Set in the heart of Australia’s Red Centre, Alice Springs is where ancient landscapes, Aboriginal culture, and rugged outback adventures come together. Surrounded by dramatic gorges, sacred sites, and desert wildlife, this iconic outback town is the perfect base for exploring Central Australia at a relaxed yet rewarding pace.

This 4-day Alice Springs itinerary is ideal for first-time visitors who want to experience the region’s highlights without rushing. From meteorite craters and historic landmarks to West MacDonnell Ranges gorges and unforgettable sunsets, this self-drive itinerary balances sightseeing, short walks, and cultural experiences — all while keeping driving times realistic.

Getting there

Alice Springs is easily accessible by air, road, and rail. Alice Springs Airport has direct flights from major Australian cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Darwin. Hiring a car at the airport is highly recommended, as most attractions around Alice Springs are best explored via self-drive. If you’re road-tripping, Alice Springs sits along the Stuart Highway and is a popular stop on drives between Adelaide and Darwin. The legendary The Ghan also stops here, offering a scenic and unforgettable way to arrive in the Red Centre. Regardless of how you travel, aim to arrive in Alice Springs the previous evening to give yourself time to settle into town. Starting the itinerary well-rested allows you to hit the road early the next morning, maximise daylight hours, and explore the Red Centre at an unhurried, enjoyable pace from day one.

For those preferring not to drive, a range of guided day tours are available that cover many of the key attractions, allowing you to sit back and enjoy the highlights of this beautiful outback town without the need for self-driving. Book your tickets via the link below to secure your spot in advance and make the most of your time exploring the Red Centre.

The first stop of the day is the remarkable Henbury Meteorite Craters, one of Australia’s most fascinating geological landmarks.

Formed over 4,700 years ago by a meteorite impact, this protected reserve features a series of craters scattered across a stark desert landscape. A short walking trail loops around the craters, offering an easy introduction to the Red Centre while highlighting the raw power of nature and the region’s ancient past.

The next stop is the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station, often referred to as the birthplace of Alice Springs.

This beautifully preserved site tells the story of early European settlement and the Overland Telegraph Line that once connected Australia to the rest of the world. Guided tours provide excellent insight into life in the outback during the late 19th century, making this a must-visit cultural stop.

Later in the afternoon, the journey continues to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility.

Along the way, make a quick stop at The BIG Hand, a quirky oversized sculpture located outside the Central Secondhand Shop in Alice Springs. This unexpected roadside attraction has become a fun photo stop for travellers passing through town, adding a light-hearted moment to your Red Centre adventure. It’s a quick visit that doesn’t require much time, but it’s a great chance to stretch your legs, snap a memorable photo, and experience a uniquely Alice Springs oddity before continuing on with your day.

This immersive experience showcases how healthcare is delivered across some of the most remote regions on Earth. Through interactive displays, aircraft hangars, and real-life stories, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for this iconic Australian service and its vital role in outback communities.

Book your tickets via the link below to secure your spot in advance.

The last stop of the day is Napwerte / Ewaninga Rock Carvings, a culturally significant site home to thousands of ancient Aboriginal rock engravings.

A short walk (Grade 2 - easy 600m loop, 30 minutes) reveals carvings believed to be thousands of years old, depicting animals, symbols, and spiritual stories. Visiting late in the day offers softer light and a peaceful atmosphere, perfect for quiet reflection. Please stay on the marked trail and do NOT photograph or touch the carvings. There are signs throughout the walk indicating this so please respect them.

You will be spending your entire second day in Alice Springs Desert Park, an award-winning attraction that brings the Central Australian desert to life.

Through immersive habitats and interpretive exhibits, the park introduces native wildlife, desert plants, and Aboriginal perspectives on the land. Spending a full day here allows time to truly understand how life thrives in such an extreme environment. There are presentations throughout the day to engage and help you learn more about the region and its wildlife.

Book your tickets via the link below to secure your spot in advance.

Later that evening, the next experience is the Desert Park’s guided nocturnal tour. As the sun sets, the desert transforms, revealing nocturnal animals rarely seen during the day. This unique after-dark experience offers valuable insight into desert survival and is one of the most memorable ways to end the day in Alice Springs.

The first stop of the third day is Simpsons Gap, a striking gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges carved by ancient waterways.

A short walk from the carpark reveals towering cliffs and a permanent waterhole, making this an excellent spot for early morning visits. With a bit of luck, you may also spot black-footed rock-wallabies resting among the rocks, adding to the magic of this serene outback setting.

Next on the itinerary is the Cassia Hill Walk, located just a short drive from the main Simpsons Gap carpark.

This rewarding 1.8 km return walk takes around an hour and is graded as Level 3 moderate, making it a great option for those after big views without a long hike. From the top, you’re treated to sweeping panoramic views across the surrounding ranges — perfect for soaking in the scale and beauty of the West MacDonnell landscape.

