Safari in Red Centre & Outback South Australia
From the iconic red centre to the rugged coastlines and outback of South Australia, this region offers a diverse range of landscapes and unique wildlife.
Red Centre & Outback South Australia Parks Map
Explore safari parks across Red Centre & Outback South Australia
Red Centre & Outback South Australia Safari Parks
Explore safari parks in Red Centre & Outback South Australia
Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary National Park-Winaityinaityi Pangkara National Park
Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary National Park-Winaityinaityi Pangkara National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Belair National Park
Belair National Park (formerly known as the National Park and Belair Recreation Park) is a protected area in Belair, South Australia, 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southeast of Adelaide city centre; it covers an area of 835 hectares (2,060 acres). It was proclaimed in 1891 and was the first national park in South Australia, second in Australia (after Sydney's Royal National Park which was proclaimed in 1879) and the tenth in the world. The national park lies within the Adelaide Hills and Mitcham council area, and forms part of a chain of protected areas located along the Adelaide Hills Face Zone.
Bon Bon Station Conservation Reserve
Bon Bon Station Conservation Reserve is a protected area in Australia.
Boolcoomatta Conservation Reserve
Boolcoomatta Conservation Reserve is a protected area in Australia.
Cleland National Park
Cleland National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Coffin Bay National Park
Coffin Bay National Park is a protected area in on the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia, Australia, which is located about 301 km west of Adelaide and about 46 km west of Port Lincoln. The town of Coffin Bay is near the entrance to the national park. The national park occupies the Coffin Bay Peninsula – a long peninsula with a sheltered bay to its north, coastal dunes, swamps and a coastline which overlooks islands, reefs, limestone cliffs and white surf beaches.
Coorong National Park
Coorong National Park is a protected area located in South Australia about 156 kilometres (97 mi) south-east of Adelaide, that predominantly covers a coastal lagoon ecosystem officially known as The Coorong and the Younghusband Peninsula on the Coorong's southern side. The western end of the Coorong lagoon is at the Murray Mouth near Hindmarsh Island and the Sir Richard Peninsula, and it extends about 130 kilometres (81 mi) south-eastwards. Road access is from Meningie.
Deep Creek National Park
Deep Creek National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park
Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Eucla National Park
Eucla ( YOO-klə) is the easternmost locality in Western Australia, located in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia along the Eyre Highway, approximately 11 kilometres (7 mi) west of the South Australian border. At the 2016 Australian census, Eucla had a population of 53. It is the only Western Australian location on the Eyre Highway that has a direct view of the Great Australian Bight due to its elevated position immediately next to the Eucla Pass – where the highway moves out and above the basin known as Roe Plains that occurs between the Madura and Eucla passes.
Evelyn Downs Conservation Reserve
Evelyn Downs Conservation Reserve is a protected area in Australia.
Flinders Chase National Park
Flinders Chase National Park (formerly Flinders Chase) is a protected area in the Australian state of South Australia located at the west end of Kangaroo Island about 177 kilometres (110 miles) west-south west of the state capital of Adelaide and 110 kilometres (68 miles) west of the municipal seat of Kingscote. It is a sanctuary for endangered species and home to a few geological phenomena. It was the second national park to be declared in South Australia.
Gawler Ranges National Park
Gawler Ranges National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Glenthorne National Park
Glenthorne National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Great Australian Bight Marine National Park
Great Australian Bight Marine National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Great Australian Bight National Park Zone
Great Australian Bight National Park Zone is a protected area in Australia.
Hindmarsh Valley National Park
Hindmarsh Valley National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
The Ikara–Flinders Ranges National Park, formerly Flinders Ranges National Park, is a national park situated approximately 430 km (270 mi) north of Adelaide, Australia. It lies northeast of the small town of Hawker, in the northern central part of South Australia's largest mountain range, the Flinders Ranges, and covers an area of 95,000 ha (370 mi2) between Hawker and Blinman. It is known for the land formation known as Wilpena Pound, while other well-known features include the Heysen Range and the Brachina and Bunyeroo gorges.
Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park
Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Lake Gairdner National Park
Lake Gairdner National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Lake Torrens National Park
Lake Torrens National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Langidoon-Metford State Conservation Area
Langidoon-Metford State Conservation Area is a protected area in Australia.
Lincoln National Park
Lincoln National Park is a protected area in the Australian state of South Australia located about 249 kilometres (155 mi) west of the state capital of Adelaide and about 9.5 kilometres (5.9 mi) south of the municipal seat of Port Lincoln. It consists of a mainland area on the Jussieu Peninsula on the south eastern tip of Eyre Peninsula and a number of nearby islands. The national park contains significant sites of natural, indigenous and early European heritage.
Malkumba-Coongie Lakes National Park
Malkumba-Coongie Lakes National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Mount Remarkable National Park
The Mount Buffalo National Park is a national park in the alpine region of Victoria, Australia. The 31,000-hectare (77,000-acre) national park is located approximately 350 kilometres (220 mi) northeast of Melbourne in the Australian Alps. Within the national park is Mount Buffalo, a moderately high mountain plateau, with an elevation of 1,723 metres (5,653 ft) above sea level.
