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The Red Centre has a way of staying with you. Sitting between the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs is the outback town that opens the door to Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon and some of the oldest landscapes on earth. There's no shortage of things to do in Alice Springs and the surrounding desert. Drift over the ranges at sunrise, take to the skies above the Red Centre, or cruise the base of Uluru as the light shifts across the rock. Whether you're road-tripping through the Northern Territory, visiting from interstate or a local after a fresh day out, there's a story here waiting for you. Browse things to do in Alice Springs and experiences across Uluru and surrounds to start planning.
Things to Do in Alice Springs
Alice Springs is the kind of place that rewards you for looking up. The desert stretches out in every direction, the sky feels enormous, and the best experiences make the most of both. Here are a few ways to see the Red Centre from a whole new angle.
Start with the classic. The Alice Springs Hot Air Ballooning with Sparkling 60 Minutes floats you over the MacDonnell Ranges as the sun comes up, with big red kangaroos moving across the spinifex below. Short on time? The Alice Springs Hot Air Ballooning with Sparkling 30 Minutes delivers the same golden-hour magic in a tighter window. Browse the full range of hot air ballooning in Alice Springs to find your flight.
Places to Visit Near Alice Springs
A RedBalloon experience is the easiest way to reach the ancient landmarks Alice Springs is known for. Here's where to point yourself.
Uluru
One of the most visited places near Alice Springs, Uluru began forming around 550 million years ago and remains deeply sacred to the Anangu people. To take in its full scale, get above it on the Scenic Helicopter Flight Over Uluru 15 Minutes For 2, soaring over the world's largest monolith with your pilot sharing its cultural story. Prefer both feet closer to the ground for longer? The Uluru Sunrise Breakfast and Segway Tour pairs a desert breakfast with a glide around the full base of the rock. See more things to do around Uluru.
Kata Tjuta
The 36 red domes of Kata Tjuta sit around 30km from Uluru and are just as striking. Much of the formation is off-limits on foot, so the sky is your best seat. The Extended Scenic Helicopter Flight Over Uluru and Kata Tjuta takes you across the western domes before circling the monolith, revealing more of the country you'd otherwise never see.
Kings Canyon and the wider Red Centre
For sheer drama, few things top the Uluru and Kata Tjuta Fixed Wing Scenic Flight 40 Minutes, with a guaranteed window seat and views stretching across the desert plains.
Top things to do in Alice Springs and the Red Centre
Not sure where to begin? These are the ones people remember.
Spoiled for choice? A RedBalloon Gift Card lets someone pick their own Red Centre moment, perfect for a birthday, Christmas or a trip that's still taking shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can you do in Alice Springs in one day?
With a single day, lead with the sky. A scenic flight over the Red Centre gives you the widest view in the shortest time, and a sunrise balloon flight is easy to fit before the heat sets in. If you have wheels, the desert landmarks around town fill the rest beautifully.
When is the best time to visit Alice Springs?
The cooler months from May to September are the most comfortable, with warm days, crisp mornings and clear skies ideal for flying and early starts. Summer brings serious heat, so plan sunrise activities and pack for strong sun year-round.
What are the top attractions in Alice Springs?
The MacDonnell Ranges frame the town, while Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon anchor the wider Red Centre. Most visitors mix a scenic flight with a ground-based tour to see both the scale from above and the detail up close.
What are the best day trips from Alice Springs?
Uluru and Kata Tjuta are the headline trips, with Kings Canyon a rewarding detour through Watarrka National Park. Flights over the region are the fastest way to cover the distances the outback is famous for.
What are the best outdoor activities in Alice Springs?
Ballooning, scenic flights and desert touring top the list. The Uluru Segway Tour, Guided Walk and Sunset Picnic 5 Hours blends walking, riding and a sunset feast into one afternoon.
What are the best cultural experiences in Alice Springs?
The Red Centre holds tens of thousands of years of Anangu history. The Uluru Astronomy Tour with Photograph 2.5 Hours shares Indigenous astronomy under one of the clearest night skies in the country, with a photo to take home.
What are the best things to do in Alice Springs at night?
Once the sun drops, the stars take over. A guided stargazing tour is the standout, thanks to almost no light pollution and skies that stay clear most of the year.
What are the best family-friendly things to do in Alice Springs?
Hot air ballooning and scenic flights suit most ages and turn the desert into a shared story worth retelling. Check individual age and weight requirements when you book, as some activities have minimums.
Explore More of the Northern Territory
Got your Alice Springs experiences locked in? The rest of the Territory is worth the detour. Discover things to do in Darwin and the Top End and browse the full range of Northern Territory experiences to keep the trip going.