If there is one thing the Northern Territory does well, it’s to be a guiding light to travellers seeking something new and different. Demonstrating, once again, they are Different in Every Sense, the NT has said, “Let there be light” with their new Red Centre Light Trail. To say it’s lit us up is an understatement!
The new 6-day Red Centre Light Trail offers an incredible opportunity to experience the best of the Red Centre. All with the bonus of spectacular light displays along the way!
Starting in Alice Springs, this soon-to-be-iconic route takes you to the rugged West MacDonnell Ranges, striking Kings Canyon, before concluding at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The new trail lights up these extraordinary landscapes in new and inspiring ways.
Check out our top things to do on the Red Centre Light Trail to shed light on how captivating it is!
In a new light: Wintjiri Wiru
Before a Red Centre trip, you believe it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. After? Well, you’ll think of any excuse to head back. And, wow, Uluru’s new Wintjiri Wiru gives you just that, showcasing Uluru in a phenomenal new light.
Just launched, this world-first cultural show enchants with 1,100 drones (yes, drones!) dancing across the night sky above Uluru shares a chapter of the Mala story.
This wow-worthy visual feast is a feat in magnitude: Wintjiri Wuru uses high-tech drones, lasers, and light projections to set the Central Desert starry sky alight in exciting new ways.
Light at the end of the tunnel: Light-Towers
There’s light at the end of the tower at Discovery Kings Canyon Resort as Bruce Munro’s latest art installation, Light-Towers, launched in April!
Wander the maze of 69 towers through this immersive sound and light show. Every tower has an impressive 216 glass bottles lit with fibre optics. These change colours to music composed by Orlando Goth. Catch it at first light or as the last of day at one of the three session times.
Check out our review of the Discovery Kings Canyon Resort’s newly renovated Deluxe Rooms.
Come to the light: Field of Light
Bruce Munro’s first installation, the Field of Light, has astounding 50,000 fibre optic lights and is an obvious inclusion on the new Red Centre Light Trail.
The gentle swaying light stems of this expansive award-winning display create a fantasy world against the silhouette of Uluru.
Book the Field of Light dinner for sunset canapés overlooking Uluru. It’s followed by a sumptuous feast, night sky talk, and stroll through this world-class exhibition.
A guiding light: Earth Sanctuary
The light shows never end in the Red Centre, thanks to the million stars on display almost every night. Amplify your Outback night sky adventures at Earth Sanctuary.
Family-owned, Earth Sanctuary is 45 minutes from Alice Springs, offering an incredible Dark Sky Night Astronomy tour. The passionate guide weaves telescope viewing, constellations and zodiac chats, and Aboriginal creation stories. You’ll leave you with the skills to navigate the night sky across the rest of your Outback adventure!
If you’re keen for more than a taster, spend the night on their Sunset to Sunrise Astronomy Experience.
First light: sunrise in the Red Centre
To be a light sleeper in the Outback means catching zzz’s between the light experiences! First light is mesmerising across the Red Centre, though the hues of Uluru at sunrise are arguably the most bewitching. Whether you watch from a lookout, at the Field of Light with a hot drink in hand, or on a leisurely camel ride, book at least one sunrise experience.
Make time for first light in Alice Springs and Kings Canyon, too. Feel as light as a feather on an Outback Ballooning tour alongside the West MacDonnell Ranges or aboard a chopper ride over majestic Kings Canyon.
The annual high-light: Parrtjima Festival
Go all in on the new Red Centre Light Trail route by timing your travels with Alice Springs’ annual Parrtjima Festival, held in April every year.
The Arrernte word ‘parrtjima’ means ‘lighting up’, and this free 10-day festival does just that. Through light installations, music, art, and workshops, the festival shines a light on the rich cultural heritage of Central Australia’s Aboriginal communities.
Agents, come to the light
Agents, light up your clients with the new Red Centre Light Trail. To discover more, head to Tourism NT’s trade website, where you’ll find supportive resources and a ton of great intel.
If you missed Karryon’s review of the recent Tourism NT Round-up Famil through the Red Centre, check it out here.
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