Day Trips From Alice Springs

The Outback town of Alice Springs is a great starting point for exploring the Central Australian region. Located near the MacDonnell Ranges, it’s filled with unique sites and activities to enjoy. From incredible hikes, ancient rock art, and magical waterholes to national parks, charming townships, and iconic attractions – there are plenty of day trips from Alice Springs that you won’t want to miss.

Tourism Australia suggests the Top Day Trips

Alice Springs Tours offers a great opportunity to explore the fascinating Northern Territory and its outback. Through their day tours, you can travel through amazing desert scenery, learn about the Aboriginal culture, and discover the exciting history of the region. This is an excellent chance to experience Australia’s unique outback and gain insight into some of its most interesting cultures. Whether for a few hours or a full day, Alice Springs Tours provides an unforgettable opportunity to take in the spectacular beauty of the Australian outback.

One can take Day Trip

Alice Springs serves as an ideal starting point for exploring the Red Centre. Alice Springs is a unique city that appears as though it’s been placed in the midst of a vast red landscape. Its location in the Red Centre makes it a practical starting point for exploring the stunning surroundings. Alice Springs is the perfect launching pad for a full-day tour of some of Australia’s most iconic sites. A trip to Ayers Rock, or Uluru, as it is known by its traditional custodians, is a must-see on any visit to the Northern Territory. The ancient rock formation was created by geological forces over millions of years and stands as an impressive testament to ancient culture.

Another great day trip from Alice Springs is to Kings Canyon, located in Watarrka National Park. With towering sandstone walls and lush vegetation, this canyon is a hiker’s paradise. Visitors can take in the spectacular views of the canyon and learn about its rich history while they explore. Aboriginal rock art can be found on many of the surrounding rocks. In addition, visitors have the opportunity to connect with the local Aboriginal community and experience the culture and customs of these ancient people.

Adventure fiends and nature lovers alike flock to the Alice Spring Region in search of iconic landscapes, refreshing waterholes, and an abundance of native wildlife. The Alice Springs area is home to many natural icons, such as the MacDonnell Ranges and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, making it a popular destination for day trips from the city. There is something for everyone – visitors can go on 4WD tours, take in the sights of Uluru, and even swim in natural pools. For those looking for a truly unforgettable experience, bay day trips to Alice Springs will not disappoint.

Alice Springs is a great place to explore and has many day trip destinations to choose from. Ormiston Gorge, Standley Chasm, Walpa Gorge, Serpentine Gorge, and Larapinta Drive are all must-see sites. Rainbow Valley is an amazing geological formation with resident wildlife including feral horses. Alice Springs School and the Alice Springs Reptile Centre are other interesting places in the Alice Springs Region. Finally, the Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve is a great ocean place to learn about the history of the area. With so many attractions, Alice Springs is the perfect place for a day trip.

West MacDonnell Ranges

The location is a one-hour drive west of Alice Springs. Tjoritja West MacDonnell National Park, also known as the West Macs, is located outside of Alice Springs in Outback Australia. It offers over 161km (100 mi) of natural beauty and water holes, making it a great destination for a day trip to hop between water holes and experience the refreshing, natural plunge pools in the middle of the desert.

Alice Springs Desert Park

The location is a 15-minute drive from the centre of Alice Springs. Prepare to have your mind blown at Desert Park in Alice Springs, where you’ll discover a whole new world of life thriving in the seemingly barren desert! This park features recreated desert habitats and is teeming with life. Visitors can observe kangaroos, birds of prey, snakes, and nocturnal animals. The park also showcases delicate desert wildflowers and educates visitors on how Aboriginal people find food and medicine in the desert, as well as how desert plants adapt to their environment.

Emily Gap

The location is situated a 15-minute drive southeast of Alice Springs city centre. The Alice Springs area is linked to the Caterpillar Dreaming creation story. This story explains that the MacDonnell Ranges were formed by heaps of caterpillars killed in a battle with stink bugs. Legend has it that the ranges around Alice Springs were formed by mischievous caterpillars whose heads were bitten off, leaving intriguing gaps in the landscape. There are many sacred sites around town, but the most notable is the caterpillar rock art at Emily Gap in the East MacDonnell Ranges. You can reach the site by driving, cycling, or taking a tour.

Kangaroo Sanctuary

The location is a 20-minute drive away from Alice Springs. A joey is a baby kangaroo. Chris Barnes, also known as “Kangaroo Dundee”, cares for orphaned joeys at his Kangaroo Sanctuary near Alice Springs. Tours of the sanctuary are available Tuesday through Friday in the late afternoons and last about 2.5 hours. The tours include bus transfers from Alice Springs and the opportunity to meet red kangaroos. If Chris is available, visitors may meet him as well.

Desert Art Trail

The trail’s starting point is located a short five-minute drive away from Alice Springs. Explore the vibrant world of Aboriginal art in Alice Springs, where galleries showcase the rich cultural heritage of this ancient land. Step into the world of Central Australian Aboriginal art at the Araluen Arts Centre, where stunning galleries and a vast collection of works by the legendary Albert Namatjira await you. The Tjanpi Desert Weavers is a group of over 400 women artists from 26 remote communities who make baskets and quirky fibre sculptures. Prepare to be amazed by the exquisite and eccentric works of Tangentyere Artists, where recycled materials are transformed into stunning sculptures, fabrics, blankets, and jewellery. In Todd Mall, Papunya Tula Artists and Mbantua Gallery offer painted canvases to purchase.

Finke Gorge National Park

The location is approximately a two-hour drive to the west of Alice Springs. Finke Gorge is a national park near Alice Springs, known for its unique and ancient landscape. The park is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including the red cabbage palms, which only grow in this area. Visitors can explore Palm Valley on foot or 4WD. The park boasts one of the world’s oldest rivers, which is over 350 million years old.

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FAQ

What are some popular day trip destinations from Alice Springs?

West MacDonnell Ranges: A stunning natural area with water holes and plunge pools, perfect for hopping between and cooling off.
Alice Springs Desert Park offers a glimpse into desert wildlife and flora, including kangaroos, birds of prey, and unique desert plants.
Emily Gap: A culturally significant site with ancient caterpillar rock art, located in the East MacDonnell Ranges
Kangaroo Sanctuary: A sanctuary for orphaned joeys, offering tours to meet red kangaroos and learn about their care.
Desert Art Trail: Explore Aboriginal art galleries in Alice Springs, including the Araluen Arts Centre and Tjanpi Desert Weavers.