The ultimate Uluṟu and Alice Springs holiday on $150 a day

It’s easy to enjoy the Red Centre on a shoestring budget, and you don’t have to rough it.

With the Northern Territory’s borders reopening and less people on the road, now is the time to journey to the Red Centre. Fuel prices are down and tourism operators are keen for company, so pack your bags and head to the heart of Australia for a budget-friendly holiday.

Day 1 – Alice Springs

Play: It may be one of the most geographically remote towns in Australia but the people of Alice Springs know how to keep you entertained, and many activities are kind on your wallet. Your first stop should be Anzac Hill, a memorial to fallen servicemen and women with fantastic views. It’s easy to reach and the sunsets here are special (and free). You’ll also want to spend time at Alice Springs Desert Park to learn about outback animals; entry costs $37 per adult. To prioritise money on activities and not just food, it’s a good idea to mix DIY meals with dinners out. Alice Springs Brewing Co . is a cool choice. It opened in 2018 and you can enjoy a burger (try the pulled pork) or wood-fired pizza (super cheese, please) for about $20.

Alice Springs from Anzac Hill. (Image: Tourism Australia/Nicholas Kavo)

Stay: You may be on a budget but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a few holiday perks, such as glamping. BIG4 MacDonnell Range Holiday Park has safari tents sleeping up to four, from $85 per night (minimum two-night stay). Children will love the pool, waterslide and BMX track, while parents will appreciate the camp kitchens, supermarket and access to fuel. Wow the kids by staying on a weekend so you can take advantage of the pancake breakfast held every Sunday.

Pay: $99.50 per person (based on two adults in accommodation)

Day 2 – Alice Springs

Play: Head out into the West MacDonnell Ranges for a morning of wild swimming. Two popular permanent waterholes are Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge, and the cold water offers a refreshing break from the NT’s warm days. Jump Inn Bar & Restaurant is a fun spot for dinner, with retro lounges and a beer garden. A dish from the Mediterranean and Asian menu will set you back about $20.

Driving through West MacDonnell Range National Park. (Image: Tourism NT/Jess Caldwell & Luke Riddle)

Stay: Bed down at Desert Palms Alice Springs . Villas for two start from $145 per night; resort facilities include a pool and licenced mini-mart.

Pay: $92.50 per person

Jump Inn Bar & Restaurant is a fun spot for dinner.

Day 3 – Alice Springs to Kings Canyon

Play: Hit the road early for your next adventure to Kings Canyon, in Watarrka National Park. You’ll be travelling south-west of Alice for about 450km and the easiest route is along the sealed Stuart and Lasseter highways (the other options require a 4WD). Mingle with other travellers over a late lunch at Kings Creek Station; the camel burger will cost about $15. Afterwards, continue up the road to Kings Canyon Resort, where you can catch sunset from a viewing platform and enjoy an al fresco film (for free).

Stay: Kings Canyon Resort has basic lodge rooms with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities for about $155 for two people per night. Take advantage of the resort’s creature comforts, such as the pool, restaurant and bar.

Pay: $92.50 per person

Kings-Canyon-Swimming-pool — Take advantage of the resort’s creature comforts, such as the pool, restaurant and bar.

Day 3 – Kings Canyon to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Play: Wake with the sun to make the most of the many walking trails in Watarrka National Park . Kings Canyon Rim Walk is a popular choice. It’s 6km and takes three to four hours, making it perfect for fit and experienced hikers. Kings Creek Walk is a gentler option and at only 2.6km it will take one hour (return). The creek track is great for families, and is wheelchair-friendly for the first 700 metres. For lunch, call Curtain Springs Wayside Inn to check if they’re serving (they’ll open if traffic warrants it). Expect to spend about $25 on a classic homestead meal, such as steak. You should also grab your three-day Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Pass today (adult $25). Entry fees have been waived for travel until 31 December 2020; book here . Cap off your day by watching the sun set over Uluru.

Curtin Springs Wayside Inn. (Image: Tourism NT/Sarena Hyland)

Stay: When it comes to Uluru accommodation, don’t look past Ayers Rock Campground , part of Ayers Rock Resort. If you don’t have camping gear, you can stay in an air-conditioned cabin (sleeps up to six) with shared bathroom facilities from $179 per cabin per night.

