Alice Springs Tour

Discover the highlights of the red centre on tours from Alice Springs

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Are you looking for an Alice Springs tour? Let me give you some tips what you can do and see once you arrive in "the Alice".



The town right in the heart of Australia's red centre has grown from a simple telegraph station to a modern town. It is a long way from anywhere, but it is worth the trip. There is a lot to explore in and around Alice Springs.

Surrounded by harsh deserts and the ancient MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs' environment is simply breath-taking.

Tours overview

• Highlights of Alice Springs
• Alice Springs and surrounding areas
• Camping safaries to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
• Tours to Uluru from Alice Springs

Tours in Alice Springs

Alice Springs is probably the best-known town in the Australian Outback. It's the synonym for red dust & unique Outback characters, pioneering history & natural monuments. It all waits to be explored by you!

Compared to the short European history in Central Australia, Aboriginal people have been living here for tens of thousands years.
Alice Springs has been the home of Arrernte Aboriginal people ever since.

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Alice Springs Highlights Half-Day Tour

Explore the pioneering town Alice, visit famous Outback institutions, the Royal Flying Doctor Base and the School of the air (only Monday to Friday, public holidays excluded).
On top of Anzac Hill you get the most stunning views over Alice, and the surrounding rugged MacDonnell Ranges.
Visit the Old Telegraph Station north of Alice Springs. The telegraph station is next to the "Alice Springs", the permanent waterhole in the Todd River, that made settlement possible in this area.

Schedule: Tour departs daily at 2 pm from Alice Springs hotels.
Duration: Approximately 3.5 hours.

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Sunrise Ballooning in Alice Springs

Discover the beauty of the Australian Outback while floating over the desert in the morning. You have to get up early, but you are rewarded with the most beautiful views of this rugged landscape.
A gourmet breakfast in the bush follows the flight.

You have the choice of a 30 or 60 minutes hot air ballon tour.

Schedule: Tour departs daily (weather permitted) from Alice Springs hotels. Expect hotel pick-up from about 1 1/2 hours before dawn.
Duration: Approximately 4 hours.

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Alice Springs Town Hop-on Hop-off Tour

Discover Alice Springs at your own pace. The guided bus tour takes 70 minutes if you stay on board. However, you can hop-on and hop-off at the 10 stops, discover the sights, and continue the tour, all day.

Bonus You'll get an extra day pass for free (does not have to be consecutive day)


Bus Stops are at:

       - The Old Telegraph Station        - Alice Springs School of the Air

       - Anzac Hill        - Royal Flying Doctor Base

       - Reptile Centre        - Cultural Precinct

       - Road Transport Hall of Fame        - Old Ghan Train Museum

       - Olive Pink Botanic Gardens        - Todd Mall

Schedule: Tour departs daily from opposite the Information Centre on Gregory Terrace, Alice Springs
Departure time: every 70 minutes from 9 am to 4 pm
Duration: Spend all day, that's up to you!

Alice Springs Tour to surrounding areas

There is a lot of natural beauty to discover from Alice Springs. The MacDonnell Ranges spread to the east and west from Alice.
Visit the oldest working cattle station in the Northern Territory, or join a tour to explore Uluru / Kata Tjuta.
Enjoy your time in the red centre.

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Day-Tour to the West MacDonnell Ranges

Discover the majestic West MacDonnel Ranges with its stunning gorges, dry river beds and tranquil waterholes on this full day tour.
       - See John Flynn's grave at the foot of Mt Gillen and the remains of the twin ghost gums painted by Albert Namatjira.
       - Take a walk along the Angkale Creek bed to Standley Chasm, a deep red cleft that glows in the sunlight.
       - Ellery Creek Big Hole
       - The Ochre Pits
       - Ormiston Gorge & Glen Helen waterholes are wonderful attractions.

Watch out for wedge-tailed eagles in the blue sky, and black footed rock wallabies at the base of the gorges.

Schedule: Departs daily from Alice Springs at 8:00am
Duration: Approximately 9,5 hours.

