Alice Springs is the main hub for travellers wanting to explore Central Australia and to tour Uluru of course. Most tour operators are based here and there is more accommodation available in Alice Springs than at Uluru with everything from budget backpackers through to resort style. Although there are flights available to Uluru, accommodation is limited to the monopoly that is Ayers Rock Resort and options for tours beyond to places like Kings Canyon (Watarrka), Palm Valley and the West MacDonnell Ranges are fairly limited.  

There are a number of ways to get to Alice Springs, namely Planes, Trains and Automobiles. There are flights available from most major Australian cities, except Hobart and Canberra, the majority departing daily. While Tiger Airways and Qantas both fly into Alice Springs, only Qantas flies direct to Uluru. For anyone that hasn’t flown over Central Australia before, it is quite a site if you happen to get a window seat. You’ll be amazed staring down at the changing topography of parallel sand dunes, salt pans, ancient water channels and bush tracks that run in straight lines for what seem like eternity.

The Ghan Railway is another fabulous way to get to Alice Springs from either Darwin or Adelaide, relaxing as the ever changing scenery unfolds along the way. While the Ghan started operating between Adelaide and Alice almost 80 years ago, it was only in 2004 that the original vision was realised when the line opened between Alice and Darwin which has increased its profile and popularity. There is also something quite romantic and relaxing about these kinds of continental train journeys.

Of course the other option is to travel to Alice by car along the Stuart Highway, or “The Track” as it’s known, which runs about 2,834 km’s between Adelaide and Darwin with Alice roughly half way. The road was named after John McDouall Stuart who was the first European to make the journey from south to north. While being a long drive, it’s still absolutely fascinating the first time as the scenery does change quite considerably along the way, particularly as you near the Northern Territory border from the south and on until you hit Darwin in the tropical north.
 
 

Flights

To Alice Springs

QANTAS

Direct from Melbourne  Departs Daily

Direct from Sydney   Departs Daily

Direct from Brisbane   Saturday & Sunday only

Direct from Darwin   Morning & Afternoon flights daily

Direct from Adelaide   Departs Daily

Direct from Perth   Departs Daily

Direct from Cairns   Departs Daily

TIGER

Direct from Adelaide   Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays only

Direct from Melbourne  Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays only
 

To Uluru (Ayers Rock)

QANTAS (only Carrier available)

Direct from Sydney   Departs Daily

Direct from Perth   Departs Daily

Direct from Alice Springs  Departs Daily

Melbourne – Sydney – Uluru  Departs Daily

Melbourne – Alice Springs – Uluru Departs Daily

Brisbane – Sydney – Uluru  Departs Daily

Brisbane – Cairns – Uluru  Departs Daily

Brisbane – Alice Springs – Uluru Saturday & Sunday only

Adelaide – Alice Springs – Uluru Departs Daily
 

Train

THE GHAN

Adelaide – Alice Springs  Departs Sundays & Wednesdays (Overnight Trip)

Darwin – Alice Springs  Departs Wednesdays & Saturdays (Overnight Trip)
 

Rental Cars

Hertz     www.hertz.com

Avis     www.avis.com.au

Thrifty     www.thrifty.com.au  
 

Please note that the information stated is subject to change without notice and should be used as a guide only.