Central Australia: the heart, the soul and the centre of Australia

Central Australia’s iconic landscape will capture your attention. The region’s famous landmarks include Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), Watarrka (Kings Canyon), and Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles). Given that these sites have special meaning to the aboriginal people of Central Australia it is important to be respectful when went visiting. Without doubt travelers through this vast area of desert landscapes, lakes and waterways will also want to checkout some of its historical pubs along the way. Adventurers will soon discover why this area has been described as “the heart, the soul and the centre of Australia”. After driving through this iconic landscape this Spaswinefood enthusiast can see why.

Uluru (Ayers Rock), Australia's Best Known Iconic Landmark © Spaswinefood

Central Australia, also known as the Alice Springs Region, is one of the five regions in the Northern Territory (Darwin, East Arnhem land or Nhulunbuy, Katherine, Barkly and Central or Alice Springs). The term Top End is commonly used for the Darwin and Arnhem Land regions, with Central Australia being used for the Central region, sometimes referred to as Centralia, the area centered around Alice Springs. Located in southern part of the Northern Territory, Central Australia stretches from Elliott in the North to the South Australian border, from the Western Australian Border it spans eastward to the Queensland border.

Discover the Heart, Soul and Centre of Australia

Journey to Elliott

It is a long journey to Central Australia from the Top End of Australia. For that reason let’s begin in Katherine. After leaving Katherine we journeyed south on the Stuart Highway to Mataranka where we spent the night. From Mataranka it was onwards to Tennant Creek, visiting a few pubs, like Pink Panther and Daly Waters, along the way. 

The Pink Panther, Larrimah Wayside Inn © Spaswinefood

Pink Panther Pub, Larrimah Wayside Inn © Spaswinefood

Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood

Later we stopped for picnic lunch at roadside rest near Newcastle Waters, just before Elliott, at the northern edge of Central Australia.

Alice Springs is only 783 km © Spaswinefood

After lunch we continued pass places, like Banka Banka before overnighting at Attack Creek, a 24-hour rest stop.

Only 150km to Banka Banka © Spaswinefood

 Attack Creek Rest-Stop © Spaswinefood

Tennant Creek and Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles)

Next morning it was onto Tennant Creek. After passing Threeways at the junction  where you take the highway to Queensland. Soon we stopped at Katerina's Restaurant, Tennant Creek for breakfast. After breakfast we backtracked to the Peebles, a sacred site for Aborginal women. We may have missed visiting this site except when we stopped to breakfast at Katerina’s one of the staff suggested it. 

The Pebbles (Kunjarra)

 The Pebbles © Spaswinefood

 The Pebbles © Spaswinefood

 The Pebbles © Spaswinefood

Then it was onwards to the Marbles, which is more frequently visited. We found both sites to be worthwhile experiences, for us to better understand their cultural and spiritual significances to the local people.

The Marbles (Karlu Karlu)

The Marbles © Spaswinefood

The Marbles & Pebbles © Spaswinefood

Visiting the Pebbles and Marbles sites provided insights into the importance of the land to the Aboriginal people.

Onto Alice Springs, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), and Watarrka (Kings Canyon)

Our next stops included Wauchope Roadhouse Pub, Wycliff Wells UFO capital of Australia, then Barrow Creek, another historical pub, before heading onto Ti Tree Roadhouse Caravan Park for the night.

Wauchope Roadhouse Pub

Wauchope Roadhouse Pub © Spaswinefood

Wycliff Wells, UFO Capital of Australia

Wycliff Wells, UFO Capital of Australia © Spaswinefood

Our next stop was Barrow Creek Pub.

Onto Barrow Creek © Spaswinefood

Barrow Creek Pub 

 Barrow Creek Pub © Spaswinefood

Again it was another colorful pub stop. 

Later when we checked into the Ti Tree Caravan Park it was time to prepare dinner and watch the sunset.

Ti Tree Caravan Park

Relaxing at Ti Tree Caravan Park © Spaswinefood

Yes, it was the perfect spot to open a bottle of Margaret River wine from Vasse Felix, Cabernet Sauvignon 2012. 

Vasse Felix, Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 © Spaswinefood

Onwards to Alice Springs 
After a restful night at Ti Tree Caravan Park it was onto Alice Springs next day.  Alice Springs, the largest town is Central Australia, it was an exciting place to explore. This modern town rich in history was a great stop for a few days. There is so much to explore. 

Alice Springs, Central Australia © Spaswinefood

Alice Springs, Central Australia © 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. Huge distances between towns are not uncommon in the Outback.

Onwards to Ayers Rock/Uluru

A journey to 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. Best described as the spiritual heart of Australia Uluru is what we really came to see. After completing a half-lap around Australia with a journey through the center this would be the high of our travels. In fact arriving at Uluru was truly the perfect finale of our travels. 

Sunset at Uluru is Magical © Spaswinefood

While visiting Uluru most visitors can explore both Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), and Watarrka (Kings Canyon). In terms of driving distances in Australia they are really nearby. That is once you reach the Lasseter Highway.

Lasseter Highway Travels © Spaswinefood 

Red Centre Travels to Watarrka (Kings Canyon) © Spaswinefood 

Yes, Central Australia is truly the heart, the soul and the centre of Australia. I invite you to join me in my travels in Central Australia and elsewhere at Spaswinefood. 

Sharon

June 2015

Australia

© Spaswinefood

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