Sightseeing around Alice Springs

A week is just not long enough! The CENTRAL AUSTRALIAN Region is vibrant & full of diversity. Explore a vast land of contrasts with spectacular unspoiled natural beauty and experience true OUTBACK spirit. ALICE SPRINGS is the hub of CENTRAL AUSTRALIA, the perfect base to explore the region.

The famous town of ALICE SPRINGS has plenty of local attractions to enjoy, to discover ALICE SPRINGS, ask a local about the unique and culturally diverse events on in town. One of the best visual shows, on all year round and it's free, is the million-star display at night. Enjoy days & nights full of fun with events like traditional Heritage Week join locals in horse shoeing & damper (bread) making, at the BEANIE FESTIVAL make a hat or learn traditional basket weaving with Aboriginal women. Rodeo's, Camel races, Bangtail Muster Horse Parade and FINKE DESERT RACE offer fast action. The famous HENLEY ON TODD REGATTA is a ridiculous fun race day of dry riverbed, bottomless boats and plenty of good Aussie humour.

At the ALICE SPRINGS DESERT PARK discover the plants, animals & people of Australia's deserts. Watch free-flying birds of prey and view rare and endangered animals in the Nocturnal House. Visit ALICE SPRINGS TELEGRAPH STATION for an insight into the early history of Alice Springs & site of the waterhole that gave Alice Springs its name. ALICE SPRINGS SCHOOL OF THE AIR is a unique school for children living in isolated areas of the outback. Visit the largest classroom in the world, 1.3 million square kilometres THE ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE is a working base providing routine & emergency medical services to outback isolated areas, towns & homesteads. Enjoy the audio-visual presentation, interactive museum and guided tour of the communications area. ALICE SPRINGS CULTURAL PRECINCT has an array of visual and performing arts, Aboriginal culture, heritage & natural history, including the Albert Namatjira Gallery. The ALICE SPRINGS REPTILE CENTRE has the largest reptile display in the Northern Territory including Terry the Crocodile, with hands on fun for everyone.

A short distance from ALICE SPRINGS will discover the unique character and incredibly beautiful scenery of this ancient landscape. The EAST MACDONNELL RANGES is rich with mountain ranges, waterholes and gorges & of deep cultural significance for the local Arrernte Aboriginal people. At EMILY GAP NATURE PARK, see a large rock painting that depicts the Caterpillar Dreaming. CORROBOREE ROCK is an important Aboriginal men's ceremonial site. N'DHALA GORGE with over 5,900 Petroglyphs (rock engravings) some as old as 10,000 years. Nearby TREPHINA GORGE has stunning sheer quartzite cliffs & River Red Gum lined watercourses. Visit the historical remains of the oldest town in CENTRAL AUSTRALIA; ARLTUNGA is an old gold mining town from the 1880's, the Visitor Centre is open daily with a fascinating detailed history & display.

The magnificent WEST MACDONNELL RANGES easily accessible by car also offers bush walking & cycling options. For bush walkers the LARAPINTA TRAIL runs 223 kms in 12 sections between ALICE SPRINGS TELEGRAPH STATION & MT SONDER. At SIMPSONS GAP a short drive or 17 km cycle path from ALICE SPRINGS find many rare & relict plants, a pleasant walk to the waterhole offers a chance to see Black-footed Rock-wallabies. Enter Aboriginal land to see the amazing land formation of STANDLEY CHASM, huge sheer rock walls almost touch & the chasm walls reflect the sunlight creating a breathtaking display of fiery colour. ELLERY CREEK BIG HOLE & SERPENTINE GORGE offer picturesque waterholes with icy water for a refreshing swim. On the banks of a sandy creek visit the OCHRE PITS, the source of colourful ochre used by Aboriginal people for painting & ceremonial body decorations. ORMISTON GORGE a breathtakingly beautiful gorge of sheer red walls & near permanent waterhole showcases the spectacular geology & landforms of the MACDONNELL RANGES. GLEN HELEN has a large permanent waterhole with fantastic rugged towering rock walls.

On the way to HERMANNSBURG a restored 1870's Lutheran Mission see the vibrant landscape, inspiration for watercolours by famous Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira. PALM VALLEY located in FINKE GORGE NATIONAL PARK is reached by 4WD only, through one of the world's oldest rivers, The Finke. See rare & unique plant species including Red Cabbage Palms & Cycads, some remnants from millions of years ago when CENTRAL AUSTRALIA was wetter.

The SIMPSON DESERT is a vast unspoiled region of rolling sand dunes & 4WD challenging desert tracks & here south of ALICE SPRINGS you will find RAINBOW VALLEY where a stunning sandstone ridge glows vibrantly when struck by the setting sun. EWANINGA ROCK CARVINGS CONSERVATION RESERVE with natural sandstone galleries featuring Petroglyphs or Aboriginal Rock Carvings in various styles & provides a record of many important beliefs of the Arrernte Aboriginal people. CHAMBERS PILLAR further south is a towering 50 metre red & yellow sandstone column & was used by early pioneers as a navigational landmark.

Keep heading south from ALICE SPRINGS to the most photographed icon of AUSTRALIA & one of the great wonders of the world in ULURU- KATA TJUTA NATIONAL PARK (AYERS ROCK/OLGAS). Visit the Cultural Centre situated in the shadow of ULURU. KINGS CANYON a strangely beautiful place acts as the centrepiece of the WATARRKA NATIONAL PARK & will surprise you with incredible beehive rock formations, woodlands of Desert Oaks, rare plant & wildlife species.

All through the ALICE SPRINGS region & CENTRAL AUSTRALIA you will enjoy surreal sunsets with brilliant colours.

Beautiful Sunset in the Territory		Red Kangaroo on a Rock