Alice Springs MacDonnell Ranges Full-Day Tour
Discover The Stunning West MacDonnell Ranges and Alice Springs on This Full Day Tour
Northern Territory
people
1 participant
30 minutes
- • Explore Iconic Landscapes in the MacDonnell Ranges, Australia
- • Experience a Full-Day Tour Lasting 10 Hours and 30 Minutes
- • Visit the Most Significant Cultural Sites in Alice Springs
Why We Love This Unique Experience
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the breathtaking landscapes of the MacDonnell Ranges and the vibrant history of Alice Springs. This small group tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the stunning natural beauty of Central Australia while diving deep into the rich cultural heritage of the region. Perfect for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike, this tour captures the essence of one of Australia’s most iconic destinations.
The adventure kicks off with convenient hotel pick-up, transitioning into an exploration of key highlights such as Anzac Hill, where panoramic views of Alice Springs and the surrounding ranges await. Discover the stories behind historic sites like John Flynn's Grave, learn about local wildlife at Simpsons Gap, and witness the artistry at the Araluen Arts Centre. The itinerary flows seamlessly, including visits to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Alice Springs School of the Air, offering insights into the unique services that connect remote communities. Delight in the rich cultural tapestry as the tour continues to the scenic Emily and Jessie Gaps, all while experiencing the breathtaking beauty of the Australian outback.
This small group tour not only provides an engaging and educational experience but also makes for an extraordinary gift for loved ones seeking adventure or cultural enrichment. Whether celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or even a holiday surprise, this experience is a fantastic way to create lasting memories in one of Australia's most remarkable landscapes. Give the gift of exploration and enrich someone’s life with the wonders of the MacDonnell Ranges and Alice Springs.
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Experience Overview:
Macdonnell Ranges And Alice Town Highlights Small Group TourMacDonnell Ranges & Alice Town Highlights Full-Day Tour is an excellent opportunity to explore the panoramic landscapes of the West MacDonnell Ranges & famous gaps in the East Macdonnell Ranges and experience historical and colourful places in Alice Springs, Central Australia.
Your tour will start with hotel pick-up. The destinations are Anzac Hill, John Flynn's Grave Historical Reserve, Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Honeymoon Gap, School of Air, Araluen Art Centre, and the Royal Flying Doctor Service Alice Springs Tourist Facility. After finishing the tour destinations in West Macdonnell Ranges and town highlights, we proceed towards Emily Gap and Jessie Gap in East MacDonnell. Once you finish the designated viewpoints, we can extend our visit to Anzac Hill to enjoy the Sunset.
Finally, we conclude your tour and drop you back to your desired destinations. During this tour, you will enjoy attractions for 7 hours & 20 minutes, while your total bus drive will be 3 hours and 10 minutes.
What's included:
- Entry/Admission - Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum
- Entry/Admission - School of Air Alice Springs Tour Facility
- Entry/Admission - Araluen Arts Centre
Not included:
- No car seater provided
What to expect:
Duration: 10 hours, 30 minutes
Anzac Hill
3 Anzac Hill Rd, Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Our first visit of the day is at Anzac Hill, where you will be able to take in panoramic views over the town of Alice Springs and the surrounding MacDonnell ranges. You may be able to capture one photo to cover the entire town. Anzac Hill is a memorial dedicated to those who served in Australia’s defense forces during all international wars.
20 minutes
John Flynn's Grave Historical Reserve
Larapinta Drive, 7kms to the west of Alice Springs near Mt Gillen, Alice Springs, 0870, Northern Territory
Your next stopping will be at Flynn’s Grave Memorial, the resting place of Reverend Flynn, the founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. We make short stopping to relax and enjoy the changing colours of the magnificent West MacDonnell Ranges and get some photos. our experienced tour guide brief about John Flynn's contribution to Australian society.
20 minutes
Simpsons Gap
18 Kilometres West from Alice Springs, Alice Springs, 0872, Northern Territory
Simpson Gap features the towering cliffs of Simpsons Range, a permanent waterhole and opportunities to spot resident wildlife, ancient Red River Gums with a taste of Central Australia. Simpsons Gap is a significant site to the local Arrernte Aboriginal people and was the mythological home of giant goanna ancestors. We will take you on a short, easy walk alongside a picturesque dry creek bed that leads to a dramatic gap in the MacDonnell Ranges and a waterhole rich in native wildlife, flora, and geology. Sometimes you may even spot you might see Black-footed Rock-wallabies along the walking track into the rocky slopes gap. After enjoying your sightseeing walk you will serve bush tea and coffee by our tour guide.
50 minutes
Standley Chasm Angkerle
Larapinta Drive, 0872, Northern Territory
The next stop on your exploration of the West MacDonnell is a picturesque walk at Standley Chasm. After Mrs Ida Standley, who in 1914 became the first school teacher in Alice Springs, this place was named Standley Chasm. Walking access to the dramatic 80m sheer rock-face of the chasm is along a well-maintained trail (1.2km/15mins each way), following the natural creek bed with seating & interpretative signage. Angkerle Atwatye, “the Gap of Water”, is a striking geological formation with significant botanical, bird-watching & wildlife photography appeal.
