Tours and Activities in Central Australia

Staying in Central Australia is a wonderful chance to experience some of the most rugged yet charming environment on Earth. With Alice Springs as a base of operations, visitors to the Red Centre have the chance to participate in a multitude of half-day, one-day and multi-day tours from the CBD to several notable locations.

Tour companies offer transportation to some of these locations, while other tours require a four-wheel drive and ample preparation. On this page you will find a summary of several noteworthy destinations which can be visited on tours to Central Australia. Continue reading to find out more about what the Red Centre has to offer.

Book a Tour

Quick / Half Day Tours

From Alice Springs

The West MacDonnell Ranges can be explored on a half-day tour from Alice Springs, where sweeping panoramic landscapes stretch across ancient ranges. Known to the local Arrernte people as Tjoritja, this area is renowned for its sunburnt hues of orange, maroon, and purple, as well as its rich biodiversity, including rare birdlife such as the Mulga Parrots. Some other notable highlights in the region include John Flynn's Grave, Simpsons Gap, and Standley Chasm. Half-day tours are offered by AAT Kings and Alice Holiday Tours. Alice Holiday Tours also offers half-day tours of just as impressive but less crowded East MacDonnell Ranges.

Rainbow Valley, famous for its striking sandstone bluffs and cliffs, can also be visited on a half-day tour from Alice Springs. Sunset tours to this destination allow visitors to witness some of the most stunning sunsets in Central Australia. For Rainbow Valley tours, consider local operators such as Sandrifter Safaris, Wild Honey Travels, and Alice Springs Expeditions.

Palm Valley, located within the rugged Finke Gorge National Park, is accessible on a four-wheel-drive adventure from Alice Springs. Travelers can explore the unique flora of Palm Valley, visit the historic Hermannsburg Precinct, walk through Cycad Gorge, and enjoy a picnic at Kalaranga Lookout, with views of the MacDonnell Ranges as the day comes to a close. AAT Kings and Sandrifter Safaris offer a Palm Valley 4WD Adventure tour for those wanting a guided experience.

For visitors interested in discovering the town itself, AAT Kings’ A Town Like Alice tour provides insight into how Alice Springs has grown into the heart of the Australian outback. The tour includes visits to key historical sites, essential community services, and the Alice Springs Reptile Centre, home to Central Australia's largest collection of reptiles. Also, their Best of Alice tour offers a comprehensive look at the town’s highlights, making it ideal for those short on time but eager to experience the essence of Alice Springs. For a historical context of the town, Emu Run's Historical Alice Tour is worth considering! If beautiful sunset sights over the town are what you are after, Alice Holiday Tours offers the Alice Town and Country Sunset Tour. Happy Exploring!

From Uluru

There are several different activities you can do at Uluru that can only take about half the day (or up to 5 hours). Fancy riding a bike around Uluru? Outback Cycling have 3 hour bike hire (including helmets) to get you going. What about a trip around on a Segway? Jump on a Segway tour so you can have a guide teach you all the interesting things about Uluru while doing it in a fun and exciting way.

If your interested in rock art or learning how to do your own dot-painting, Maruku Art Tours is where you must stop by. And you can't forget the Field of Light, the light installation at the base of Uluru by international artist Bruce Munro. More of a foody? Try Tali Wiru or the Sounds of Silence dinner to be indulged in local bush food creations and paired wines.

Many of our tour companies offer a variety of half day tours, including accommodation pickup to the national park and guided experiences. See Emu Run Experience, AAT Kings, and SEIT Outback Australia for more information.

If you are looking for fun ways to take in the sights throughout Central Australia you could try a camel ride, helicopter flight or hot air balloon tour. Camel Rides are available at Alice Springs or Uluru. Helicopter flights are available at Uluru, Alice Springs or Kings Canyon. Balloon Flights are available in Alice Springs only.

Day Tours

Uluru is certainly a noteworthy destination that can be visited on a long day tour from Alice Springs. Tour buses can be used to access Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. Food can be bought from home or purchased from nearby Yulara. Alice Springs to Uluru is 500km one way, so to complete a return trip while enjoying your day will be extremely long. If possible, multi-day tours are recommended.

Day tours to the West MacDonnell Ranges, and Palm Valley are also available from Alice Springs. A day tour gives visitors the opportunity to see more than is possible on a half-day tour, however, it should be noted that the weather during the middle of the day (in summer) can be hot, so shelter should be sought out during these hours. See Autopia Tours for West Macs day trips. See Emu Run Experience for West Macs and Palm Valley day trips.

One day tours from Uluru to Kings Canyon can also be done with a tour company. Leave early in the morning to embark on the bus ride to make it to Kings Canyon by late morning. Have the option to explore Watarrka National Park and the canyon itself by taking on the Rim Walk or Kings Creek Walk. If you want a bit of a thrill try a helicopter flight over the canyon to see its grandeur from the sky. Or if you are after a cultural experience, book in for the Karrke Cultural Tour. Then in the afternoon, you'll hop back on the bus for the journey back to your accommodation.

Multi Day Tours

There are also multi-day tours to Uluru via Kings Canyon from Alice Springs available to travellers. Travellers can see Uluru in all its splendour as well as the beautiful contrasting colours of Kings Canyon, the camels at Kings Creek Station and several Indigenous artworks painted on ancient rock formations. Enjoy a multi-day tours of the Red Centre departing from Ayers Rock or Alice Springs with Autopia Tours and Emu Run Experience.