Despite being a smaller city, there is a huge array of things to do in Alice Springs - enough to fill a whole month! But if you find yourself with just one day, there’s plenty to see, experience, taste & learn from in just 24 hours.
From the incredible art galleries to the scenic glory of a dawn hot air balloon ride, we’ve put together the perfect itinerary to get the most & best things done in Alice Springs with just one day.
Whether you’re here for a long time or short time, this one is an absolute must. It’s worth sleeping just a little less to beat the sun to the sky and view the Red Centre from up high in all its glory. Outback Ballooning offers 30 or 60 minute flights for $315 or $399, both of which include refreshments & some sparkling wine when you touch back down!
After you’ve seen Alice from the sky, check out some of the incredible local art galleries showcasing the best of Australia’s indigenous art culture. Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre, Araluen Cultural Precinct, Mbantua Art Gallery - there are dozens to choose from. You could rent a bike and check a few of them out.
Once you’ve had your fill of art, a tour or self-driven adventure into the ranges is a must. Simpsons Gap, Ellery Creek Big Hole, and Standley Chasm are all close enough to Alice Springs and will not disappoint in their sheer up-close and personal natural beauty.
Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists
Simpsons Gap
Standley Chasm
Pyndan Camel Tracks offers noon, afternoon and sunset tours and is bound to give you an iconic experience you’ll hold onto for a lifetime. There’s nothing quite like watching the sunset across the desert from the back of a friendly and surprisingly comfortable camel. Trust us, you won’t regret it!
The Alice Springs Telegraph Station is likely the town’s most famous landmark as it’s the place where Europeans first settled in central Australia. There’s plenty of rich history at the Station to keep you enthralled for hours. If you’ve got the appetite for learning though, it’s also well worth visiting the Transport Hall of Fame, Alice Springs School of the Air and the Royal Flying Doctor Service - all of which have incredible histories to learn from.
Camel Ride with Pyndan
Alice Springs Telegraph Station
If you’re an animal lover then you can’t miss the Alice Springs Desert Park. Located 7km west of the CBD, the Desert Park is the perfect place to get familiar with some of the region’s rarest, most beautiful & sometimes scariest creatures. If you’re with family, kids are going to love the daily free flying bird show, and if you want a night time activity, the nocturnal tour is a must to see the native animals you don't normally get to see.
Alice Springs Desert Park
Even though the most active and energetic tourist could maybe get through all of these incredible things in a day in Alice Springs, ideally you want to be spending a little bit more time to get the most out of each experience!
If you really want to see Alice Springs in all its beauty, we’d recommend coming for at least 2-3 days, even a week to do some day trips. There’s more than enough to fill the time and you will leave with some incredible memories and a big smile.
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