If your car is capable of taking on the unsealed Mereenie loop, strike out towards Hermannsburg, the remote community that sparked an important art movement and was home to Aboriginal landscape artist Albert Namatjira. Stop in at the Kata Anga Tea Rooms and the Namatjira Gallery in the Hermannsburg Heritage Precinct to see some of Namatjira’s watercolours alongside the internationally renowned Hermannsburg Potters, whose dazzling handmade ceramics decorated with vibrant sculpted animals, landscapes and bush tucker is available for purchase.

If your car is better off sticking to sealed roads, take your time exploring Kings Canyon before heading back to Alice along the Stuart/Lasseter Highway.

Having made your way through a significant part of the Red Centre and gained a stack of art and cultural knowledge of the region, you’ll find it easier to choose an artwork that speaks to you upon your return to base camp of Alice Springs.

If you plan on exploring a bit further afield, a 20-minute drive west will be rewarded not only with the scenic beauty of the West MacDonnell Ranges and Simpsons Gap, but also allows for a visit to Kathleen Buzzacott Art Studio. Make an appointment ahead of time and Kathleen will be on hand to take you through her studio and her process. Her fine Central Desert dot painting style and contemporary handmade jewellery is for sale on site.