ASBUS provides Alice Springs with its only public transport service. The buses follow four routes and are all customised with the work of local artists. Most of the buses are fully accessible for people with disabilities. If you are looking for an easy way to get around to specific sections of Alice Springs, buses are the way to go on the cheap.
There's only one taxi company in Alice Springs. Taxis tend to congregate near to the visitors' centre and the major tourist destinations. You will also be able to find a huge number of taxis when you fly into the city. If you need to book a cab at any time on your journey you can call (08) 8952 1877.
The Alice Wanderer bus does a loop of all the major tourist sites including the Old Telegraph Station and the School of the Air. It's a great option as you can hop on and off wherever you like, but it's more expensive than taking the public bus – costing around $38 for an adult ticket.
It's easy to hire a car in Alice Springs and it's a great option if you want to get out and explore the desert. Make sure to check the rental terms and conditions carefully though. Some companies may not offer unlimited free kilometres and sometimes you are not allowed to drive rental cars hired in different states into the Northern Territory.
A hot air balloon ride or helicopter trip is the most unforgettable way of taking in the vastness of the Australian outback and its wild mountain ranges. As you soar over Simpson's Gap and Mount Gillen you will have a chance to learn about the Aboriginal legends that go hand in hand with this stunning land.
Alice Springs has much more to offer besides spectacular scenery. Take time to explore the town, particularly the historic Old Telegraph Station built back in the 1870s. There's also the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the School of The Air, the Museum of Central Australia and the National Pioneer Women's Hall of Fame. A history tour is something you won't soon forget.
Join a free workshop and learn all about the history of the didgeridoo as well as how to play one. In the evening, the Sounds of Starlight Theatre has become most famous for the Didgeridoo Show Outback. A didgeridoo music show inspired by Aboriginal stories and legends, it is regularly voted one of the best things to do in Alice Springs.
Stretching out for hundreds of kilometres on both sides of Alice Springs, these mountain ranges are a natural wonder. Swimming holes, dramatic chasms and rocky gorges make for fantastic hiking opportunities. You can also camp under the stars or take a four-wheel drive off-road tour to explore this red wilderness. Join the bushfoods and medicine tour or visit Arltunga.
Wake up extra early to watch the sun rise in Alice Spring's National Park. Early morning is the best time to catch the wildlife and to avoid the heat of the day. Picnic under the shade of a gumtree and take a dip in a swimming hole. In the evening saddle up for a sunset trek on a camel, watching the MacDonnell Ranges burst into fiery colour and keep an eye out for kangaroos.
Hop on the Alice Wanderer bus and visit the Museum of the Flying Doctors as well as the Old Telegraph Station before travelling into the heart of the MacDonnell Ranges. A tour will take you to hidden canyons, quiet swimming holes and through rocky canyons. Stay beyond sunset for some stargazing. This far into the desert you're guaranteed an unparalleled view.
There's no more magical way of experiencing the wonder of this vast land than by soaring above it in a hot air balloon. Spot wallabies and kangaroos before you come back to earth with a gentle bump and a champagne toast. Complete your day with a trip to the Aboriginal homelands of the Arrernte people for a real outback adventure and to go bushwalking through the Palm Valley.
Despite being 440km away, it's still possible to visit this iconic landmark in a day. A trip from Alice Springs takes the better part of a day and includes a stop for a camel trek en route. Once there you'll learn the legends of the Rock and be introduced to the Aboriginal culture and legends surrounding these sacred lands.
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Expedia Holidays > Alice Springs Holidays
