15 Alice Springs Tours, From Cheapest Up

1.Early Morning Ballooning in Alice Springs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 426 reviews · from $265Our pick

Start before dawn with hotel pickup, then watch the balloon inflate as the first light reaches the Red Centre. Drift above the Alice Springs region with the MacDonnell Ranges in view, listen to commentary from pilots such as Jason or Duncan, and look for red kangaroos. After landing, enjoy sparkling wine, fruit, cheese, and pastries before returning to town.

“Jason and his team were awesome! They worked like a well-oiled machine and they were so fun! The 60 min ride felt like 10 as we went way up and back down to be able to see wildlife—we saw kangaroos towards the end of our ride! Loved helping pack up the balloon and the treat of champagne and muffins etc were much appreciated! Thx for a fantastic morning!!”

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2.West MacDonnell Ranges Day Trip from Alice Springs

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 364 reviews · from $175

Spend about 10 hours touring the West MacDonnell Ranges from Alice Springs with hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, morning tea, lunch, and an experienced guide such as Kylie, Miguel, Karen, or Scott. Walk to Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ochre Pits, Ormiston Gorge, and Ellery Creek Big Hole, with time for a swim when conditions allow.

“My sister and I had a great time on this tour. Connie, our driver/guide was terrific. She provided information about where we were going and what we would see in a friendly manner. She always made sure everyone was having a good time. All the walks were easy going (especially for someone who has knee problems). The lunch was enough to fill us up and she was always encouraging us to drink water to stop becoming dehydrated. A very caring lady. This tour gave us a great insight into the West MacDonnell ranges and its rich history.”

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3.West MacDonnell Ranges Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 296 reviews · 9 hours · from $169

Travel from Alice Springs into the West MacDonnell Ranges with an English-speaking guide such as Karen, Lauren, Kieran, or Bluey. Expect short walks at Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, the Ochre Pits, Ormiston Gorge, and Ellery Creek Big Hole, plus morning tea, lunch, and an optional summer swim.

“A great thing to do with a day! Even on a hot day like ours it was brill. Lovely scenery and spots to swim on a hot day. Karen was a wonderful guide - lots of good info and friendly. Thank you!”

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4.Early Morning Hot Air Balloon Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 243 reviews · 4 hours · from $258

Start before sunrise with hotel pickup and a safety briefing, then float over the Central Australian outback for 30 or 60 minutes. Pilots such as Duncan and Jason explain the flight while you look for kangaroos and watch the MacDonnell Ranges change colour. Help pack the balloon away before enjoying sparkling wine, juice, snacks, and a flight certificate.

“Book this trip - heaps of fun to see the sunrise over Australia. We were so lucky to see kangaroos hopping through the landscape below. Packing up the balloon afterwards was part of the fun - good snacks after the trip. There were also some nice and useful souvenirs for sale at the end (bring cash or a bank card).”

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5.Alice Springs to Ayers Rock (Uluru) One Way Shuttle

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 156 reviews · from $178

Travel 463 kilometers from Alice Springs to Uluru in an air-conditioned coach with hotel pickup, several leg-stretch stops, and commentary on Aboriginal culture, wildlife, and desert landmarks. Drivers such as Peter, Phil, Reuben, Mack, Barry, and Colin have made the long ride feel like more than a transfer. Expect an early start and arrival around lunchtime or early afternoon.

“The ride was relaxed, not much people in the bus. Get a lot information from the driver. The trip was good.”

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6.Alice Springs Desert Park General Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 150 reviews · from $16Best value

Spend 3 to 8 hours exploring Alice Springs Desert Park at your own pace. Follow trails through woodland, sand, and river habitats, watch birds of prey in flight, visit the nocturnal house, and hear Arrernte stories in daily presentations. A map and program help you plan your visit.

“The bird show and teachings about how aborigines survived off this harsh land with meagre surroundings for their medicine,food and tools.”

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7.Uluru (Ayers Rock) to Alice Springs One-Way Shuttle

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 150 reviews · from $185

Ride from Uluru to Alice Springs in about six hours aboard an air-conditioned coach with an AAT Kings driver-guide. Expect early hotel pickup, Outback commentary, views of Mt Conner and the West MacDonnell Ranges, and a stop at Mount Ebenezer Road House for snacks, local Imanpa artwork, and possibly emus. Hotel drop-off in Alice Springs is included.

“the coach was comfortable, ride was great, driver drove very safely and always keeping within the speed limit. just one downside was that I was not informed of the half an hour delay in departure, so always check with the concierge on that day if you are departing from Sails in the Desert. I would still strongly recommend the ride through the outbacks, a different experience from flying.”

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8.Alice Springs Highlights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 121 reviews · from $121

Spend four hours exploring Alice Springs with an AAT Kings driver-guide. Visit the Telegraph Station, School of the Air, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Reptile Centre, and Anzac Hill. Guides such as Gary, Phil, and Martin have led past tours, with hotel pickup, entry fees, and air-conditioned transport included.

