The ultimate guide to camping and caravanning in the Red Centre

To truly appreciate the beauty of the Red Centre you need to spend a night or more under the stars.

Road-tripping in the Red Centre, from Alice Springs to Uluru, is nothing short of an epic adventure. To truly connect to the land, you’ll need to sleep close to the earth. Whether it be in a swag, caravan or luxurious safari tent with a plunge pool, the Red Centre is an idyllic place to sleep under the starry skies.

A straight 5.5-hour drive on the sealed Stuart and Lasseter highways from Alice Springs will take you to Uluru, but why rush? From Alice Springs, once you’ve ticked off the East MacDonnell Ranges, take time to soak in the exquisite gorges of the West MacDonnell National Park, where you can camp in the park at Ormiston Gorge, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Redbank Gorge, Serpentine Chalet and Finke Two Mile.

Once you’ve packed up your tent in the West Macs, continue to Watarrka National Park, home to the mighty Kings Canyon and then it’s another 300 kilometres to the giant monolith that is Uluru.

Here’s a closer look at some of the best camping and caravanning spots the Red Centre has to offer.

Kings Creek Station

Stunning scenery, camels, cattle and a wide range of accommodation options: that’s what the vast Kings Creek Station offers.

Located just 36 kilometres from Kings Canyon, the 180,000-hectare cattle station is on Luritja Road, which connects the Lasseter Highway to Larapinta Drive (the main route through the West MacDonnell Ranges). Cautious travellers should go via the sealed Lasseter, while the more adventurous might prefer the dirt and corrugations of the Red Centre Way (formerly the Mereenie Loop Road).

Base yourself close to Kings Canyon at this excellent station stay. (Image: Tourism NT/Kings Creek Station)

Set among tall desert oaks, the campground features powered and unpowered sites, a pool, campfire, hot showers and toilets. If you want to take it up a notch, pick a tent in one of the three glamping sections – Mort Conway Camp, Drovers Dream and the Dreamtime Escarpment.

The safari tents offer spectacular views. (Image: Tourism NT/Kings Creek Station)

All the safari tents boast air conditioning, plush beds, ensuites, barbecues and the option of a buffet breakfast, breakfast hamper and self-cook barbecue dinner pack. The Dreamtime Escarpment abodes are the crème de la crème of the safari tents, thanks to their elevated platforms, outdoor showers, shared plunge pool and large verandahs, negating the need to head anywhere else for a sundowner. Experiences at the station include helicopter flights, buggy rides and cultural tours.

The safari tents feature air conditioning and plush beds. (Image: Tourism NT/Kings Creek Station)

Facilities: powered, unpowered, camp kitchen, showers, toilets, fire pits, swimming pool, café, pet friendly, laundry.

Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon

Your idyllic days at Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon will be spent exploring Watarrka National Park, just ten minutes from this remote resort-style retreat.

Settle into the remote resort-style retreat at Discovery Kings Canyon Resort.

The perfect place to take in your surroundings at the end of the day.

The campsite boasts uninterrupted views of Kings Canyon with plenty of powered and unpowered sites and ablution blocks, plus a pool and two restaurants. For those looking for more luxurious accommodation, there are resort rooms and glamping tents.

The bathtub in the deluxe suite is a real showstopper.

Staying in the outback doesn’t mean you have to rough it.

Facilities: powered, unpowered, camp kitchen, showers, toilets, swimming pool, restaurant, tennis court, petrol station, laundry.

Curtin Springs Wayside Inn

Just a stone’s throw away from Uluru (a mere 85 kilometres away), Curtin Springs serves as an ideal base for exploring the nearby natural wonders without breaking the bank.

Curtin Springs Wayside Inn is a great base for exploring Uluru and other nearby wonders. (Image: Tourism Australia/Global Headquarters)

Be prepared for an all-dirt campground, which is part of a working cattle station, giving you a unique glimpse into the day-to-day life of the Australian outback.

The rustic campground is part of a working cattle station. (Image: Tourism Australia/Global Headquarters)

There is no charge for unpowered sites, while those who want to splash out a little can book a powered site or one of the 27 rooms, which range in size from twin rooms with shared bathrooms to abodes that sleep five with private ensuites.

The in-house restaurant serves home-style meals. (Image: Tourism Australia/Global Headquarters)

Facilities: pet-friendly, powered, unpowered, barbeque area, fire pits, showers, toilets, restaurant, petrol station.

Giles Track camping

Camping is not permitted in Watarrka National Park, except for hikers on the 22-kilometre Giles Track. Walkers can camp anywhere between the three-kilometre and 20-kilometre markers, but the best spot is at Reedy Creek. If you’re a visitor to the NT, you will need a park pass.

Facilities: none.

Discover Resorts – Glen Helen

Discover Resorts – Glen Helen is currently closed due to water issues.

Discover Resorts – Glen Helen is an outback haven. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)

For more incredible ways to experience the Red Centre read our guide to Alice Springs and Uluru.