Alice Springs Long Weekend Drive

Day One (Saturday): Start your morning with a drive up Anzac Hill for a panoramic view of Alice Springs and the surrounding ranges. A visit to the Alice Springs Telegraph Station on the northern side of town is a must. It provides an important historical reference point as to the background of this unique outback town and has a collection of carefully restored buildings, dating back to the 1870s that contain interesting historical displays. Returning to the town centre, visit one of the town's many Aboriginal art galleries and centres, representing different communities throughout Central Australia. Alice Springs has a range of comfortable accommodation options, as well as a good choice of restaurants.

Day Two (Sunday): Head out along Larapinta Drive and discover the dramatic West MacDonnell Ranges. These ranges are dotted with many intriguing locations, such as Standley Chasm with its sheer rock walls that glow Standley Chasm, West MacDonnell red in the midday sun. Ellery Creek Big Hole is a picturesque permanent Ranges waterhole nestled in the ranges and a popular swimming place during the warmer months. Ormiston Gorge and Pound is an area of great beauty and geological significance that is particularly attractive around dusk. A colony of black footed rock wallabies can usually be seen defying gravity amongst the ledges of the Gorge in the late afternoon. Accommodation is available at Glen Helen Resort, near Ormiston Gorge.

Day Three (Monday): Make your way back to Alice Springs via the Hermannsburg Historical Precinct. A former Lutheran Mission established in the late 19th Century, the community was home to famous Aboriginal watercolour artist, Albert Namatjira. View some of Namatjira's works on display in the tea rooms located in one of the mission era buildings. The entry to Finke Gorge National Park is close to Hermannsburg and contains the mysterious Aboriginal Artist, Alice Springs Palm Valley, an oasis-like area of rare and ancient palm species. Access to Palm Valley is by four-wheel drive vehicle only. Return to Alice Springs, where if time permits, you may like to visit the Alice Springs Cultural Precinct, home to an extensive collection of early Papunya and Namatjira watercolours.