This is the fifth of  a series of travel guides about Oz and focuses on Australia's heart. This area is haven for 4wd adventure travel  and includes Uluru, Alice Springs and Darwin and excellent travel destinations.

Guide 5 –  Alice Springs, Uluru, Darwin and the Red Centre 

The Northern Territory is the most barren of all areas in the whole of Australia. It encompasses a total area of 1.35 million square kilometres and accounts for 20% of the whole country. However, just 182,000 people or 1% of Australia's population lives here. It is the ideal travel destination for a 4wd adventure as it takes you through what is considered to be one of the harshest areas on the planet. This area is remote and although most major roads are good quality sealed surfaces the best way to see this whole area is with a 4wd adventure.

The Stuart Highway is the main road that runs between Darwin in the North, Alice Springs and Uluru in the centre and Adelaide in the South and is offers visitors many interesting areas and sights. Darwin is a large city though watch out for the thunder as they have, on average, over 90 days of it a year!!

Alice Springs

Alice Springs (or the Alice) received its name as a telegraph repeater station between its most Northern and Southern towns, Darwin and Alice Springs. Although the town is fairly modern and of a moderate size, it is set amongst the harsh outback, although ideally situated next to some of Australia's great wonders. It makes an ideal destination or departure poinjt for anyone considering a 4wd adventure.

From the top of Anzac Hill you can get some great views overlooking the town of  Alice Springs and the large ranges that form an almost natural wall around the town.  The local Aboriginal people the hill Untyeyetweleye and it is said to be the home of some famous dreamtime stories..

The town covers only about 5 blocks and is situated in-between the Todd River to the east, Anzac Hill to the north, Stuart Highway to the west and Stuart Terrace to the south. The main shops can be found on Todd Street, with a mall situated to the north of Todd Street.

Kakadu

Kakadu is the name of an area of Aboriginal land stretching 100km west to east and 200km south from the coast. Kakadu is a world heritage listed National Park.The scenery and wildlife in this area are really breathtaking and the region holds many Aboriginal cave paintings which are fabulous.

Nestled along the south eastern side of Kakadu is also Aboriginal land. This is Arnhem Land and you will need a permit to enter this region. Along the coast you will find several swamps, to the south you will find grassland and rainforest and throughout the rest of the park you will find lilly-filled billabongs, rivers (and lakes during the wet season), as well as plenty of wildlife.

Uluru – “Ayers Rock”

The only way to truly experience Uluru (Ayers Rock) is to visit it. There is an entrance fee into the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The fee is $25.00 per adult (16 years and over) for a 3 day pass. Children under 16 years enter free. Uluru holds deep Aboriginal significance to the Anangu people, and many stories are told as you wander around the base.

This area is truly the heart of Oz and is called the Red Centre due to the colour of the dust in the whole area. The dirt (or dust) is more commonly known as "Pindan".

Other articles you may like to view are 4wd camping rentals or the NE Gold fields both great places for a 4wd camping adventure.

To view Campers Oz range of suitable vehicles for a Camper, Campervan or even a Hummer rental just go to Home | Vehicles

Download The Complete Travel Guide FREE - The Red Centre - Australia's Heart.