Cycle the NT’s Red Centre

By Justin Walker June 10, 2021
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From extensive trail networks around Alice Springs, to a leisurely circuit of Uluru, cycling is booming in the Red Centre.

Cycling is booming in the Red Centre, with bike trail networks for all rider skill levels surrounding Alice Springs, and there’s even a trail at Uluru.

From the centre of Alice, you can follow the Riverside Walk (a multi-use sealed track) that takes you through the quintessential Central Australian terrain of red rock, blue skies and pale ghost gums out to historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station. 

For mountain bikers, the Telegraph Station is the starting point of a large mountain-bike trail system, ranging from easy to intermediate to hard. The easier tracks around Alice are well constructed, fairly flat and clearly signposted – perfect for beginners and families. On longer, intermediate-level trails, riders will find slightly steeper sections and looser terrain, with a mix of sand, rocks and gravel as the base. 

The sealed surface of Simpsons Gap Bicycle Path takes riders through a microcosm of the West MacDonnell Ranges. The 17km, slightly undulating path starts at Flynn’s Grave, 7km west of Alice Springs’ ­centre, to end at beautiful Simpsons Gap. It’s a great day out for cycling families.

After a few days exploring Alice, head south to ride at Uluru. You can hire a bike from Outback Cycling (based at Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre) and cruise around the wide, near-flat 10km track surrounding the famous monolith. A bicycle allows the time-poor to cruise between the highlights, such as the Mutitjulu Waterhole and Kantju Gorge, and spend more time actually exploring them.