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Alice Springs Tour,
Visit the Town and its Attractions

An Alice Springs tour will reveal many hidden jewels of this Central Australian town.

It is not a big place but has a bit of history around it.

The explorer John McDouall Stuart first came to the area, in the 1860 trying to cross Australia from south to north.

Visit the heritage precinct to see his memorial.

While you are there you can also see the Royal Flying Doctor Service centre. The organisation has been active since 1939, poviding radio communications service for people in remote areas.

alice springs tour - anzac hillClimb the Anzac Hill to see the memorial that commemorates soldiers killed in wars.

You'll also get an excellent view of the town and the mountains surrounding it.

If you want to immerse yourself in history, go to the Alice Springs telegraph station, on the North Stuart Highway. The station, built in 1871, was part of the overland telegraph line that linked Port Augusta to Darwin.

Sunrise Ballooning in Alice Springs If you are an early riser and in search for adventure, see the outback from the above. Let the balloon take you up, watch the sunrise and take memorable pictures. Then sip a glass of champagne to go with your breakfast when you return.

Alice Springs Tour
Desert Park

alice springs tour desert park

Situated at the exit of Alice Springs going westward, against the backdrop of Mt Gillen, the Desert Park introduces you to the harsh and magical environment of Central Australia.

Plan a whole day for your visit. There are many things to see that will make you realise that the desert is not always what the word means - it is not a desolate land.

alice springs tour bird 1

alice springs tour lizzard 1

The park shows that it is just the contrary – an area populated with distinctive flora and fauna. Life has found a way to be present and even thrive in conditions that seem to be very inhospitable.

Grab an audio equipment, put the headphones on and start your walk around the park. You will see signs with numbers. Press the number on your equipment and listen to explanations or stories. It’s like having your personal free guide with you.

alice springs tour salt lakeVisit the three habitats: desert rivers, sandy country and woodland.

Here at the left see a dry, small salt lake.

Learn how various plants are food, medicine or used as a tool by Aborigines living in the desert. For more information, go to the live presentations.

Alice Springs Tour - Desert
Park Presentations

alice springs tour birds show falcon The Birds Show is a must.

The map and flyer you pick at the park entrance will indicate the time and place where the guides will hold a show or presentation. Try not to miss them as they are packed with interesting information and lots of fun. You can ask questions and learn more about life in the desert.

alice springs tour falconsTake a seat in The Nature Theatre and watch the birds perform: falcons soaring into the sky or sitting on a hunting perch.

Many other species will demonstrate their abilities to fly or find food.

Go to the Nocturnal House to hear about the endangered species and admire the spiky camouflage of the thorny devil.

alice springs tour thorny devil 3


Then go to woodland habitat to see and hear about the kangaroos and emus.

Don’t miss the presentations about survival in the desert and finding water in what seems to be just a dry land.

alice springs tour bush tuckerThe Aboriginal guides will get you to touch and smell various bush fruit and talk about traditional laws and customs.

They will show you:

  • what woods are shaped into boomerangs, shields or spears,
  • how spinifex resin is used as a glue to attach a sharp end to a spear,
  • what tools are used to hunt or dig,
  • how people living in the heat of the desert protect their skin by applying ochre as a sun block,
  • how to find water in the desert by looking in the dry river beds and digging a bit.

Alice Springs Tour
Olive Pink Botanic Garden

The Olive Pink Botanic Garden is situated along the Todd River and very close to the centre of Alice Springs and the main hotels and resorts.

alice springs tour sturt desert pea 1

alice springs coonavittra wattle or acacia

It is easy to visit and spend a couple of hours along the walking trails to see flowers, various wattles and eucalyptus trees.

alice springs tour blue malleeOne of the eucalyptus is the blue mallee, here on the right, with its unusual leaves speared by the stem.

The garden is named after Olive Pink, an anthropologist famous for her strong character, her admiration for Aboriginal people and their traditions, her political statements about social justice and her passion to establish an arid region flora reserve, which later was opened to the public as a botanic garden.

Alice Springs Tour
More Attractions

Other attractions to see in your tour of Alice Springs are the Reptile Centre, the National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame, the School of Air, which offers education to children living in remote areas, the Araluen Cultural Precinct and numerous galleries displaying Aboriginal paintings and art.

And if you are tired to visit and want to play there’s the Alice Springs Golf Course, with amazing green grass in the desert.

But if you are after more tourism, then hire a car and head to the West MacDonnell Ranges or if you would like some off road thrill visit the Finke Gorge and Palm Valley.

Return from Alice Springs Tour to Alice Springs Australia

Return from Alice Springs Tour to Start A New Life In Australia


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