PRE- AND POST-CONFERENCE TOURS
No formal Conference pre- or post- conference tours are being offered this time.
It has not been possible to organise bespoke plant-focussed bus tours departing from Alice Springs before and after the 2026 conference. This is due to all tour buses based in Alice Springs being already committed to commercial tours advertised and booked months or even years in advance by the general public. There are simply no “spare” uncomitted tour buses available for exclusive use by ANPSA-specific tours - understandable in a relatively small, remote town.
There are however vacancies on many commercial tours which we encourage conference participants to explore. Details of some such tours are provided below. In considering a pre- or post- conference commercial tour, take into account the two included full-day tours which you may choose from the conference program, exploring iconic places to the east and west of Alice Springs. See the Registration form for details of the full-day tours you may choose from.
Tour options for seeing central Australia while you are in Alice Springs
1. One-way commercial tours between your home city and Alice Springs
There are some commercial tours which commence in capital cities and finish in Alice Springs, and vice versa. These tours, such as Sydney to Alice Springs, or Alice Springs to Melbourne, could be a useful way of getting to/from the conference and seeing the sights, with a flight in the opposite direction. We have not explored these options due to the large number of possible departure cities and tour lengths, but the websites below may provide details of these tours.
2. Doing a commercial tour of central Australia on the way to somewhere else
Whilst central Australia is one of our most important tourism destinations, be aware that most tours of the region do NOT start or end in Alice Springs. Most tours taking in the Centre do so as part of a longer trip, such as Adelaide to Darwin, or Sydney to Perth, or even Sydney to Melbourne! It may be possible to book such a trip and break, or even end, the journey in Alice Springs – a travel agent could assist you explore this option.
3. Short tours of Central Australia departing and arriving Alice Springs
A 2, 3 4 or 5 day tour of central Australia would be a good option if you wish to fly or drive both ways to Alice Springs, and then add on a Centre tour as part of your conference experience.
Please note that the tours below are all commercial tours, open to the general public. They may no longer have places available by the time you book. Urgent booking of your chosen tour is recommended, before flights etc are booked.
Some commercial tours departing from Alice Springs before the conference:
2 day tour departing Wed 19th Aug
3 day tour departing Tue 18th Aug
4 day tour departing Mon 17th Aug
8 day tour departing 16th Aug
3 day small group camping tours, departing every day
4 day small group camping tour, departing Wed 19th Aug
3 day 4WD tour, departing Thur 20th Aug
3 and 4 night camping tours, departing every day
5 night camping tour, departing Sun 16th Aug
Some commercial tours departing from Alice Springs after the conference:
2 day tour departing Wed 2nd Sept
3 day tour departing Sat 29th Aug
4 day tour departing Mon 31st Aug
8 day tour departing Sun 30th and Mon 31st August, ending either at Uluru or Alice Springs
3 day small group camping tours, departing every day
4 day small group camping tour, depart Sat 29th Aug
3 day 4WD tour, departing Sun 30th Aug
3 and 4 night camping tours, departing every day
5 night camping tour, departing Sun 30th Aug
4. Short tours of Central Australia departing and arriving Uluru
Another option would be a commercial tour starting and ending at Uluru, with an air transfer to/from Alice Springs to connect with the conference. Here are some possibilities for this type of tour:
(before) 3 day tour departing daily from Uluru, including Thur 27th and Fri 28th Aug
(before) 4 day tour departing daily from Uluru, including Wed 26th and Thur 27th Aug
(after) 3 day tour departing daily from Uluru, including Sat 29th and Sun 30th Aug
(after) 4 day tour departing from Uluru, including Sat 29th and Sun 30th.
(before or after) 2 day tour, departing every day
(before or after) 3 day tour, departing every day
(before) 4 day tour departing Mon 17th Aug
(after) 4 day tour departing Mon 31st Aug
5. Try to do this full-day tour if you possibly can… Palm Valley
Palm Valley is an incredible botanic enigma which we would have loved to include in the conference program. Situated within the Finke Gorge National Park about 1½ hours’ drive from Alice, Palm Valley is a small area of impervious rock which holds water all year round, allowing plants to grow in the valley which cannot survive anywhere else in the desert. The red cabbage tree palm (Livistona mariae) grows in abundance, giving the valley its name – the palm’s nearest neighbours grow 1000km north in the Hammersley Ranges. It is still unknown how the central Australian population got there, but recent thinking indicates indigenous people may have brought them 20,000 to 30,000 years ago.
Palm Valley is only accessible by (extremely rough) 4WD tracks down the dry bed of the Finke River. There are only a few small purpose-built 4WD vehicles which operate tours to Palm Valley – with insufficient seats for us to ensure every conference attendee could participate. We nevertheless encourage you to fit a day tour of Palm Valley into your itinerary if you can. Here are some tour operators to consider. Please be aware that availability, and operators, of these tours seems to change frequently:
Sandrifter Safaris, operates every Mon, Wed and Fri.
AAT Kings, operates, Mon, Tue, Wed and Fri.
Experience Oz, operates Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun.
NT Tourism, have up-to-date information, and can make bookings too.
Other things to note about central Australian tours
The main attractions which multi-day tours will include are Uluru (formerly called Ayres Rock), Kata Tjuta (formerly called The Olgas), and Kings Canyon. These are all world-class destinations you should not miss if at all possible.
Unfortunately Kata Tjuta does not always get as much attention, time-wise, by tour operators as it deserves. Many tours include visiting a viewing platform alongside the formations, and a short walking tour along a short creek just inside the formations. Together, these occupy a couple of hours. Both are very interesting, but the most incredible view comes from inside and among the domes – on the Valley of the Winds circuit walk. This walk takes longer – about 4 hours for moderately fit people – but provides one of the very best experiences the region has to offer. Many commercial tours do not allow time to do this walk. Although there are some steps, the middle of the walk is across a flat plain dotted with many huge “marbles” that are impossible to see from outside the formation. If you have time, choose a tour which allocates a whole day at Kata Tjuta and includes the Valley of the Winds.
Even ignoring the fabulous big rocks, the varied barren landscapes of central Australia are also something plant-lovers will enjoy. Where others see nothingness, we see all the wonderfully-adapted plants which only grow in this environment.
The Field of Lights at Yulara (the town near Uluru) is well worth visiting. If you are feeling flush with funds, the gourmet dinner package at the Lights site (with Uluru at sunset in the background) is also wonderful.