Experience the beauty of the West MacDonnell Ranges on this tour from Alice Springs. Head to must-see locations like Anzac Hill, Flynn's Grave Historical Reserve, Simpsons Gap, and Standley Chasm. Marvel at natural wonders and stop at some local memorials. Be picked up from the comfort of your accommodation in Alice Springs. Sit back and relax in the comfortable bus on your way to Anzac Hill. Stop for panoramic views over the town of Alice Springs and the surrounding MacDonnell ranges. Learn about the war memorial at Anzac Hill. Travel to John Flynn's Grave Historical Reserve where the Reverend Flynn was laid to rest. Hear about Flynn, the founder of Royal Flying Doctor Service. Enjoy the changing colors of the West MacDonnell Ranges from this location and get some photos. Continue to the towering cliffs of Simpsons Gap. Discover why this area is important to the local Arrernte Aboriginal people. Stroll along a dry creek bed to a dramatic gap in the MacDonnell Ranges. Try to spot some local wildlife like black-footed rock-wallabies at the watering hole. Head to the dramatic Standley Chasm geological formation. Standley Chasm is operated by Arrernte aboriginal family members who are direct descendants of the Aboriginal people who have lived in the area for thousands of years. Experience the unique landscapes created by the micro-climate in this valley.

This afternoon you’ll learn how the town of Alice Springs has evolved into the central hub of the Australian outback. Your driver guide will provide details along the way as you visit historical sites and some of the essential services delivered from Alice to the community of this vast region. The first stop is the Alice Springs School of the Air which provides education to primary aged school children living on remote properties throughout the Northern Territory. Learn how this essential service is delivered via satellite across more than one million square kilometres. Alice Springs Telegraph Station: Built in 1872 to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide, the historic Telegraph Station is the site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs. After 60 years of operation, the premises then served as a school for the local Aboriginal children. Now a historical reserve, featuring the original stone buildings and furnishings from the early 1900s, the Telegraph Station is a must to visit and learn more of the history of the Alice. Royal Flying Doctor Service: Now you’ll visit the home and headquarters of the highly respected Royal Flying Doctor Service. Delivering medical services to people who live, work and travel in remote and rural Australia, the RFDS is a critical resource for this community. Learn of its remarkable history through stories, images and their wonderful interactive museum. Alice Springs Reptile Centre: Home to the largest reptile display in Central Australia, the Alice Springs Reptile Centre will introduce you to Terry the saltwater crocodile and let you get very close to enormous goannas and frill-neck lizards. The Gecko Cave features a large collection of gecko species from all over the Northern Territory. You’ll have lots of fun here, particularly during the afternoon show and if you’re game, try the supervised handling session. Your last stop is Anzac Hill. Originally dedicated to the many men and women who lost their lives during WWI, it now honors all those who have served in wars in which Australia has played a role.

Explore the sites of Alice Springs and the surrounding outback on a half-day afternoon tour and enjoy the Sunset and magnificent view from Anzac Hill. The tour includes an overview of panoramic landscapes of the East MacDonnell ranges countryside, including Telegraph Station, Araluen Art Centre, Dr John Flynn's Museum, Anzac Hill, Emily Gap & Jessie Gap. Your first visit is to Araluen Arts Centre. You will get an excellent opportunity to look closely at Albert Namatjira's arts and learn about their unique natural history, follow the evolution of the landscape and fascinating creatures, and explore the panoramic landscapes of the West MacDonnell Ranges. The Araluen Arts Centre aims to develop a collection of artworks that reflect a permanent record of art practice in Central Australia. Araluen arts centre holds a comprehensive collection of paintings by Albert Namatjira. Your next visit will be to Alice Springs Telegraph Station established in 1872 to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide, and it is the original site of the first European settlement in central Australia. It was one of twelve stations along the Overland Telegraph Line. After around 60 years of operation, the premises then served as a school for the local Aboriginal children as well as provided shelter for local aboriginal children. Now a historical reserve featuring the original stone buildings and furnishings from the early 1900s, the Telegraph Station is a must to visit the place and learn more about the history of Alice. Our tour guides will explain to you the history of the Telegraph Station and the township, the lives of the early telegraphers and their families, and discuss the Stolen Generation history of the site in the Bungalow era of the 1930s. Your next exciting place is Royal Flying Doctor Service Alice Springs Tour Facility. See, experience and learn through the wonder of technology the heroic tales of the birth and growth of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. After finishing in Town, you will move 16 kilometres to the countryside of Alice Springs and reach Emily and Jessie Gaps. The two small gaps in the Heavitree Range are spiritual sites to the Eastern Arrernte Aboriginal people. Finally, our last visit of the day is at the iconic local landmark of Anzac Hill, where you will be able to take in panoramic views over the town of Alice Springs and the surrounding MacDonnell ranges. You will enjoy the sunset from Anzac hill also. Anzac Hill is a memorial dedicated to those who served in Australia’s defence forces during all international wars. With this attraction, we conclude our tour and will drop you at your hotels or caravan parks.

