Turn up in spring to the outback town of Alice Springs where adventure awaits. Positioned between the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs is celebrated for its desert landscapes and its people who have shaped its history. The region holds a strong cultural connection to traditional custodians, the Arrernte people.
1. Watch the sunrise from a hot-air balloon
There's absolutely nothing like seeing the day emerge from darkness from aloft in a hot air balloon. Greet the desert dawn as you glide gently over the outback, keeping an eye out for kangaroos, brumbies and camels far below. As the sun catches the escarpment of the MacDonnell Ranges, the landscape lights up in a golden glow.
After landing enjoy sparkling wine and a light refreshments. Or, you could also volunteer to help the crew pack up the balloon - all hands are welcomed to join in the fun.
2. Meet the wildlife of the arid desert
Meet goannas, thorny devils and frill-necked lizards at the Alice Springs Reptile Centre, which is home to more than 100 reptiles in their natural environment. The Gecko Cave houses the diminutive lizard species from around the NT while a saltwater crocodile can be viewed through a glass viewing area.
At the Kangaroo Sanctuary meet Chris 'Brolga' Barnes who starred in the BBC's Kangaroo Dundee series. The Sanctuary provides safe habitat for rescued orphaned joeys which are rehabilitated before being released back into the wild. Guided tours take place at sunset when kangaroos are at their most active and provide opportunities to get up close to these iconic Australian marsupials.
3. See the desert come alive
Learn about the flora and fauna which thrives in Central Australia at the Alice Springs Desert Park. Follow pathways through three desert habitats to view the free-flying birds of prey show in the nature theatre. Spot local reptiles, bats, birds and the Australian Bilby in the cool, dark nocturnal house.
Learn about Aboriginal customs and their ancient living culture with local guides giving presentations about bush food and bush medicines of the arid desert. An evening Nocturnal Tour reveals the nocturnal critters that can be seen after dark.
4. Explore botanic gardens and historical sites
Take your time to explore the Olive Pink Botanic Gardens on a self-guided tour a short drive from Alice Springs CBD. Pick up information from the Visitor Centre and meander the short walking tracks amongst the native flora and fauna on show. Enjoy breakfast, lunch or a coffee from the café with its shady outdoor setting.
Later, visit the world's largest classroom, covering 1.3 million square kilometres, at the Alice Springs School of the Air visitor centre. The centre brings to life the challenges and rewards of education in the outback which has been facilitating lessons since 1951. A short drive away is the historic Telegraph Station, where restored stone buildings house displays and artefacts from Alice Springs’ first European settlement.Take a guided tour, linger over coffee in the cafe or drop a postcard in the still operational post office complete with original red postbox.
5. Try one of the world’s best desert golf courses
Golf is a little different in Alice Springs, where manicured greens and rolling fairways provide stark contrast against the red-hued MacDonnell Ranges. Tee off for 9 holes at Alice Springs Golf Club with its challenging course, narrow fairways edged by rock outcrops where the 'rough' is truly rough. There’s also a grass bowling green, pro shop, motorised buggies for hire, a floodlit driving range and putting green, along with a modern clubhouse and restaurant.
6. Ride a camel at sunset
Spot kangaroos and birds, watch the ranges glow red under sunset skies and take in the peace of the desert on a camel ride through the Ilparpa Valley with Pyndan Camel Tracks. Guided tours are led by cameleer Marcus WIlliams whose twenty years experience working with camels gives him a unique insight the behaviour of these animals. The gentle nature of camels tends to not disturb wildlife, increasing viewing opportunities of native animals.
7. Explore the West Macs
The West MacDonnell Ranges and Tjoritja West MacDonnell National Park stretch 160km west of Alice Springs. The vast landscape is famed for its magnificent scenery dotted with world-class hikes and mountain bike trails, swimming holes and Aboriginal cultural sites. Join one of the many guided tours or take a self-guided road trip. At Simpsons Gap look up into the rock formations to see black-footed rock wallabies near the permanent waterhole. Time your visit to Standley Chasm Angkerle Atwatye at noon when the vertical walls glow golden in the midday sunshine. Swim at Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen Gorge where waterholes are fed by the West MacDonnell Ranges. Admire the earthy colours of the Ochre Pits, a sacred site which is an important partof Aboriginal culture still in use today.
8. Explore the East Macs
The East MacDonnell Ranges stretch east of Alice Springs for 150km and contain some of Central Australia's most famous landscapes and ancient rock art sites. See Aboriginal rock art at Emily Gap and have a picnic at nearby Jessie Gap in the Yeperenye / Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park. Take the circular walking track at Corroboree Rock Conservation Reserve then head for Trephina Gorge Nature Park, one of the East Macs best attractions. At N'Dhala Gorge Nature Park (accessible by 4WD only after Ross River Homestead) more than 5,000 ancient rock carvings are etched into the sandstone. Allow time to wander amongst the ruins of Central Australia’s first town at Arltunga Historical Reserve, where this also an informative visitor centre, bush pub and eco retreat with overnight campsites. Explore beautiful Ruby Gap Nature Park, a remote camping and bushwalking site, named after the garnet stones which were once found here.
9. Camp at Rainbow Valley
Plan to arrive at Rainbow Valley in time for sunset when the colourful sandstone bluff's bands change from blazing ochre to purple in the fading light. The valley forms part of the James Range and is an important site to the southern Arrernte people. Take the short walk to Mushroom Rock, an unusual sandstone formation with a natural archway formed over millennia. Join a day trip from Alice Springs (75km south of Alice via 4WD access road) or take your own gear and camp overnight in one of the designated sites. There are toilets, barbecues and picnic tables.
10. Explore Albert Namatjira’s birthplace
Explore the settlement of Hermannsburg (an easy 1.5-hour drive west of Alice Springs), Central Australia’s first town and home of famous Aboriginal watercolour artist, Albert Namatjira. Hermannsburg Historic Precinct is listed by the Natural Trust and incorporates historic German-style whitewashed buildings of the former mission. Visit Namatjira's home, wander through the museum and art gallery and stop in at the Kata Anga Tea Rooms for lunch or snacks. The Namatjira Gallery has with original Albert Namatjira paintings along with artworks by local artists. Nearby is Hermannsburg Potters where Western Arrarnte artists create vibrant handmade ceramic pots.
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