Alice Springs

Explore some iconic sites and discover Alice Springs significant place in Australian history.

Travel to the world’s largest classroom, the Alice Springs School of the Air. Established in 1951, the school covers 1.3 million square kilometres and is still in operation today. It was the first to use two-way radio broadcasts to educate students in remote areas who are unable to attend face-to-face lessons. If you’re lucky, you may be able to witness a class firsthand.

At the Alice Springs Reptile Centre, you’ll be treated to an informative display and discussion about the variety of scaly inhabitants in this region. You’ll meet locals like frilled neck lizards, thorny devils, perentie goannas and geckos.

You’ll also visit the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station. Here, you’ll learn about the day-to-day life of the first European settlement in Alice Springs and how the station played a pivotal role in bridging the communication gap between remote Australian towns.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate level mobility – Guests are required to climb coach stairs several times, with walking and standing for short periods. Guests are strongly encouraged to dress for the weather conditions. Enclosed sturdy shoes are required. Sunscreen, a hat, trousers and long sleeves are highly recommended.

*Inclusive for Platinum and Gold Service guests travelling the entire journey. Platinum and Gold Service guests leaving The Ghan in Alice Springs are required to pay $100 per person.

As distinctive as the Australian desert itself, the Alice Springs Desert Park is a unique experience that captivates and educates. Located at the base of the West MacDonnell Ranges, the Desert Park is closely connected to the local Arrernte people. The stories and history of the Arrernte people, together with the plants and animals they are responsible for, are told through the interpretation and creation of three distinct desert habitats – Desert Rivers, Sand Country and Woodland.

Highlights include stepping into the Nocturnal House on your guided walk. Let your eyes adjust to the evening light and enjoy spotting animals such as the bilby or the rare mala wallaby, in their natural environment.

Then, prepare for an aerial display. Feel the adrenalin rush as raptors of the desert sky fly over your head. The free-flying birds of prey will demonstrate their natural survival skills, including hunting and foraging. After the show, your backstage pass allows you to get up close and personal with the birds and trainers during a private training session.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate level mobility – guests are required to walk approx. 4km on gravel and sandy pathways, broken into short distances. Guests are strongly encouraged to dress for the weather conditions. Enclosed sturdy shoes are required. Sunscreen, a hat, trousers and long sleeves are highly recommended.

Personal electric scooters are available for mobility assistance (limited availability) – guest needs to be able control scooter independently. Scooters to be requested at time of guest tour booking. Indemnity form to be completed prior to use.

*Inclusive for Platinum and Gold Service guests travelling the entire journey. Platinum and Gold Service guests leaving The Ghan in Alice Springs are required to pay $100 per person.

The Simpsons Gap area is a magical location, where important elements of flora, fauna and Indigenous culture come together. It incorporates large stands of Mulga and is a major stronghold for more than 40 rare plants.

Here, you will enjoy walks that pass native plants of the area, including ancient Ghost Gums, and that also take in views of the West MacDonnell ranges.

Known as Rungutjirpa to the Arrernte people, Simpsons Gap is the mythological home of a group of giant goanna ancestors. Several dreaming trails and stories cross at this important spiritual site. Enjoy the serenity as you admire the canyon walls as they glow with reflected sunlight, creating a breathtaking display of stark form and rich colour.

Recommended Fitness Level: High level mobility – Approximately 5km of walking over rocky and natural terrain. Guests are strongly encouraged to dress for the weather conditions. Enclosed sturdy shoes and trousers are required. Sunscreen, a hat and long sleeves are highly recommended.

PLEASE NOTE: If temperatures are forecasted to be 35 degrees or above, this experience may be amended.

*Inclusive for Platinum and Gold Service guests travelling the entire journey. Platinum and Gold Service guests leaving The Ghan in Alice Springs are required to pay $100 per person.

Standley Chasm is a significant cultural icon in Central Australia. Traditionally called Angkerle Atwatye, meaning ‘Gap of Water’, itis a 3-metre-wide, 80-metre-high gorge in the West MacDonnell Ranges, about 50km west of Alice Springs.

Once a narrow tributary of the Finke River system, persistent rainfall and flooding intricately carved the sandstone slope over millions of years, creating a dramatic and picturesque effect, where the geological colours of the outback are on display.

