Desert Centre

Uluru, Kata Tjuta and the flora & fauna of the central desert

The Desert Centre is home to Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the remarkable rock domes of nearby Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). Uluru rises out of the flat desert, the world’s largest monolith and like an iceberg geologists believe that at least two-thirds of the Rock lies beneath the surface. A geological work of art, Uluru is riddled with caves, rivulets, strange wounds and gashes and is adorned with ancient Aboriginal rock paintings. To the west, the equally impressive Kata Tjuta is a spectacular collection of 36 weathered red domes separated by narrow valleys and covering 35 square kilometres. Kata Tjuta and Uluru form part of the traditional belief system of one of the oldest human societies in the world, the Anangu Aboriginal people. Throughout central Australia their presence is strong and their cultural and spiritual connection to this region echoes in every rock and landmark. Aboriginal people have lived here for at least 30,000 years and within that time have created an intricate culture moulded by the inland deserts, while their foods, medicines, music, customs, legends and art have been adapted to suit the arid environment.

More recent European arrivals have also carved their niche here and outback cattle stations of a half million acres are a normal sized property! Staying as guests on an outback cattle station with the very best of bush hospitality gives an idea of how people live in these remote parts. The MacDonnell Ranges provide some of Australia’s most spectacular outback scenery with gorges, canyons, desert mountains and remote water holes. Throughout the Desert Centre there is a large population of unique mammals, birds, reptiles and plants that prove this arid climate is more than hospitable. Wallabies, dingoes, emus, tiny geckos and huge eagles are just some of the long established locals you will see in addition to camels, brought to Australia in the days when Afghan immigrants ran the ‘trains’ of the outback. A feature of the Desert Centre is the continually changing colours in the rocks and ranges and the clarity of the night sky is evident in a canopy of stars that stretches from one horizon to the other.

Access

• Alice Springs has regular flights from most Australian cities, and Uluru has daily flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Cairns.

Seasons

• October to May will be dry and very hot.  In mid-Summer, day time temperatures will often exceed 40C (over 100F)
• June to September expect dry and warm days with cold nights (regularly below zero C)

Travel Tips 

• Allow 2 nights for Uluru & Kata Tjuta 
• For Uluru, Kata Tjuta and either Kings Canyon or an outback cattle station allow 4 or 5 nights 
• For those that wish to self drive, the route from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon and on to Uluru makes a great 4 night circuit through some of the most spectacular outback country in Australia. 
• An excellent way to see the Red Centre is by helicopter 
• Camp out under the desert sky with a local safari guide on the Larapinta Trail
• An early morning balloon trip provides a great view of the space of the outback and its wildlife
• Share stories around a beer at the end of a day with the owner of a half million acre outback station
• Dine out under the stars near Uluru