Travels along Red Centre Way: Alice Springs to the "Red Rock"

Australia's Red Centre takes on special meaning as you journey to the Red Rock. In case you are wondering the Red Centre is the name given to the southern desert part of Australia's Northern Territory. Yes, the Red Centre, which is right in the middle of the Australian Outback, is indeed red. The earth and the rocks are amazingly red. Follow Spaswinefood as we drive from Alice Springs to Ayers Rock (Uluru) that iconic "Red Rock".

Dining, Red Centre Style © Spaswinefood

When most think of the Australian Outback, Alice Springs and Ayers Rock/Uluru are likely the first places that come to mind. A common misconception is that these towns are in close proximity of each other. This is not the case. They are in fact 450 km apart, a 4-5 hour drive. Huge distances between towns are not uncommon in the Outback.  

Travels along Red Centre Way © Spaswinefood

Red Centre Way © Spaswinefood

The Ultimate Outback Road Trip: Alice Springs to Uluru /Ayers Rock
By the time we reached Alice Springs we were almost three months into our half-lap around Australia. There is no way we can leave Australia without seeing the "Red Rock". Given that I have already described our visit to Alice this post will focus on our drive along Red Centre Way, from Alice Springs to Uluru.

Alice Springs, Central Australia © Spaswinefood

Bright and early one winter morning we were off to "the red rock". It was foggy at the start of our 450 km  journey. We made a quick stop at the big M for coffee before leaving Alice. From Alice Springs we followed highway to Erldunda Roadhouse where we stopped to  fill up the gas tank. Always keep your gas tank filled while in the Outback.

Filling-Up, Erldunda Roadhouse © Spaswinefood

We then traveled south on the Stuart Highway turning at the Lasseter Highway junction.

Ebenezer Roadhouse © Spaswinefood

Along the way we our next stop was at Ebenezer Roadhouse, which has an Aboriginal art gallery. Here we bought a piece of art and music sticks. When we arrived at the junction of Lasseter Highway with Luritja Road to Kings Canyon (Wattarrick), by this time the sky was clearing. 

Red Centre Travels  to Watarrka & Uluru © Spaswinefood 

Travels on Lasseter Highway © Spaswinefood 

It was the perfect place to stop for photos. Spaswinefood loves to record the journey. It has proven to be quite helpful for later writing.

© Spaswinefood 

The Red Centre Way © Spaswinefood

As we traveled onwards we saw red outcrop in the distant.  I started to get excited. At first we thought it was Uluru however, it was in fact Mount Connor.

Mount Connor © Spaswinefood

Later a road sign indicated that we had another 136 km to go before arriving in Yulara.

Lasseter Highway Travels © Spaswinefood 

Camel Farm Advertisement © Spaswinefood

Outback travelers get use to seeing interesting signs along the highway. This time it was a camel tour advertisement. Broome and Red Centre were two areas in Australia that I saw lots of camels.


The Iconic Red Rock

It was not along before we arrived at the Ayers Rock Resort and checked into our campsite. We managed to arrive in Uluru just in time for sunset. Nothing beats sunset at the Red Centre! It was indeed time to celebrate with some Australian bubbly. Yes, we had brought it with us for this very special occasion.

Sunset at Uluru is Magical © Spaswinefood

I took many photos trying to capture the majestic red colors at sunset.

Uluru at Sunset © Spaswinefood

I still remember our last night in Uluru when we dined under the stars, with the red rock in the distance. Yes, it was a fun evening with bush inspired tucker (food) and Australian wine.

Night Time Dining near Uluru © Spaswinefood

After dinner we enjoyed a talk on the southern night sky. During the talk we ate dessert and drank a glass of port. The Southern Cross, the signs of the zodiac, the Milky Way and other stars were visible in the sky that clear winter night.

Sitting there below the star filled sky I was reminded that our time in the southern hemisphere was slowly coming to an end. While the southern hemisphere greeted the arrival of winter we were spending the second last week of our Australian road trip at Australia's Red Centre. It is hard to think of a better way to enjoy a glass of wine than watching the night sky near Uluru. It was only the day before that we had toasted our arrival at this iconic landmark.

Toasting with Yering Station Wine, Uluru © Spaswinefood

Yering Station, Yarrabank Late Disgorged Cuvée 2004 © Spaswinefood

Toast to Uluru © Spaswinefood

Sunset at Uluru © Spaswinefood

After we left Uluru we head back down the Stuart Highway towards Adelaide, and then onto Melbourne. Traveling to/from Uluru we passed the entrance to Kings Canyon twice. We had hope to visit it on the way back out however, since our time in Australia was nearing an end we did not. We left the Red Centre with those wonderful memories of stunning sunsets and dining under the starlit sky near Uluru. It was indeed the perfect ending to the ultimate Outback road trip

Two days later we crossed into South Australia. There we would explore the Barossa Valley for the second time before heading back to Melbourne. There is so much to do and see in the Central Australia region of Australia's Northern Territory. I invite you to join me in my travels in Australia and elsewhere at Spaswinefood. 

Sharon

June 2015
Alice Springs

Northern Territory, Australia

© Spaswinefood

Uluru Memories © Spaswinefood

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Northern Territory sites visited by Spaswinefood included:
1. Jabiru, Kakadu National Park
2. Cooinda, Kakadu National Park
3. Darwin
4. Litchfield National Park
5. 303 Bar
6. Top End
7. Katherine
8. Outback Pubs
9. Alice Springs
10. Uluru-Katu Tjuta (Ayers Rock) National Park

Central Australia © Spaswinefood

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