Events heating up the Red Centre in 2019

By MiNDFOOD

Parrtjima festival, Desert Park, Alice springs, Australia. Photo Credit: James Horan
Parrtjima festival, Desert Park, Alice springs, Australia. Photo Credit: James Horan

The Red Centre comes alive this autumn as Aboriginal culture shines bright and desert adventures offer an escape to the authentic Australian Outback.

April and May are the perfect months to escape city life for an unforgettable journey to a land filled with ancient spirituality and awe-inspiring landscapes as far as the eye can see.

The Red Centre is the heart of Australia’s Aboriginal culture, and this autumn you’ll have the opportunity to reconnect mind, body and soul as you cycle the rugged landscape, delight at festival lights and spend time reconnecting with nature.

Be sure not to miss these enthralling events in April and May:

Uluru Camel Cup – May 24, 2019

Home to one of the largest wild camel populations in the world, the Northern Territory is the perfect place for the unique sport of camel racing. Take in all the racing action and fashion you’d expect from a prestigious racing event such as the Melbourne Cup. The only difference? The trusty steeds thundering down the dusty track. The Uluru Camel Cup offers entertainment for the entire family, from belly dancers and rickshaw races, to kids’ camel races and enticing food stalls.

Outback cycling: Easter in the Alice – April 19-22, 2019 (Alice Springs)

The perfect base from which to explore the Red Centre, Alice Springs, or simply Alice, plays host to a three-day stage mountain bike race designed to let you take in all the wonder of the West MacDonnell Ranges while keeping your body fit and active. The three-day route covers 130km of awe-inspiring landscapes with a shorter 70km route available for those keen on a gentler ride.  

Parrtjima: A Festival in Light – April 5-14, 2019 (Alice Springs)

The first authentic Aboriginal festival of its kind, Parrtjima: a Festival in Light, is a free 10-day event that celebrates the oldest continuous culture on earth using cutting-edge technology. The festival showcases a range of light installations set against a backdrop of more than 2.5km of the magnificent MacDonnell Ranges. Alongside the spectacular lights, you’ll also find a range of cultural experiences, from music and dance to workshops and storytelling, perfect for the whole family to enjoy.  

Photo Credit: James Horan

Alice Springs Masters Games – October 10-17, 2020 (Alice Springs)

With more than 30 years of sporting stories, the bi-annual Alice Springs Masters Games bring together athletes for a week of master sporting events, covering everything from archery and tennis to darts. Aside from the obvious allure of showcasing your athletic aptitude, the so-called ‘Friendly Games’ also leaves plenty of time to enjoy and explore everything this thrilling region has to offer.

For more Northern Territory travel inspiration, click here.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Print Recipe

BECOME A MiNDFOOD SUBSCRIBER TODAY

Let us keep you up to date with our weekly MiNDFOOD e-newsletters which include the weekly menu plan, health and news updates or tempt your taste buds with the MiNDFOOD Daily Recipe. 

Member Login