TRAVEL

A trip of a lifetime!

There are many different ways to get to Alice Springs. Make it a trip of a lifetime for yourself or with a group of friends.

Plane

Flights to Alice Springs are available from all capital cities, except Hobart. Qantas, Virgin and Air North offer flights from various cities. The airport is 10 minutes from town and there is an airport shuttle service to book online. Taxis are also available. Hire cars are available for collection at the airport or in town.

Should you wish to fly in or out of Yulara, coach and hire cars are available to connect with Alice Springs.

Train

Catch the iconic Ghan train from either Adelaide or Darwin and enjoy stops along the way.

Coach

Regular Greyhound coach services run between Adelaide or Darwin and Alice Springs.

Self-Drive

There are major highways linking Alice Springs to all of Australia. The Stuart Highway runs south to north between Adelaide and Darwin with many interesting places to stop along the way. Major highways from other mainland states connect to this.

Uluru-Kata-juta, as well as Watarrka (Kings Canyon) National Parks are both about two and a half hours’ drive (both ways) from the Stuart Highway with the turn off being two hours south of Alice Springs.

If you want to make the trip a bit more of an adventure, get together with friends and design a 4WD adventure. For example:

  • Oodnadatta Track — Port Augusta, Flinders Ranges, Leigh Creek, Maree, Oodnadatta, Marla, Alice Springs.

  • Great Central Road - Outback Way — Kalgoolie, Laverton, Giles, Yulara, Alice Springs.

  • Plenty Highway — make your way to Boolia via dinasour trails or Birdsville then Tobermorrey, Gem Trees, Alice Springs.

Sightseeing

Nestled in the heart of Australia’s Red Centre, Alice Springs is a vibrant outback town brimming with culture, history, and natural wonders. It’s the perfect base for exploring some of Australia’s most iconic landscapes, while offering unique experiences in its own right.

Start your visit by delving into the region’s rich Aboriginal culture and history at the Alice Springs Desert Park or the Araluen Cultural Precinct, where art galleries and museums showcase the traditions and stories of the Arrernte people. The Olive Pink Botanic Garden is another must-see, offering scenic walking trails and a peaceful spot to enjoy native flora. For a hands-on wildlife encounter, head to the Alice Springs Reptile Centre, where you can meet some of the desert’s fascinating creatures.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love exploring the MacDonnell Ranges, which stretch out to the east and west of Alice Springs. The ranges are filled with dramatic gorges, waterholes, and walking trails. Highlights include Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, and Ormiston Gorge—perfect for a refreshing swim or a photo-worthy hike. Keen hikers can tackle parts of the Larapinta Trail, one of Australia’s premier long-distance walks, offering breathtaking views of the rugged terrain.

No trip to Alice Springs is complete without a visit to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, around five hours’ drive away. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to the iconic Uluru, a sacred sandstone monolith, and the striking domes of Kata Tjuta. Sunrise and sunset here are unforgettable experiences, with the rock’s colors shifting dramatically in the changing light.

Back in town, don’t miss the quirky local attractions like the Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum or the Alice Springs Telegraph Station, which marks the town’s origins. Adventurous visitors can take to the skies in a hot air balloon for panoramic views of the desert or opt for a camel ride to experience travel as the early explorers did.