Discover the legendary heart of Outback culture on this half-day highlights tour of Alice Springs. Visit the historic Overland Telegraph Station and learn how residents have adapted to ultra-remote living at the Royal Flying Doctor Service base and the School of the Air. Encounter fearsome desert creatures at the Alice Springs Reptile Park, and take in sweeping views of the West MacDonnell Ranges from the top of Anzac Hill.

Discover the history of Alice Springs
Visit the Royal Flying Doctors
Spend time at the School of the Air and join in a lesson
Get up close to the snakes and lizards at the Reptile Park
See panoramic views over the township and West MacDonnell Ranges

What's Included

Hotel pickup and drop off
Professional, local guide
Commentary by driver
Touring by luxury, air-conditioned coach
Entry to the Telegraph Station, site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs
Entry at Alice Springs Reptile Centre, home to the largest reptile display in Central Australia
Entry to School of the Air, the world's largest classroom

Food and drink

Meeting And Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Hotel pick-ups commence prior to the tour start time. You will be collected from the hotel you have selected in the drop down list during the booking process. Your hotel pick-up time will be displayed on your voucher. If you wish to change your pick-up location from the one selected, you must call the operator at least 24 hrs prior to travel. If your hotel does not appear on the drop down list, the operator does not pick-up from your hotel. Please phone the operator to arrange an alternate pick-up time and location. IMPORTANT NOTE FOR THE DESERT PARK OPTION If you've chosen to include the Alice Spring Desert Park Option, you will have the morning free to visit the park at your leisure. Pick up is at 7.45am. You will explore the park in your own time at leisure. The return transfer to your hotel will leave the Desert Park at 12:00pm. You should then have time to for lunch at your own expense, before you are picked up from your hotel for the ‘A Town like Alice’ Tour.

What To Expect

Known as the gateway to Australia’s rugged Red Centre, Alice Springs is a unique and vibrant community shaped by aboriginal culture, colonial influences, and the challenges of isolated desert living. After pickup at your hotel in the afternoon, begin with a stop at the historic Overland Telegraph Station. Built in 1872, the communications outpost was a key link in connecting early frontier settlements across Australia.

Located in the geographical center of Australia nearly 800 miles (1,288 km) from another major city, Alice Springs residents have learned to adapt to an isolated lifestyle. Learn how students in remote surrounding areas receive an education through the radio at the School of the Air, and visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service base, which provides on-call medical aid to isolated communities.

Next, get an up-close encounter with famous Outback’s wildlife at Alice Springs Reptile Park. See some of the world’s most venomous snakes including taipans and death adders, scaly desert dwellers like goannas and thorny devils, and even a resident saltwater crocodile. Cap off your half-day tour with a drive up to Anzac Hill, where you can admire fantastic views of the copper-colored West MacDonnell Ranges and the township of Alice Springs nestled among the rugged landscape.

Desert Park Option

Should you choose to include the Alice Spring Desert Park Option, you will have the morning free to visit the park at your leisure. Rise early for your transfer to the world-class Alice Springs Desert Park where you will witness free-flying birds at the Nature Theatre presentation and see rare and endangered animals such as the Bilby. Time at the Alice Springs Desert Park is unguided; you will explore the park in your own time at leisure. Then have time to for lunch at your own expense, before you are picked up from your hotel for the ‘A Town like Alice’ Tour.

Alice Springs School of the Air Experience

Hear from your Driver Guide how Alice Springs began as a radio repeater station along the Overland Telegraph Line • Call into the School of the Air, which provides education to primary school aged children living on remote properties in the Northern Territory

55 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve

Explore the Telegraph Station, site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs, and learn how it relayed messages between Darwin and Adelaide for 60 years

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
Vehicle used is 21 seated coach
Please note: School of the Air is only open Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)

Stroller accessible
Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

about cancellations.

Traveler Photos

Traveler Tips

This tour of Alice Springs is a good way to occupy any spare time you might have in Alice Springs while stopping there on your way to Ayers Rock (Uluru).

There closest students are 85 kilometers away and they severe children over 1000 Km away.

Certainly worth the trip and we found Tash to be very knowledgeable.

Reviews

4.5

102 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 102 reviews

Packed with highlights

Doug_Y, Oct 2022

Absolutely did what it said in giving you the highlights. I initially thought it might not be value for money, but with the price of all the admissions included it turned out to be good value., and a much better idea than visiting the venues on your own.

Excellent

Kim_R, Aug 2022

Excellent service really great day. Thank you would recommend every one do this tour if visiting Alice Springs

Great introduction to Alice.

Shirley_H, Jun 2022

Great introduction to Alice Springs. This tour took in the major interest around Alice. I enjoyed all of them but the highlight was the Desert Park. Well organised and very good communication.

