Uncover the mysterious and lively city of Alice Springs. The third-largest town in the Northern Territory is renowned for its friendly locals, Indigenous artwork, unique natural wonders, rare wildlife, and quirky personality. Surrounded by beauty, discover the Larapinta Trail, the MacDonnell Ranges, Uluru, and the Kata Tjuta. Alice Springs is the beating heart of the Red Centre and is waiting to be explored.
"I lived in Australia for several years and I love to share my local knowledge and experiences. I am looking forward to getting to know you better and making your dream holiday to Australia a reality!"
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Alice Springs is a special place and is bursting with things to do and see. Splurge in some shopping at Todd Mall or go for a picnic at Ellery Creek Big Hole. Here, you can marvel at rugged cliffs that surround a tranquil gorge. An ideal spot for swimming and hiking.
From Anzac Hill, you have a beautiful view over Alice Springs. Here, you can watch the sunset. The walk-up takes approximately 30 minutes. Or take a wander through sandy gorges and discover Aboriginal rock art at The Yeperenye/ Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park.
To get an idea of how children in remote parts of Australia attend school, visit the School of the Air. In an interactive way, you can see how they are taught remotely. The Alice Springs School of the Air plays an integral role for children who live in the Outback. It is one of the world's largest classrooms, covering over 1.3 million square kilometres!
Discover the rich history and many challenges of the Flying Doctors. Every day, the Royal Flying Doctor Service helps around 100 patients in Central Australia. However, you may know the Royal Flying Doctor Service from a TV series! Alice Springs is not the place where the series was recorded, but here, you will find the visitor centre.
Discover a protected area in the Northern Territory, located approximately 138 kilometres west of Alice Springs. Only accessible by 4WD, it's a great day tour to explore authentic Australia. Covering an area of 46,000 hectares, you will find rare and unique flora and fauna and the impressive Palm Valley. Here, you can also find the Finke River/ Larapinta which is believed to be one of the oldest rivers in the world and is estimated to be over 300 million years old.
The Aboriginal Arrernte people are the traditional owners of Mparntwe/ Alice Springs and the surrounding regions. Traditional stories describe how the region of Alice Springs and the MacDonnell Ranges were created by their ancestors.
Today, the Aboriginal Arrernte people of Australia continue to observe traditional laws and take care of their country. While teaching their children the Arrernte language and passing on the importance of their culture.
During your visit to Alice, be sure to visit the Mbantua Art Gallery. Here, you can find a large selection of Aboriginal paintings and Australian indigenous artwork from local artists living in Central Australia. The Mbantua Gallery showcases over 250 artists and has been specialising in Aboriginal art for over 20 years. You can also meet Aboriginal artists at the Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre.
Join one of our live and informative presentations, hosted by one of our travel specialists. And find out how to travel to Australia in a uniquely local way. There are also plenty of opportunities to ask questions!
Register nowThe protected reserve is located approximately 42 kilometres east of Alice Springs in the East MacDonnell Ranges. You can easily stop here on your way to other East MacDonnell landmarks such as the Trephina Gorge and Arltunga. Be sure to take a wander around the base of the rock.
Located approximately 110 kilometres east of Alice Springs is the Arltunga Historical Reserve. The historic town of Arltunga is a deserted gold rush town and was originally Australia's first town, born out of a gold rush in 1887. Pop by the visitor centre and learn how this town was once filled with 300 people hoping to get lucky and strike gold. Take a wander past the Government Battery, Cyanide Works, the Old Police Station, the mines, and the homes.
Central Australia is an ideal destination to explore together with your family with plenty of exciting things to do. Whether you would like to have close encounters with unique wildlife such as black-footed rock wallabies or watch the sunrise over the Outback in a hot air balloon. There is something for everyone in this part of Australia.
In Alice Springs Desert Park, a ten-minute drive from Alice Springs, you can spot special animals such as birds of prey, reptiles, and the big red kangaroos. Located at the base of the West MacDonnell Ranges, the Alice Springs Desert Park is closely connected with the Arrernte Aboriginal people of Australia. The Desert Park is open every day from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm (closed on Christmas Day).
Visit the Alice Springs Reptile Centre for the largest reptile display in Central Australia. Here, you can see reptiles such as the Frill-necked lizard, Thorny devils, and even a saltwater crocodile named Terry! If you prefer mammals, you can also visit The Kangaroo Sanctuary. A 188-acre wildlife sanctuary for rescued orphaned baby kangaroos and adult kangaroos.
Located four kilometres north of the town centre, the Alice Springs Telegraph Station is an ideal place to visit with the kids. You can reach the Telegraph Station by car via the Stuart Highway. Established in 1871, today it is a favourite picnic spot with many barbecue areas available.
If you are visiting Alice Springs, a trip to Ayers Rock/ Uluru and the Olga's/Kata Tjuta is a must-do! There are plenty of day trips or half-day trips on offer. We recommend going together with a small group for a full-day four-wheel drive tour to really experience Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
Located 470 kilometres west of Alice Springs, this area is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara Anangu (the Aboriginal people of the area) and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to learn more about this fascinating part of Australia.
The gigantic sandstone monolith Ayers Rock/ Uluru, which rises above a desert landscape covered in red earth, is one of Australia's most famous sights. The rock is 348-metres high and has a circumference of 9.4 kilometres. A special feature of Uluru is the beautiful shades of colour. From dark red at sunrise through to orange, purple and grey later in the day. Truly a spectacle of nature.
The West MacDonnell Ranges/ Tjoritja is located 161 kilometres west of Alice Springs. Discover a natural wonderland that is bursting with waterholes, mystical waterfalls, and thermal pools. Do you love hiking? Conquer the 223-kilometre Larapinta Trail.
Keep an eye out for Black-footed rock wallabies at Simpsons Gap! If you would like to cool off, be sure to take a dip at Redbank Gorge. If you love to hike, swim, picnic and camp - Ellery Creek Big Hole is a great place to visit.
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We'll take the time to get to know you to match your fully bespoke holiday with your pace, your interests, and anything you desire. Combined with first-hand, local knowledge, you'll receive a mapped out itinerary from us - but the process isn't done until you are 100% satisfied. We take care of every detail, so you can focus on relaxing, rejuvenating and reconnecting with yourself and the world around you. Get in touch to get started now.
At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.
Questions? Speak to one of our specialists by phone Mon - Sat 9am until 6pm. You can discuss your travel plans in detail where and when it suits you, also in the evenings and on weekends on a no obligation basis.
020 36 95 95 69
