Up for a Central Australian Outback experience like no other? Then Alice Springs is the place to go!
Situated right at the heart of the Red Centre, Alice Springs is a town rich in natural landscapes, history, and culture. There are plenty of things to do in Alice Springs for the seeker of outdoor adventure—you can gaze out at the desert plains, mountains, and rock formations with a striking red colour (hence the name Red Centre) and visit several parks and wildlife.
You can also drive up to Uluru—a spiritual hub and sacred landmark for Aboriginal Australians where you can learn about local culture and marvel at the iconic natural rock formations.
Go BIG here this year, Australia 🦘🇦🇺
Klook has partnered with Tourism Australia to bring great deals for you to go on a BIG adventure in Australia this year!
Take 15% off EPIC experiences on Klook when you pay with Afterpay - it’s all yours to explore, when you can pay it in 4 🔥 Use code ‘GOBIG2021’ at checkout.️ (The code is valid on all activities featured in this blog, too!)
Here are our top picks of things to do: Alice Springs edition!
- View Alice Springs from above on a hot air balloon ride
- Explore West MacDonnell Ranges
- Get up close and personal with the wildlife at Alice Springs Desert Park
- Make some scaly friends at Alice Springs Reptile Centre
- Explore Uluru with the Piti Pass Half Day Combination Tours
- Marvel at the Field of Light installation
- Go on the Kata Tjuta Sunrise and Valley of the Winds Tour
- Catch the best Uluru Sunrise at the Talinguṟu Nyakunytjaku
- Explore the base of Uluru, and catch the sunset too!
Go BIG here this year, Australia 🦘🇦🇺
Klook has partnered with Tourism Australia to bring great deals for you to go on a BIG adventure in Australia this year!
Take 15% off EPIC experiences on Klook when you pay with Afterpay - it’s all yours to explore, when you can pay it in 4 🔥 Use code ‘GOBIG2021’ at checkout.️ (The code is valid on all activities featured in this blog, too!)
1. View Alice Springs from above on a hot air balloon ride
One of the best things to do in Alice Springs is to catch the sunrise over the stunning red landscapes on a 30-minute or 60-minute hot air balloon ride. With the Alice Springs Early Morning Hot Air Balloon Experience, you’ll get a stunning view of the region that you won’t get on foot or on your vehicle.
Catch iconic formations such as the West MacDonnell Ranges and even some wildlife scurrying about below. Once you’ve landed, drinks such as sparkling wine and tropical fruit juices are waiting to refresh you. You’ll also be given a souvenir certificate that serves as proof that you went on this one-of-a-kind experience.
So grab your family and your best mates, and go on a hot air balloon at Alice Springs!
2. Explore West MacDonnell Ranges and join this full-day tour!
When you embark on this full-day tour of West MacDonnell Ranges, you definitely won’t run out of fun and exciting things to do in Alice Springs!
Take a scenic walk at Simpsons Gap, one of the most iconic land formations in West Mac that’s home to diverse vegetation and the black-footed rock wallaby. Check out the Ochre Pits, a multi-coloured rock formation you can’t miss out on for the ‘Gram. You can even take a swim at the waterhole at Ormiston Gorge! Plus—the day tour is inclusive of admission to Standley Chasm, a picturesque geological icon laden with flora and fauna, as well as an important cultural site for the Aboriginal Arrernte women.
With every turn, you’ll spot fiery rock and land formations and stunning views! It’s going to be an entire day of adventure!
3. Get up close and personal with the wildlife at Alice Springs Desert Park
No, the desert isn’t a lifeless, barren wasteland—especially not the deserts in the great Australian Outback!
Resting at the foot of West Macdonnell Ranges is Alice Springs Desert Park, an environmental conservation facility that is home to diverse wildlife. This park is closely tied to the local Arrernte people, whose culture greatly affect the need for the conservation of the area.
Here you can feed the local fauna and meet an array of species such as dingos, emus, curl snakes, and more. You can also check out the various species of flora such as the bush banana, the chocolate cassia and the davenport daisy.
With its various sights and sounds, this is definitely one of the must-see Alice Springs attractions!
4. Make some scaly friends at Alice Springs Reptile Centre
At Alice Springs Reptile Centre, you can make a bunch of scaly friends!
This environmental education facility is home to the largest collection of reptiles in all of the Northern Territory. It’s home to over 50 different species of reptiles, all housed in exhibits that are designed after their natural habitats. It’s almost like seeing them in the wild!
