Turn your Parrtjima – A Festival in Light trip into the holiday of a lifetime in the heart of Australia. Whether you’re driving or flying to Alice Springs and collecting a hire car, there are heaps of places to visit and create memories that will last a lifetime.
1. Alice Springs Telegraph Station
Pack a picnic and head out to the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. Set along the dry river bank of the Todd River, there’s a large grass area, BBQ facilities, public toilets and great walking trails to explore. The best preserved station along the Overland Telegraph Line, there’s also guided tours of the heritage precinct.
2. Art Galleries
Alice Springs is one of Australia’s best Aboriginal art centres with many galleries in and around the town centre. Learn about the paintings and have a go yourself on a tour, buy artwork at one of the many galleries in town or drive out to visit rock-art sites and get a glimpse of the Dreamtime.
Download the The Ultimate Red Centre Art Guide for more info.
Araluen Art Centre
Spend a leisurely afternoon at the Araluen Arts Centre, off Larapinta Drive, for museums, galleries, and a theatre. This is where you can gain a real understanding of the history, art and culture of Central Australia and learn about Indigenous dreaming and their connection to the land.
3. Food Options
Alice Springs will surprise and delight you with lots of places to eat at your doorstep. Tuck into a breakfast fit for a day of endurance at Page 27, just off the Todd Mall in the CBD. Food is fresh, healthy and delicious, with vegan options. There’s nothing quite like a slice of pizza and a cold beer after a long day sightseeing at the Alice Springs Brewing Co. If you’re keen to load up on the carbs head to Casa Nostra Pizza & Spaghetti House, which serves an array of classic Italian favourites and a world-famous vanilla slice.
4. Earth Sanctuary
With millions of visible stars, Central Australia offers some of the best night skies in the world. Round off an epic day of adventure at Earth Sanctuary as guides take you on an entertaining and informative night-sky journey, teaching you how to navigate using the stars and weaving ancient Aboriginal stories of creation with modern science.
5. Outback Ballooning
Rise early and greet the desert dawn floating peacefully over the outback in a hot air balloon for a magnificent bird’s eye view of Alice Springs and the Red Centre. Book with Outback Ballooning a day or two in advance – all tours are subject to weather suitability.
For more information, head to the Tourism Central Australia itineraries page: Drive Holidays – Get Out There | Discover Central Australia. To book tours head to the Discover Central Australia website or call the Alice Springs Tourist Information Centre on 08 8952 5800.
