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Oceania Australia Alice Springs Do & See West MacDonnell Ranges

Overview

West MacDonnell Ranges

The guide was updated: 2024-06-27

These fabulous mountains of West MacDonnell Ranges stretch for 644 kilometres east and west of Alice, with numerous water holes, beautiful gorges, historic sites and Aboriginal rock art as well as plenty of walking trails, wildlife and good bush camping. Some places are within a reach of 10-20 kilometres from town, so head here and enjoy its rich atmosphere. There are countless walking tracks ranging, mapped out for leisurely hikes to daring multi-day adventures. The 223-kilometre Larapinta Trail stretches through the park and offers extended and overnight bushwalks.

Useful Information

Address: West of Alice Springs NT
Website: northernterritory.com/alice-springs-and-surrounds/destinations/tjoritja--west-macdonnell-national-park

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

Uluru

Uluru

Distance in Australia is a whole other thing to compared what you are probably used to, and Uluru (or Ayer's Rock) is approximately 450 km southwest of Alice Springs — considering the vast distances existing in Oz, that is practically nothing. The large sandstone formation is pretty much in the middle of nowhere, in the pristine vastness of nature. The ground is sacred to the Aṉangu, the Aboriginal people in this area.

Kata Tjuta

Kata Tjuta

Kata Tjuta, also known as Mount Olga or The Olgas, is similar to Uluru but different in shape. Lying only about 365 km southwest of Alice Springs, it is — compared to its 'sibling' Uluru — only a stone's throw away, and definitely worth a visit. Once a single piece of rock, the Olgas are now made up of 36 domed formations that have weathered over millions of years. Admire the impressive rocks from afar, for example, by taking the Valley of the Winds walk — a looped trail with fantastic viewpoints. You can walk right through the grooves for some stunning vistas and fewer crowds.

Karlu Karlu

Karlu Karlu

Karlu Karlu, as the Aboriginal Australians say, or The Devil’s Marbles, are gigantic rounded granite boulders spread across a valley. They are one of the main tourist attractions in the Northern Territory. While pathways with information boards and a camping area on the grounds allow visitors to experience this sight all year long, rangers offer an exciting program of live events between May and October.

Anzac Hill

Anzac Hill

For a fantastic first glimpse of Alice, you should wander up to this war memorial from where you can also savour in the city's beautiful surroundings. This viewpoint is best visited at sunrise or at sunset, so start or finish your day right by heading up here. This monuments is dedicated to the ANZACS (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) of World War I. Dawn services are held each year on ANZAC day, April 25th.

Alice Springs Desert Park

Alice Springs Desert Park

Alice Springs Desert Park is a great introduction to the plants, desert habitat and animals of the area, and you will definitely need a full day to explore it all. Also, learn more about Aboriginal culture, and do not miss the free staff talks, the birds of prey display or the hourly film. Check the park's website for tour and feeding schedule.

National Road Transport Museum

National Road Transport Museum

This museum contains three different departments — Road transport Hall of Fame, Kenworth Museum and Old Ghan Road — that are all committed to provide a nostalgic trip into Australia's transport history. While the original carriages of the historic Ghan railway are on display, you can also enjoy a traditional morning or afternoon tea inside a narrow gauge locomotive.

Alice Springs Telegraph Station

Alice Springs Telegraph Station

Step back into the pioneering age and the birthplace of Alice Springs, by visiting this historical reserve displaying the story of the connection of Australia to the rest of the world. The beautifully restored buildings will inform you about the telegraph's history and its huge importance for the town, as well as about the impact of the war years, and the stolen generation as well.

West MacDonnell Ranges

West MacDonnell Ranges

These fabulous mountains of West MacDonnell Ranges stretch for 644 kilometres east and west of Alice, with numerous water holes, beautiful gorges, historic sites and Aboriginal rock art as well as plenty of walking trails, wildlife and good bush camping. Some places are within a reach of 10-20 kilometres from town, so head here and enjoy its rich atmosphere. There are countless walking tracks ranging, mapped out for leisurely hikes to daring multi-day adventures. The 223-kilometre Larapinta Trail stretches through the park and offers extended and overnight bushwalks.

