Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Central Australia – known as the Red Centre – is a varied land of more than just desert. Amazing rock formations and unexpected oasis make the national parks of the Red Centre some of the country’s most spectacular places.
The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is the most well known of the national parks in the Red Centre. The park covers about 1300 square kilometres around the monolith known as Uluru. A world heritage site, the National Park has become an important site to the recognition of Aboriginal culture.
Watarrka National Park is where the famous Kings Canyon is located. The park includes the western end of the George Gill Range of mountains, and the gorges these mountains create house some of the most ecologically significant refuges for plants and animals in the area.
Slightly closer to Alice Springs, Finke Gorge National Park encompasses perhaps the most ecologically significant site in the Red Centre: Palm Valley. The Red Cabbage Palm dominates the valley – which is brilliant because it doesn’t grow anywhere else in the world.
West MacDonnell (Tjoritja) National Park is the most visited national park close to Alice Springs. As well as being the location for much of the Larapinta Trail, the park is home to attractions including Flynn’s Grave, Simpson’s Gap, and a 17km bicycle track.
One of the most culturally significant sites to Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory, Tnorala (Gosse Bluff) Conservation Reserve is an amazing sight, featuring the imprint of a celestial body upon the earth.
Whilst the above-mentioned parks are the largest attractions in the area, there are plenty of nature reserves and conservation parks in the area. The Alice Springs Desert Park and Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve are both well worth a visit. Yeperenye / Emily and Jessie Gap Nature Park near Alice Springs are the entrance to the East MacDonnell Ranges. Be sure to also check out Rainbow Valley Conservation Reserve, the Napwerte / Ewaninga Rock Carvings Conservation Reserve and Ruby Gap Nature Park.
The National Parks of the Red Centre from Ayers Rock Things To Do