Top Alice Springs Outdoor Activities

Sometimes driving through a small part of the Australian Outback isn’t enough. See the desert from above on a morning hot-air balloon ride. This tour from Alice Springs gets you up in the air near dawn for a scenic ride. Spot wildlife, including the elusive Red Kangaroo, from above, take in views of the landscape, and enjoy sparkling wine afterward.

Attractions such as Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park show that you don’t need to go far from Alice Springs to see the beautiful landscapes of the Australian Outback. However, they can be a challenge to reach on your own. This full-day tour makes visiting easy, though, as you’re driven to Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, and other natural wonders and then shown about by a group guide.

With its red rock canyons, outback desert, and iconic landmarks, Australia’s Red Centre is full of natural wonders. This 3-day camping adventure covers the region’s three most popular destinations—Uluru, Kings Canyon, and Kata Tjuta. Enjoy magnificent views of Uluru at sunrise and sunset, take guided hikes in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and Watarrka National Park, and camp out beneath the outback stars.

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.

Most visitors experience Alice Springs Desert Park during the day, but this evening tour offers a rare chance to explore the desert after dark, when the environment comes to life in a completely different way. Join your guide on a nighttime walking tour and discover how plants and animals adapt to cooler desert temperatures. As nocturnal creatures begin to emerge, keep watch for species such as echidnas and mala, and gain insight into Australia’s central desert ecosystems in a setting few visitors get to experience.

Short on time but still want to experience the spectacular West MacDonnell Ranges? This half-day tour is the perfect way to explore some of Central Australia’s most iconic landscapes in just one morning. Marvel at the panoramic scenery as we travel west of Alice Springs to visit culturally significant sites and natural wonders. You’ll learn about desert flora and fauna, and enjoy morning tea surrounded by towering red cliffs.

Australia’s Red Centre is home to many attractions, including Uluru (Ayers Rock), one of the country’s most iconic sites. Experience the Australian Outback and many of its highlights in just three days with this tour that starts and ends in Alice Springs. Visit Uluru, learn about local Aboriginal culture, and walk through national parks as you explore on this activity-packed Outback itinerary.

Experience the wild beauty of the West MacDonnell Ranges on a full-day adventure through Central Australia’s most stunning landscapes. Discover sacred Aboriginal sites, spot native wildlife, and cool off in crystal-clear waterholes. Visit Simpsons Gap, home to rock wallabies, and walk through the glowing red walls of Standley Chasm. Enjoy a refreshing swim and picnic at Ellery Creek Big Hole, then explore the colourful Ochre Pits, rich in cultural history. Finish the day at the breathtaking Ormiston Gorge, a haven for nature and epic views. With a perfect blend of nature, culture, and wildlife, this tour offers a truly unforgettable Outback experience.

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.

Get ready to ditch the ordinary and dive into the heart of Australia’s Red Centre on this 3-day adventure from Alice Springs! Watch Uluru light up at sunrise and sunset, wander among the alien-like domes of Kata Tjuta, and uncover ancient rock art, sacred waterholes, and stories from the world’s oldest living culture. Feel the thrill of hiking Kings Canyon’s Rim Walk, snap epic photos, and chase jaw-dropping outback vistas. Sleep under the stars in a classic swag or relax in a comfy tent at private campsites, enjoy campfire dinners, and swap stories with your new crew. Explore rugged outback roads, spot kangaroos, dingoes, and other wildlife along the way, and soak up the vast, star-studded skies that stretch forever. With expert guides sharing insider tips, hidden gems, and Aboriginal culture, this is more than a tour—it’s an action-packed, unforgettable outback adventure for the curious, daring, and young at heart, guaranteed to leave you buzzing with memories that last a lifetime.

Four days, exploring four iconic locations (Uluru, Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta and Tjoritja West MacDonnell Ranges) all wrapped up in one tour. This small group adventure encompasses the very best the Red Centre has to offer. There is a very good reason why Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.  In 1987, the international community recognized the park's spectacular geological formations, rare plants, and exceptional natural beauty. A few of the highlights include exploring Ormiston Gorge, Ochre Pits and Ellery Creek Big Hole, hiking through the Valley of the Winds or Walpa Gorge, and exploring Mutitjulu Waterhole, Kuniya Piti, and Kantju Gorge. We provide two different sleeping options at our permanent campsites, with twin share safari tents, or you can try out a traditional swag experience. (canvas-covered bedroll) This tour starts and finishes in Alice Springs only, please advise us of your accommodation at the time of booking.

