What to do and Where to stay in
Red Centre and Northern Territory

Uluru takes centre stage here – quite literally. Soaring improbably out of the red dirt, this magnificent rock is well worth the journey, albeit only 3 and a half hours from Sydney.  However, when you add in some stargazing amongst the Field Of Lights, a sundowner picnic with a crisp local wine or even some camel riding amongst the dunes with your local aboriginal guide, then you can see how this has become more than just the most famous landmark. Don’t miss the Olgas (Kata Tjuta), a destination in their own right and sometimes overlooked in favour of their famous older sister. Hike through these magnificent red domes, making sure you hit the sweetspot viewing platform at sundown to watch these mighty creations absorb the sun’s glow.

A short flight north brings you to the lovely city of Darwin, famous for its technicolour sunsets, tempting night markets and heady Asian influences. From here Kakadu National Park is an easy explore. The size of Switzerland, this incredible eco-system is home to a myriad of wildlife thanks to its rich combination of savannah, mudgroves and colossal sandstone escapements. Enjoy a lazy boat ride along its Yellow Waterways, rivers and floodplains, spotting those prehistoric kingpins – the saltwater crocodile – amongst the wildlife and birds teeming on the banks. If you are short on time, then Lichfield National Park is well worth a visit. Only 60 minutes from Darwin, it is home to pristine waterfalls, sparkling plunge pools, abundant walking trails and of course, its 100 year old, two metre high Termite mounds!

For the ultimate in Outback experiences, then hop aboard The Ghan. One of the world’s ultimate train journeys, this four day, three night extravaganza takes you from Darwin to Adelaide, via some of Australia’s most beguiling scenery. This legendary journey is one of the country’s national treasures and a definite bucket list tick box.