What can you do in Alice Springs over the weekend?
Visit Telegraph Station
Alice Springs was officially established in 1871 when the city’s Telegraph Station was built. The station marked a halfway point for messages being transmitted between Darwin and Adelaide, which helped to connect the northern and southern areas of Australia. Today, visitors holidaying on cheap flights to Alice Springs from Sydney can explore the Telegraph Station to learn more about the origins of the city and how the Overland Telegraph Line revolutionised communication in Australia. Take a walk around the reserve and visit the historic precinct that includes a guided tour with the price of entry.
Hike at Simpsons Gap
Simpsons Gap is part of the popular West MacDonnell Ranges that lie west of Alice Springs. It’s only 18 kilometres (11 miles) from the CBD, so you can easily pop over there for a few hours. Simpsons Gap features dramatic cliffs, local wildlife, and a refreshing watering hole. Head there in the early morning or late afternoon while holidaying on flights from Sydney to Alice Springs for a good chance at spotting black-footed rock wallabies. The landmark also has some nice walking trails. It’s located on the 231-kilometre (143.5-mile) Larapinta Trail, and visitors to Simpsons Gap can take on two shorter sections of the hike.
Explore Olive Pink Botanic Gardens
Alice Springs’s location in the heart of the Australian Outback means the region is home to some unique nature. The Olive Pink Botanic Gardens is one of the top places to take in desert vegetation while holidaying on Sydney to Alice Springs cheap flights. It’s also unique in that it’s the only arid zone botanic garden in Australia. Wander through the 16 hectare gardens where you can spot more than 500 plant species that are native to Central Australia. You may even spot a few hill kangaroos or black-footed rock wallabies while visiting.
What is the cost of visiting Alice Springs?
Many hotel rooms in central Alice Springs cost somewhere in the range of $100 to $150 NZD per night with Webjet. You can also hire a car through Webjet to pick up once you arrive into Alice Springs Airport (ASP). Rental cars start from about $130 NZD per day.
Having a car is the best way to get around while holidaying on Sydney to Alice Springs flights, but there’s also a public bus available. Single tickets cost $3 AUD ($3.20 NZD), and an unlimited day ticket is $7 AUD ($7.50 NZD).
There are dozens of activities to add to your to-do list after booking tickets to Alice Springs from Sydney. Tickets to visit the Araluen Arts Centre and Museum of Central Australia each cost $8 AUD ($8.60 NZD) for adults and $6 AUD ($6.45 NZD) for children. The reserve portion of the Alice Springs Telegraph Station is free to wander around, and tickets to visit the historic precinct cost $15.50 AUD ($16.70 NZD). The West MacDonnell Ranges are free to visit on a self-guided tour – all you need is a hire car. Alternatively, you could take a guided tour for about $100 to $150 AUD ($107.60 to $161.40 NZD).
What should I pack for Alice Springs?
A comfortable pair of hiking shoes and a strong sunscreen are essentials for anyone who books Sydney to Alice Springs return flights. You’ll also want some comfortable clothes that you can wear while visiting the national parks outside of the city. Pack lightweight clothing like shorts and t-shirts if you’ll be visiting Alice in the summer as temperatures can regularly reach up to 40°C. Bring along some layers if you’ll be travelling from Sydney to Alice Springs at any other time of year. Temperatures are often warm during the day but may cool down at night. This is especially true for winter when evenings can dip to about 4°C. Pack some jeans, jumpers, and a warm coat for this time of year.
FAQ
How do I get from Sydney to Alice Springs?
You can catch direct flights from Sydney to Alice Springs. Direct flights arrive in about three hours and 10 minutes.
Is there a direct flight from Sydney to Alice Springs?
Yes, Qantas operates a direct route from Sydney to Alice Springs.
Do airlines fly from Sydney to Alice Springs?
You can book Sydney to Alice Springs flights travelling with both Qantas and Virgin Australia. Qantas has direct flights, and VA offers some options with a stopover.
When is the best time to book a flight from Sydney to Alice Springs?
You’ll enjoy the most comfortable weather by booking your Sydney to Alice Springs cheap flights for travel during the winter months. Temperatures don’t get too hot, so you can enjoy plenty of time hiking the nearby national parks. Autumn and spring get decent weather as well. You may find summer to be a good option if you’re after cheap flights from Sydney to Alice Springs as this is the low season. Just come prepared for hot weather!