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West MacDonnell Ranges Half-Day Tour with Optional Alice Springs Desert Park

This half-day tour from Alice Springs along the Larapinta Drive takes you to the rugged West MacDonnell Ranges.
Explore Simpsons Gap where chances are good to spot rock wallabies. Walk into Standley Chasm, the narrow cleft with glowing red rock walls. You also visit John Flynn's grave (founder of the famous Royal Flying Doctor Service) at the foot of Mount Gillen.

Upgrade this tour, and visit Alice Springs Desert Park in the afternoon. Learn about the different desert environments, the animals and plants of the region.

A picnic lunch with billy tea is included in this tour.

Schedule: Departs daily at 9:00 am
Duration: Approximately 4 hours, if you opt in to see Alice Springs Desert Park, your tour ends at 5 pm.

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Alice Springs Quad Bike Undoolya Discovery Tour

Explore the oldest working cattle station in the Northern Territory on a Quad Bike. Undoolya Station is only 17 km from Alice Springs.
Your guided tour leads you over bush tracks, dry creek beds, and along mountain ranges.
All bikes are fully automatic, superior specification, and easy and fun to ride. No license is required, and you don't need andy previous experience. The tour operator has an excellent safety record.

Schedule: Daily, except Thursday and no afternoon tours on Mondays. You can choose from a morning and afternoon tour. Departure times vary, depending on the season.
Duration: Approximately 3,5 hours, including a 2 hours quad bike ride.

Click on the banner to find even more tours and activities in and around Alice Springs.

Camping safaries from Alice Springs to Uluru / Ayers Rock

Are you looking for an adventurous experience? Why not join a camping safari? Spend a night, or two, close to nature and enjoy the amazing Australian night sky.

Both tours start and end either in Alice Springs or Uluru/Ayers Rock airport.

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3-Day Ayers Rock, Olgas and Kings Canyon Camping Safari

Day 1: Alice Springs to Yulara
Depart early in Alice Springs, stop at a camel farm along the way to Uluru. In the afternoon you are going to explore Ayers Rock, join the base walk, and learn about the oldest culture in the world. You'll see the amazing sunset before you return to the camp for a typical Australian camp oven dinner.

Day 2: Yulara to Kings Creek
Enjoy the sunrise at Kata Tjuta during an early morning walk. Travel to Kings Creek station where you camp for the night. Optional activities are available before you enjoy another camp oven dinner.

Day 3: Kings Creek to Alice Springs
Spend the morning at Kings Canyon. You'll have plenty of time for walking activities and taking superb photos.
After lunch at Kings Creek station you return to Alice Springs or Ayers Rock airport, wherever you started your tour.

Schedule: Tour departs daily from Alice Springs (6:30 am), or Ayers Rock airport (1:00 pm)
Duration: 3 days/2 nights. Arrive at original departure point at approximately 6:30 pm on Day 3

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2-Day Uluru and Kata Tjuta Camping Safari

This two days camping safari visits the main attractions of the red centre, Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
Day 1: Alice Springs to Yulara
Travel from Alice Springs to Yulara, or join the tour from Ayers Rock airport/resort. Spend the afternoon exploring Uluru, join the base walk, and learn about the oldest culture in the world. You'll see the amazing sunset before you return to the camp for a typical Australian camp oven dinner.

Day 2: Yulara to Alice Springs
Explore Kata Tjuta /Olgas in the morning, the 36 magical domes are as impressing as Uluru. Learn about flora and fauna in the national park.

Schedule: Tour departs daily from Alice Springs (6:30 am), or Ayers Rock airport (1:00 pm)
Duration: 2 days/1 night. Arrive at Alice Springs at approximately 6:30 pm on Day 2, or at 1:00 pm at Ayers Rock Airport.

Tours from Alice Springs to Uluru / Ayers Rock

Once you are in Alice Springs, you are so close to Australia's most famous tourist attraction - Uluru, or Ayers Rock. There are several tours available, one-way tours that end at Uluru, or tours that bring you back to Alice. For those short of time, there is even a one day tour that let you experience the highlights of Uluru.

Uluru (Ayers Rock) and The Olgas Tour Including Sunset Dinner from Alice Springs

Join this full day tour to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park from Alice Springs. It'll be a long day, but seeing awe-inspiring Uluru is worth the effort.

