Central Australia forms the largest and most southern part of the Northern Territory and covers the area around Alice Springs, the only town and hence the main point of entry for flights to and from the region.

This fast area is home to only 40.000 people, with two thirds of them living in 'the Alice'. The townspeople are predominantly white but the surrounding settlements are almost exclusively populated by Aboriginals.

 

Nicknamed the Red Center, Central Australia is a hot, arid and barren land.. The terrain is rather flat but for the West Mac Donnel and George Gil  ranges.

The (mostly dry) Finke River has carved a meandering track through the rocks and is supposedly one of the oldest rivers on earth.

 

First humans settled the area from the north at least 25.000 years ago. At the time of the first European contact several Arrernte Aboriginal tribes had carved out a living here as skilled hunter-gatherers, organized in small family groups called bands. Like everywhere else the contact with the white settlers turned out disastrous for them.

 

Central Australia sports many scenic and impressive landscapes and features some imposing natural objects.

 

Best known to tourists are Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), butKing's Canyon in the Watarrka National Park is of a surreal beauty. Close to Alice Springs is the West MacDonnel National Park with the impressive Simpson's Gap.