The next stop is Standley Chasm, a narrow gorge of immense cultural significance to the Arrernte people.

Visiting mid-morning is ideal, when sunlight filters into the chasm and illuminates the deep red rock walls in a dramatic display of colour. The short, easy walk in makes this an accessible yet visually stunning highlight, and one of the most photogenic stops in the West MacDonnell Ranges.

By midday, the journey continues to Ellery Creek Big Hole, one of Central Australia’s most popular swimming spots.

Again, just a short walk from the carpark, Ellery Creek Big Hole reveals a picturesque waterhole framed by dramatic, sheer cliffs. It’s an ideal spot to pause for a picnic lunch and cool off with a swim after a morning spent exploring the gorges of the West MacDonnell Ranges, offering both relaxation and stunning scenery in equal measure.

The next stop is Serpentine Gorge, a quieter but equally impressive site within the West MacDonnell Ranges. Please note that the road from the Namatjira Road turn-off into Serpentine Gorge is unsealed, so extra care is required when driving, particularly after wet weather when conditions can change quickly. Always check road conditions before heading in and allow a little extra time for this section.

Follow the service track for 1.3 kilometres to reach Serpentine Gorge — an easy, Grade 2 walk that takes around 30 minutes one way. This narrow gorge holds immense cultural significance for the Arrernte people and offers a peaceful setting framed by rugged rock formations, making the walk as rewarding as the destination itself.

On the way back, keep an eye out for the turn-off to the lookout, then make the climb to the iconic Serpentine Gorge Lookout. While the ascent includes a steep climb with numerous stone steps, the effort is well rewarded with sweeping views over the gorge. The walk to the lookout is graded as a Level 3 moderate track and takes around 15 minutes one way from the turn-off.

The final stop of the day is Anzac Hill Lookout, the best place in town to watch the sun dip below the horizon.

From here, uninterrupted views stretch across Alice Springs and the surrounding ranges, with the landscape glowing in rich reds and burnt oranges as the sun sets — a truly spectacular sight and the perfect way to end the day in the Red Centre.

The first stop of the fourth day is Ormiston Gorge, one of the most scenic locations in the West MacDonnell Ranges.

The short 300-metre walk from the carpark to the gorge takes around five minutes one way and is graded as an easy, Level 1 track, making it suitable for visitors of all fitness levels. Framed by towering quartzite walls, the gorge is best known for its permanent waterhole, which is estimated to reach depths of up to 14 metres at its southern end. With its dramatic scenery and easy access, this is a must-see stop for anyone visiting Alice Springs.

Next, the journey heads to Glen Helen Gorge, where dramatic cliffs line the Finke River, one of the oldest river systems in the world.

Among the many gorges scattered around Alice Springs and across Central Australia, Glen Helen Gorge is often regarded as one of the best spots for a refreshing swim, thanks to its clear waterhole set beneath towering quartzite cliffs. In full sun, the rock walls are said to glow a vivid red before shifting into deeper, moodier tones later in the day, and floating in the calm water usually offers beautiful views through the chasm towards the surrounding ranges. However, Glen Helen Gorge was closed during our visit last July, which is a timely reminder that access can change due to weather conditions, cultural considerations, or safety concerns. Always check current park updates before visiting and be prepared to adjust your plans if needed!

The final stop of the itinerary is Tnorala (Gosse Bluff), a sacred Aboriginal site formed by a massive comet impact millions of years ago. Please note that the road from the Namatjira Road turn-off into Tnorala (Gosse Bluff) Conservation Reserve is unsealed and noticeably rougher than other unsealed roads on this itinerary. In addition to the lack of bitumen, you’ll encounter stretches of soft sand and loose rock chips, so a 4WD is essential for this section. It’s also highly recommended to carry an air compressor, allowing you to safely lower tyre pressure for the drive in and reinflate your tyres before returning to sealed roads.

The easy, Grade 2 Tnorala Loop Walk is around 750 metres long and takes approximately 20 minutes to complete, revealing the crater’s immense scale along the way. It’s a powerful way to conclude a Red Centre adventure, offering a final moment to appreciate the region’s extraordinary natural beauty and deep cultural significance.

That brings us to the end of this Alice Springs itinerary. From here, you can either return to Alice Springs and continue your journey back the way you came, or extend your Red Centre adventure towards Kings Canyon via the Mereenie Loop Road (permit required). We’ll be covering this route in detail in an upcoming itinerary post, so stay tuned!

Alice Springs is far more than a gateway to Uluru — it’s a destination rich in history, culture, and extraordinary landscapes. This 4-day Alice Springs itinerary showcases the very best of the Red Centre, from ancient impact craters and sacred Aboriginal sites to dramatic gorges and unforgettable sunsets.

Whether you’re planning your first outback adventure or adding Alice Springs to a longer Northern Territory road trip, this itinerary offers the perfect balance of exploration, learning, and downtime — proving that the heart of Australia truly beats strongest in the Red Centre.

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