Get up close with the friendlier species, and hand them a snack or two. If you’re brave enough you can even handle a python—supervised by the expert staff, of course! This is definitely one of the most thrilling things to do in Alice Springs with wildlife!
Shuttle Transfer to Uluru
Now that you know what to do in Alice Springs, it won’t hurt to add Uluru to the itinerary! A 5-hour journey usually by car or bus, Uluru is often packaged as part of the Alice Springs experience. What with the scenic route and all, even the ride is part of the fun!
Don’t worry about finding out how to get there—we’ve got you covered with this shuttle transfer service:
Shared Shuttle Bus Transfers between Alice Springs and Ayers Rock
Travel in style and comfort from Alice Springs to Ayers Rocks, Uluru with this luxury bus transfer—complete with the essential WiFi, AC, filtered water chillers, and restroom facilities!
Along the ride, you’ll be passing through some iconic landmarks such as Mt. Conner, which is often mistaken for Uluru. There are already plenty of stops to see on this ride alone! You’ll even make some stops to cool places like the Camel Farm and opt to ride some camels through the desert!
5. Explore Uluru with the Piti Pass Half Day Combination Tours
Once you reach Uluru, the best way to explore is through this combination of two half-day tours: the Uluru Sunrise and Kata Tjuta Tour and the Uluru Base and Sunset Tour. The best part—you can book and go on each tour whenever you want! Do you want to go to both tours back-to-back and finish everything in one day? Go ahead! Do you want to go on one tour today and another tomorrow? Sure thing! Do you wanna go to each tour 3 days apart? You can absolutely do that!
On the sunrise tour, you’ll explore one of the 36 towering domes of Kata Tjuta, walk through Walpa Gorge, and more! You can even sip on some tea or coffee as you watch the sunrise.
For the sunset tour, you’ll go on an afternoon walk at the base of Uluru, starting from the Kuniya Walk to the Mutitjuli Waterhole where you can check out the ancient rock and learn about the Aboriginal history of Uluru. You can also munch on some snacks while sipping wine and watching the stunning Uluru sunset.
6. Marvel at the Field of Light installation
While Alice Springs and Uluru are filled with natural wonders, the Field of Light is a man-made marvel created by artist Bruce Munro. The solar-powered installation is made out of 50,000 light sticks with dainty glass at the end that illuminate the desert landscape.
A knowledgeable guide will show you around and give insights on the history of the project and how it supports environmental awareness. And for the best possible experience, the tour is scheduled early so that you will witness the sunrise gorgeous sunrise. Stay cosy as you enjoy the sights by drinking complimentary tea, coffee, or hot choco.
7. Go on the Kata Tjuta Sunrise and Valley of the Winds Tour
Catch the sun peak through Kata Tjuta during sunrise and go on a guided walk at the Valley of Winds. This 5.5-hour tour will show you all the best sights at Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park up close.
Marvel at nature’s masterpiece rock formations as the expert guides tell you about their formation and history. Enjoy a hearty breakfast and a cup of hot drinks as you watch the sunrise. Then follow the guides to Valley of Winds where you will learn about the Anangu people and how the land is sacred to their history and culture.
Did you know? This tour is complete with a roundtrip transfer that will bring you to and from your hotel! The shuttle bus even has free WiFi (so you can upload your stunning photos ASAP) as well as filtered water chillers, restroom facilities, and spacious reclining seats.
8. Catch the best Uluru Sunrise at the Talinguṟu Nyakunytjaku
Rise, shine and head on over to Talinguṟu Nyakunytjaku, a viewing platform where you can sip some tea or coffee as you watch the sunrise over Uluru. Up there, you’ll have the best view of the stunning dunes and desert ahead. Soak in the sights as you listen to your guide narrate the history of the area and the Aboriginal people who have inhabited the area for thousands of years.
Embark on a 2.6km walk at the rocky but gentle track of Walpa Gorge, explore the tallest domes at Kata Tjuta, and discover all the native flora and fauna—experience it all on this guided 5-hour tour!
9. Explore the base of Uluru, and catch the sunset too!
If you’re more of a sunset person, then the Uluru Base and Sunset Tour is perfect for you.
Let your expert guide show you around the Kuniya Walk, the Mutitjulu Waterhole, Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, and more as they impart with you some knowledge about the Uluru Base, a UNESCO-listed landmark.
You’ll get to see Aboriginal rock paintings, and learn about the Aboriginal and European history of Uluru. You’ll also catch the sun sink into the horizon during sunset as you munch on some nibbles and sip some sparkling wine. What a spectacular way to end a day, right?