Pay: $92.50 per person (based on two adults in accommodation)

Ayers Rock Resort Campground Cabin — An affordable option at Uluru are the air-conditioned cabins at the Ayers Rock Resort campground.

Day 4 – Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Play: Make the most of your park pass by hitting the trails again, this time in the shadow of Uluru. A favourite is the easy 2km Mala walk to Kantju Gorge, where you’ll come across caves and rock art. Also included in your park pass is entry to Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, home to galleries of Aboriginal art, community-owned shops, and free presentations. While it’s currently closed due to Covid, do call ahead in case it’s re-opened when you visit. A not-to-miss experience is the mesmerising Field of Light Uluru art installation. A huge swathe of desert is covered with 50,000 lights, leaving a lasting impression. Pre-book your tickets (adult $44).

Stay: Return to your two-bedroom cabin at Ayers Rock Campground and whip up an easy meal for dinner.

Pay: $133.50 per person (based on two adults in accommodation)

Day 5 – Uluru to Alice Springs

Play: It’s time to loop back to Alice Springs and, if you leave around breakfast, you can arrive in time for lunch at The Watertank Cafe. Cheers to an awesome, budget-friendly Red Centre trip while you enjoy a salad or focaccia and drink (about $25). Spend your afternoon learning about the town’s origins at Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve (adults $15) and then check out the fossils at the Megafauna Central gallery (free entry).

Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve. (Image: Tourism NT/Shaana McNaught)

Stay: Spend your last night in a comfortable and modern serviced apartment at Quest Alice Springs . You can grab a studio with kitchenette and queen bed from $140 per night.

Pay: $110 per person (based on two adults in accommodation)

Day 6 – Depart or explore the NT further

Woman at the lookout at Ormiston Gorge. (Image: Tourism NT/Jess Caldwell & Luke Riddle)

Spend a few days visiting the real-life Central Australian locations that inspired the new film everyone is talking about, and discover why Alice Springs is such an important part of Australian culture.

In the credits of the new Australian film Kangaroo , the first name under ‘cast’ should read ‘The Northern Territory ’. Not only is Alice Springs (and the surrounding landscape) integral to the movie itself, but the spiritual heart of Australia and its local Indigenous owners also inform the look and feel of every frame, explains Producer Trisha Morton-Thomas of Brindle Films, who also plays Charlie’s grandmother Gwennie.

“By setting Kangaroo in Alice Springs (Mparntwe), the film embraces how visible Aboriginal people are here, and the living Aboriginal culture that is woven through this community,” she explains.

still from kangarro film — See *Kangaroo*, then visit the real-life filming locations.

And while shooting in such a sacred part of the Northern Territory required extra planning, it was something the cast and crew were highly invested in.

“There are incredibly significant sacred sites and places of deep cultural stories in the area, that at times are very gender-specific, which we’ve kept out of the production,” she explains. “Even if overhead drone footage captures a sacred site that isn’t meant to be seen by other people outside of that clan, we’ve made sure to omit it from the film.”

If Kangaroo piqued your interest in a Central Australian holiday, we don’t blame you. Read on to discover eight places featured in the movie that you can visit in real life – and get planning. Don’t forget to pack sunscreen and a hat.

1. Alice Springs/ Mparntwe

artist at Many Hands Art Centre — Visit the galleries of Alice Springs, like Many Hands Art Centre. (Image: Tourism NT/ Helen Orr/ Many Hands Art Centre)

The red and dusty streets of the film’s fictional town of Silvergum were filmed on the outskirts of Alice Springs. And, while the art gallery featured in the film is fictional, Alice Springs is a hub of creativity. See the work of local artists at the Araluen Art Centre , Yubu Napa Art Gallery , Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) Art Centre and the famous Tjanpi Desert Weavers .

2. The Kangaroo Sanctuary & Kangaroo Rescue Centre

The Kangaroo Sanctuary Alice Springs, the inspiration for the Kangaroo move — Visit the movie’s inspiration at Kangaroo Sanctuary. (Image: Tourism NT/ Kangaroo Sanctuary)

Kangaroo was inspired by the journey of Chris ‘Brolga’ Barns, who founded the now world-renowned Kangaroo Sanctuary based in Alice Springs. For lead actor, Aussie Ryan Corr, the animals were central to the movie, alongside the landscapes.

“The animals in this story were a real calling point for me,” he explains. “What this story tries to tell us about the connection between humans and animals is beautiful.”

