Tours, sightseeing tours, activities & things to do | Viator.com
Alice Springs
Trip Planning & Itineraries
5:20 PM Sunday, Nov 22
Sunny. Pleasantly warm.
7 day forecast »
The thriving outback town of Alice Springs rises out of an endless expanse of red dirt and rugged ranges. What began 135 years ago as a simple telegraph station has developed into a modern low-rise metropolis. Along the way, "the Alice" has built a reputation as the regional base for hordes of visitors touring Australia's Top End and the Red Centre, from Uluru (Ayers Rock) to the Olgas.
The Alice is populated by Aussie characters (where else would you find the biggest boat race on a dry river bed?) and is a national hub for Aboriginal art, with a swag of galleries and arts-related events. And, in case all those cafes and shopping centers make you forget how isolated Alice Springs is, a number of sights serve as pertinent reminders, such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service Base and the School of the Air. Alice Springs also retains some fascinating relics of its pioneering days.
Best of Alice Springs: Top 3 Must-Do Experiences
Best of Alice Springs: Suggested Itineraries
Alice Springs is the ideal base for your outback explorations. In town, the Alice has a cultural precinct to explore, plenty of shops selling outback clothing, and galleries featuring the work of master painters like Albert Namatjira. Bone up on outback history at the Museum of Central Australia, take a tour of the Royal Flying Doctor Service Base, or go bushwalking on the Laraptina Trail. And when you want to head out on that all-important visit to the Red Centre, our suggested itineraries will help you find your way.
Get things started with a breakfast camel ride along the perennially dry Todd River. After breakfast, tour the camel farm, camel museum and camel gift shop for all things acamellado. Next, get to know the Alice on a best-of tour or afternoon highlights tour. You'll visit the School of the Air, the Royal Flying Doctor Service and take in spectacular views of the West MacDonnell ranges from Anzac Hill - plus, on the best-of tour, you'll experience relaxed Aussie dining outback style.
Leave the Alice for a big day of touring on an Uluru and Olgas day trip. Nothing will match your first close-up view of Uluru, but the sunset views and buffet dinner come pretty close. The tour also takes you on a complete circuit tour around the base of Uluru to learn the legends of the rock. If you only have half a day to spare, step aboard the West MacDonnell Ranges tour, highlighting Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm and the gravesite of John Flynn, founder of the famous Royal Flying Doctor Service, with the option to visit the renowned Alice Springs Desert Park.
Alice Springs really excels at more in-depth multi-day touring. The showstopper here is the three-day Uluru highlights tour, the biggest highlight of all being the spectacular Sounds of Silence dinner under the stars. Other three-day tours combine Uluru and Kings Canyon, and you can sleep under the desert stars if you choose a camping safari. Of course, there are also plenty of two-day options, and with four days up your sleeve you can see the Red Centre in-depth, and experience an Uluru sunrise and sunset you'll never forget.
Best of Alice Springs: Top 3 Hotels
Most of the quality accommodation in the Alice is east of the Todd River, with regular links to Todd Mall and the center of town by shuttle.
You couldn't be more centrally accommodated, as this is the only hotel in town with direct access to Alice Spring's pedestrian Todd Mall. Executive rooms have private balconies fronting the Todd River. Check out the innovative contemporary and indigenous cuisine served in the hotel's Red Ochre Grill.
All the facilities you'd expect of a plush resort, including a solar-heated pool that's surely one of the few in town that gets a workout in winter. Deluxe rooms come with a bathtub and a balcony, and all rooms have an appealing modern aesthetic.
A-frame villas screened by palm trees and framed by flowering bougainvillea entice visitors to spend more than just a couple of nights at the Desert Palms. The spacious self-contained units boast their own private veranda, plus there's a palm-shaded pool and tennis court.
From USD $211.58
Uluru (Ayers Rock) and The Olgas Tour Including Sunset Dinner from Alice Springs
Experience the mystery and spirit of Ayers Rock for yourself. Rising from the desert sands, this massive creation will overwhelm you.
- Plan Alice Springs vacations on Yahoo! Travel
- Australia hotel deals from PlanetWare
- Alice Springs hotels from HotelsCombined.com
- Regional news from the Northern Territory News
