New $1.9 million addition to Aussie holiday spot perfect for the summer holidays
Alice Springs is the "heart of Australia's Red Centre" but even the iconic Aussie location can offer up something different during every visit.
On a recent trip to the Northern Territory, 9Travel's David Whitehill discovered a few of the best things to do in the region, plus a few surprises while there.
"[It's] a place where adventure meets the spirit of the desert," he says.
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Alice Springs and the surrounding areas have plenty to discover. Getty Images/iStockphoto
With so much to see and discover, here are a few things every traveller should do on a holiday to Alice Springs.
A visit to Uluru
Of course a visit to the centre of Australia can't come without a stop at one of the most famous sites in the country - or indeed the world.
"The heart of it all is Uluru," Dave says.
"It offers a spiritual connection to the land and its colours shift each day with the sun."
There's also a chance for travellers to take in the magnificent sight that is Uluru from a whole other perspective.
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Uluru is on many travellers' bucket lists. Supplied/ Jason Ham on Unsplash
World-first 'Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk' to launch
If you're planning a future visit, the Tasmanian Walking Company has announced the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk, a guided walking experience that unites two geological icons, Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
Set to launch in April 2026, the five-day, four-night walk begins at the foot of the giant red domes of Kata Tjuta and arcs east over a 54-kilometre trail through storied landscapes, culminating at the base of Uluru.
A near decade in the making, the world-first walk has been developed in partnership with the local Anangu community and offers guests the unique opportunity to stay overnight in the World Heritage-listed park.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk will be a 'world first'. Supplied
Visit the brand new Adventure Park
Just in time for summer, the new $1.9m Alice Springs Aquatic and Leisure Centre Adventure Park has opened in the Red Centre, offering the ultimate spot for school holiday fun.
Highlights include beach volleyball, an 18-hole mini-golf course, 3x3 basketball, table tennis, an adventure playground, an outdoor gym, and BBQ facilities.
Best of all, entry to the park and nearby aquatic centre is free all summer holidays.
A new $1.9m Alice Springs Adventure Park has opened in town. Alice Springs Town Council
A hot air balloon ride
Dave suggests starting your visit with a "breathtaking" hot air balloon ride, such as with Outback Ballooning in Alice Springs. One at sunrise is particularly spectacular as the sun "paints the desert" with its rays.
Of course, the desert currently looks a little different at the moment, with the high amount of rainfall over the last 12 to 18 months turning the usual red dusty landscape into an almost green oasis.
A hot air balloon ride is the best way to take in the stunning landscapes. Nine
A 4WD tour
"Feel the thrill of a 4WD tour through rugged trails, where the earth's ancient history comes alive beneath your feet," Dave says of another must-try when visiting Alice Springs and the Red Centre.
He also says it's an ideal way to discover a few "hidden gems".
"From ancient rock formations to iconic landmarks."
The Northern Territory is looking unusually lush at the moment. Supplied
For example, Standley Chasm is a magnificent gorge in the West MacDonnell Ranges located 40 minutes drive from Alice Springs.
Known traditionally as Angkerle Atwatye, meaning "Gap of Water", Standley Chasm is an icon of Central Australia.