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Araluen Arts Centre
61 Larapinta Drive, , Alice Springs, 0870, Northern Territory
Your next visit is to Araluen Arts Centre. You will get an excellent opportunity to get a closer look at Albert Mamatjira's arts, learn about unique natural history, follow the evolution of the landscape and fascinating creatures, and explore the panoramic landscapes of the West MacDonnell Ranges. The Araluen Arts Centre aims to develop a collection of artworks that reflect a permanent record of art practice in Central Australia. Araluen arts center holds a comprehensive collection of paintings by Albert Namatjira.
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum
8 - 10 Stuart Tce, , Alice Springs, 0870, Northern Territory
Your next exciting place is Royal Flying Doctor Service Alice Springs Tour Facility. See, experience, and learn through the wonder of technology the heroic tales of the birth and growth of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Learn about the history and the activities of the RFDS’s pilots, engineers, doctors, and nurses, and the patients' experiences that are carried out and cared for daily. Learn the importance of the RFDS to outback Australians and the medical care required to service isolated regions.
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Alice Springs School of the Air Experience
80 Head Street, Braitling, Alice Springs, 0870, Northern Territory
Your next visit will be to Alice Springs School of the Air Experience. The Visitor Centre brings to life an integral and unique facet of the children’s lives in the Australian Outback. It offers travellers the opportunity to learn about the history of 'The World's Largest Classroom', reveal stories about the school from afar and life on the land, and share in the dreams, achievements, and journeys of Outback students.
The experience includes a film, a guided presentation about our unique history, and the ground-breaking techniques that make it possible for our remote students to participate in school classes despite the challenges of time, distance, and isolation. You might even be able to observe a teacher conducting a live lesson in one of our five broadcasting studios right before you! However, at certain times, live lessons will be replaced with pre-recorded lessons.
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
The Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park
Ross Highway, 10 kilometres east of Alice Springs., East MacDonnell Ranges, Hale, Alice Springs, 0872, Northern Territory
Your next stop will be Pack a picnic, watch the local wildlife, or follow a short walking track into Emily and Jessie gaps. The two small gaps in the Heavitree Range are important spiritual sites to the Eastern Arrernte Aboriginal people. Many places in the surrounding landscape are associated with the same caterpillar Dreamtime story, and form a 'Dreaming Trail'. Emily Gap is a significant sacred site where the caterpillar beings of Mparntwe (Alice Springs) originated. These caterpillars formed Emily Gap, and many of the topographic features around Alice Springs radiated out to the edge of the Simpson Desert. At Emily Gap, you can see a large rock painting depicting the caterpillar dreaming. At this stage, we cordially invite you to participate in our afternoon bush tea.
50 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Temple Bar Caravan Park
875 Ilparpa Rd, Arumbera NT 0870, Australia
Temple Bar Gap/ Honeymoon Gap is a small gap south of Larapinta Drive opposite Simpsons Gap, 14km west of Alice Springs. The gap is of great significance to the Arrernte people, the traditional owners of the land.
The name Temple Bar Gap fell out of favour following the site becoming the honeymoon location for Robert (Bob) and Victoria (Vicky) Darken who married at the Alice Springs Methodist Church on 25 June 1942. Bob Darken was given a week's leave from the army and the couple planned to camp for a week at the gap and borrowed a car and a tent. The couple had repeated issues with the car and it rained for most of the week so, concerned for their safety, friends decided to visit them regularly; they said they were "going to see the honeymooners" or "going to honeymoon gap".
It was not until 1981 that the name of the pass was officially changed to Honeymoon Gap, and in 2004, the NT Place Names Committee agreed that the official name of the gap should remain Temple Bar Gap.
30 minutes
Details & Important Info
Additional Experience Details & Important Information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
The total duration of the tour is 6 hours and 20 minutes, the rest is for travel time.
Cancellations & Refunds
Reservation Changes, Cancellations & Refunds
All ticket sales are final and not refundable. Reservations cannot be changed, rescheduled or refunded once confirmed. Reservations may be re-scheduled by the operator of the activity due to reasons such as weather, minimum participation requirements, mechanical issues or other interruptions beyond their control.
Organized by
Alice Holiday Tours
Product SKU: AU-15687-0007
Google Business Profile: Alice Holiday Tours
Alice Springs MacDonnell Ranges Highlights Tour
Northern Territory
people
1 participant
30 minutes
- • Explore Iconic Landscapes in the MacDonnell Ranges, Australia
- • Experience a Full-Day Tour Lasting 10 Hours and 30 Minutes
- • Visit the Most Significant Cultural Sites in Alice Springs
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