Discover the Red Centre
Day One: Spend the day exploring the many iconic attractions in Alice Springs. Telegraph Station, School of the Air, Royal Flying Doctor Service, and the Reptile Centre to name a few.
Day Two: Head out along the West MacDonnell Ranges, the MacDonnell Ranges stretch over 640 kilometres running east – west through Alice Springs. They provide a picturesque backdrop to the town lighting up each sunrise and sunset with a display of fiery reds, sunburnt oranges and deep purple. Explore the West MacDonnell Ranges' ancient waterholes, sheer rock faces and wild animals in many of the gaps along the way. Stay the night at Glen Helen.
Day Three: Continue on to Kings Canyon/ Watarrka National Park via the 4 X 4 Mereenie* Loop road. Stay overnight at Kings Canyon.
Day Four: Rise early and do the rim walk around the Canyon, or take helicopter flight over the Canyon to experience it from above. Continue on to Uluru/ Kata Tjuta National Park; watch the sun set over Uluru.
Day Five: Rise early and watch the sunrise over Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Ensure you do the Valley of Winds Walk through Kata Tjuta, to get up close to these wondrous domes.
*A permit is required to drive on this road; permits are from $5.00 per vehicle and are available from the Visitor Information Centre, Glen Helen Resort, Hermannsburg Petrol Station and Kings Canyon Resort.
Darwin to Alice Springs
Day One: Depart Darwin along the Stuart Highway. Stop in Tennant Creek for 2 nights.
Day Two: Spend a couple of hours visiting the award winning Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Cultural Centre, Battery Hill Mining Centre and the Visitor Information Centre. Take a picnic and enjoy the lush green and cool water of Lake Maryann Dam.
Day Three: Continue on to Alice Springs; ensure you spend time discovering the Devils Marbles/ Karlu Karlu. If you have a 4wd take the road less travelled and continue on to Alice Springs via the Binns Track, if not head along the Stuart Highway, make sure you detour in to Gemtree, and try your hand at fossicking, if time permits, stop and spend the night.
The Red Centre Way
Heading west from Alice Springs through Central Australia's dramatic desert landscapes, the drive provides access to the natural attractions of the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park. Following Glen Helen Gorge there is an unsealed section through to Hermannsburg, the birthplace of famous indigenous artist Albert Namatjira, before doubling back some of the way to Watarrka National Park famous for the spectacular Kings Canyon. Your final destination is Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Travellers can return to Alice Springs via the sealed Lasseter and Stuart Highways. History in Alice Springs take a walk around the Alice Springs Telegraph Station, the buildings have been fully restored, and it incorporates an interpretive display of the Overland Telegraph Line, Stolen Generation through to the Bungalow period and World War II.
From the centre of town walk the heritage trail, starting at Flynn Church, then going to Adelaide House, The Residency, ANZAC Hill, Old Stuart Town Goal, Old Hartley Street School, Stuart Memorial, Royal Flying Doctor Service and concluding at the National Pioneer Women's Hall of Fame. This is a great way to see the town of Alice and learn a little of history along the way.
Discover the East MacDonnell Ranges
Day One: Depart from Alice Springs and south through the Gap onto Ross Highway. Stop at many of the less known, but still beautiful gaps and gorges on the way, Emily, and Jessie Gap, Trephina Gorge, and N'Dala Gorge National Park. Spend your first night at Ross River Resort.
Day Two: Continue on the next day to Old Ambalindum Station, stop along the way and explore the Arltunga Historical Reserve. Sit back and relax in one of the oldest homesteads.
Day Three: Head along the Binns track to Gem Tree, try your hand at fossicking. Stay the night at Gem Tree.
Day Four: Head back along the Stuart highway to Alice Springs or north to explore more of the Barkly region.
Discover Wildlife & Nature
Get red sand on your shoes and experience the true outback! Spend half a day or more exploring the Alice Springs Desert Park, and see the Red Centre landscape and creatures in their natural habitat. Immerse yourself in the beauty and mystery of Australia's deserts. Wander through the ancient landscape. Experience the animals of the night. Discover the diversity of desert plants. Be inspired by ancient living cultures with local Aboriginal guides. Marvel at the energy and spirit of free flying birds.
For the afternoon get up close and personal with a snake and other reptiles at the Alice Springs Reptile Centre. The Reptile Centre displays an extensive range of reptiles including Terry the Saltwater Crocodile, HUGE Perentie Goannas, Thorny Devils, Frill-neck Lizards and many other fascinating lizards including a varied selection of NT Geckos from the Alice Springs region, Barkly and the Top End on display in the amazing Gecko Cave.
