Located deep in the heart of the Australian continent, Central Australia is home to many of the most significant icons of Australian culture and history including Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), the unique outback town of Alice Springs, the Ghan railway, and important Aboriginal art movements such as those of Papunya and Hermannsburg. Central Australia is also home to Australia's true Outback spirit. For both Australian and international visitors, Central Australia epitomises the unspoilt wonder and spectacular colour of Australia's vast desert interior.

Nature overwhelms travellers in Central Australia. Red sand and rock dominates the landscape, while open cloudless skies are alive with a million stars almost every night of the year. An enormous range of unique flora and fauna is found in the Red Centre, proof that this arid land is nevertheless rich and bountiful. Kangaroos, wallabies, dingoes, emus, echidnas, perenties, goannas, geckos and huge eagles are just some of the many species found in Central Australia, as well as imported species such as camels.

The unofficial but undisputed capital of Central Australia is Alice Springs, a thriving outback town established by the 19th century European and Afghan pioneers who opened up the Australian interior. Today, Alice Springs offers all the comforts and none of the hassles of a major coastal city, and is the perfect base from which to tour the region, from Uluru and Kata Tjuta in the south to Tennant Creek in the north.

The Aboriginal presence in Central Australia remains strong, with living cultural, linguistic and spiritual traditions connecting its indigenous peoples to the region's mythical landscapes and landmarks. Visitors to Central Australia can discover ample opportunities to learn about both traditional and contemporary Aboriginal culture. For those interested in authentic Aboriginal dot painting in the true desert style, Alice Springs is home to a large number of Aboriginal art galleries.

To fully enjoy a Central Australian tour, visitors should allow at least seven to ten days to take in all the region has to offer. Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon are undoubtedly major Central Australian attractions, but visitors can also appreciate a wealth of spectacular natural locations all within an hour or two's drive from Alice Springs. Popular destinations in the Eastern and Western MacDonnell Ranges include Simpson's Gap, Standley Chasm, Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen, Palm Valley, Trephina Gorge, and Arltunga.

Attractions located in the town of Alice Springs itself include the Olive Pink Botanical Gardens, the Desert Park, and the Old Telegraph Station where Alice Springs was first established. Visitors wishing to experience the true heart and soul of the Australian continent in all its historical and cultural diversity cannot afford to miss a week or two in Central Australia.