The Residency

The Residency

This historic building is one of the town's most unique heritage places, and erected for government residents back in 1928 already, it even hosted Queen Elizabeth in 1963. On the inside, local history and historic events get displayed right next to the toilet or ’royal throne’ that the Queen used during her visit.

Adelaide House Museum

Adelaide House Museum

Adelaide House was the first medical facility in Central Australia when it opened back in 1926 with only two nurses. It was designed by Reverend John Flynn of Royal Flying Doctor Service. Remaining the only medical centre in this area until 1939, the building today displays items of local history, and the pedal radio Flynn and Traeger used back then.

Araluen Cultural Precinct

Araluen Cultural Precinct

Araluen Cultural Precinct is a fantastic complex displaying local cultural and natural history, including the Namatjira Gallery, Aviation Museum, Memorial Cemetery and Museum of Central Australia. While there are also sacred sites and trees of significance to Aboriginal people, you will definitely learn a lot about Australian culture and significance.

Royal Flying Doctor Service

Royal Flying Doctor Service

The Royal Flying Doctors Service is a non-profit organisation aiming to provide emergency and health services for people living in regions without direct access to hospitals and doctors. One of their main stations is situated in Alice Springs, and it is accessible to the public. Here, at their museum, you can get a glimpse of the flying doctors' job as well as of their rescue helicopters.

Women's Museum of Australia

Women's Museum of Australia

Founded in 1993, the museum hosts changing exhibitions about women in pioneering positions such as sports, politics or art, and thus captures the lives of exceptional women in Australian history. The place also holds the Old Gaol museum where you can learn about prison years from 1938 to 1996.

Outback Ballooning

Outback Ballooning

Experience Alice Springs from above with Outback Ballooning Tours, and you will just in time for sunrise fly high over the beautiful landscapes surrounding this area. One balloon carries 2-24 passengers so you can join as both a whole group and a small family, and good weather conditions will make your flight a memorable experience.

Wayoutback Australian Safaris

Wayoutback Australian Safaris

With Wayoutback, you can get a number of tours in Central as well as Eastern Australia, and next to day trips to Ayers Rock, you can book 3–7 day tours to different regions with various activities from classic sightseeing to adventure hiking. Choose your personal trip through Australia in their wide offer, and you will experience this interesting country at its best!

Olive Pink Botanic Garden

Olive Pink Botanic Garden

This place was founded in 1956 as a botanical reserve, and it offers visitors over 600 different plants, and among them rare trees and flowers from all over the region. Enjoy a walk through nature’s beauty and rest in the cosy Bean Tree cafe nearby, after discovering the fascinating Australian nature, flora and fauna.

Alice Springs Reptile Centre

Alice Springs Reptile Centre

This centre houses one of the largest reptile collection in the area, with snakes, lizards and turtles, and they also organise amazing and informative crocodile and python shows, offering a whole new and up-close look on these peculiar creatures. Suitable for all ages, and it provides fun and education for the whole family.

Alice Springs Memorial Cemetery

Alice Springs Memorial Cemetery

Close to the Araluen Cultural Precinct, this memorial cemetery holds the gravestones of historical Australian persons such as the Aboriginal painter Albert Namatjira and the anthropologist Olive Muriel Pink. Head here for breathing in some historical air.

Kangaroo Sanctuary

Kangaroo Sanctuary

The Kangaroo Sanctuary Alice Springs is a 188 acre wildlife sanctuary for rescued orphaned baby kangaroos and adult kangaroos. Their tours are meant to educate visitors about these iconic Australian marsupials. Back in 2013 the Sanctuary was the centre of a popular documentary called Kangaroo Dundee that followed the interesting lives of our mob of rescue kangaroos and other wildlife.

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