Really enjoyed the tour...

KEVIN_D, May 2022

Really enjoyed the tour and the information provided. All sites had interesting history. The guide was knowledgeable and fun.

Well worth doing

Diane_O, May 2022

The entire tour was very informative. Both the guides at RFDS and the Reptile Park were hilarious. Coach driver was excellent

Memorable day.

Marlene_H, Oct 2021

Really enjoyed the reptile experience the most but the whole tour was so good loved it all.The guides and presenters were so patient and knowledgable.

Response from Host, Oct 2021

Dear Marlene_H, Thanks for taking the time to review our tour, and it sounds like you had an amazing time experiencing Alice Springs with AAT Kings. We cannot wait to welcome you back on board again in the future. Thanks, The Team at AAT Kings

A town like no other

Pamela_H, Oct 2021

Enjoyed the tour, especially the School of the Air and the Telegraph Station. Good intro to Alice Springs. Would have liked more background history.

Response from Host, Oct 2021

Dear Pamela_H, We appreciate your feedback we are glad that you enjoyed visiting the School of Air and the Telegraph station. I will pass on your additional feedback to our senior management team and thanks for taking the time to provide us with this as it allows us to make improvements in the future. We cannot wait to welcome you on board again in the future. Thanks, The Team at AAT Kings

Learn about Alice

Corinne_B, Jun 2021

Great way to see and hear about the history of the town, learn about the RFDS, school of the air, telegraph station, reptiles and more, driver/guide very knowledgeable

Response from Host, Jul 2021

Dear Corinne_B, Thanks for your feedback and we are glad you enjoyed exploring Alice Springs and our Guides really enjoy bringing the destination to life for our guests. We hope to welcome you back on board an AAT Kings tour in the future and thanks for choosing to travel with us. Thanks, The Team at AAT Kings

The Desert Park and Alice Springs Half Day Tour is highly recommended.

Peter_S, May 2021

The desert park first thing in the morning is well worth a visit. The displays and talks are excellent especially the wild bird feeding. Despite arriving early we didn't have time to see everything before the bus arrived to take us back to town at noon. In the afternoon the Town Like Alice tour was great. We visited all the main attractions and had a telegram sent to us at the Overland Telegragh Station. Sufficient time was given to wander about and take things in plus the Reptile Park was a great experience to see and learn about Australian snakes, lizards and crocodiles.

Response from Host, May 2021

Dear Peter_S, Thanks very much for your review of our Alice Springs Day tour, and it sounds like you had a great day learning about Alice Springs. We hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in Central Australia, and thanks for choosing to tour with AAT Kings. Thanks, The Team at AAT Kings

Disgusted !!!!

David_G, May 2021

We paid for a half day Alice Springs highlights tour . We were dropped off at the Desert Park and told that someone would pick us up at midday! . We tried to calm the number given on the Viator ticket but no one answered . We paid $378 for a tour that we weren’t given . The entry cost for the Desert Park was $74 !!! We want our money back !!!

Response from Host, May 2021

Dear David_G, Thanks for taking the time to provide us with your feedback. We take your feedback seriously and would like to investigate this further. If you could kindly email internationalsales@aatkings.com.au with some further information including your name, booking reference and date of travel and we will be able to assist. Thanks, The Team at AAT Kings

Good

Kev, May 2021

Bit of a mix up unfortunately My fault and tour people as well Thought we were doing a half day tour Alice springs but we’re dropped of in morning at dessert park which I might say was fantastic then picked up dropped back to motel which is great Received a call later on for afternoon tour of Alice but I thought we had already done half day so didn’t want to be dishonest and take another trip My mistake I guess but it would help if tour company would explain the day ahead so people like myself understand and don’t miss out on the full day

Response from Host, May 2021

Dear Kev, Thanks very much for providing us with your feedback, and we are very sorry to read about the mix-up, and we encourage our guests to call 24-hours prior to reconfirm their tour the next day - apologies if you did already do this, and for any mishap that occurred, and I have passed your feedback on to the team in Alice Springs. We hope that you enjoyed your time exploring the Red Centre and it is an awesome place. Thanks, The Team at AAT Kings

A jam-packed experience full of interesting information and great commentary.

Kellie_A, Apr 2021

This was a great afternoon packed full of useful information. Gary, our tour guide, was excellent. Highly recommended.

Response from Host, Apr 2021

Dear KellieandGeoff_A, Thanks for your feedback and we are glad you enjoyed touring with us in Alice Springs. We will be sure to pass the feedback on to our Guide Gary. We hope to welcome you on board again in the future. Thanks, The Team at AAT Kings

Getting the most from your tour

Margaret_B, Apr 2021

This tour allowed us the opportunity to visit a range of local activities around Alice Springs. Being in an organised group meant that the venues were prepared for our arrival and that presentations immediately commenced maximising the time spent at each place.

