Alice Springs Tours

Discover Alice Springs

Tours & Experiences

Alice Springs
Alice Springs Highlights Half Day Tour
0

(0 reviews)
Nature Sightseeing Wildlife
From$179.00
4 Hours
Alice Springs
Darwin to Alice Springs Bus Service
0

(0 reviews)
From$357.00
21 Hours
Kings Canyon, Uluru and Kata Tjuta
Kings Canyon, Uluru and Kata Tjuta Tour
0

(0 reviews)
Cultural Nature
From$2,465.00
4 Days
MACDONNELL RANGES AND ALICE TOWN HIGHLIGHTS FULL DAY TOUR
0

(0 reviews)
Nature
From$263.64
Full Day
West MacDonnell Ranges
West MacDonnell Ranges Day Trip from Alice Springs
0

(0 reviews)
Cultural Nature
From$244.00
10 Hours
West MacDonnell Ranges
West MacDonnell Ranges Full Day Bus Tour
0

(0 reviews)
Nature Wildlife
From$279.00
10 Hours
WEST MACDONNELL RANGES FULL DAY TOUR – SMALL GROUP
0

(0 reviews)
Cultural Nature Wildlife
From$242.55
10.5 Hours

About Alice Springs

Alice Springs is a remote town located in the heart of Australia's Northern Territory, approximately 1,500 kilometers south of Darwin and serving as the unofficial capital of the Australian Outback. With a population of around 25,000 people, it sits almost exactly in the geographical center of Australia and is surrounded by the striking MacDonnell Ranges. The town is renowned for its rich Aboriginal heritage, particularly its connection to the Arrernte people who have inhabited the region for tens of thousands of years, and serves as a gateway to iconic landmarks like Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). Alice Springs, often simply called "Alice" by locals, is also famous for the Royal Flying Doctor Service base, the School of the Air that provides remote education, and its role as a vital service center for the vast surrounding pastoral and mining areas, making it a unique blend of frontier practicality and tourism hub in one of the world's most isolated urban centers.

What to see in Alice Springs

Alice Springs offers a fascinating mix of natural wonders, cultural experiences, and outback history. Here are the key attractions:

Natural Attractions:

Alice Springs Desert Park – An excellent introduction to Central Australian ecosystems, wildlife, and Aboriginal culture with walking trails and nocturnal tours
Standley Chasm – A narrow gorge in the MacDonnell Ranges that glows brilliant orange at midday
Simpsons Gap – A picturesque water hole surrounded by towering red cliffs, perfect for photography
Ormiston Gorge – Features a permanent waterhole and challenging hiking trails with spectacular scenery
Emily Gap and Jessie Gap – Sacred Aboriginal sites with ancient rock art
Anzac Hill – Offers panoramic views over Alice Springs and the surrounding ranges

Cultural and Historical Sites:

Alice Springs Telegraph Station – Historic site where the town began, with preserved buildings and exhibits
Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum – Learn about this vital outback medical service
School of the Air Visitor Centre – Discover how remote education works in the outback
Araluen Cultural Precinct – Houses multiple museums, art galleries, and cultural centers
National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame – Celebrates pioneering women’s contributions to Australia

Aboriginal Culture:

Mbantua Fine Art Gallery – Features authentic Aboriginal art and cultural experiences
Yeperenye/Arrernte Rangers tours – Indigenous-guided experiences of country and culture

Day Trips:

West MacDonnell Ranges – Multiple gorges, gaps, and swimming holes
East MacDonnell Ranges – Including Trephina Gorge and N’Dhala Gorge Nature Park
Hermannsburg Historic Precinct – Former Lutheran mission with art gallery

Most visitors spend 2-4 days to see the main attractions, with Alice Springs serving as an excellent base for exploring the wider Red Centre region

Getting around the tourist spots of Alice Springs by bus

Public Bus System

Alice Springs has public bus routes 100/101, 200, 300/301, 400/401, and 500 that operate Monday to Saturday (excluding public holidays) from the Alice Springs bus interchange. The service is operated by CDC Northern Territory. However, the local bus service is limited, and most tourist attractions are either within walking distance or better reached by shuttle buses or tour options.

You can find current timetables and route maps at the NT Government website or through the Moovit app for real-time schedules.

Hop-On Hop-Off Tourist Buses

There are conflicting reports about hop-on-hop-off services:

Gray Line operates a Town Hop On-Hop Off service that makes 12 stops around Alice Springs attractions, with the full loop taking about 70 minutes
Some older services like the Alice Explorer have been discontinued

I’d recommend checking directly with Alice Wanderer Day Tours or Gray Line for current availability of hop-on-hop-off services, as these seem to change.

Other Transport Options

Airport shuttles: Available for transfers between the airport and town
Tour buses: Companies like Centre Bush Bus and Alice Wanderer offer organized day tours to major attractions
Bike rental: Outback Cycling offers an alternative way to get around town

Since the public bus network is limited for tourists, most visitors use a combination of walking (for the town center), taxi/rideshare, or organized tours to reach attractions like the Desert Park, Telegraph Station, and surrounding natural areas.