What do you get when you put 24 agents, three Tourism NT hosts, and a Karryon writer on a famil through the Red Centre? Laughs, group selfies, unexpected weather, and more “wows” than stars visible in the Central Australian night sky. Join Zoe Macfarlane as she shares her top six experiences from the annual Tourism NT Round Up fam highlights (plus tips for next year’s fam!).
6) The West MacDonnell Ranges
Many Alice Springs visitors never make it to the Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges; that’s a sin, they’re gorgeous and so close! While a spot of rain cancelled our much-anticipated Outback Balloon ride over the ranges, nothing would hold us back from a trip into them.
Under the guidance of lovely Connie from Emu Run Experiences, 40 minutes after leaving Alice Springs, we were amid the red-hued, towering canyon walls of the Standley Chasm. An important cultural site for the Arrernte women, the peace of Angkerle Atwatye walked alongside us like a long-lost friend.
Next, a dip at Ormiston Gorge! This permanent waterhole provided the first taste of the deeper ways that Central Australia can surprise you. There was something special about that dip, a sense of being in the right place at the right time with the right people.
5) Taking flight over Kings Canyon
Detouring off the Alice-to-Uluru route to Kings Canyon, in the Watarrka National Park, brings ample rewards, especially if you complement the canyon’s best hikes with a chopper ride!
Taking off with PHS Helicopters, soaring over the lush Garden of Eden after recent rain was a pinch-me moment. Along with our bird’s eye vantage point to see how vast Kings Canyon truly is, of course.
Josh Savage, from Expert Class Travel in VIC, ranked the ride as a trip highlight. He said, “The huge windows of the helicopter made the views over Kings Canyon just unbelievable”.
Curious about our accommodation at Kings Canyon? Check out my review here.
4) Karrke Aboriginal cultural experience
Was holding an unexpectedly silky witchetty grub in my hand a highlight of our one-hour Karrke Aboriginal cultural experience? Hmm, no, but the insights into bush medicine, bush tucker, and the non-returning ‘bone breaker’ boomerang were!
Sharing their Luritja and Pertame heritage, founder Peter and his charming sister Natasha, offered captivating insights into their culture, land, and lifestyle (the family live in a community of 10!).
3) Into Kata Tjuta
The legends at SEIT kicked off our morning with their Uluru Sunrise Kata Tjuta tour – at 5:30 am. Eek! Close to Kata Tjuta, we witnessed Uluru’s shifting hues as the sun rose, before touring the Red Centre’s Other Big Rock: Kata Tjuta.
While it may not have the international acclaim of Uluru, Kata Tjuta has its own drawcards, including being permissible to walk into this cultural landmark’s many-domed red rocks. A bonus for our group? A mid-morning downpour that meant we saw waterfalls flowing down the slopes of Kata Tjuta. Amazing!
2) Unmissable Uluru
It’s a little embarrassing to call yourself a travel writer and not be able to articulate how captivating Uluru is. Tours in and around this giant red rock give you experiences, but time spent simply watching or being in the presence of Uluru gives you Big Deep Feels. Perhaps this is not surprising when you consider Uluru is much more a rock below ground, than one above it.
NSW-based TravelManagers agent Erin Beckford agreed, “The most significant part of our famil was the cultural element. Especially touching Uluru; it was actually emotional and really special.”
One of my most treasured moments of the trip was at the Mutitjulu watering hole on our Uluru Segway Tour, where our guide, Tegan, asked us to sit in silence. While it may have been over in less than a minute, I can still access that stillness within.
1) Field of Lights dinner
Another emotional Uluru moment at the sunset-watching platform before the Fields of Light dinner. Looking out to Uluru, tears welled at the majesty of this impressive, culturally significant landmark. Can I explain why? No. Was it precious? 100% yes.
Tucking that private moment away, attention turned to the most exciting evening activity on our itinerary: the acclaimed Field of Light dinner.
Watching darkness fall across Uluru as the stars grow in prominence made the night special enough. That it’s accompanied by a delicious 3-course meal and a walk through the 50,000 lights of Bruce Munro’s famed art installation made it extraordinary.
Book ahead
Uluru is also not a destination to sleep on when it comes to accommodation. Ayers Rock Resort has the only seven accommodation options out here, including Sails in the Desert where we stayed. Know this: Uluru can and will book out.
Agents, read this
Keen to get a place on the 2024 Tourism NT Round Up famil? Tony Quarmby, Executive Director of Marketing shared, “We had a fantastic time showcasing some of the best experiences the Red Centre has to offer. First-hand experience is hugely beneficial when selling a destination.”
Quarmby continued, “We encourage all agents to get in touch to learn more about the NT through our trade activities. Plus the chance to attend our next showcase in the exotic Top End.”
What are you waiting for? Check out the Tourism NT trade site here!
