Activities in and around Alice Springs

Alice Springs activities lean on the desert: a hot air balloon flight at sunrise, a sunset watercolour class at Simpsons Gap, a visit to the School of the Air and a day tour to Uluru. Some finish by mid-morning and some take the whole day, which makes them easy to string together. They sit inside the wider list of things to do in Alice Springs.

Sunrise hot air ballooning in Alice Springs

Balloon flights are the earliest activity in town. Pick-up is from Alice Springs hotels about an hour before first light, and the still morning air gives calm conditions for flying. Both flights finish with sparkling wine and juice and a flight certificate.

The 60-minute hot air balloon flight over Alice Springs gives you the longer look at the ranges and the red desert, with red kangaroos to spot. On some mornings it runs as two back-to-back 30-minute flights with a short changeover, and you're told the day before. The 30-minute hot air ballooning flight with sparkling wine is the shorter option. Allow a 4-hour morning at most for either. More are on the Alice Springs hot air ballooning page.

Cultural activities in Alice Springs

The School of the Air tour is a 30-minute guided visit to the world's first School of the Air, which has taught students across remote Australia for more than 75 years. It has a 10-minute film, a 10-minute history talk and a 10-minute studio session, where you can watch a live or recorded lesson. It's open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm and Sunday from 12pm to 3pm.

The Alice Springs historical town tour covers more ground in a half-day loop from about 1pm to 5.30pm, with the Telegraph Station, the Royal Flying Doctors and the Anzac Hill lookout as well as the School of the Air.

Out at Simpsons Gap, about 18 km from town, the Simpsons Gap sunset watercolour class is usually on Sundays at 3pm. It's a 3-hour class with all materials, light refreshments and return transfers from your accommodation. Your guide shares stories of the Arrernte site on a short walk first, and you take your painting home.

A full-day activity: Uluru from Alice Springs

The Uluru day tour from Alice Springs with sunset BBQ takes the whole day. It leaves at about 7am from March to November (8am from December to February) and returns around midnight, with guided base walks, a visit to the Cultural Centre and a sunset BBQ. In extreme heat the walk may be replaced with an alternative one.

Three days of Alice Springs activities

A balloon flight finishes in the morning, which leaves the afternoon free for the 1pm town tour. The School of the Air tour fits a weekday morning, and on a Sunday the watercolour class starts at 3pm. Give Uluru a day to itself.

For more to fill the days, see Alice Springs tours and Alice Springs attractions.

Frequently asked questions

What activities can you do in Alice Springs?

Alice Springs activities include sunrise hot air balloon flights over the MacDonnell Ranges, a School of the Air tour, a half-day historical town tour, a Simpsons Gap sunset watercolour class and a day tour to Uluru.

What is there to do in Alice Springs with kids?

The School of the Air tour has a 10-minute film and hands-on interactive displays, with child and family tickets, and hot air balloon flights have a child ticket for ages 6 to 14. The historical town tour has tickets for children aged 3 to 15.

Are there indoor activities in Alice Springs?

Yes. The School of the Air tour is a 30-minute guided visit inside the Alice Springs School of the Air Visitor Centre at 80 Head Street, with a film, a history talk and interactive displays.

When can you visit the Alice Springs School of the Air?

The Alice Springs School of the Air tour is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm, on Sundays from 12pm to 3pm and on public holidays from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

What happens on the Simpsons Gap sunset watercolour class?

The Simpsons Gap sunset watercolour class is a 3-hour class at Simpsons Gap, about 18 km from Alice Springs. You walk into the gap, paint the Red Centre at golden hour with all materials provided and take your finished watercolour home.

What should you wear for an Alice Springs hot air balloon flight?

Long pants, a hat or cap and enclosed flat-heel shoes, and avoid light-coloured clothing in the dusty conditions. Winter mornings from May to September can drop below 0 degrees, so take warm clothing.

Most of these activities start early or finish by mid-afternoon, so they combine easily within a few days in Alice Springs.