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.

Let someone else do the driving and sit back and enjoy the scenery of Australia’s rugged Red Centre with this one-way transfer from Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock). Travel by air-conditioned coach through the mystical desert of the Northern Territory while your driver-guide points out passing attractions and shares Aboriginal history. Stretch your legs at stops throughout the journey.

The West MacDonnell, Ranges full-day tour is an excellent opportunity to explore the panoramic landscapes of the West MacDonnell Ranges. View spectacular outback scenery and take photos as we travel along through magnificent Outback Country, stopping at the many historical locations. Have time to enjoy the region's natural beauty. Travel in the desert sun, visit gorges and waterfalls, spot local wildlife, and learn from your expert guide. Tour attractions include Anzac Hill, Honeymoon Gap (Temple Bar Gap), Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, Mount Sonder Lookout, Glen Helen, Ochre Pits and return to your hotel. While you do your picnic walk or swimming at Ormiston Gorge, we do bush cooking, including Kangaroo and Lamb, and your picnic lunch is ready for you once you arrive.

Explore the plants, animals, and people of the desert during a self-guided visit to Alice Springs Desert Park. Learn about the arid regions of central Australia from interpretative displays and daily talks by the staff. Find out who resides in a waterhole and which critters come out at night, among other fun facts.

Embark on a thrilling small group adventure, offering an unforgettable introduction to the captivating Red Centre. Over the course of two days, immerse yourself in the natural wonders of two iconic locations, Uluru and Kata Tjuta, thoughtfully combined into one extraordinary tour. As you journey through the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987, your expert local guide will share insightful commentary, intriguing stories, and hidden gems, breathing life into the Red Centre's secrets. We have comfortable twin permanent safari tents providing a little more comfort, privacy, and security, or you can try out a traditional swag experience (canvas-covered bedroll).

Simplify your travel between Alice Springs and Uluru with this handy coach transfer including hotel pickup. Self-driving the six-hour-plus journey can be stressful, especially if you'd rather enjoy the views. Sit back and relax as you're driven through the outback. The early morning start gives you the chance to nap along the way, and you can purchase a meal at one of the rest stops.

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 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.

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.

Travelling through the vast desert in an intimate group is inspiring to say the least. Traversing a cultural landscape, shaped by the forces of water, wind, and fire, while learning directly from the worlds oldest living culture, is nothing short of profound. During the adventure, you’ll get acquainted with the Red Centre’s iconic locations, including Uluru, Kings Canyon, and Tjoritja (the West MacDonnell Ranges). Reconnect with your creativity by making art outdoors in breathtaking landscapes, and enjoy conversations around the campfire. We will visit Aboriginal Art Centres, meet artists and cultural experts, and eat a bushfoods platter by Arrernte icon Rayleen Brown. Our nights will be a mix of high quality hotel accomm and glamping tents, with our final night spent camping under the stars in swags. You will be escorted by an experienced tour guide with extensive local knowledge and a passion for this desert ecosystem for the entire trip. Experienced artists & beginners welcome.

Discover East MacDonnell Ranges & Alice Town Highlights. The half-day tour provides an excellent overview of Alice Springs, allowing you to explore the town and the picturesque East MacDonnell Ranges. Your adventure will begin with visits to several local attractions, including the Araluen Arts Centre, the Royal Flying Doctor Service Alice Springs Tour Facility, and the Anzac hill. After experiencing the town's highlights, you’ll head out to the surrounding countryside, where you’ll visit Emily Gap and Jessie Gap, two significant Aboriginal spiritual sites. Then you will visit Corroboree Rock where you will take a short walk with our guide around the rock base. Next you will visit Trephina Gorge nature park, and Australia the largest ghost gum tree. The tour culminates at Anzac hill, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the town and the desert as the sun sets over the MacDonnell Ranges.

With just the right amount of time to experience the very best of Australia’s Red Centre, this journey takes you deep into its most iconic landscapes. Stand in awe at Uluru as it changes colour with the light, explore the striking domes of Kata Tjuta, and walk through the dramatic gorges of Kings Canyon. Each day brings a new highlight, with time to truly take it all in, not just rush through it. As the sun sets, settle into an authentic outback camping experience under a sky full of stars simple, real, and unforgettable, with a soft landing at the end of each day. Start your adventure in Alice Springs and finish in Yulara, having experienced the Red Centre the way it’s meant to be seen: raw, powerful, and unforgettable.