Munga-Thirri National Park
Munga-Thirri National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Munga-Thirri—Simpson Desert National Park
Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Murray Marine Park
Murray Marine Park is a protected area in Australia.
Murray River National Park
Murray River National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Mutawintji National Park
Mutawintji National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Mutawintji State Conservation Area
Mutawintji State Conservation Area is a protected area in Australia.
Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park
Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Nilpena Ediacara National Park
Nilpena Ediacara National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Nullarbor National Park
Nullarbor National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Onkaparinga River National Park
Onkaparinga River National Park is a protected area in the Australian state of South Australia located about 32 kilometres (20 mi) south of Adelaide city centre. It extends over the floodplain of the Onkaparinga River east of Main South Road.
Sturt National Park
Sturt National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park
Home to the iconic Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the domed Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), this park is a sacred Aboriginal landscape offering profound cultural experiences and opportunities to spot red kangaroos, dingoes, and various reptiles. The changing colours of the rock formations at sunrise and sunset are a major draw.
Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park
Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Wapma Thura-Southern Flinders Ranges National Park
Wapma Thura-Southern Flinders Ranges National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Western Kangaroo Island National Park Zone
Western Kangaroo Island National Park Zone is a protected area in Australia.
Witjira National Park
Witjira National Park is a protected area in Australia.
Compare Parks in Red Centre & Outback South Australia
Side-by-side comparison of safari parks in Red Centre & Outback South Australia
| Park | Area | Wildlife | Lodges | Crowds | Malaria | Airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park | 1,334 km² | 143 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | AYQ (8km) |
| Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary National Park-Winaityinaityi Pangkara National Park | - | 166 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | YLLT (10km) |
| Belair National Park | 8 km² | 166 | - | Quiet | Moderate | AU-0435 (9km) |
| Bon Bon Station Conservation Reserve | - | 74 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | YBBO (20km) |
| Boolcoomatta Conservation Reserve | - | 116 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | YHON (19km) |
| Cleland National Park | - | 166 | - | Quiet | Moderate | AU-0435 (14km) |
| Coffin Bay National Park | 310 km² | 124 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | YCOF (17km) |
| Coorong National Park | 467 km² | 194 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | YNIN (36km) |
| Deep Creek National Park | - | 149 | - | Quiet | Moderate | PEA (28km) |
| Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park | 94 km² | 134 | - | Quiet | Moderate | YWGI (40km) |
| Eucla National Park | 33 km² | 93 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | EUC (7km) |
| Evelyn Downs Conservation Reserve | - | 43 | - | Very Quiet | Moderate | YCPH (4km) |
107 species recorded in Red Centre & Outback South Australia9 threatened
We find the sheer scale of the Red Centre and Outback South Australia utterly breathtaking. The landscape here is a masterclass in ochre and rust, where the sun paints the ancient rocks in hues we rarely see elsewhere. We recommend taking the time to truly absorb the silence and the vast, star-filled skies; it's a profoundly humbling experience. This is a land that feels both timeless and alive, a testament to resilience and raw, untamed beauty.
Terrain & Altitude
Vast, arid plains give way to ancient, weathered mountain ranges, dramatic gorges, and iconic red rock formations.
100-1,500m above sea level
Vegetation
Sparse, drought-adapted vegetation dominates, characterized by spinifex grasslands, saltbush plains, and scattered mulga and mallee woodlands.
Water Sources
Ephemeral rivers, ancient artesian springs, and isolated waterholes provide vital, albeit scarce, water sources across the arid landscape.
Unique Features
The ancient, deeply eroded geological formations of the Flinders Ranges and the iconic red rock monoliths of the Red Centre are truly distinctive.
Navigating the Red Centre and Outback South Australia requires careful planning due to the immense distances. We always recommend a combination of regional flights and self-drive or guided transfers to maximize your time and experience the diverse landscapes. Don't underestimate the vastness; a well-planned itinerary is key to a truly unforgettable journey.
Nearest Airports
Adelaide Airport (ADL)
Gateway to South Australia's Outback, with direct connections to regional hubs like Coober Pedy and Port Augusta.
Daily domestic flights from all major Australian cities; limited international connections.
Alice Springs Airport (ASP)
The primary air hub for the Red Centre, located just 15km from Alice Springs town centre.
Regular domestic flights from Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth, connecting you directly to the heart of the Outback.
Bush Airstrips
Driving Routes
From Adelaide
A long but rewarding drive north on the Stuart Highway to Coober Pedy. The road is sealed, but we advise carrying ample water, fuel, and checking road conditions, especially if venturing off the main highway. The landscape transforms dramatically.
From Alice Springs
A well-maintained, sealed road (Lasseter Highway) takes you directly to the iconic Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. We recommend stopping at various viewpoints along the way to truly appreciate the scale of the landscape. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition.
Temperature
24.6°C
76°F
Rainfall
43.8 mm
Light rain
Humidity
52.9%
Sunshine
11.8 hrs/day
Data source: Open-Meteo Archive API
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Health & Travel Info
Important health and safety information for Australia