Alice Springs

Alice Springs sits almost exactly in the geographic centre of Australia, surrounded by the ancient MacDonnell Ranges and the vast red desert that defines the outback. With a population of around 25,000, it's a small town with an outsized reputation — the launching pad for Uluru, Kings Canyon, and the West MacDonnell Ranges, and a destination worth exploring in its own right.

The West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja) offer some of the best hiking in central Australia. Ormiston Gorge, Ellery Creek Big Hole, and Simpsons Gap are all within easy day-trip distance and feature dramatic red-rock gorges with permanent waterholes — perfect for a swim on a hot day. The Larapinta Trail, stretching 223 kilometres along the spine of the range, is considered one of Australia's great long-distance walks.

Alice Springs has one of the highest concentrations of Aboriginal art galleries in the world. The Araluen Cultural Precinct houses the Namatjira collection and rotating exhibitions, while private galleries along Todd Mall showcase contemporary and traditional dot paintings from Western Desert communities. The Alice Springs Desert Park is one of the best places in Australia to understand the ecosystems and wildlife of the arid zone — including a nocturnal house where you can see bilbies, quolls, and other rarely-spotted creatures.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service museum tells the story of one of the most remarkable medical services in the world — providing emergency care across an area the size of Western Europe. The School of the Air visitor centre is equally fascinating, showing how outback kids attend class via radio and satellite from cattle stations hundreds of kilometres apart.

Camel riding at sunrise or sunset along the Todd River bed is a quintessential Alice Springs experience — camels were originally brought to Australia for outback exploration and now roam wild across the Red Centre. Hot air ballooning over the MacDonnell Ranges at dawn is another unforgettable way to see the landscape.

Alice Springs is the departure point for most Uluru and Kings Canyon tours, typically running 3 to 5 days. The drive to Uluru takes around 5 hours via the Stuart and Lasseter Highways, passing through vast stretches of red desert and mulga woodland. Dundee Adventure's outback tours include return transport from Alice Springs, all meals, accommodation, park fees, and expert guides.