From the moment you touch down on the rusty soil of Alice Springs, you know you're in a special place. Located in the heart of Australia, this is an area that's rich with culture, unrivalled landscapes and unexpected adventures.
Make sure you get your hire car sorted at the airport – you won’t want to waste any time while you’re here because there is so much to explore.
A walking tour through town is a great way to orient yourself while you learn more about its historic past. You can also check out the many Aboriginal art galleries, and discover the stories behind each unique piece — you might even get to chat to the artists themselves. Alice Springs is the world’s best place to see Aboriginal Art – there are so many galleries to explore here. The Araluen Arts Centre has the world’s largest collection of works from famous aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira along with an amazing selection of arts and crafts from communities all across the Territory. The Tjanpi Desert Weavers are also work a visit – more than four hundred women make baskets adorned with feathers and beads, fabrics, blankets and jewellery, providing the perfect opportunity to acquire a treasured keepsake.
Once you’ve seen the town it’s time to get out and see the Red Centre – the world famous Larapinta Trail runs for an impressive 223 kilometres along the West MacDonnell Ranges – the Tjoritja as the indigenous owners call them. You can trek for a couple of hours or a week, sleeping under the stars depending on how much time you want to spend and how much of this breathtaking landscape you want to soak up. Beginning at the Alice Springs Telegraph station you’ll wind your way thorough local landmarks like Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, Mount Sonder and Glen Helen. If you prefer to save your feet, the trail is also accessible by 4WD – please view our rental terms page for more information.
Whether you choose to camp out in the open air, or you opt for more conventional accommodation, you'll be enchanted by the starry skies that emerge at sundown. When the sun reappears, explore the soaring red rock walls of Stanley Chasm, float down the crisp, cooling waters of Redbank Gorge, or dive into the beautiful Glen Helen Gorge.
If you’d like to experience “The Alice” in the way the original European explorers did, then try an unforgettable Camel Tour – with a skilled guide to tell you exciting tales of the local history of the area, and a delicious lunch awaiting you, this will be a desert safari to remember.
If that's not enough adventure for you, the MacDonnell Ranges are an hour out of town, but well worth the drive. Sunburnt landscapes are punctuated with spiked mountain ridges and crystalline water holes — the perfect relief after a long drive.
Brave a very early start and see Alice Springs’ full panorama of landscapes in a Hot Air Balloon – seeing how the sunrise brings the red centre to life from a birds eye vantage point is an experience you will never forget – and your holiday photos will be the envy of all. If you’d like to support the protection of local wildlife, you should make time for a visit to the Kangaroo Sanctuary – a haven for injured and orphaned animals, acting as Central Australia’s first and largest wildlife hospital. You can hand feed kangaroos and learn more about these fascinating and uniquely Australian creatures.
Alice Springs is truly an enchanting location, filled with fascinating desert landscapes and one-of-a-kind experiences. If you love the outdoors, this is a place for you.
