The Red Centre Way road trip is an ultimate journey that will take you through the most iconic landmarks in Australia. It is a place where you will get a chance to explore stunning landscapes and do adventurous activities. On the way to Red Centre Road, you will find that the area is filled with rich heritage and breathtaking natural wonders. Whether you are an experienced traveller looking for new places or an adventurous explorer craving something exciting, this road trip is filled with exciting and adventurous things.
This journey will give you a chance to tackle challenging terrain and explore the hidden gems of central Australia as you take in the breathtaking splendour of the Red Centre Way. The best time to go on this road trip is between May and September since the temperatures during these months are usually between 20°C and 30°C. During this period, you will find cool temperatures, making it easy for you to plan your walks and enjoy them to the fullest.
Here is a blog that will take you on the most adventurous and exciting road trip.
Things to be aware of while planning a road trip
There are a few things that you need to be aware of when planning a long road trip. Keeping in mind all these things will help you to have a smooth and enjoyable journey. Listed below are some of the things that you need to be aware of.
1) Fuel
Fuel is one of the most important things that needs to be considered on a road trip. This road trip is approximately 1200 km long, so keeping in mind to refill fuel is very important. There are a lot of gaps between the fuel stations on this route, so you should carry some extra fuel along with you so that you are not stuck at any point.
2) Food
You will find that the area does not have too many restaurants on its way. This indicates that you need to carry a lot of snacks and packed food. This will prepare you for all the difficulties that may arise on your road trip. You should carry enough water and non-perishable food items that may last for a longer period of time.
3) Accommodations
Planning where to stay is an essential thing when you are going on a road trip that is quite long. An individual should always reserve accommodation in advance to have a secure place to stay. Whether you opt for a campsite or a hotel reservation, making a booking beforehand is always advised when going to such places.
4) Permits
There are a few places along the Red Centre Way where you may require permits for entry. Thus, you need to obtain all the necessary permits that are required for a specific location that will help you have a safe journey without any disturbances along the way.
How To Reach
The best way to reach Red Centre Way is by taking a flight from Melbourne. There are a lot of flights that fly from Melbourne Airport to Alice Springs Airport. You can take the most popular Australian airline, Qantas, which flies nonstop. This flight will take two and a half hours to reach Alice Springs Airport.
Day 1: Alice Springs
On your first day of the Red Centre Road trip, reach Alice Springs and make sure your car’s fuel tank is full. Start your trip by exploring some beautiful areas of Alice Springs. This place is also known as “The Alice.” It offers you a lot of thrilling and exciting activities that you can enjoy to have the best time here. One such option is exploring the Anzac Hills. It takes approximately 17 to 20 minutes to drive from the airport to Anzac Hills. It is one of the most picturesque places from which you can take 360-degree views of the beautiful area. Situated at a height of 608 metres, this place gives great photographic opportunities as well.
After enjoying this beautiful place, it’s time to explore some of the best restaurants and cafes to have your meals at. Hungry Jack’s Burgers Alice Springs, Epilogue Lounge & Rooftop Bar, and McDonald’s Alice Springs are some of the best restaurants where you can enjoy your food and have some rest. All these restaurants offer you delicious meals and a beautiful dining area with a good atmosphere and culture.
Now you can visit the Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve, which is a historic landmark that gives all its visitors a chance to learn and explore some new things about the communication and transportation of Australia. Along with this, the place offers you a lot of outdoor activities, like shady picnic areas, barbeque facilities, and grounds where you can stroll around and enjoy yourself. Now you can drive to a hotel and get relaxed.
Day 2: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
After exploring the historic landmark and natural beauty of Alice Spring, now it’s time to head off to a new destination, which is Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. To reach this destination, you need to drive for approximately 5 hours since the place is located at a distance of 500 km. It is a beautiful place that has gained popularity due to Ayers Rock, which is the world’s largest monolith. This is an amazing park that offers you a lot of activities, such as the base walk or the mala walk, where you witness the rock art and experience the culture of the area.
Subsequent to exploring the Ayers Rocks, you can now explore the delicious cuisine offered by the place. Some of the restaurants that you will find on the way are the Arnguli Grill & Restaurant, Ilkari Restaurant, and Geckos Cafe. All these restaurants offer you some of the most delicious meals and a vibrant atmosphere where you can sit and enjoy yourself with your friends and family. It is recommended that you buy some packed or frozen food since there might be a shortage of food the next day.
After having some delicious meals, it’s time to explore the flora and fauna of the area. It is a park where you will find some rare and endemic plants. Some of the plants and animals that you will find in this place are hakeas, mulga, bloodwood, river red gum, corkwood trees, and daisies. Along with this, you can witness some native animals at the park, such as burrowing bettong, mallee fowl, rufous hare wallaby or mala, bilby, brushtail possum, and the black-footed rock wallaby. It is a perfect place to explore the natural beauty and wildlife of the area. Following this, you can drive to the Ayers Rock Resort, where you can have some rest and prepare yourself for the next day.
Day 3: Watarrka National Park and Kings Canyon
After witnessing the amazing Ayra Rocks at Uluru, let’s move on to the next spot, which is Watarrka National Park. Situated at a distance of 320 km, you can reach here in approximately 3 and a half hours. It is one of the most stunning places that offers you beautiful landscapes, rock holes, and many plants and animals to explore. This park offers you some of the best photographic opportunities, as you will find perfect views of the area and a chance to discover the rich heritage and culture.
This is a perfect place to spend some time with your friends and family and capture some precious moments. Next, you can have the food that you packed yesterday. Or you can look for some food options nearby if there’s any. After enjoying some food and having some rest, there are other exciting and thrilling adventures waiting for you.