“Spent the morning at Desert Park (option) and then an enjoyable afternoon with guide Martin. So well organised and interesting content at all our stops, but barely enough time to take it all in even with only a small group. Reptile Park talk was a real treat - debunking much of our knowledge about saltwater crocs and venomous snakes.”

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9.West MacDonnell Ranges Half day Tour -Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 99 reviews · from $106

Travel from Alice Springs into the West MacDonnell Ranges with guide Mahesh, also called Marshmallow. This 4-hour-20-minute tour visits Anzac Hill, Flynn’s Grave, Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, and Honeymoon Gap. Expect easy walks, air-conditioned transport, entry fees, drinks, and a small group capped at 11 people.

“mahesh was informative and had a great local knowledge . The day was very hot and he had water and snacks.”

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10.From Alice Spring: West MacDonnell Ranges Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 98 reviews · 4h 20m · from $109

Join Alice Holiday Tours for a 260-minute West MacDonnell Ranges outing from Alice Springs. A guide such as Mahesh leads a small group of up to 11 to Anzac Hill, Honeymoon Gap, Simpson Gap, Standley Chasm and John Flynn’s Grave. Expect short walks, strong scenery, local history, drinks, light snacks and hotel pickup.

“Good tour. Driver a little hard to understand but dry accommodation.”

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11.A Town Like Alice: Half-Day Tour of Alice Springs

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 70 reviews · from $118

See how Alice Springs supports the outback on an English-language tour led by an experienced driver guide. Visit the School of the Air, Telegraph Station, RFDS, Reptile Centre and Anzac Hill, with entry fees, hotel pickup and air-conditioned transport included. Guides may include Martin, Barry, Joe or Jerry.

“Great trip. The pools were relieving to the temperature. I was the only one on the tour and the guide made the experience friendly.”

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12.3 Day Red Centre Kata Tjuta Kings Canyon Outback ex.Alice Springs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · from $570

Set out from Alice Springs at 6am for three active days through Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and Kings Canyon. You’ll join a group of up to 23, walk roughly 6 to 8 kilometres, eat included meals, and sleep in either a safari tent or traditional swag. Guides such as Ben, Jem, Lea, and Donk have been praised for their care and Outback knowledge.

“Marie très sympa et compétente Sites très intéressants Ne demandez pas trop de mots pour votre enquête c'est embêtant”

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13.From Alice Springs/Yulara: 4-Day Red Centre 4WD Camping Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 68 reviews · 84 hours - 4 days · from $830

Travel by air-conditioned small-group mini-coach from Alice Springs or Yulara through Uluru, Kata-Tjuta, Kings Canyon and the West MacDonnell Ranges. You’ll hike 12 to 15km, sleep in safari-style camps, eat around the fire and hear local stories from guides such as Mikki, Shearna, Adam and Damian. Expect basic camping, hot days and excellent scenery.

“Our guide Adam was excellent and very knowledgeable. This definitely seemed like the best way to visit the outback (especially on a budget) The transport was comfy and air conditioned and the camps were surprisingly comfortable This trip was so memorable and one of the highlights of our time in Australia Some of our group did come unprepared without walking boots or swim wear so do read the list of what you need to bring because you do need it here! The activities were also well planned though as any of the big hikes we did offered options for various abilities so you could pick the route you were most…”

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14.West MacDonnell Ranges & Standley Chasm Day Trip from Alice Springs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 67 reviews · from $118

Spend about 10 hours exploring Tjoritja, the West MacDonnell Ranges, by air-conditioned minibus. Walk through Standley Chasm, see ochre pits, watch for rock-wallabies at Simpsons Gap, and swim at Ellery Creek Big Hole when conditions allow. Guides such as Nacho, Maya, Casper, and Kirsty add local insight on plants, geology, wildlife, and Aboriginal culture.

“The tour is well run with a small group. The guide is very knowledgeable. The scenery speaks for itself and is perfect. The afternoon provides an added delight of being able to swim in the waterholes surrounded 350million year old geological formations. It is like being cradled in the jewels of the earth.”

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15.Palm Valley 4WD Outback Safari + Picnic

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 64 reviews · from $171

Spend 10.5 hours with an English-speaking AAT Kings driver-guide on a 4WD journey from Alice Springs to Hermannsburg and Palm Valley. Travel along the Finke River, stop for morning tea, walk among rare cabbage palms and red rock, and eat a picnic in Finke Gorge National Park. Bring sturdy shoes, water, sun protection, and warm layers in winter.

“Our tour guide, Myles, was a very skilled driver with a wealth of knowledge and an obvious commitment to his passengers experiencing the best possible outing on the day. It was well-paced and he ensured that allowances were made for different levels of fitness and interests within our group. Our picnic lunch too was very good.”

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