The Must-See Natural Wonders of Central Australia – Discovering Australia’s Red Centre is a common inclusion on the bucket-lists of Aussie and international travellers alike, and it is not hard to understand why. With rugged desert landscapes lush with unique outback flora and wildlife, a strong spiritual and cultural history, and amazing natural rock formations, the Australian outback is sure to catch the eyes, capture the hearts, and inspire the minds of all those who choose to visit. With that said, there is a lot to see in the Red Centre, so we wanted to highlight a few sites you simply can’t miss.
Uluru
Of course, if we are going to talk about the natural wonders of Central Australia, we have to start with Uluru. Formally known as Ayers Rock, this sandstone monolith towers over the desert landscape that surrounds it. Measuring 348 metres tall and with a recorded history of over 550 million years, Uluru is one of the world’s largest and oldest g monoliths.
Uluru is also a living cultural landscape in the Red Centre and a sacred site to the Anangu tribes of Central Australia, with Anangu people having inhabited the region for more than 30,000 years, as they continue to, to this day. This World Heritage-listed site is overflowing with ancient Aboriginal culture and spirituality, and a walk around this stunning landmark provides visitors with the opportunity to visit sacred waterholes and rock art sites and learn of the cultural significance of the site from the traditional Anangu landowners themselves.
To explore Uluru the right way and experience the history and culture encapsulated in this stunning site, check out our selection of Uluru tours to find the perfect adventure for your next Aussie getaway.
Kata Tjuta
Within Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park stands the 36 weathered domes of Kata Tjuta (formally known as The Olgas). Taller than nearby Uluru, Kata Tjuta’s tallest dome measures 546 metres above the plain, is made up of a sandstone, granite, and ironstone mixture, and is a result of a pattern of erosion that began over 500 million years ago during the Cambrian earth movements.
Known as ‘many heads’ to the local Anangu people who have inhabited the site for over 22,000 years, Kata Tjuta forms an important focus of the spirituality of the region. These spiritual domes home a challenging trek called the ‘Valley of the Winds’, in which our experienced guides can lead you to witness the abundance of unique flora and fauna among the rock formations, explore the awe-inspiring scenery, and learn about some of the region’s sacred history and Dreamtime stories.
Mount Conner
Standing at a height of 300 metres, this flat-topped sandstone monolith creates an incredible impression among an otherwise flat landscape. This 500-million-year-old peak also shares some common visual characteristics with, and is therefore often confused by visitors with Uluru. Despite this landing Mount Conner the title of ‘Fool-uru’, you will find that with its unique horseshoe-like shape, Mount Conner has a charm of its own.
This stunning formation is situated on a vast, fully operational, privately owned cattle station called Curtin Springs Station, 100km east of Uluru, and is generally not open to the public. However, if you want to visit this stunning site, check out our exclusive Mt Conner 4WD Outback Adventure Tour. Not only will this tour provide you with the opportunity to explore Mount Conner itself, but our guides will take you on an adventure to discover an ancient inland salt lake, the natural habitats of red kangaroos and a vast array of birds and reptiles, and learn about the European history of the region.
Kings Canyon
This site will see you venture a bit further away than the rest; located in Watarrka National Park, Kings Canyon is a 3-hour drive from Uluru. This majestic site features 300-metre-high sandstone walls that encompass many palm-filled crevices and offers a stunning vantage point to take in the desert views that stretch to the horizon. Kings Canyon is considered botanically the richest region in central Australia and is home to more than 600 species of native plants and wildlife.
The Must-See Natural Wonders of Central Australia
For the more experienced hiker, our Kings Canyon day tour will take you to the very rim of the canyon for a 6km guided Rim Walk. Though this does consist of quite a hike, the effort is definitely worth it when you reach the top and are rewarded with the breathtaking views of Watarrka National Park. Once you have made the most of this stunning photo opportunity, you will descend into the lush greenery of the ‘Garden of Eden’, a permanent waterhole surrounded by lush plant life and wildlife such as zebra finches, grey-headed honeyeaters and black-breasted buzzards. Sounds magical, right?
The Must-See Natural Wonders of Central Australia – Join an adventurous immersive tour of Australia’s heartlands with SEIT Australia. Our small group tours allow you to explore exclusive locations that showcase iconic attractions, the pioneering spirit, and ancient cultural experiences. We can’t wait to see you in the Red Centre soon!