The Kings Canyon has an amazing rim walk activity in which you can indulge yourself. It is a beautiful 6-kilometre walk that gives you an amazing hiking experience. It is a mesmerising walk that takes you and offers you stunning views of the nearby landscapes. It takes approximately 500 steps to reach the top of the rim and experience 360-degree views of the area. There are some stoppages on the walk so that you can easily reach the top and take in some of the best views of King Canyon.
Day 4: Glen Helen and Ellery Creek Big Hole
After enjoying hiking at your previous destination, now it’s time to explore your next destination, which is Glen Helen. Being located at a distance of 235 km, you just need 2 and a half hours to drive to this destination. It is a beautiful location that offers stunning views of the area, and you will find that the river Finke flows through this place. Along with this, the place has big red cliffs, making it a permanent waterhole where you will witness palm trees all around. It is a beautiful place that offers picturesque natural beauty and photographic opportunities.
Next, you can have some food at Glen Helen Resort, which offers you some of the best cuisine in the area. It is a perfect place to dine and enjoy your meals. In addition to this, they also offer you a barbeque facility where you can experience the best-grilled food, stroll around, and enjoy some quality time together.
After this, you can drive for just 30 minutes and discover another thrilling and adventurous place, Ellery Creek Big Hole. A beautiful place that has been formed by the erosion of millions of years. It is a popular swimming spot for all the tourists, where you can enjoy yourself. Along with swimming, the place offers a lot of activities, such as camping, bush walking, and fishing. At this place, you will find picnic tables and fireplaces where you can enjoy some quality time and have a picnic.
Day 5: Back to Alice Springs
Today is the last day of your road trip, so you might be excited to explore the set of activities that lies ahead, but along with that, you will be going back today. To reach Alice Springs, you just need to drive for 1 hour since it is approximately 90 km. Once you reach Alice Springs, you can explore Alice Springs Desert Park. It is an amazing place that tells you that there are still lives present in the desert. At this park, you will get a chance to explore the flora and fauna of the area. Here you will find a lot of animals, such as Spencer’s burrowing frog, red-tailed phascogale, red kangaroo, ghost bat, and many more. Along with this, there is a wide variety of birds that can be seen.
The place is also filled with a lot of plant life, such as desert petunia, bush banana, spearwood, ironwood, and many others. It is a perfect place to enjoy and witness the wildlife of the area. After this, you can have lunch at some of the best restaurants in the area. Some of the restaurants where you will find both indoor and outdoor seating facilities are Sporties Restaurant, Confucius Palace Dumpling Restaurant, and Loco Burrito. After enjoying your meal, you can take some rest at your hotel. Now it’s time to drive to the airport and fly back to your place.
Conclusion
The Red Centre Way is one of the best options if you are planning a road trip. Although you need to take a flight to explore this place, it will be worth spending your money on it. It is a place that is filled with stunning landscapes, amazing parks, and a lot of thrilling activities in which you can indulge. It is a place that is known for its rich culture and natural heritage. From the iconic Uluru to the breathtaking Kings Canyon, every turn provides an insight into the timeless beauty and historic stories of Australia. So fill up your tank, grab a seat, and enjoy the charm of the Red Centre Way as you travel this legendary path.
Frequently Asked Questions
This place is referred to as the Red Centre because of the colour that most of its places hold. You will find that the entire place is covered with big red deserts, and it took millions of years to form this soil. The main reason behind the colour of the soil is the high levels of iron-oxidising in the soil. Along with this, the place is located in the centre of Australia. So, this place got its name from these two factors.
The amount of time you will spend on the Red Centre Way completely depends on your interests and itinerary. But if you are planning to explore the entire Red Centre Way, you will need approximately 5 to 6 days. By spending these many days, you will get a chance to explore almost all the key attractions offered by the place. Along with this, you can also indulge in thrilling and adventurous activities like hiking, camping, and swimming.
Yes, it is always recommended to travel in a 4WD when driving the Mereenie Loop. This is an adventurous drive that takes you through Alice Springs, Uluru, Watarrka National Park, Kings Canyon, Glen Helen, and Ellery Creek Big Hole. Although this route can also be accessed by 2WD vehicles, having a 4WD will provide greater flexibility and safety. By taking a 4WD vehicle, you can easily drive on rough roads, sandy paths, and off-roading areas.
Since the Red Centre Way is a little hot, it is preferred to take T-shirts and shorts with you. Along with that, you can carry some hoodies with you since it gets a little cold in the evenings. In addition to this, you can take your sun cream, sunglasses, brimmed hat, lip balm, and moisturiser along with you. Wear good sports shoes so that you feel comfortable while walking and hiking.
The best way to travel to Red Centre is by taking a flight, since you will reach there in approximately 2 and a half hours. But if you plan to go by road, it will take 12 hours to reach your destination, Red Centre Way.
No, it is not necessary to take a caravan on your road trip to Red Centre Way. But you can take it if you feel there is a requirement for that. Other than that, you can take a 4WD or even opt for a 2WD, whichever suits you.
Yes, it is considered a safe drive from Alice Springs to Uluru since the route is well-maintained and frequently driven. This is the longest road trip on the way, so you have to drive for a long distance of approximately 320 km. Having a smooth route to drive is very necessary, where you can feel relaxed and enjoy yourself along the way.
It is difficult to predict the temperature of Alice Springs since you will find that it is extremely hot on summer days and unbearably cold in winter. In summer, the temperature rises to approximately 40 °C, and in winter, the lowest temperature noted is 20 °C.
The best time to visit Uluru is between May and September, since you will find a moderate temperature here. The temperature mainly ranges from 20°C to 30°C, which can be easily tolerated by everyone.