Plan Your Trip
About Alice Springs
One of the most isolated towns in Australia, Alice Springs is also one of the friendliest. It is the kind of place where people know each other by name, and a quick trip to the supermarket can take twice as long if you are a local, thanks to all the friendly chats along the way. Compact and easy to navigate, Alice is simple to get around.
Framed by the mighty MacDonnell Ranges to the east and west, the town sits against a backdrop of towering red stone and endless blue skies. It is a place of art and events, Aboriginal culture and adrenalin-filled adventures, national parks and natural wonders. Arrive, explore and take in the magic.
Getting There
Drive
Red CentreNATS is all about the fun you can have on wheels, so it is no surprise that people drive from all over Australia to be part of it. The Stuart Highway is the main road link to Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.
- Uluru to Alice Springs: 450 km
- Adelaide to Alice Springs: 1,534 km
- Darwin to Alice Springs: 1,496 km
- Sydney to Alice Springs: 2,772 km
- Melbourne to Alice Springs: 2,259 km
- Perth to Alice Springs (via Great Central Road): 2,493 km
- Brisbane to Alice Springs: 3,113 km
Once you are in Alice, why not tag on an extra outback adventure? Sitting in the heart of Australia, the town is the perfect starting point for a number of iconic road trips.
The Explorer's Way
For those travelling from Darwin or Adelaide, the Explorers Way is an iconic route that cuts through the centre of Australia from north to south. Stretching 3,016 km, it follows the path of the first overland telegraph built in the 1860s and, outside the two capital cities, still carries the spirit of those pioneer days.
Along the way, you will find fascinating historic towns and settlements, breathtaking national parks if you are travelling from the Darwin region, and world-famous wine regions if you begin in Adelaide.
Convoys
Entrants from across Australia often travel to Alice in convoy. To find a convoy near you, connect with other attendees through the Red CentreNATS Entrants Private Facebook Group or the official Facebook page.
Fly
Alice Springs is only a few hours’ flying time from most Australian capital cities. The airport is located 15 km south of town, about a 10-minute drive.
Qantas and Jetstar operate daily direct flights from all capital cities except Perth, while Virgin also flies from most capitals to Alice Springs. A shuttle bus meets all arriving flights if you would prefer not to take a taxi. A handy tip: it is usually cheaper to hire a car from the town centre rather than the airport.
Accommodation and lodgings
Where to stay
Whether you are after a cheap and cheerful caravan park, a self-catering unit, a serviced apartment or luxury accommodation, make sure you book early.
Alice Springs offers a wide range of hotels, motels, hostels and camping options. If you are spoilt for choice, Tourism Central Australia can help you decide.
The holiday of a lifetime
What to do when you're here
Red CentreNATS rules Alice Springs when it's on, but there are plenty of other experiences to enjoy in and around the region.
Turn your Red CentreNATS trip into the holiday of a lifetime in the heart of Australia. Explore historic sites, admire the work of local Aboriginal artists or take to the desert on a camel, quad bike or mountain bike. Soar over Uluru-Kata Tjuta in a plane, helicopter or hot air balloon. Discover native wildlife in parks and sanctuaries or immerse yourself in the natural beauty of our national parks.
And when it is time to relax, Alice Springs has plenty of great food and drink on offer. You might be surprised at what you find!
Drive The Red Centre
Red Centre Way
Take a lap of Australia’s red heart along the Red Centre Way loop road from Alice Springs and discover the diverse sights of the region, including the iconic Uluru. Make a marathon of this remarkable road trip and follow the 1,135 km scenic route, with spectacular scenery, swimming holes and walking tracks along the way.
If you don't have your own vehicle, hire a car or truck with Thrifty! With locations across the country, they have the right vehicle for you. For the best deals on car hire, book early!
The Outback Way
Journey to a part of the country where endless blue skies and breathtaking landscapes make driving a dream. The 2,800 km Outback Way runs through Central Australia on a four-wheel-drive adventure you’ll never forget, with legendary scenery, striking colours and dazzling night skies. This is no ordinary road trip.
Binns Track
Explore spectacular scenery on the epic Binns Track, a four-wheel-drive adventure that winds through hidden national parks and nature reserves across the region. From eight-metre-high sandy dunes to sweeping grassy plains, this 2,230 km track will will amaze you with its vivid colours, native wildlife and towering rock formations.
Above and beyond
Red Centre Experiences
Heading to Red CentreNATS and want to make the most of your time? Get your engine, and your adrenaline, revving by booking a tour with our friends at Travello. As tour experts, they have options to suit every budget.
1 Hour Camel Ride Alice Springs
Follow in the footsteps of Australian Outback settlers as you ride the ‘ships of the desert’ through some of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. Feel the serenity of the sweeping Outback as you settle into a peaceful 1-hour camel ride on this signature Red Centre adventure.
Alice Springs Desert Park – Day Entry
Gain a newfound appreciation for Alice Springs’ awe-inspiring environment and all its inhabitants. The park’s habitats offer a snapshot of what visitors can expect to encounter on their journey through the NT. No two days are the same at the Alice Springs Desert Park, with the changing seasons bringing a host of new plant and animal life to explore.
Sunset Camel Ride Alice Springs
Join this quintessential Red Centre experience as you enjoy a 1-hour peaceful camel ride while the sun sets against the stunning backdrop of the MacDonnell Ranges.
Simpsons Gap Tour + Sunset Painting Class
This unique destination explodes with colour as the sun sets, making it the perfect spot to paint with watercolours! In this workshop, you will learn the basics of watercolour painting in a series of exercises designed to help you to loosen up and have fun.
West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja) Tour from Alice Springs
Get set to uncover the wonder of the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park, a treasure trove of natural beauty and history. With plenty of walking trails and waterholes to cool off from the Red Centre’s heat, this hidden gem, located west of Alice Springs, also serves as a refuge for wildlife found nowhere else – so keep your eyes peeled!
On this afternoon tour, you’ll immerse yourself in the history of Alice Springs, also known as Mparntwe (pronounced m’barn-twa) by the Arrernte people. Spend an afternoon visiting the places that played a part in the evolution of the Red Centre, including Alice Springs School of the Air, Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Alice Springs Tourist Facility and ANZAC Hill.
Palm Valley Outback Safari by 4WD
Go off-road in a custom-designed 4WD vehicle and reach destinations that are otherwise difficult to access. Through the Central Australian landscape, your guide takes you down the very edge of the Finke River and into the impressive Palm Valley.
The Best of Alice Springs Tour
Spend a full day exploring the best sights in and around Alice Springs. From the West MacDonnell Ranges to Simpsons Gap, this is a day out the whole family can enjoy.
1 Day Uluru Tour – Start + End in Alice Springs
Fall in love with stunning Kata Tjuta and Uluru as you take in The Rock at sunset – this tour is the perfect way to see the highlights of the Red Centre in just one day.
Hot Air Balloon Flight Alice Springs
There are few things more mesmerising than silently floating above the Australian outback on a hot air balloon. Get the chance to experience this luxury for yourself as you take to the skies of Australia’s great Red Centre, on this 30-minute or 60-minute flight departing Alice Springs. This tour includes complimentary pickups from your Alice Springs accommodation.
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Entrants