The walking trail to the Chasm and those in its surrounds offer chance encounters with a variety of local inhabitants, including diverse bird species, lizards and wallabies, as well as native flowering plants and ancient cycad palms.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate level mobility – Approximately 2.5km of walking over natural paths and rocky terrain, with standing required. Travel time to Standley Chasm is 40 minutes. Guests are strongly encouraged to dress for the weather conditions. Enclosed sturdy shoes are required. Sunscreen, a hat, trousers and long sleeves are highly recommended.

*Inclusive for Platinum and Gold Service guests travelling the entire journey. Platinum and Gold Service guests leaving The Ghan in Alice Springs are required to pay $100 per person.

Ride your way along a windy trail to the famously dry Todd River, where you will experience, up close, some of the most breathtaking countryside. Your tour will take you along the Ilentye trail, an Indigenous word, pronounced eeLINDGE, meaning Galah.

After a leisurely cycle on the ochre coloured dirt, your Tour Guide will lead you to a picturesque spot in the sandy river, where you will take time to soak in this amazing landscape. Your bike ride resumes along the Ilentye trail that runs parallel to the unique rugged terrain that is home to many black-footed rock wallabies, often spotted moving over the rocks.

This cycling tour provides an active and hands on way to tour Alice Springs, learning about the history of the town, its geological formations as well as immersing yourself in the captivating landscape.

Recommended Fitness Level: High level mobility – Guests need to be confident and able to ride a geared mountain bike. Approx. 13km of cycling over sandy paths. Guests are strongly encouraged to dress for the weather conditions. Enclosed sturdy shoes are required. Sunscreen, a hat, trousers and long sleeves are highly recommended.

*Inclusive for Platinum and Gold Service guests travelling the entire journey. Platinum and Gold Service guests leaving The Ghan in Alice Springs are required to pay $100 per person.

Discovering the outback from the air is simply spellbinding. Flying by helicopter is exhilarating at any time, but when you are soaring above the rugged ranges and open plains of the Red Centre, it is an experience you will never forget.

Taking to the skies on a 15 minute helicopter flight, your first aerial encounter with the landscape is a fly over spectacular Simpsons Gap and its permanent waterhole. You will track the cliff faces of the Mount Gillen Ridgeline and the Larapinta Trail and throughout your aerial safari, you will be treated to the pilot’s expert commentary, providing detail on the wonders unfolding before you.

After your adventure, you are invited to wind down with a relaxing swim in the hotel pool while enjoying refreshments and high tea.

Before returning to the train, discover the colourful history of Alice Springs and the unique culture of this iconic outback town in the comfort of a coach tour.

To avoid disappointment, we highly recommend guests pre-book this tour. For more information on how to pre-book, please contact our travel centre on 1800 703 357 or contact your travel agent.

If you choose this experience, you will not be able to participate in the included Off Train Experiences.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate level mobility – Guests required to board and disembark aircraft unassisted. Weight restrictions apply – the maximum weight of any individual cannot exceed 130kgs. Sunscreen and hats are recommended as well as bathers for use of the pool. Towels provided by Crowne Plaza Lasseters.

PLEASE NOTE: This tour is subject to availability and conditions; all upgrade optional experiences are non-refundable.

What better vantage point to catch sight of kangaroos and other native wildlife than from atop a camel? Your guide will lead you into White Gums Station to enjoy sweeping outback views, take in the MacDonnell Ranges, make friends with your gentle camel team, and ride aboard our ‘ships of the desert’, the same mode of transport used by outback settlers.

Visit the ‘Camel Lounge’ to learn about these characterful creatures and browse a range of souvenirs. Chat with friendly ‘cameleers’ about the history of camels in Central Australia and camel farm life. Here you can also sip on a chilled drink and nibble on light canapés featuring outback bush flavours, including homemade humus wattle seed dip or bush tomato tapenade with crackers – and more.

To avoid disappointment, we highly recommend guests pre-book this tour. For more information on how to pre-book, please contact our travel centre on 1800 703 357 or contact your travel agent.

If you choose this experience, you will not be able to participate in the included Off Train Experiences.

Recommended Fitness Level: Moderate level mobility – Guests need to be able to ascend 6 steps to reach the loading platform to climb aboard the camel. Not recommended for guests with ongoing back issues, planning or recently had a hip replacement or are pregnant. Adequate balance required to sit stably on the camel. Guests are strongly encouraged to dress for the weather conditions. Enclosed sturdy shoes are required. Sunscreen, a hat, trousers and long sleeves are highly recommended.

PLEASE NOTE: This tour is subject to availability and conditions; all upgrade optional experiences are non-refundable.