Alice Springs

Kata Tjuta, also known as Mount Olga or The Olgas, is similar to Uluru but different in shape. Lying only about 365 km southwest of Alice Springs, it is — compared to its 'sibling' Uluru — only a stone's throw away, and definitely worth a visit. Once a single piece of rock, the Olgas are now made up of 36 domed formations that have weathered over millions of years. Admire the impressive rocks from afar, for example, by taking the Valley of the Winds walk — a looped trail with fantastic viewpoints. You can walk right through the grooves for some stunning vistas and fewer crowds.

Karlu Karlu, as the Aboriginal Australians say, or The Devil’s Marbles, are gigantic rounded granite boulders spread across a valley. They are one of the main tourist attractions in the Northern Territory. While pathways with information boards and a camping area on the grounds allow visitors to experience this sight all year long, rangers offer an exciting program of live events between May and October.

For a fantastic first glimpse of Alice, you should wander up to this war memorial from where you can also savour in the city's beautiful surroundings. This viewpoint is best visited at sunrise or at sunset, so start or finish your day right by heading up here. This monuments is dedicated to the ANZACS (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) of World War I. Dawn services are held each year on ANZAC day, April 25th.

Alice Springs Desert Park is a great introduction to the plants, desert habitat and animals of the area, and you will definitely need a full day to explore it all. Also, learn more about Aboriginal culture, and do not miss the free staff talks, the birds of prey display or the hourly film. Check the park's website for tour and feeding schedule.

Adelaide House was the first medical facility in Central Australia when it opened back in 1926 with only two nurses. It was designed by Reverend John Flynn of Royal Flying Doctor Service. Remaining the only medical centre in this area until 1939, the building today displays items of local history, and the pedal radio Flynn and Traeger used back then.

Araluen Cultural Precinct is a fantastic complex displaying local cultural and natural history, including the Namatjira Gallery, Aviation Museum, Memorial Cemetery and Museum of Central Australia. While there are also sacred sites and trees of significance to Aboriginal people, you will definitely learn a lot about Australian culture and significance.

The Royal Flying Doctors Service is a non-profit organisation aiming to provide emergency and health services for people living in regions without direct access to hospitals and doctors. One of their main stations is situated in Alice Springs, and it is accessible to the public. Here, at their museum, you can get a glimpse of the flying doctors' job as well as of their rescue helicopters.

Founded in 1993, the museum hosts changing exhibitions about women in pioneering positions such as sports, politics or art, and thus captures the lives of exceptional women in Australian history. The place also holds the Old Gaol museum where you can learn about prison years from 1938 to 1996.

This centre houses one of the largest reptile collection in the area, with snakes, lizards and turtles, and they also organise amazing and informative crocodile and python shows, offering a whole new and up-close look on these peculiar creatures. Suitable for all ages, and it provides fun and education for the whole family.

Close to the Araluen Cultural Precinct, this memorial cemetery holds the gravestones of historical Australian persons such as the Aboriginal painter Albert Namatjira and the anthropologist Olive Muriel Pink. Head here for breathing in some historical air.

The Kangaroo Sanctuary Alice Springs is a 188 acre wildlife sanctuary for rescued orphaned baby kangaroos and adult kangaroos. Their tours are meant to educate visitors about these iconic Australian marsupials. Back in 2013 the Sanctuary was the centre of a popular documentary called Kangaroo Dundee that followed the interesting lives of our mob of rescue kangaroos and other wildlife.