Itinerary
The Light Shows of the Red Centre:
Parrtjima is an extraordinary FREE festival in the stunning Red Centre, with an incredible program featuring light installations and more.
Light Towers at Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon is an immersive sound and light installation by acclaimed British artist Bruce Munro. Internationally recognised for his Field of Light at Uluru, Light-Towers is now lighting up Kings Canyon. Experience the wonder of Light-Towers when you stay at our iconic property at Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon in the heart of the Red Centre. This experience takes place in the golden glow of sunset. Enjoy canapes and drinks with a native influence before the towers transform in front of Kings Canyon.
Never has an early morning start been more rewarding. The silent morning air that encompasses the desert landscape of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is filled with gasps and amazed ‘ooohs’ and ‘aaahhs’ as the first group to wander through the desert paths are met by four acres of flowing fibre optics lights. With the majestic Uluru in the background, begin to fall into silence as you take in what is truly an unforgettable and life-changing experience. These otherworldly spheres of light are internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro’s latest art installation, Field of Light, and his largest to date, with him and his team installing more than 50,000 slender stems crowned with radiant frosted glass spheres in a remote desert area within sight of majestic Uluru.
Accommodation:
Australian hospitality has its own style that combines both professionalism and genuine warmth. You'll find this authentic brand of service at the Outback Hotel. Comfortable, affordable hotel rooms with private bathrooms are perfect for the demands of travellers looking for quality service in relaxed surroundings. The rooms feature air-conditioning and heating and have tea/coffee making facilities. As a guest at the Hotel you have access to all the facilities the resort has to offer, including shopping, visitor centre, tour desk, and more. This is a place where friendships are made and good times are had by all. Grab a bite to eat served alongside some great music, great conversation, and a few good laughs at the Outback Kitchen, select your preferred cut of meat or fish, including steaks, kangaroo, emu sausages, and barramundi, and cook it yourself at the Outback BBQ, or swap stories of your day's adventures with a cold beverage at the Outback Bar. Alternatively, opt for the peace and quiet of the Bough House Restaurant.
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Imagine waking up to a sunrise view of Uluru, blazing red under a sunny Outback sky. Perched within an oasis of native gardens, the Desert Gardens Hotel’s 218 elegant guestrooms provide a relaxing retreat from a day of adventure. Taking its name from the Pitjantjatjara word for desert quandong, Mangata Bistro & Bar serves a delicious buffet breakfast and, for lunch and dinner, a diverse range of light meals showcasing the finest Australian produce with highlights of native bush tucker flavours throughout. The contemporary indoor area flows seamlessly to an outdoor terrace, surrounded by the native greens of the iconic gardens of the hotel. Once you've satisfied the urges to explore the magic within Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, you will find free guided walks through Desert Gardens Hotel's substantial and authentic native gardens just outside your hotel door. All of Ayers Rock Resort's luxuries and conveniences, including numerous lookouts, Red Ochre Spa and the shops, tour & information centre and cafés located at the Resort Town Square, are within easy walking distance or accessible via the free shuttle bus.
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In the heart of Australia's Red Centre, Sails in the Desert hotel beautifully contrasts Uluru's raw natural beauty with a decidedly premium outback holiday experience. Soaring white sails crown Ayers Rock Resort's Sails in the Desert hotel, shading 228 beautifully appointed rooms and suites. In a destination where one of the world's oldest cultures still thrives, the mystery, colour and wisdom of the local Anangu people is interwoven into every facet of Sails in the Desert's modern design. This hotel features an expansive gumtree lined swimming pool and a diversity of modern dining, bar and lounge options. Relax and feast in the brasserie-style Ilkari Restaurant or let time tick by as you enjoy cocktails, music and Indigenous-inspired cuisine in the Walpa Lobby Bar, or curl up on one of the daybeds and enjoy a casual lunch and cocktail by the pool. Sails in the Desert's stunning Mulgara Gallery takes you on an exploration through the unique styles and breathtaking stories of Indigenous art. Find each of your senses lulled into complete relaxation as you give in to one of the Red Ochre Spa's treatments.
