"The Alice," as Australians fondly call Alice Springs is the unofficial capital of Outback Australia.
In the early 1870s, a handful of telegraph-station workers struggled nearly 1,600km (992 miles) north from Adelaide, through the desert to settle by a small spring in what must have seemed like the ends of the earth. Then it was just a few huts around a repeater station on the ambitious telegraph line that was to link Adelaide with Darwin and the rest of the world.
Today Alice Springs, is a city of 27,000 people, with supermarkets, banksand ATM’s. It's a friendly,unsophisticated place. No matter what direction you come from, you will soar for hours over a vast, flat landscape to get here. That's why you are so surprised when you reach Alice Springs and see low but dramatic mountain ranges, rippling red in the sunshine. Many people excitedly mistake them for Uluru, but that is about 462km (286 miles) down the road. The craggy hills close by are the MacDonnell Ranges.
Many tourists visit Alice only to get to Uluru, but Alice has charms all its own, albeit mostly of a small-town kind. The red folds of the MacDonnell Ranges hide lovely gorges with shady picnic grounds. The area has an old gold-rush town to poke around in, quirky little museums, wildlife parks, a couple of cattle stations (ranches) that welcome visitors, a couple of nice day trips, and one of the world's top 10 desert golf courses. You could easily fill 2 or 3 days.
This is the heart of the Aboriginal country, and Alice is a rich source of tours, shops, and galleries for those interested in Aboriginal culture, art, or souvenirs.
Nearby Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) is another of Australia’s most dramatic natural wonders, a collection of giant weathered rock domes. Kings Canyon at Watarrka National Park, a three-hour drive from Uluru/Ayers Rock, is equally breathtaking and great for rock-pool swimming.
- some Must-dos!
1. Visit the Royal Flying Doctor’s HQ in Alice.
2. Visit the School of Air.
3. Take a daytrip to East MacDonnell Ranges.
Day Tours
1. A town like Alice - Half day tour. Departs at 2:00 pm. Returns around 6:00 pm.
Tour the sights of 'The Alice' including the historic Telegraph Station and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Visit the School of the Air where sometimes we are able to listen to the children take lessons on air. Stop at the Alice Springs Reptile Centre where you will see unique Central Australian reptiles such as the Perentie and Thorny Devil. Conclude with a panoramic view of Alice Springs and the surrounding ranges from the top of Anzac Hill.
Cost: Adult AUD 65.00 Child 33.00 Tour: AATK3
2. The Alice Experience - - Full day tour. Departs at 08:00 am, return around 6:00 pm.
This tour is a combination with the AATK3 tours (featured above). SAVE!. This morning spend time with a local Aboriginal guide as we travel to a site of significance to the Arrente people, on an Aboriginal Cultural Tour. After morning tea, learn about Aboriginal life, languages, art, dance and music and enjoy an Aboriginal dance performance. Return to Alice Springs for lunch (own expense). In the afternoon explore the sights of Alice Springs , including a visit to the historic Telegraph Station. At the Royal Flying Doctors Service you will see how medical aid reaches those who live in the remote 'outback' and at the School of the Air, we see how children who cannot access schools are educated by radio. We also make a stop at the Alice Springs Reptile Centre, where you can see up close some of the lizards and snakes that frequent the Central Australia semi-arid desert. The tour concludes with a panoramic view of Alice Springs and the MacDonnell Ranges from the top of Anzac Hill.
Cost: Adult 157.00, child 79.00
3. Alice Springs to Ayers Rock Resort - Departs daily at 07:30 am.
Join us on a trip from Alice Springs to Ayers Rock with comprehensive commentary, view spectacular scenery, visit a local camel farm & more.
You will be picked up from your hotel or the Alice Springs AAT Kings Day Tour Office. Travel south from Alice Springs through the MacDonnell and James Ranges . Your Driver/Guide will provide - comprehensive commentary of your surrounds as you pass through the beautiful rugged scenery of the 'outback'. Visit a camel farm where there is time to take a short optional camel ride (own expense) if you wish. Later stop at Mt. Ebenezer roadhouse where there is the opportunity to purchase morning tea and locally made Aboriginal art (all at own expense). Pause to view majes-tic Atila ( Mt. Conner ) before arriving at Ayers Rock Resort.
Cost: Adult AUD 120.00 child 60.00
We also offer 2, 3,4 and 6 days tours between Alice Springs, Ayers Rock and Kings Canyon. Please enquire.
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