Fly into Cairns to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, sleep under the stars on a trip to Uluru, or take a scenic helicopter flight over the 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road - the holiday possibilities are endless.
Holiday experiences to book in Alice Springs (NT)
Nestled between the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs boasts beautiful desert landscapes and is a fascinating spot to explore Australia's Aboriginal culture and unique wildlife. While there is plenty to do in the town itself, Alice is also a great base for exploring the natural wonders of the outback, including Uluru, Kata Tjuṯa, Kings Canyon and the West MacDonnell Ranges.
- What to do:
- Journey from Alice Springs to experience the grand West MacDonnell Ranges on a full day tour with Emu Run Experience. The tour will see you surrounded by red walls set aglow by the bright desert sun as you drive through to visit the stunning gorges and waterholes the destination has to offer.
- Wander through the Museum of Central Australia to discover the region’s history – from megafauna to colonisation – through photographs, interactive exhibits and talks.
- Families planning a trip to Alice during the week should visit the Kangaroo Sanctuary, just a 20-minute drive from Alice Springs. The sanctuary is open for tours Tuesday through Friday in the late afternoons. Tours, which include bus transfers from Alice Springs, last about 2.5 hours and you’ll get the chance to meet some of the beautiful red kangaroos that are typical of the Red Centre, and get the chance to cuddle a joey.
- Where to eat: Take a stroll through the historic Olive Pink Botanic Gardens and admire the native flora before grabbing a bite at the onsite eatery, Bean Street Cafe. For an afternoon tipple, head to Alice Springs Brewing Co to sample locally produced craft beer.
- Where to stay: The studio villas at family-friendly Desert Palms have verandas and kitchenettes, and are surrounded by tropical gardens and palm trees. The pool is a big hit with kids. It's only a few minutes walk to some of the best restaurants, bars, cafes, galleries and shops Alice Springs has to offer.
Often considered the spiritual heart of Australia, the Red Centre is an extraordinary landscape of desert plains, weathered mountain ranges, rocky gorges and some of Aboriginal Australia's most sacred sites, including Uluru and Kata Tjuṯa.
- What to do:
- Taking a helicopter ride with Fly Uluru is the best way to appreciate the scale and size of both Uluru and Kata Tjuta, the national park surrounding it. Learn about the world’s largest rock monolith and the surrounding red desert from the pilot, who doubles as your informative tour guide.
- Take part in one of Maruku Arts’ dot-painting workshops. Learn the different symbols that make up the Tjukurpa and, with the help of a Maruku guide and local artist, create your own work of art to take home. Kids aged five and up are welcome.
- Fancy seeing sunrise at the base of this stunning rock? Join a Seit Uluru Trek around the base of the rock with a knowledgeable guide and learn about the culture and environment that surrounds you.
- Where to eat: Come nightfall, a million stars light up the outback sky with exceptional clarity. Sounds of Silence is a four-hour experience that begins with canapés and chilled sparkling wine served on a viewing platform overlooking the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Enjoy a menu especially curated and inspired by Aussie bush tucker, followed by incredible star gazing.
- Where to stay: If unwinding and settling down to sleep under the stars is your thing, Kings Canyon is a natural wonder located approximately halfway between Alice Springs and Uluru, at the heart of Australia's Red Centre. The Kings Canyon Resort, Backpackers Lodge and CampGround offers accommodation types for all travellers.
With everything from crocodile encounters to open-air movies and sunset cruises, Darwin is as easy going as it is exciting. Walk on the wild side and get up close to the Northern Territory's incredible wildlife - or take in the scenery in style. Be awed by Indigenous culture and history in jaw-dropping natural surroundings from the Tiwi Islands to timeless Kakadu, or catch a beauty of a barramundi without ever leaving the land.
- What to do:
- AAT Kings offers a return day tour from Darwin to Katherine Gorge and Edith Falls. Katherine Gorge is located within the Nitmiluk National Park, which spans more than 292,000 hectares. Led by an experienced guide, you’ll view ancient art that's deeply ingrained in the deep, local spiritual culture and learn about the traditional owners of Nitmiluk on a cruise through Katherine Gorge.
- The Wave Lagoon at the Darwin Waterfront Precinct is a must-visit for any family. With shallow water areas for toddlers and a pool with artificial waves, the free Wave Lagoon has boogie boards and tubes on-hand for visitors.
- A wildlife park where even the kids can get interactive with crocodiles? It can be done at Crocosaurus Cove, right in the centre of Darwin. Take a tour of the park to watch some of the largest crocodiles be fed, and grab a fishing rod to feed the baby crocs yourself.
- Where to eat: Looking for a local scene? Head to the hub, which is the intersection of Knuckey Street and Austin Lane. Around the corner on Austin Lane, Little Miss Korea offers traditional barbecue with a local twist, while its sister bar The Loading Bay serves snacks and cocktails till late. Upstairs, Charlie’s of Darwin serves a tasty range of tapas and a staggering selection of gin.
- Where to stay: Arguably the ritziest stay in town, with a prime position next to Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, Mindil Beach Casino & Resort lets you swim out from the deck of a superior suite to a man-made lagoon. The casino complex has a choice of several restaurants serving everything from Asian fusion to contemporary Italian, and rooms featuring indulgent stone-clad bathrooms with twin showers and egg-shaped baths. But check out some of the other fabulous luxury, family-friendly or affordable options.
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