What is the Red Centre of Australia?
The Red Centre is the desert region in the middle of Australia, in the southern Northern Territory. It is named for its red sand and rocks, and is home to Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon and Alice Springs.
The red color comes from iron oxide, or rust, in the soil and rocks. At sunrise and sunset, the landscape glows in shades of red and orange, creating famous views.
Alice Springs is the main town of the region and a base for exploring the MacDonnell Ranges, with their gorges, waterholes and walking trails.
Sacred places
Uluru and Kata Tjuta, in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, are sacred to the Anangu people, the Traditional Owners. The park is World Heritage-listed for both its natural and cultural values.
Kings Canyon, in Watarrka National Park, features towering sandstone walls and the Garden of Eden, a lush waterhole in the middle of the canyon.
The Red Centre has a desert climate with hot summers and cool to cold winter nights. Rain is rare, but storms can bring sudden waterfalls cascading down the rocks.