Alice Springs & Surrounds7-day itinerary

Be amazed and discover the beauty of the desert landscape. This 7-day itinerary will take you on a journey through Alice Springs and Surrounds.

With a whole week in the Red Centre you’ll discover that Alice Springs is your basecamp for adventure.

This itinerary will take you on a journey through the surrounds of Alice Springs where you’ll come up close with local wildlife, visit historic landmarks and waterholes, and see the Red Centre from a bird’s-eye view.

You’ll be introduced to Aboriginal desert art traditions and its famous artists, as well as unique bush food experiences and modern culinary delights. Discover the beauty of the MacDonnell Ranges and learn that the desert landscape is anything but barren.

Start your engines

If you’ve arrived in Alice Springs by any other means than driving, it’s highly recommended that you hire a vehicle. There’s so much to see and do in and around Alice Springs that your own transport will be well worth it.

First stop, Alice Springs Desert Park

Situated on Larapinta Drive, the Desert Park is a must-see for every visitor to the Red Centre.

Spot rare and endangered animals in the low light of the nocturnal house and discover the star attractions at the free-flying birds of prey show. Here you’ll see the desert come to life.

Stroll along the 1.6km trail to experience 3 separate habitat areas within the park. There are also informational talks throughout the day, including a presentation on Aboriginal Survival. Make your way around the park at your leisure, and then relax with some refreshments at the onsite café.

Take in history at the Telegraph Station

Make your way to the Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve and get your body moving on a mountain bike tour, leaving from the Trail Station.

Tours leave at 2:30pm daily and are led by an experienced local rider, with all gear provided. You can organise to go at a time of your choosing if you give the company 24 hours prior notice. No experience is needed; this is a great activity for people of all ages.

Check into your accommodation. There are many lodging options available in Alice Springs, from luxury hotel rooms to camping under the stars. Take your pick and get a good night’s rest ready for a big day tomorrow.

Drift away on a hot air balloon ride

Rise early and take to the skies in a hot air balloon for a magnificent bird’s-eye view of Alice Springs and the Red Centre. As you drift into an outback sunrise of pastel blues, purples and yellows, keep an eye out for native wildlife and the iconic Red Kangaroo down below.

Indulge your senses at Olive Pink Botanic Garden

Once your feet are planted firmly again on the ground, it’s time to indulge in a cooked breakfast at the Bean Tree Café which you can find nestled in the Olive Pink Botanic Garden.

It’s Australia’s only arid zone botanic garden and the perfect place to relax for breakfast or lunch amongst the native surrounds. Take the time to wander along the walking trails to see the hundreds of plant species that are native to the Red Centre, or spot some of the 80 bird species which have been recorded at the park.

Be inspired by the early pioneers

Next stop is the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Get amongst the interactive displays and step inside a full-sized replica of a modern PC-12 airplane, part of the exciting new collection. Gain an insight into the iconic Australian outback service established by pioneers in 1928.

There’s an onsite café where you can dine under the original veranda and enjoy the amazing blue skies Alice Springs is known for. Sit back and relax with a coffee, specially blended for the RFDS by a local coffee roaster. The Flying Doctor Coffee can be purchased from the onsite RFDS Doc Shop, so be sure to pick some up to take home with you while browsing through their other goodies.

Meet new scaly friends

Get up close and personal with some of the Northern Territory’s favourite wildlife at the Reptile Centre, which is home to the largest reptile display in Central Australia.

Here you’ll meet Terry the Saltwater Crocodile, see huge perentie goannas, thorny devils, frilled-neck lizards and some of the world’s most venomous snakes. Join one of the daily shows to learn more about some lizards and pythons, which is followed by a supervised handling session – a perfect photo opportunity.

Finish off your night with dinner from one of the many restaurants in town, and be sure to get a good night’s rest. You have a big day ahead tomorrow heading out of town on an overnight camping trip.

Get set for a day in the gem fields

Rise early to embark on today’s adventure to Gemtree Caravan and Tourist Park. Located 140km north-east of Alice Springs, Gemtree is a true oasis in the mulga country and the gateway to the Central Australian gem fields.

Fossicking at Gemtree

Arrive in time to join a Fossicking Tour to try your luck at finding your own gems, and have them appraised on-site by experts. If you’d like to stretch your legs and explore the area, Gemtree has 250 acres of natural bushland for you to enjoy, and is perfect to head out on one of the many self-guided nature trails or drive tours.

Settle in for the night

A set menu is on offer each evening in the Camp Oven Kitchen, followed by many entertainment options, including Campfire Karaoke on Sundays, quiz and movie nights and drinks by the pool.

