New glamping experience supports First Nations tourism in the Red Centre
Yalka Eco Stays is a collection of eight eco-designed, air-conditioned tents complete with ensuite bathrooms.
Australia’s Red Centre is set to offer a new kind of adventure, as Intrepid Travel partners with Yalka Ratara Aboriginal Corporation to unveil an exclusive glamping experience in Palm Valley, located within the ancient Finke Gorge National Park.
From July 1, 2025, travellers joining Intrepid’s Red Centre & Uluru Explorer trip will gain exclusive access to Yalka Eco Stays—a collection of eight eco-designed, air-conditioned tents complete with ensuite bathrooms, nestled in one of the most culturally rich and remote landscapes in the country.
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The partnership marks a significant step forward in supporting First Nations tourism and delivering sustainable, meaningful travel experiences. Developed with funding from the Aboriginal Benefits Account, as well as support from Tourism NT and the Central Land Council, this initiative empowers the local Arrernte community and preserves sacred cultural heritage.
“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Yalka Ratara Aboriginal Corporation,” said Brett Mitchell, Intrepid Travel’s Managing Director ANZ. “This is about more than premium accommodation—it’s about connection to Country, and a new way to experience the Red Centre that respects and uplifts First Nations voices.”
Highlights of the two-night Palm Valley stay include:
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The only remaining red cabbage palm trees within an 800km radius.
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Visits to culturally significant sites, including vibrant ochre deposits and a dramatic asteroid impact crater.
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Evening campfire dinners beneath a starlit Outback sky.
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Easy access to West MacDonnell Ranges’ hidden natural wonders.
This new itinerary replaces long day trips from Alice Springs with immersive, slow travel through iconic Outback terrain, finishing with a morning transfer back to Alice Springs on Day 6.
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