Alice Springs Experiences

Experience the breathtaking feeling of floating silently above the Outback as the sun slowly rises over the desert on this awe-inspiring ballooning adventure. Journey to the launch site in the cool pre dawn darkness, and begin your ascent just as the morning light begins to illuminate the rugged McDonnell Ranges. Float gently across the vast expanse of the Australian Outback – keeping an eye out for native wildlife including the iconic red kangaroo – and gain an appreciation of the remoteness of the area as you glide across the landscape.

After landing you may become involved in assisting the crew or taking photographs as we pack the nylon balloon back into its bag. At the balloon landing site you will enjoy a glass of sparkling Australian wine or fruit juice accompanied by a small selection of individually wrapped snacks. A range of Outback Ballooning souvenirs is also available.

2022 Prices do not include mandatory Civil Aviation Safety Authority Insurance. The insurance charge is 30 AUD per person.

An aerial tour is the only way to fully appreciate the scale and grandeur of this spectacular region and provides fantastic photo opportunities.

Alice Magic Heli-Tour (12mins)

Discover the magic of Alice Springs from above. Take off in its heart at the Crown Plaza Lasseters Casino. Follow the Todd River to the Telegraph Station and get a bird’s eye view of Mt Gillen and Heavitree Gap. Meanwhile you will have extensive views of the surrounding East and West MacDonnell Ranges.

Spirit of Mt Gillen Heli-Tour (20mins)

This sensational flight takes you west over Honeymoon Gap, then on wave at hikers on the top of Mt Gillen. Follow the ridgeline to Heavitree Gap with view over The Alice, Todd River and desert beyond.

Mystery Heli-Tour (25mins)

We can’t tell you too much but you won’t be disappointed with our magical mystery tour! Discover the Outback with us on this fun flight packed with stunning scenery, interesting information and entertaining commentary. Who knows where you'll end up .....

This afternoon you’ll learn how the town of Alice Springs has evolved into the central hub of the Australian outback. Your Driver Guide will provide details along the way as you visit historical sites and some of the essential services delivered from Alice to the community of this vast region.

Alice Springs
Established by the early explorers, Alice Springs began as a repeater station along the Overland Telegraph Line. Overflowing with history and heritage, Australia’s most famous outback town is now the central headquarters to a range of services and a thriving tourism industry. The traditional custodians, the Arrernte people, refer to Alice as ‘Mpwante’ and a wander through the centre of the town will introduce you to their traditions and stories.

School of the Air
Established in 1951, the Alice Springs School of the Air provides education to primary aged school children living on remote properties throughout the Northern Territory. You’ll learn how this essential service is delivered via satellite across more than one million square kilometres.

Alice Springs Telegraph Station
Built in 1872 to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide, the Telegraph Station is the site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs. After 60 years of operation, the premises then served as a school for the local Aboriginal children. Now a historical reserve, featuring the original stone buildings and furnishings from the early 1900s, the Telegraph Station is a must to visit and learn more of the history of the Alice.

Royal Flying Doctor Service
Now you’ll visit the home and headquarters of the highly respected Royal Flying Doctor Service. Delivering medical services to people who live, work and travel in remote and rural Australia, the RFDS is a critical resource for this community. Learn of its remarkable history through stories, images and their wonderful interactive museum.

Alice Springs Reptile Centre
Home to the largest reptile display in Central Australia, the Alice Springs Reptile Centre will introduce you to Terry the saltwater crocodile and let you get very close to enormous goannas and frill-neck lizards. The Gecko Cave features a large collection of gecko species from all over the Northern Territory. You’ll have lots of fun here, particularly during the afternoon show and if you’re game, try the supervised handling session.

Anzac Hill
Last stop – Anzac Hill. Originally dedicated to the many men and women who lost their lives during WWI, it now honours all those who have served in wars that Australia has played a role.

Today you will experience the magnificent grandeur of the West MacDonnell Ranges. Marvel at towering fiery red walls set aglow by the desert sun as you drive along the ranges. We tour through these amazing ranges and stop at beautiful gorges and waterholes.

You will be collected from your Alice Springs accommodation in the morning. Spectacular outback scenery and photo opportunites as we travel along the magnificent MacDonnell Ranges, stopping at historic sites such as the historical Flynn's Grave Memorial. Enjoy beautiful walks at Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm where we will stop for morning tea before returning to Alice Springs.

