First things first, times they are a changin\u2019 in the Red Centre<\/a> and as of October 26, 2019, you\u2019ll no longer be able to scale Uluru. That\u2019s right, the 348-metre-high monolith will be off limits, finally, to respect the spiritual connection the Anangu Aboriginal people have with this iconic landmark. But tourists will still be able to visit, take those gorgeous sunset shots we see plastered on Instagram and enjoy a tour or two around the base.<\/p>\n\n One of our favourite Uluru experiences is hopping atop a camel for a sunrise plod. It will set you back about $80 but is a whole lot cheaper than a heli flight. If a camel ride is too much of a stretch on the purse strings and you still want to meet a dromedary, pop along to Uluru Camel Tours\u2019 farm<\/a>, home of the annual Uluru Camel Cup in May. The farm is located at Ayers Rock Resort and entry is free.<\/p>\n\n Speaking of free, there\u2019s a great ranger-guided Mala Walk<\/a> that runs daily along the base of Uluru. You\u2019ll hear Aboriginal stories, see rock art and learn how the park is managed. The route is only 2 kilometres and is wheelchair accessible.<\/p>\n\n There\u2019s more to Uluru than the rock itself, though (get the low-down here<\/a>). Take the celebrated art installation Field of Light Uluru,<\/a> for example. Created by British artist Bruce Munro, the 50,000 coloured solar lights complement the natural beauty of the desert. The installation has proven so popular that it\u2019s been extended to December 31, 2020; to see it, you\u2019ll need a pass (from $42 per adult).<\/p>\n\n If you\u2019re staying at one of the Ayers Rock Resort properties, you can join a number of free activities, such as guided walks through the native gardens at Desert Gardens Hotel. You can take part in Aboriginal storytelling sessions, learn about local native bush foods<\/a> and watch a cooking demonstration with indigenous ingredients. There\u2019s no limit on how many of the activities you can do, and you don\u2019t need to book. Bonus.<\/p>\n You\u2019d be remiss for heading to Uluru and not venturing beyond its \u2018borders\u2019 to Kata Tjuta, arguably just as stunning as the big red rock. Still often referred to by its old name, the Olgas, the collection of 36 rock domes are only a 30-minute drive from Ayers Rock Resort.<\/p>\n\n You can explore this geological marvel by embarking on the 7.4-kilometre Valley of the Winds walk,<\/a> but if that\u2019s too strenuous or the sun is already staring down, you can do the first part of the track to Karu Lookout (2.2-kilometres return). Kata Tjuta is a sacred Anangu men\u2019s site, so although you\u2019re allowed to visit, you must stay on the designated tracks.<\/p>\n\n Afterwards, stop by the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre,<\/a> where you can learn about the Anangu culture, join local artists in a workshop, and browse traditional artwork at Maruku Gallery. Entry to the centre is free and there are gas barbecues, so you can enjoy a picnic lunch on the cheap.<\/p>\n After being blown away by the Red Centre\u2019s rock formations, it\u2019s time to be impressed by its chasms. Kings Canyon<\/a> is a highlight for people travelling between Uluru and Alice Springs. The 6-kilometre Rim Walk<\/a> offers amazing views of red cliffs and across Watarrka National Park, while Kings Creek Hike is a much easier but still rewarding 2.6-kilometre option.<\/p>\n The Amphitheatre, from Kalarranga lookout, Finke Gorge National Park, Northern Territory, Australia.<\/p><\/div>\n To the east and closer to Alice Springs is Finke Gorge National Park,<\/a> where, again, you\u2019ll be mesmerised by the landscape and historical significance of the Northern Territory. Home to the Finke River, thought to be one of the oldest rivers in the world, as well as a valley of rare red cabbage palm dating back millions of years, and Aboriginal cultural sites, this national park is not to be missed. You\u2019ll need a 4WD to access it, so if you\u2019re not travelling in one, best to join a tour in Alice Springs. There are plenty to choose from here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n Other Red Centre highlights around Alice Springs are the huge granite boulders called the Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu), and the majestic MacDonnell Ranges, where you can swim at Ormiston Gorge.<\/a> There, follow the five-minute Waterhole Walk (with wheelchair access) and 20-minute one-way Ghost Gum Lookout Walk.<\/p>\n Sunset on the Devils Marbles, Wauchope, Northern Territory.<\/p><\/div>\n For many, Alice Springs epitomises the outback and therefore no visit would be complete without calling into Bojangles Saloon & Restaurant<\/a> for ribs or steak and a cold beer. It\u2019s also worth dropping into the Todd Tavern,<\/a> \u201cthe longest-standing hotel in town\u201d, for a coldie. If you\u2019re hankering for somewhere hip, head to Page 27 Caf\u00e9 in Todd Mall.