Experience the wonder of the Red Centre at Discovery Kings Canyon Resort, halfway between Uluru and Alice Springs in Australia’s Northern Territory. Just 7 kilometres from the entrance to Watarrka National Park, unforgettable outback landscapes and a variety of accommodation will make your stay with us a lifelong memory. As a sacred site of the Lurijta and Arrente peoples for more than 30,000 years, we encourage you to engage your full set of senses whenever you explore Watarrka. Reward your journey here with anything from a Deluxe Spa Room with private balcony, a newly refurbished Standard Room, or a much-loved Superior Glamping Tent. Walking the Kings Canyon Rim is one of Central Australia’s must-do activities and you can immerse yourself in Indigenous culture with the Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience. Inside Discovery Kings Canyon Resort a range of facilities are there for your comfort and convenience. Enjoy the swimming pool, tennis court, BBQ, laundry room and petrol station before you continue your journey. Dining options range from all-day casual to breakfast buffets and a moonlit serenade under the stars.
Enjoy exploring the wonders of the unique city of Alice Springs while based at the modern DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs which boasts stunning views of the majestic MacDonnell Mountain Ranges. Your spacious room will offer luxurious bedding, modern interiors and internet access as well as a late check-out. For those who enjoy being active the hotel provides a 24-hour fitness centre, two tennis courts and an outdoor heated pool which overlooks the lush garden landscape. Golfing-enthusiasts need not worry as there is an 18-hole golf course located just next door.
Where to eat:
There are plenty of unique places to eat in Alice Springs and many of them you’ll find situated in and around Todd Mall. Tucked away in the Fan Arcade just off Todd Mall you’ll find Page 27, Alice’s own slice of Melbourne’s laneway culture. Loved by locals for its all-day brekky and pumping tunes, this little cafe has become a bit of an institution for lovers of all things cool. Epilogue (Page 27’s sister eatery and located on the other side of the Todd Mall) is open until the wee hours of the morning and is famous for its share plates (the nachos are insane!) and vibrant live music scene. Dine and dance in the rooftop section for the full hipster experience.
What to do:
Light Towers at Sunset Tour
Indulge in a captivating sunset experience at Kings Canyon. Witness the iconic canyon bathed in the warm glow of Bruce Munro’s mesmerizing Light-Towers installation. As darkness falls, enjoy a gourmet selection of canapés and drinks while immersing yourself in this breathtaking spectacle.
8 Minute Canyon Dash Helicopter Tour
Soar above the ancient landscapes of Kings Canyon on an exhilarating 8-minute helicopter flight. Marvel at the stunning panoramic views of the Garden of Eden, the Domes of the Lost City, and the iconic red cliffs.
Uluru Sunrise & Field of Light Tour
Witness the breathtaking sunrise over Uluru, followed by a visit to the enchanting Field of Light. As the sun rises, the desert landscape is illuminated by the gentle glow of thousands of solar-powered lights, creating a truly magical experience.
Wintjiri Wiru Twilight
Embark on a captivating cultural journey under the vast night sky. Wintjiri Wiru, meaning “beautiful view out to the horizon,” is a breathtaking light show that brings to life the ancestral Mala story through choreographed drones, lasers, and projections.
Uluru Audio Guide has over 100 stories covering Uluru’s Aboriginal culture, history, geology and everything in between. The audio guide is available as both a downloadable app or a physical device that can be hired from our reservations desk. The audio guide is is designed to allow your own Self-Guided Touring around Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
Other recommendations:
If you’re planning a visit to Alice, you’ve probably already got the Olive Pink Botanic Gardens on your itinerary. If so, you’ll be pleased to know the team there also know how to serve up a good feed! Why not grab some lunch and get amongst the local flora! Be sure to walk up Anzac Hill for a stunning sunset picture over Alice Springs and the West MacDonnell Ranges as the back drop.
Experience a West MacDonnell Ranges self drive adventure outside of Alice Springs. The panoramic landscapes of the West MacDonnell Ranges are extraordinary for their immensity and array of sunburnt oranges, maroons and purples. View spectacular outback scenery and take photos as you travel along through magnificent Outback Country, stopping at the many historic locations. *NT Park Pass is not included.
