Outback Alice Springs Tour

Alice Springs Gallery

Alice Springs is located in the centre of the Australia and is the unofficial capital of the Australian outback. It is the ideal base from which to tour outback Central Australia including Ayers Rock (Uluru), Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon and the MacDonnell Ranges.

Roughly equidistant between Adelaide and Darwin, Alice Springs is located in the MacDonnell Ranges almost at the geographical centre of Australia, approximately 1500 kilometres from all major Australian coastal cities. The town has a growing population of around 28,000 and is a busy regional centre where an amazing variety of outback tours, accommodation and activities for every taste and budget are on offer.

Alice Springs enjoys cloudless blue skies from April to September. Rainfall is unreliable and intermittent, but can normally be expected sometime during the warmer summer months from October to March. During summer, temperatures of 40 degrees C (104-108 F) are common, while in winter (June to August) overnight temperatures often fall below freezing point. Winter days are typically bright and sunny, making this a popular season for many visitors.

The history of Alice Springs began in 1871 with the construction of the telegraph repeater station. Originally known as Stuart, the town's name was officially changed to Alice Springs in 1933. Development accelerated during the 1980's, and Alice Springs today is a modern, moderate sized town with a wealth of resources and facilities compared to similar sized Australian towns. The Ghan Railway has played an important role in the town's development. First reaching Alice Springs in 1929, the railway line was recently extended north to Darwin, with the resulting route across the centre of the Australian continent from Adelaide to Darwin now representing one of the world's great train journeys.

Information about the local Arrernte people of Alice Springs is available at the Strehlow Research Centre, where many fascinating artifacts are on display. The nearby Araluen Arts Centre holds an important collection of paintings by Central Australian Aboriginal artists, including the famous watercolour painter Albert Namatjira. Many other activities are available in and around Alice Springs, including hot air ballooning, horse and camel riding, cycling, and excursions to nearby natural attractions in the MacDonnell Ranges.

Alice Springs is well serviced accommodation suitable for all tastes and budgets, and has several good restaurants. The town is easily accessible by air or bus from all Australian capital cities. To tour to Alice Springs, why not book a seat on the luxurious Ghan train which departs from Darwin, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney? Cars can be carried on the Ghan so that your own personal transport is available upon arrival.