<\/a><\/p>\n\n Time your visit for mid-July and you can join cameleers at one of the quirkiest events in Australia \u2013 the Alice Springs Camel Cup.<\/a> It\u2019s a hoot for the whole family and not only can you watch the pros race their favourite camels, but afterwards you can bite into a camel burger from one of the food vans. How\u2019s that for a budget-friendly day out?<\/p>\n If you\u2019re travelling by road and heading north, make your last Red Centre stop historical Tennant Creek, where you can get a true taste of Australia\u2019s gold-mining history, continue your Aboriginal education and learn about the NT\u2019s cattle industry. Mining and gold fossicking tours are available, and you can discover local art at Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Cultural Centre.<\/a><\/p>\n What\u2019s the saying again? Champagne taste on a shoestring budget? Just because splashing out on a luxury tented pavilion at Longitude 131<\/a> is out of the question, doesn\u2019t mean you have to rough it \u2013 or miss out.<\/p>\n\n Travellers searching for an affordable Uluru experience can stay at another Ayers Rock Resort<\/a> property, such as Ayers Rock Campground,<\/a> which has two-bedroom cabins and a swimming pool. Cabin prices start from $179 a night between October and March and if you\u2019re travelling with children aged five and under, they\u2019re free. There are also low-season specials to help you keep your budget in the black.<\/p>\n When it\u2019s time to count sheep in Alice, Lasseters Hotel Casino<\/a> is the best option for comfortable travellers with dollar value on the mind. The hotel has four restaurants, four bars, a nightclub, day spa, pool and, of course, casino. Although rooms are 4.5-star, booking one won\u2019t require a visit to your mortgage broker. Prices vary depending on the season but hover between $100-$150 per night in low season.<\/p>\n When exploring the stunning geology of Kings Canyon, you\u2019ll want to stay at Kings Canyon Resort<\/a> to give yourself plenty of time to get to know Watarrka National Park. The resort has private and shared lodge-style rooms, with communal kitchens and bathrooms. There is also a pool, barbecues, and on-site restaurants and bars.<\/p>\n\n Another affordable option is Kings Creek Station.<\/a> It\u2019s a working cattle and camel property, and at $25 per adult per night for a powered campsite, it\u2019s a great option for travellers who\u2019ve hired a motorhome. There are also small safari-style cabins designed for a bed and breakfast-style stay.<\/p>\n So, the nitty gritty of a holiday to Australia\u2019s outback is how to get there without enduring a mammoth and expensive (have you seen the cost of fuel lately?) road trip through the desert. If you think Uluru is too hard to reach, there are three little words you need to hear: Ayers Rock Airport. Take a flight (look for low-season deals) and then transfer to your hotel, dust-free and ready to explore this ancient landscape.<\/p>\n\n Alice Springs is the major hub for Red Centre travellers, and, as such, it\u2019s also not as difficult to reach as you might imagine. Forget tackling the Stuart Highway and fly instead; the city is around three hours from most of Australia\u2019s capitals.<\/p>\n Once you get to Uluru or Alice you have two options for getting around: hiring a vehicle or handing the driving over to a tour guide. Hire costs vary greatly, depending on the type of car (4WDs will be more expensive), the time you visit and your length of stay. You also need to factor in the cost of fuel in such remote locations.<\/p>\n\n However, if you want the freedom of a self-drive trip consider hiring a motorhome. That way, your vehicle doubles as your accommodation and you\u2019ll only need to pay cheap campsite fees each night. Apollo Motorhome Holidays<\/a> and Britz<\/a> have budget models.<\/p>\n\n If you don\u2019t want to hire a vehicle, you can join a tour. We recommend Intrepid Travel<\/a> for the money-conscious traveller.<\/p>\nAround the rock<\/h3>\n\n
Kings Canyon<\/h3>\n\n
Finke Gorge<\/h3>\n
![\"Kalarranga](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/AT_2018NOV23_OnlineStory_ComfortableAffordableRedCentre2.jpg\")
![\"Devils](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/AT_2018NOV23_OnlineStory_ComfortableAffordableRedCentre3.jpg\")
Spring into Alice<\/h3>\n\n
Before you leave the Red Centre<\/h3>\n\n
Budget accommodation in and around Uluru and Alice<\/h2>\n
Uluru<\/h3>\n\n
Alice Springs<\/h3>\n\n
Kings Canyon<\/h3>\n\n
Getting around the Red Centre without breaking the budget<\/h2>\n
Flying<\/h3>\n\n
Hitting the road<\/h3>\n\n