Alice Springs is a thriving outback town located on the banks of the usually dry Todd River, four kilometres south of its original site at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. The Station was an important repeater station along the Overland Telegraph, which was completed in 1872 and linked Australia’s southern colonies to the rest of the world. Home to the Arrernte Aboriginal people, Alice Springs is a fascinating destination with a wealth of historic, cultural, adventurous and natural attractions in and around the town.
Adventure
The Kangaroo Sanctuary is the home of Brolga and his kangaroo family as seen on ‘Kangaroo Dundee’ BBC and National Geographic TV series. Experience a leisurely walk through The Sanctuary’s wildlife reserve and meet the kangaroos up close and even hold a baby kangaroo commonly referred to as a ‘joey’.
Simpsons Gap is one of the most prominent gaps in the West MacDonnell Ranges. At dawn and dusk you might see Black-footed Rock-wallabies along the walking track into the gap. Vegetation typical of the MacDonnell Ranges is found in the area, including large stands of Mulga and over 40 rare and relict plants.
Standley Chasm Angkerle Atwatye is regarded as a must-see spectacular geological and significant cultural icon of Central Australia. Surrounded by the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park, it’s located in a private flora and fauna reserve owned by the Iwupataka Land Trust. A unique Aboriginal owned and operated enterprise, Angkerle Aboriginal Corporation is owned by the local community members who are direct descendants of the Arrernte Aboriginal people that have lived in this area for tens of thousands of years.
Alice Springs is a mountain biker’s paradise! Fly in by helicopter and see Alice Springs and MacDonnell Ranges from the sky before you hit the trails. ‘Hell Line” drop off and start of “Road Train”.
Art and Culture
Recognized Aboriginal artists Marie Ryder and Kevin Bird offer you the opportunity to learn about their history and culture through art. During your 90-minute Aboriginal Art Workshop Marie and Kevin will share their connection to country in Central Australia and invite you to create your own piece of art Ayeye Atyenhe means My Story in the East Arrernte language. Phonetically it is pronounced a-year a-chin.
Paint the Night by Moonlight! Visit an amazing signature workshop by The Artist Expedition Society. It is one of the best night sky viewing areas in the world on the night of the Full Moon. Learn about the astronomy and the stars and participate in a painting workshop at night by the light of the moon while Anna guides you through a workshop that will spark creativity and inspiration.
Rayleen Brown and Kungkas Can Cook are known throughout Australia and many parts of the world where Central Australian bush foods are increasingly receiving due recognition as unique, speciality, gourmet and delicious. Rayleen’s insistence on using only wild harvest bush tucker sourced directly from the women who gather the food, as a way to support livelihoods and the continuation of connection to story and country, is well known and respected.
Trip Planner
- Our tourism partners for this trip:
- Hotels and restaurants:
- Outfitters and cool things to do:
- Outback Ballooning
- The Kangaroo Sanctuary
- Kungkas Can Cook – Bush foods
- Red Centre Adventures – Mountain biking
- Alice Springs Helicopters
- Pyndan Camel Tracks – Camel riding
- Ayeye Atyenhe Art – Aboriginal art
- Northern Territories, Australia socials:
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- Twitter: www.twitter.com/NT_Australia
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/c/NorthernTerritoryAustralia
