Once known as the ‘City of Churches’, today Adelaide is better recognised for its sophistication, charm and cosmopolitan feel. South Australia’s capital is a hub of festivals and art galleries; it enjoys a vibrant nightlife and live-music scene; plus there is plenty of shopping, including gorgeous opals, to be done; and gastronomic delights to be enjoyed. Pop into the Art Gallery of South Australia to view indigenous art, or the South Australian Museum devoted to natural history; take an amble in the Adelaide Botanic Garden; or if you’re up for a hike, find out about the trails on the Mount Lofty Ranges.
This hardy and remote desert town, initially named Stuart, started out as a telegraph station in the 1870s. Renamed Alice Springs in 1993, it’s the capital of the Australian Outback and the best place to start your exploration of the breathtaking Red Centre – the country’s interior desert region – as well as to experience the vibrant art and culture of the Aboriginal people. Venture out to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, and explore Kings Canyon, the West MacDonnell Ranges, Simpson Desert, and the Devil’s Marbles Conservation Reserve – home to an iconic pair of round granite boulders. While you’re in town, make sure to visit the Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve to get a feel of the town’s unique pioneering history.
SIC full day tour of the West MacDonnell Ranges by coach
Located in the south of Australia’s Northern Territory, the remote town of Yulara lies only 18 short kilometres from the sacred world heritage site, Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock. This isolated town serves as a service hub for the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and offers some welcome comfort in the harsh Outback landscape. Visitors use it as a base when exploring the park and viewing the main attraction in the area, Uluru. This epic sandstone formation stands almost 350 metres high and measures 10 kilometres in circumference featuring hidden caves, ancient rock art and otherworldly fiery hues at sunset. Other popular attractions and activities include: the Field of Light Uluru, the Desert Awakenings Tour and the Wintjiri Arts & Museum.