Depart Alice Springs to explore The West Macs, stopping at the historical Flynn’s Grave Memorial, the founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Next up, travel to Simpsons Gap, featuring towering cliffs and a permanent waterhole. The site is significant to the Arrernte people as being the home of giant goanna ancestors. Following that, take a walk to spot black-footed rock wallabies and take magnificent photos. You'll then visit Standley Chasm. Traditionally known as Angkerle Atwatye, this is an important cultural place which is sacred to women's dreaming in Aboriginal culture. Take a 1.2-kilometer walk to access the dramatic 80-meter-tall rock-face, and on the way there or back, note the unusual features of the natural landscape. The unique micro climate in this valley has created some distinctive features, such as ancient cycads and a myriad of rock types and pebbles that are thousands of years old. After your walk, enjoy morning tea at a local cafe before heading back to Alice Springs for some free time for lunch before setting off again to explore the town. In the afternoon, tour the sights of "The Alice" including the School of the Air. Learn how children who cannot access schools are educated by radio, and you may have the opportunity to listen to and observe actual lessons in progress on air. Stop at the historic Telegraph Station, which marks the original site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs. Visit the Royal Flying Doctors Service, where you will see how medical aid reaches those who live in the remote "outback". You'll also stop at the Alice Springs Reptile Centre, where you can see up close and maybe touch some of the lizards and snakes of Central Australia's semi-arid desert. The tour later concludes with panoramic views of the township of Alice Springs and the MacDonnell Ranges from the top of Anzac Hill.

MacDonnell Ranges and Alice town highlights Full-Day Tour is an excellent opportunity to explore the panoramic landscapes of the West MacDonnell ranges, popular gaps in the East Macdonnell ranges, and historical and colourful places in Alice Springs. Itinerary Anzac Hill Our first visit of the day is at Anzac Hill, where you will be able to take in panoramic views over the town of Alice Springs and the surrounding MacDonnell ranges. You may be able to capture one photo to cover the entire town. Anzac Hill is a memorial dedicated to those who served in Australia’s defense forces during all international wars. John Flynn's Grave Historical Reserve Your next stopping will be at Flynn’s Grave Memorial, the resting place of Reverend Flynn, the founder of the Royal Flying doctor service. Simpsons Gap Simpson Gap features the towering cliffs of Simpsons Range, a permanent waterhole, and opportunities to spot resident wildlife and ancient Red River Gums with a taste of Central Australia. Simpsons Gap is a significant site to the local Arrernte Aboriginal people and was the mythological home of giant goanna ancestors. Standley Chasm (Angkerle Atwatye) The next stop on your exploration of West MacDonnell is a picturesque walk at Standley Chasm. After Mrs. Ida Standley, who in 1914 became the first school teacher in Alice Springs, this place was named Standley Chasm by Western Arrentre aboriginal people. LUNCH BREAK (45 MINUTES) Araluen Arts Centre You will get an excellent opportunity to look closely at Albert Namatjira's arts, learn about unique natural history, follow the evolution of the landscape and fascinating creatures, and explore the panoramic landscapes of the West MacDonnell Ranges. The Araluen Arts Centre aims to develop a collection of artworks that reflect a permanent record of art practice in Central Australia. Royal Flying Doctor Service Alice Springs Tour Facility Your next exciting place is Royal Flying Doctor Service Alice Springs Tour Facility. See, experience, and learn through the wonder of technology the heroic tales of the birth and growth of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Alice Springs Telegraph Station The Alice Springs Telegraph Station is located within the Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve, four kilometers north of the Alice Springs town center in the Northern Territory of Australia. Established in 1872 to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide, it is the original site of the first European settlement in central Australia. It was one of twelve stations along the Overland Telegraph Line. Emily and Jessie Gaps Move onward to Emily and Jessie Gaps, the first noticeable feature of the East MacDonnell Ranges as you drive 24 kilometers out of Alice Springs, the two small gaps in the Heavitree Range are spiritual sites to the Eastern Arrernte Aboriginal people. With these attractions, we conclude your tour and will drop you at your hotels or caravan parks.