Top Alice Springs Historical Tours

Explore Alice Springs and the East MacDonnell ranges. Visit Anzac Hill, School of Air, Araluen Art Centre, Dr John Flynn's Museum, Emily Gap, Jessie Gap, and more. Discover heroic tales of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Visit Aboriginal spiritual sites before enjoying panoramic views of Alice Springs from Anzac Hill.

Visit the original Royal Flying Doctor Service Alice Springs working base that commenced in 1939. Have a look at the wide variety of historic radios including a Traeger Pedal Radio and learn what it was like to communicate before telephones were invented. There is a large display of historic medical equipment that would have been used on the RFDS flights of the past. See the evolution of aeroplanes used by RFDS with a range of model aeroplanes to take you through each decade. Relive the true experience of a patient and see what its like to fly with RFDS Pilot with our RFDS virtual reality Walk through the museum and meet Alf Traeger and Nurse Kathy through interactive technology. Learn about the history and the activities of the RFDS’s pilots, engineers, doctors and nurses, and the experiences of the patients that are cared for each day.

A Relaxed Morning Exploring the Hidden Charms of Central Australia Explore Central Australia with the Red Centre Journey Tour, a relaxing morning adventure. Discover the ancient Ewaninga Aboriginal Rock Carvings, experience outback charm at Ooraminna Station Homestead, and step into the classic Australian landscape of the Drover’s Boy Film Set. Relive history at the Old Ghan Museum and enjoy stunning views from the Red Dune Desert Lookout. This tour offers a comfortable and enriching experience for all. Please note that you will need to purchase an NT Parks Pass prior to travel date.

Visiting Uluru from Alice Springs without local insight or transport can be difficult, but this guided tour makes the experience both easy and meaningful. Explore Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park on guided walks that highlight the site’s changing colors and cultural significance, with time at Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Cultural Centre to learn about Anangu traditions and Aboriginal history. The day concludes with a sunset experience at Uluru, complete with a glass of sparkling wine and a barbecue dinner.

Join us for a half day tour of the art centers and galleries in Mparntwe Alice Springs. If you’ve been thinking about buying Aboriginal art but don’t know where to start, let our guide help to reassure you and educate you about the art centers, history of Aboriginal art, and its relationship to country and culture. Alice Springs has the most art galleries per capita of anywhere in Australia, so where better to explore the Aboriginal art scene? Our town is vibrant with art, and we are passionate about opening up access to some of the off the beaten track art centers that visitors to the Red Centre might otherwise miss – benefiting both art centers and travelers. We will start our tour with a coffee and a briefing about Aboriginal art and culture We work closely with art centers, ensuring our visits take place at appropriate times. Art Tours of Australia and our tour guides never take a commission on art sales.

The East MacDonnell Ranges half-day tour is an excellent opportunity to explore the panoramic landscapes of the East MacDonnell Ranges. View spectacular outback scenery and take photos as we travel along through magnificent Outback Country, stopping at the many historical locations. The East MacDonnell Ranges are popular as Central Australia’s most famous outback landscapes – gaps, gorges, bush walks, Aboriginal art, and unique geological formations.

Marvel at the incredible landscapes of the West MacDonnell Ranges on this half-day tour from Alice Springs. Offering visitors the chance to explore the arid outback environment with the support of an experienced guide, this small-group tour includes visits to important cultural and historical sights as well as Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm. You’ll also learn about the Traditional Custodians of the land—the Arrernte people—and see lots of native wildlife.

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.

The outback town of Alice Springs lies at the heart of Australia’s Red Centre. With this tour, experience Outback Country as you drive through the West MacDonnell Ranges and enjoy short walks at Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm. Then, learn about outback life with visits to The School of the Air, the Telegraph Station, the Royal Flying Doctors Service, and Alice Springs Reptile Centre.

Are you looking for a way to explore the Outback without joining a tour group? Join this self-guided driving tour with Clive Gregory, an expert guide in Central Australia, and enjoy the Outback at your own pace. Journey from Alice Springs to Ross River Resort, exploring the majestic East MacDonnell Ranges. Unveil Aboriginal creation stories, Arltunga's gold rush, and local legends shaping the rugged landscape. Highlights include Jesse Gap, Corroboree Rock, and insights into Alec Ross's wartime experiences. Clive Gregory, an accredited guide, shares Central Australia's rich history, geology, biodiversity, and local culture, ensuring an engaging experience for all. Get unlimited use of this tour before your booking date and after it. You can use the virtual tour option at home, too. Once you have booked, you will receive instructions and a unique code to download the tour. The app displays directions to the starting point; when you’re in the right place, tap start.

Head to Finke Gorge National Park from Alice Springs to explore an Aboriginal community and a beautiful oasis in the outback. Visit the historic town of Hermannsburg with its historic buildings and Aboriginal art gallery before going off-road in a 4WD to tackle the notorious Finke River trail. Highlights include a picnic lunch, Palm Valley, known for its red cabbage palms, and views of the MacDonnell Ranges from Kalarranga Lookout.

Discover the educational innovations of the Alice Springs School of the Air on a guided tour that lasts about one hour. Learn how lessons are provided to students in remote locations across Central Australia, starting in 1951 with radio broadcasts, and now using internet technology. Watch a short film about the school’s history, and observe a live lesson as part of your visit.