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To see and understand the Australian Outback, first you must experience Alice Springs.

Resting at the geographical heart of the continent, Alice Springs is seen as the unofficial capital of the country’s “Red Centre”. Despite the city’s rough and barren surroundings, its locals are friendly and its culture is warm hearted. The city houses more art galleries per capita than anywhere else in the country and acts the keeper of Aboriginal heritage.

But of course, the ultimate attraction in Alice Springs, is what lays beyond the city. A well-set up jumping off point for Outback drives, from the city you can take on the classic Australian road trip to the country’s enormous rock, Uluru, or to the West MacDonnell Ranges for a true bushwalk through waterholes and gaping gorges.

Modern and attractive, Alice Springs is nestled against the (frequently dry) banks of the Todd River. 'The Alice', as it affectionately known, was founded in 1870 as a staging point for the overland telegraph line. Although the town has a decent selection of good restaurants and a few lively bars, tourists come here for the natural wonders. Ayers Rock, or Uluru, is one of the symbols of Australia. This huge bright red slab rises suddenly and mysteriously from the surrounding landscape and is truly an impressive sight. Other natural attractions worth visiting include the MacDonnell National Park with spectacular scenery that encompasses parts of the MacDonnell Ranges and offers some of the best bush walking and camping in the country. Take a look in the Central Australian Visitor Information Centre in the town centre for more information about the surrounding environment.

Alice Springs: Discover more

Rent a car in Alice Springs and you can explore the city on your own terms and venture further out into the countryside. The Mount Lofty Ranges is a wonderful place to tour, with scenic views, gentle treks and picnic areas at every turn.