The panoramic landscapes of the West MacDonnell Ranges are extraordinary for their immensity and the spectacular array of sunburnt oranges, maroons and purples.

Combine the "West Macdonnell Ranges" morning tour and the "Town Like Alice" afternoon tour into a full day "Best of Alice Experience"

Today you’re going to enjoy an outback safari-style adventure. Travelling in our custom designed 4WD vehicle, you’ll reach off-road destinations that are otherwise difficult to access. Through the Central Australian landscape we’ll take you down the very edge of Finke River and into the amazing Palm Valley.

The Amphitheatre
On the way to Palm Valley we’ll be right on time to see the Amphitheatre at its best. Also known as Kalarranga, this impressive group of red sandstone formations is particularly striking as the sun rises, leaving a glow of amazing light and colour across the landscape.

Palm Valley
Aptly named, as it is the only area in Central Australia where red cabbage palms survive, Palm Valley is an incredible outback oasis. Despite the harsh conditions, the gorge is supported by small pockets of spring-fed pools that ensure the survival of a diverse range of plant species. From the 4WD and on foot, you’ll be amazed by the enormous rock formations, pinnacles, gorges and endless palm trees in the area.

Finke Gorge National Park
Sit back and relax as you enjoy a picnic lunch in the Finke Gorge National Park. Covering a staggering area of 46,000 hectares, it’s noted for its ancient palms. The Park holds great cultural significance to the Arrernte people and there is also evidence of early European settlement.

Hermannsburg Aboriginal Community
Last stop for the day is Hermannsburg, known to the Arrernte people as ‘Ntaria’. Established as an Aboriginal mission in 1877, the land was returned to the Traditional Owners in 1982. It was the birthplace of celebrated Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira in 1902 and is renowned for its indigenous art collection. Here you can wander through the amazing artworks at the gallery and explore the historic buildings, many of which are now protected by the National Trust. Afterwards, sit back and enjoy the view as we take you back to Alice Springs. (Closed to tourists in summer months.)

We collect you from outside your Alice Springs accommodation at approximately 6am and head to our first stop at Erldunda (home of the Emu) for a light breakfast. We arrive at Yulara at approximately 11:45am, and after a quick stop we provide you with a freshly made packed lunch to eat on the drive to the World Heritage listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Kata Tjuta
We travel to Kata Tjuta (Olgas) for the first walk of the day into Walpa Gorge. Embrace the domes of Kata-Tjuta on your first walk of the day, while taking in the views of the open plains on the return walk.
NB: Kata Tjuta not included for tours after 1st Apr.

Aboriginal Cultural Centre
We then visit the Aboriginal Cultural Centre where you will have time to learn about the local Pitjantjatjara people and buy some souvenirs. The Cultural Centre was built with 90,000 mud bricks with the help of the local Anangu people. It is built on a sacred site and has very special meaning to the local Anangu people.

Uluru – Mala Walk
We then head to the base of Uluru (Ayers Rock), which is next to the entrance to the Uluru climb. From here one of the two guides will take you on a guided Mala Walk. The Mala Walk follows the north-west side of Uluru, where there are many fine examples of Anangu rock art, and you can experience the wonder of the sheer vertical walls. The guide will tell dreamtime stories of the Anangu People.

Uluru – Mutitjulu Waterhole
We drive from the front of Uluru around to the Kuniya car park, which is at the back of Uluru. From here we start our second Uluru guided walk to the Mutitjulu Waterhole. The guide will take you along a short track to the Mutitjulu Waterhole – home of an ancestral water snake called Wanampi. The guide will share stories of local traditions and explain how the Anangu people traditionally used the waterhole for hunting. The caves containing rock art were used in the past by Anangu still alive today.

The Sunset BBQ
The scene has been set, the highlight of the day, the breathtaking Uluru sunset with a glass of bubbly and a delicious Aussie BBQ. A spectacular day never to be forgotten. After sunset we set off to Alice Springs.

NB: If you would like to stay in Uluru rather than returning to Alice, you can be dropped to the Outback Pioneer Hotel at Ayers Rock Resort just after sunset. Please advise at time of booking