Accommodation ranges from air conditioned cabins, on-site caravans to camp sites, however make sure you call ahead to book in, as cabins are very popular during high season.

Experience local Aboriginal art

Make your way back to Alice Springs to spend the day learning about local Aboriginal Art. First stop is the Araluen Arts Centre. Here, you’ll get to see contemporary works by the region’s most famous artists, including Albert Namatjira. The centre also plays host to the annual Beanie Festival in June, a quirky and colourful exhibition and competition, and a must-do if you’re in town at the right time.

Head back into town to the Todd Mall, which is lined with commercial galleries dealing in Aboriginal art. Stop at Papunya Tula Artists to see the renowned dot paintings, then at Mbantua Art Gallery and Cultural Museum, which have one of the largest collections of Aboriginal art in Australia and specialises in art from the Utopia region. While you’re in the area, enjoy lunch at one of the many trendy cafés dotted throughout the Todd Mall.

Revel in a bush tucker dinner under the stars

Enjoy your dinner cooked in a bush setting and served under the Milky Way. Your host, a local Arrernte man, will introduce you to bush foods and traditional cooking for this special 3-course meal set in the West MacDonnell Ranges.

Get to know the outskirts of Alice Springs and hit the road heading west. Make sure you pack an overnight bag and some walking shoes as you’ll be camping this evening. Camping equipment can be hired in town if you require.

Soak up the spirituality of Simpsons Gap

Drive 18km west of Alice Springs along Larapinta Road to Simpsons Gap, an impressive opening between the towering cliffs of the West MacDonnell Ranges. The area is an important spiritual site to the Arrernte Aboriginal people, where several dreaming trails and stories cross. Be sure to get up close for a great photo opportunity.

Lunch at Glen Helen Homestead Lodge

Continue on along Larapinta Drive, turn right at Namatjira Drive. Approximately 80km along the drive you’ll arrive at Glen Helen Homestead Lodge. The landscape around Glen Helen is truly spectacular with towering sandstone walls greeting you as you arrive.

Enjoy your lunch teamed with a cold drink as you relax on the back veranda of the restored homestead overlooking the majestic Glen Helen Gorge.

If you’re feeling adventurous, sign up for a 4WD tour or a scenic helicopter flight to see more of the area.

Enjoy dinner before turning in

Enjoy dinner at the Namatjira Gallery Restaurant before retiring for the night at one of the accommodation options including fixed tents or motel-style rooms.

Head to Ormiston Gorge and Pound for a cool dip

Rise early and return 10km to Ormiston Gorge and Pound. This is a great place for a cool dip in the near permanent waterhole surrounded by the towering red walls of the gorge.

Embark on a walk to see the sights

If you’re feeling active, take on the 3–4 hour Ormiston Pound Walk that does a full circuit from the Walks Information Shelter and finishes at the main waterhole. Take in the beautiful local birdlife and admire the amazing Central Australian landscapes.

If you’d enjoy a shorter walk, the 20-minute trek to the Ghost Gum Lookout is a must-do and is most popular with visitors. The view across the Gorge and down into the waterhole is a sight to behold.

Enjoy some light refreshments at the onsite kiosk before making your way back east towards Alice Springs.

See the beauty of Ellery Creek Big Hole

Stop over at Ellery Creek Big Hole where you can enjoy a refreshing swim.

This location is one of the most popular and picturesque camping, swimming and picnic spots in the region, and you’ll understand why when you set eyes on the spectacular waterhole surrounded by high red cliffs and the sandy creek.

See Alice by camel

Arrive in Alice Springs just in time for a sunset camel tour at Pyndan Camel Tracks. A camel ride will definitely be an experience you’ll want to tell your friends about.

The camel ride starts at Pyndan Camel Tracks yard, through White Gums Station and follows an avenue of Iron Bark and Mulga trees across a clay pan flat, and climbs a slight incline to get sweeping views across the MacDonnell Ranges.

Be led on your ride by one of Pyndan’s camel experts who will tell you more about these iconic animals.

Climb Anzac Hill & watch the sunrise

A visit to the top of Anzac Hill is a must-do for a panoramic view of the town. Sunrise is the perfect time to do this, as you watch the sun slowly rise to light up the MacDonnell Ranges and beautiful desert town below. You can drive your car to the top, or if you’re feeling active, walk to the top via the Lions Walk.

Stargaze the night away

Before you say goodbye to Alice Springs, make the most of the clear skies in the Red Centre and gaze at the thousands of stars overhead at the Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre.

Learn how to navigate and identify the zodiac and constellations in the night sky and hear ancient Aboriginal stories of creation, followed by an outback dinner.