Uluru and Alice Springs
Uluru and Alice Springs
Exploring Central Australia, Northern Territory
Alice Springs is the hub of a truly magical part of Central Australia. You can use it as your base to go south into the red expanses of the Simpson Desert with its eerie landmarks - east to the gullies, rivers and ghost towns of the MacDonnell Ranges; north to the gemfields; west to the craggy beauty of the West MacDonnell Ranges including Kings Canyon and then on to the most famous Central Australian icon of all - Ayers Rock/Uluru and Mt Olga/Kata Tjuta.
Wherever you see a mountain range, a gorge, a hill, a waterhole, a rock formation, you know you are seeing something that is sacred to the Aboriginal people who have lived here for millenia. Everywhere you look, the stories of the Dreamtime Tjukurpa have life and meaning. The local people, the Arrernte around Alice Springs and the Anangu who are the guardians of Ayres Rock/Uluru and Mt Olga/Kata Tjuta, can help you understand the significance of their sacred sites, explain the symbolism of their art, share with you some of the Tjukurpa stories and even introduce you to bush tucker. Visit a cultural centre, shop in an Aboriginal Art Gallery or go on a tour. Take the experience!
Although all of our most popular sites can be reached via sealed road, or unsealed road that can be reached by conventional vehicles, including rental cars and express coaches, some of our most precious scenery can by reached by 4X4 only. But this doesn't mean you have to miss out. Almost every destination can be reached with organised 4X4 tours In fact, this can be a better way to go as you'll be with a guide who knows all about the area and can answer any questions you have and you don't have to worry about driving.
Using local airlines between Alice Springs and Ayres Rock can save you time and give you an scenic aerial perspective of magnificent Central Australia.
