Central Australia Attractions

The Red Centre is the heart of Australia, an arid outback region which in spite of its sparse vegetation attracts steadily increasing numbers of visitors with its fascinating colors, ancient rock formations and deep gorges. Its main features of interest are Alice Springs, the largest and best known outback town, the Macdonnell Ranges, Kings Canyon, Finke Gorge National Park, with Palm Valley, Hermannsburg and above all Ayers Rock, with the Olgas and the new tourist center of Ayers Rock Resort (formerly Yulara).

Roughly a quarter of the population are Aborigines, and the remains of their ancient culture have been better preserved in the thinly populated hot, dry outback than anywhere else. The climate is extreme. Hot summers with maximum day temperatures of over 45°C are followed by warm winter days with nights which are sometimes frosty. Rainfall is very low (average 280 mm), often taking the form of violent showers after long drought.