To gain a real insight into the fauna and flora of the Red Centre, you can visit the Kangaroo Sanctuary on a sunset tour, where you might even get the chance to hold a baby kangaroo.

3. Ormiston Gorge

woman walking along the edge of Ormiston Gorge near alice springs — Take a dip in Ormiston Gorge. (Image: Tourism NT/ @domandjesso)

The film captures the raw beauty of the West MacDonnell Ranges, known in the Arrernte language as Tjoritja. This national park is rich in Indigenous culture and stark geological wonders.

Only a 15-minute drive from Alice Springs, Tjoritja offers visitors the chance to camp, hike and swim among ancient landscapes (most attractions are less than a three-hour drive away).

Ormiston Gorge , a cooling oasis in among the red desert sands, is one of the most popular destinations, no doubt because of the permanent swimming hole and towering red cliffs. From here, visitors can also embark on the beautiful Ormiston Pound Walk and the shorter – more accessible – Ghost Gum Walk. Bring your bathers – it’s safe for swimming.

4. Standley Chasm

woman walking through Standley Chasm near alice springs — Wander through Standley Chasm. (Image: Tourism NT)

The 1.2-kilometre walk to nearby Standley Chasm will be a highlight for any visitor as the imposing 40 metre-high chasm walls project strength and ancient wisdom.

Visit at midday to experience the path illumined by the midday sun. Not only will you fill your camera roll with vibrant red images of the gorge and its intoxicating shadows, but you can also camp nearby in a powered or unpowered site so you can watch the brilliance of the desert stars fill the night sky after dusk.

5. Simpsons Gap

three people walking on path through simpsons gap near alice springs — Walk the trails of Simpson’s Gap. (Image: Tourism NT/ Helen Orr)

Closer to Alice Springs, the photogenic Simpsons Gap is the perfect place to spot the endangered Black-footed Rock wallaby near the permanent watering hole. While swimming isn’t permitted, soaking up the sun and views certainly is.

Explore the area’s numerous walking trails, appreciate the soaring cliffs on either side of the ‘gap’ and pick out the shooting locations of Kangaroo in the area.

6. Ellery Creek Big Hole

aerial of Ellery Creek Big Hole near alice springs — Dive into Ellery Creek Big Hole. (Image: Tourism NT/ Tourism Australia)

When it comes to classic Northern Territory landscapes, you can’t go past Ellery Creek Big Hole/ Udepata : tall gum trees sidling up to a refreshing watering hole (fed by the West MacDonnell Ranges and surrounded by rugged red cliffs.

Swim in the cooling waters, hike the cliff tops, watch for birds and even stargaze as you camp here overnight. It’s locations like this that attracted the film’s director Kate Woods to the project.

“It humbles you to be in this environment: it’s so beautiful, so old and so vast,” she explains. “I was thrilled to get a chance to … shoot such a beautiful story in the incredible landscape of the Northern Territory.”

7. Larapinta Drive

aerial of Larapinta Drive into alice springs — Drive along Larapinta Drive. (Image: Tourism NT)

There is no better way to get a feel for how the characters arrived at the fictional Central Australian town of Silvergum than to travel along the iconic state road, Larapinta Drive.

Connecting Alice Springs to the mighty King’s Canyon in the west, via the historic community of Hermannsburg, this road takes in the West MacDonnell National Park, Alice Springs Desert Park and artist Albert Namatjira’s house, among other attractions. Take your time, bring a camera and prepare for numerous stops along the way.

8. Todd River

competitors in Henley on Todd Regatta, alice springs — Join in the fun of the quirky Henley on Todd Regatta. (Image: Tourism NT/ TImparja Creative)

Meandering through Alice Springs like a lazy Western Brown snake, the Todd River is a central part of Alice Springs culture. Known as an ‘intermittent river’, the Todd can go from a dry dusty riverbed to a flowing waterscape in less than 15 minutes after heavy rainfall.

When it’s dry, the famous Henley on Todd Regatta fills the sandy riverbed with handmade ‘boats’ carried by sailors. This is the world’s only dry river boating event, and it’s referenced in the ‘Silvergum Boat Race’ in the movie. Inspired by the real-life event, the characters built quirky “Flintstones-style boats” and competed in teams.

See Kangaroo in cinemas now, and start planning your NT getaway at northernterritory.com.

Uluṟu and Alice Springs holiday on $150 a day