Minibus Hire Across Australia

Alice Springs Airport pickups for your Red Centre trip

Landing in Alice Springs is the start of something big for most groups: the West MacDonnell Ranges, Uluru, Kings Canyon. A minibus or people mover with a driver meets you at the terminal, about 15 km south of town, and the long red roads are someone else's job.

Meeting at the terminal

Alice Springs Airport publishes no coach pick-up point or staging area. Vehicles may drop off and collect in front of the terminal while the driver stays with them and is actively loading, and parking at the kerb is strictly prohibited.

In practice, that means gathering the group and the bags inside before stepping out. The airport itself points groups towards coach charter and bus companies, and a booked vehicle timed to your flight is exactly that.

Passenger van interior
Passenger van interior

Into town

Todd Mall is 15 to 20 minutes' drive. Most places to stay are in the middle of town, on Barrett Drive by the convention centre, or down towards Heavitree Gap.

The terminals

  • Single passenger terminal

Good to know at Alice Springs Airport

  • The airport lists coach charter and bus companies among its transport options for groups.
  • An airport shuttle bus runs between the airport and the town centre, hotels, motels and hostels; booking ahead is advised.
  • Unattended vehicles at the kerb, and vehicles breaking the traffic regulations, are issued parking infringement notices.

The ranges and the rock

Close to town, the Telegraph Station is about 10 minutes away, Simpsons Gap about 25 and Standley Chasm around 45; the chasm is owned and run by the local Arrernte community. Ormiston Gorge is closer to two hours. Visitors from outside the Territory each need an NT Parks pass to enter the West MacDonnell parks.

Uluru is about 468 km off. A car does it in around five hours; a coach takes longer, since heavy vehicles are held to 100 km/h on stretches where cars can go faster. It's usually an overnight trip. Kings Canyon is similar, taking the sealed route via the Lasseter Highway and Luritja Road rather than the unsealed Mereenie Loop.

Heat changes the walking rules. With 36 degrees or more forecast, the Kings Canyon Rim Walk has to be started before 9 am, and at Kata Tjuta the Valley of the Winds walk is shut past Karu Lookout from 11 am. Early starts suit everyone out here.

Your questions

Can we go straight from the airport to Uluru?

You can, but after a flight, five hours or more on the road is a lot for a family. A night in Alice first makes for a fresher start.

Does the Desert Park take groups?

Yes. Alice Springs Desert Park has free parking for vehicles and coaches, and groups of 10 or more book through its visitor services.

Who arranges the Uluru permits?

Each of you needs a park pass. For a guided visit, the tour operator must hold a permit or licence from the Director of National Parks, and its guides must have completed the park's Knowledge for tour guides program, so allow at least 14 days if you want one.

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