Response from Host, Apr 2021

Dear Margaret_B, Thanks for your feedback, and we are happy to read that you made the most out of your time in Alice Springs. We hope to welcome you on board an AAT Kings tour again in the future. Thanks, The Team at AAT Kings

Happy in the Alice

RGJ, Mar 2020

We had a good afternoon with MYLES ..informative,friendly...we had s good humoured group and thoroughly enjoyed the experience

Response from Host, Apr 2021

G'Day RGJ, Thanks very much for your glowing review and we are happy to read you enjoyed touring the Red Centre with AAT Kings. We are very proud of our Guides at AAT Kings, and it sounded like you had a fantastic day with Myles. We will be sure to pass along the feedback. Thanks, The Team at AAT Kings

The best of Alice in a few hours

J0P60, Dec 2019

A great tour. The Reptile centre was especially fascinating and the best of its kind I have been to. Ian was our tour guide and he made it a great afternoon

Worth the Trip

STEPHEN_J, Oct 2019

Our guide Tash took us to the RFDS, School of the Air, the original telegraph station and initial site which included Alice's Spring and ANZAC Hill. Certainly worth the trip and we found Tash to be very knowledgeable. The tour gave us an insight as to the importance of Alice Springs to the outback.

1 traveler found this review helpful

Sightseeing Alice Springs

Christine_H, Oct 2019

This was an interesting tour. The guide was Excellent providing interesting commentary along the way. All of it was interesting. At the Air school it was great to see the air classrooms & how lessons are relayed to students.

Good way to spend a spare afternoon in Alice Springs

James_N, May 2019

This tour of Alice Springs is a good way to occupy any spare time you might have in Alice Springs while stopping there on your way to Ayers Rock (Uluru). This tour provides a good overview of the history and culture of the Alice Springs area and the central outback and the ongoing development of Northern Australia up to the current day.

Good overview of the area, guide gave...

Mrs Nicola J S, Oct 2018

Good overview of the area, guide gave very informative talk throughout tour. Not sure if I would have been happy in high summer though, there were a lot of flies about especially at Telegraph Hill. We were able to join in with a lesson at the School of the Air, would recommend everyone to help out this worth while school and donate a book for their library. The Flying Doctors Service stop gave us time to view a film about their history and facilities, didn't realise just what a great job they did.

Half Day Highlights Tour of Alice...

Howard01, Sep 2018

Half Day Highlights Tour of Alice Springs We wanted an afternoon tour on the second day to overcome the jet lag as we come from the east coast of the USA. This tour was well done for the time limits involved although we could have and would have spent more time at each spot if we were on our own. The tour stopped at the following locations: 1.0 Anzzac Hill 5 Minutes here for the views of Alice Springs and its surroundings. Great stop because one gets an idea how vast the area is. 2.0 School of the Area Introductory Film Excellent, They provide an education to the children of remote places where there is no school or beyond 50 Km from the nearest school. There closest students are 85 kilometers away and they severe children over 1000 Km away. Today it ius done by satellite and internet. To foster bonds between students they meet at the Schools facility 3 to 4 times a year. As a former Electronics Instructor I am amazed at the dedication of these teachers to their remote students and I can see where you would either love the job or hate it. Sreeped in history actually started with radio and pedal generators. Has many successful students but they stop after 9 th grade they stop and have to decide on correspondence classes, boarding school or family move to within 50 Km of a High School. 3.0 Alice Springs Telegraph Station This is where the town started. Rich in History. The first signals from London Passed Through here. It connects Adelaine and Darwin. I was fascinated by what these people had to endure to builf this station and survive here, If you think about it for a second you will realize the all supplies jad to be carried in by camel as train stopped about 500 Kilometers away. 4.0 Royal Flying Doctor Service RFDS There are 25 of these across Austrilia and they provide first class medical service to people living in remote are. However, this is where it all started, The 20 min Halograph Presentation is excellent. I really wondered if the name is correct because on 50 of the flights no Doctor is aboard. Just a Flight nurse for which the training is rather rigorous, Perhaps it should be called the Royal Flying Medical Service. This was my wifes favorite stop and right up there in my book. 5.0 Reptile Muesuem I was not looking forward to this part of the tour but boy was I shocked. The guide not only made it interesting but keep it great. This is all due to the enthusiasm of the Repitile Center Employee who in our book made all the difference in the world.

...

Questions?

Product code: 2230A22

Explore Similar Things to Do

Attractions in Alice Springs, Australia

Privacy and Cookies Statement About Viator Careers Sitemap Supplier Sign Up Travel Agents Become an Affiliate News Viator blog

Terms & Conditions