This tour includes guided walks at Uluru, where you learn about Aboriginal laws and culture. You'll drive around the massive rock and hear about the legends. Visit the Olgas/Kata Tjuta, before you enjoy the sunset at Uluru and a buffet dinner with sparkling wine.

Schedule: Tour departs daily at 6:30 am from centrally located Alice Springs hotels, or the bus terminal.
Duration: Approximately 17 hours. Return to your original departure point in Alice Springs.

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4-Day Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock) via West MacDonnell Ranges Tour

This tour comprises all highlights and activities in Alice Springs and the red centre.

Day 1: Alice Springs
See the best of Alice, visit the old Telegraph Station, the Royal Flying Doctor Base, and the School of the Air. Enjoy the stunning panorama of the town and the surrounding MacDonnell Ranges from Anzac Hill Lookout.

Day 2: West Mac Donnell Ranges & Alice Springs Desert Park
Travel to the West MacDonnell National Park in the morning, explore Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm, the stunning gap in the ranges with the towering walls on either side. Explore the different Australian desert habitats at the Desert Park in Alice Springs, learn about the wildlife that inhabits these regions.

Day 3: Kata Tjuta - Uluru sunset
Today you travel to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. You stop at a camel farm and pass by Atila (Mt Connor). Visit Kata Tjuta, and take a walk into the impressing Olga Gorge. You'll arrive at Uluru in time to watch the changing colours of the monolith as the sun sets.

Day 4: Uluru Sunrise - Base Tour - Guided Walks
Spend all morning exploring the base of Uluru; join the Mala walk to Kantju Gorge, and see the Mutitjulu waterhole.

Tour options: There are 3 options for accommodation on this tour: budget, first class and deluxe. Please be aware that the budget option includes a room with shared facilities for the 3rd night at the Outback Pioneer Lodge at Yulara.
Rooms at the Comfort Inn in Alice Springs (budget option) and all first class and deluxe rooms have private facilities.

Schedule: Tour departs daily. Arrive at Alice Springs airport by 12:00 noon to be transferred to your hotel. Tour ends at Ayers Rock airport on day 4. Your flight should not depart before 1:00 pm.
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights

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3-Day Uluru (Ayers Rock) Highlights Tour including Sounds of Silence Dinner from Alice Springs

Discover the highlights of Uluru and Kata Tjuta on this one-way tour departing Alice Springs.

Day 1: Alice Springs to Uluru On your way to Ayers Rock you'll stop at the camel farm. Don't get misleaded when you see Mt Connor, it is not Uluru, but it won't take long now until you'll get the first glimse of the majestic rock. After your arrival you visit the Cultural Centre, explore the base and join guided walks. Relax with a glass of wine as you watch the sunset at the rock.

Day 2: Uluru Sunrise, Kata Tjuta, Olga Gorge, Sounds of Silence Dinner After an early sunrise spend the day exploring the majestic domes of the Olgas, take a guided walk into Walpam the majestic Olga gorge. Watch out for lizards basking in the sun on the rocks scattered over the ground. You'll hardly see them, they are masters in camouflage.

Tour options: There are 3 options for accommodation on this tour: standard (Outback Pioneer Hotel), first class (Desert Garden Hotel) and deluxe (Sails in the Desert Hotel). All options include rooms with private facilities.

Schedule: Tour departs daily at 7:00 am, hotel pickups from Alice Springs hotels are prior this time.
Tour ends at Ayers Rock airport on day 4. Your flight should not depart before 1:00 pm.
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights

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Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock) One Way Shuttle

This one-way shuttle coach from Alice Springs to Uluru is a cheap alternative to flying to Ayers Rock. Your driver/guide comments the natural highlights on this 450 km tour. You'll stop at a camel farm and have even the chance for a short camel ride (at additional cost).

Schedule: Departs daily at 7:00 am from selected Alice Springs Hotels
Duration: Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes

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I am sure you will find your favourite Alice Springs tour, operated by tour companies with excellent tour guides who are delighted to share their knowledge of this stunning region with you.

If you're not happy with my selection, please search for the Alice Springs tours that suit your needs.
Check out my Uluru tours page if you are looking for half-day tours and activities at Ayers Rock.

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The photo on top of the page by Johannes Püller is in the public domain.