone, shaped over millions of years through tectonic shifts and erosion.
There are three main walks to choose from at Kings Canyon, though the most iconic is undoubtedly the Kings Canyon Rim Walk – a 6km circuit that climbs to the top of the canyon before tracing its edge with sweeping views across ancient red rock formations and the vast desert beyond. The ascent is steep, with more than 500 rock steps leading to the summit, but aching calves quickly become an afterthought once you reach the top and take in the sheer scale and silence that surrounds you.
From there, continue through Priscilla’s Crack, the narrow sandstone passage made famous by the cult Australian film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, before arriving at the first breathtaking lookout across the canyon.
The walk along the rim is less taxing, though still uneven underfoot. It feels like a blend of traversing the moon and moving through ancient ruins, with nothing but vast red rock formations and the sound of nature exhaling around you. It’s impossible not to be in awe of the scale and beauty surrounding you. Halfway through the circuit, take the stairs down to the Garden of Eden, a hidden oasis carved into the canyon that holds deep cultural significance for the Luritja and Arrernte peoples.
If you’re after something gentler, the Kings Canyon Creek Walk offers a relatively flat 2.6km return trail along the canyon floor, tracing the base of towering rock walls from below.
You can also take the South Wall Return Walk, a 4.8km hike (around 2 hours) that climbs to the top of the south wall, rewarding you with sweeping gorge views before retracing your steps back along the same route.
We recommend doing the walk with a companion or a group. There are also guided tours available for those who want to learn more about the history, bush medicine and cultural significance of Kings Canyon.
After working up an appetite, head back to Kings Creek Station for a delicious meal at the station cafe. If you’re game (pun intended), try the camel burger. Its rich, unique flavour is a hit with locals and travellers alike. Grab a side of onion rings and a cold beer to wash it down.
A softer pace in the canyon country
On day two, take an easier walk at Kathleen Springs, a gentle 2.6km return track that winds through a peaceful gorge framed by ancient sandstone walls. The path is mostly flat and accessible, making it a welcome contrast after the challenge of Kings Canyon. At the end, you’ll find a shaded spring-fed waterhole, a quiet place where the landscape softens and the history of the area, once an important meeting place for Aboriginal families, still lingers in the air.
On day three, take a moment to breathe. Rest in and around Kings Creek Station. Try a glass of their amazing Thomas Brothers & Co wines whilst overlooking the majestic George Gill Range. Breathe deeply and allow the calm of the outback to wash over you.
Uluru: Sacred ground and shifting light
Next stop: Uluru. From Kings Creek Station, the journey continues with a three-hour drive through the heart of the Red Centre. Base yourself at Longitude 131°, a luxury desert retreat nestled amongst the dunes, with uninterrupted views across Uluru and Kata Tjuṯa.
Over two days, settle into the rhythm of this ancient landscape. Start early with a sunrise viewing of Uluru, watching the rock shift through deep purples and fiery reds as the first light spills across the desert. Later, explore the base walk, where you can move slowly around sections of the 10 km circuit, passing waterholes, rock art sites and shaded pockets that reveal the cultural depth of this sacred place.
Take time to visit the Cultural Centre, where stories of the Anangu people and the significance of Tjukurpa bring new meaning to everything you see.
On your second day, turn your attention to Kata Tjuṯa. Often overshadowed by Uluru, this cluster of massive domed rock formations is just as powerful. The Valley of the Winds walk winds between the domes, revealing shifting viewpoints and vast desert silence that feels otherworldly.
Return to Longitude 131° as the sun sets, where the desert transforms once again. From your private deck, watch Uluru change colour in the distance while the sky deepens into night and the stars take over completely.
The kind of roadhouse you don’t just drive past
After five phenomenal nights in the desert wilderness, you’ll likely feel both deeply relaxed and pleasantly weary. The drive back to Alice Springs can feel long to tackle in a single stretch, so we recommend breaking up the journey with an overnight stay at Erldunda Roadhouse.
Erldunda Roadhouse is so much more than a pit stop on the Lasseter Highway. If you only pull over for fuel or a quick loo break, you might miss the magic tucked just beyond the servo.
The Desert Oaks Resort is a comfy overnight stay for weary travellers, but there’s more to this place than meets the eye. You can feed the emus or pay Carlotta the Camel a visit – one magnificent creature whose sheer size and flirty eyelashes will stop you in your tracks.
If you’ve been sitting for hours and need some movement there’s a pickle ball court where you can work up a sweat and then a pool right nearby to cool off that desert heat.
The Tavern opens at 3pm and serves ice cold beers, sumptuous pub grub and delicious pizzas. And the Sunset Viewing Platform is an absolute must. Grab yourself a glass of sparkling and head up to watch the sun slowly disappear behind the horizon as the desert fades into darkness.
For those who choose to stop and settle in at Erldunda on the journey to Uluru or Kings Canyon, it quickly becomes more than just a place to sleep. It becomes part of the adventure itself.
The lasting impact of the Red Centre
And then, just like that, the desert starts to fall away in your rear-view mirror. From Kings Canyon to Uluru and back again, this is a journey defined not by distance, but by perspective. The landscapes are vast, but it’s the stillness between them that stays with you long after the dust has settled and the road trip ends.
In partnership with King's Creek Station
