Think you’ve seen it all in Alice Springs?

Dig even deeper with Parrtjima, an annual Aboriginal light festival that showcases the Red Centre in a brand-new light.

If you’ve been to Mparntwe/Alice Springs, you’ll remember the light more than anything. It’s the kind of clear, desert-bright light that makes the sky impossibly blue, the soil an unforgettable shade of ochre-red and the cool shadows deeply inviting.

At night, after the technicolour sunset fades to black, you probably remember the stars – an entire blanket of them you can pull over your head. Now there’s another memorable night sight to put on your list.

Since 2016 an annual Aboriginal light show, Parrtjima – A Festival in Light, has used the Red Centre as an epic canvas. This year, the free event will unfold over 10 nights from 8-17 April. The 2022 festival theme is Sky Country – artworks will focus on our place in the universe and the unique relationship First Nations people have with the environment – particularly, how they have always looked to the skies to understand their place on Country.

In Australia’s harsh central desert, the behaviour of the sky, the seasons and the wind all provided the knowledge required for survival. Parrtjima (pronounced par-chee-ma), which means “lighting up”, will tell the story of these elements through light shows, installations, art, music, talks, films, workshops and performances.

The festival includes an epic lighting up of the quartzite rock-face of the 300-million-year-old Yeperenye/West MacDonnell Ranges. Other light installations can be found at Alice Springs Desert Park, the festival’s hub, located seven kilometres from the town centre. A free shuttle bus loops between Alice Springs and the open-air festival site.

This wondrous telling of ancient stories, using cutting-edge light technology, provides the perfect excuse to revisit Alice Springs. After experiencing the world’s oldest living culture via this kaleidoscope of colours, patterns and imagery, explore other sights in Alice Springs and surrounds. Register for Parrtjima here.

TO-DO LIST

The Red Centre knows how to do Big Things. Head to Megafauna Central in Todd Street Mall to see dozens of species, including a giant wombat and giant crocodile, which roamed the area millions of years ago.

Pack the cossies and point yourselves towards Ormiston Gorge and Pound, a 90-minute drive from town. Take a refreshing swim in the near-permanent waterhole that’s almost dwarfed by the gorge’s towering red walls. Take the short walk up to Ghost Gum Lookout for a bird’s-eye view of the waterhole and the gorge’s spectacular geology.

Deep-dive into the Araluen Cultural Precinct (Albert Namatjira, one of Central Australia’s most famous artists, is buried nearby – look for the distinctive headstone incorporating a terracotta mural). There are also many galleries to explore in and around the pedestrian-only Todd Mall.

ACCOMMODATION

Head out of town to Ooraminna Station Homestead – a 242-hectare property that’s home to four luxury cottages (choose from timber, tin, stone or log – two feature four-poster beds that could have come straight from a fairytale) and four glamping tents.

In town, near the banks of the (usually dry) Todd River, is Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs – home to a glorious outdoor pool. Next door is another four-star hotel with a pool – Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters. Both back onto the fairways of the Alice Springs Golf Club.