Alice Springs is a diverse and vibrant outback town. Situated on the banks of the Todd River (which only occasionally runs with water) 'Alice' is famous for its colourful characters and welcoming feel.

Travellers can enjoy the view from Anzac Hill, browse the Alice Springs cultural precinct, learn about the hardships of the pioneers at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station or the Royal Flying Doctor Service, meet rare and endangered wildlife at Alice Springs Desert Park or tee-off on one of the best desert golf courses in the world.

Dry river boat racing

A range of quirky events also provide entertainment - cheer at the Voyages Camel Cup, see the hilarious ASSA ABLOY Henley-on-Todd (a 'boat' race on the dry Todd River), or road test one of 3000 beanies at the Alice Springs Beanie Festival.

Explore the outback

Alice Springs is a great base from which to explore the surrounding region, with attractions such as the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, the Larapinta Trail, Finke Gorge National Park, Hermannsburg (birthplace of Albert Namatjira), the Simpson and Tanami Deserts and more within easy reach.

Alice Springs is a must-see destination. Set on the banks of the usually-dry Todd River, the modern town is well equipped with a wide range of facilities, attractions and accommodation. Travellers can enjoy the view from Anzac Hill, browse the Alice Springs Cultural Precinct, learn about the hardships of the pioneers at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station or the Royal Flying Doctor Service, meet rare and endangered wildlife at Alice Springs Desert.

Park or tee-off on one of the best desert golf courses in the world. A range of quirky events also provide entertainment - cheer at the Camel Cup, see the hilarious ASSA ABLOY Henley-on-Todd (a 'boat' race on the dry Todd River), or road test one of 3000 beanies at the Alice Springs Beanie Festival.

The MacDonnell Ranges straddle the town, and the spectacular West MacDonnell National Park is home to many amazing natural attractions, such as Ellery Creek Big Hole, Trephina Gorge Nature Park, Simpsons Gap, the Ochre Pits and Standley Chasm.

Tanami Desert

The Tanami Desert, one of the most isolated and arid areas on earth, wasn't truly explored until well into the twentieth century. It is as far from the beaten track as you're likely to get and strictly the domain of the adventurous and well equipped four wheel driver. Located north-west of Alice Springs is the beginning of the Tanami Track, the most adventurous and direct route through the desert between Alice Springs and the Kimberley region. Tilmouth Roadhouse is the first stop along the track. You can experience life on a working cattle station at Tilmouth Well where this oasis on the edge of the Tanami Desert offers tours, recreation and accommodation in a serene outback setting.

Beyond Tilmouth, Yuendumu and Rabbit Flat Roadhouse offer fuel stops and refreshment. Yuendumu community is home of Warlukurlangu Artists, who have gained an international reputation for their use of colour and traditional iconography in the paintings of the local indigenous artists. Also along the track is the Newhaven Reserve run by Birds Australia. The reserve covers an area of 650,000 acres and is home to an abundant range of wildlife. Rare night parrots have been sighted several times. Another exciting stop is the ruins of the Old Granite Gold Mine, found 60 kilometres south of Rabbit Flat Roadhouse, featuring the original 1930s buildings.

West MacDonnell Ranges

The panoramic landscapes of the West MacDonnell Ranges are easily accessed from Alice Springs. Each of the West MacDonnell's chasms and gorges has its own unique character and scenery. While at Simpsons Gap spot the rock wallabies that live in the Gap's rocky ridges. View Standley Chasm as it lights up in fiery oranges reflected by the overhead sun at midday.

Take a refreshing dip in the waterholes of Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen Gorge or Redbank Gorge. Or visit the Ochre Pits and gain insight into the ancient culture of the local Aboriginal people, who for thousands of years have used the area as a quarry for ochre, a traditional material for paint and ceremonial body decorations.

Continuing west, you'll travel on a road winding to the south and come to Tyler Pass, a place to stop for spectacular views of Tnorala / Gosse Bluff Conservation Reserve, a 5 kilometre crater created by a comet 142.5 million years ago.

Next, visit historic Hermannsburg, the birthplace of renowned Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira. An exciting four wheel drive track leads out of Hermannsburg to the Finke River, thought to be one of the world's oldest watercourses.

The Finke Gorge National Park is best known for Palm Valley, where groves of unique and beautiful cabbage palms, that are botanic remnants from millions of years ago, adorn a hidden oasis.

One of the best ways to see the West MacDonnell Ranges is by foot. Bushwalking takes you where no roads can go and provides views that few travellers see. The Larapinta Trail in the West MacDonnell National Park is the showpiece of Central Australian bushwalking. Starting at the Telegraph Station in Alice Springs, the trail winds along the backbone of the West MacDonnell Ranges, finishing atop Mt Sonder, 223 kilometres later.

Scenic balloon or helicopter flights are another popular way to experience the West MacDonnell Ranges, or, for the more adventurous, why not try a camel trek or motorcycle tour.

Whether you plan to hike through the bush, or drive from place to place, take the time to discover the unique and ancient beauty of the West MacDonnell Ranges.