The high profile couple have explored some of the world’s best adventure destinations and can now add the Red Centre Way to their list, driving from Uluru to Alice Springs in September.The surfing champ Layne Beachley and her husband Kirk Pengilly of INXS fame explored the Red Centre by foot, quad bike, cycle and camel, visiting Uluru, Kings Canyon and Alice Springs during their road trip through Central Australia’s most iconic national parks.

Layne Beachley, a former professional surfer who has won seven world championships and is known for her fitness and sense of adventure, said the Territory was a must-do holiday destination.”Sometimes we take the natural wonders and resources at our doorstep for granted, so I’m keen to give others a healthy reminder of how lucky we are,” she said.

“Seeing parts of the country we’ve never seen is a great way to reconnect and spend quality time together. Though Kirk and I have both travelled extensively for work, we’ve always wanted to explore more of our own backyard, and we’re so glad we have. We’re now more inspired to head to the NT than hop on a plane elsewhere.”

We sat down with Layne after their trip of a lifetime…

What does it mean to you to be “A Mate of the Territory”? 

As a Mate of the Territory, I want to encourage more Aussies to visit the region and embrace its active and adventurous spirit. We can sometimes take the natural wonders and resources at our doorstep for granted, so I’m keen to give others a healthy reminder of how fortunate we are and how much there is to do in the NT!

Talk us through the route you and Kirk took across the Red Centre?

Kirk and I went on an incredible road trip through the Red Centre, where we drove from Uluru through to Alice Springs in five days. I really loved our time in Alice Springs because we got to experience a bit of everything, mountain bike riding at Alice Springs Telegraph Station, riding camels across the MacDonnell Ranges, bird watching at Alice Springs Desert Park and also relaxing pool-side at the newly renovated Lasseters Casino.

What were the highlights for you? Kirk?

The Red Centre is packed full of unique experiences and it was the perfect holiday destination for us thanks to the mix of action and relaxation on offer.  For me the highlight was the Kings Canyon rim walk at Watarrka National Park. Kirk really enjoyed the foodie side of things, especially the Tali Wiru dining experience where we enjoyed an incredible five-star meal out under the star filled sky with Uluru in the distance.

The NT is obviously a very different type of environment to the many years you’ve spent in the ocean, how did you relate to the arid deserts?

I found my experience in the NT to be just as therapeutic as when I’m in the ocean. It’s all about immersing myself in nature. There’s something special about the NT which is truly magical and I always leave feeling reenergised and reconnected.

How did you fare with Kirk travelling together!!??

We love getting away and travelling together. The NT was the perfect destination because it’s only a 3.5 hour flight from Sydney so it meant that we could get-away and fit the trip into our busy schedules. Plus we both love being active and experiencing everything the region has to offer.

You’re obviously fit and an adventurer – do you need to be this type to travel in the NT?  

No definitely not, our trip away was active but also had a nice relaxing component to it. And the beauty of the NT, is that you can make your experience as active or relaxing as you like. For example when we went to explore Uluru we cycled around the base of the Rock. Later that day we then had a nice massage at the Red Ochre Spa at Sails in the Desert before driving 10 minutes down the road to watch the sunset on Uluru.

Five Minutes With Layne Beachley

1. My personal style is… relaxed casual
2. My most memorable career moment was… winning my 1st world title
3. My most memorable life moment was… Marrying Kirk
4. My personal hero is…my dad
5. My favourite holiday destination/s is/are…places I can explore, discover, swim or surf and eat great food.
6. My last purchase was…a new surfboard
7. My fave place in the world is…Home.
8. My travel skin trick is… moisturiser that contains SPF and hair oil.
9. In my handbag now is… too much stuff I don’t use and too many pens
10. My top health/diet/fitness advice is… do something physical every day and drink lots of filtered water
11. My food philosophy is…fresh and seasonal
12. My biggest indulgence…hot chips
13. My mantra is… live a life you love and love the life you live.

For more information about the Red Centre visit: www.travelnt.com

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