Art Tours of Australia Alice Springs Art Centres Tour

Map View Full Details

A half-day tour of the Aboriginal art centres and galleries of Mparntwe Alice Springs with an expert guide. If you've been thinking about buying Aboriginal art but don't know where to start, the guide will help you understand the art centres, the history of Aboriginal art and its relationship to country and culture.

Days

3 hours

Group size

Max 9

Start / finish

Alice Springs / Alice Springs

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Troopy pick-up and drop-off from your Alice Springs accommodation

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Art Tours of Australia Alice Springs Art Centres Tour

View map

Included experiences

Local cafe — briefing on Aboriginal art history
Araluen Art Centre
Papunya Tula Artists
Tjampi Desert Weavers
Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre
Tangentyere Artists

Art Tours of Australia Alice Springs Art Centres Tour

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

START: A BRIEFING OVER COFFEE

Your guide picks you up from your accommodation in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) in the tour's Troopy, a classic Toyota LandCruiser, and takes you to a local café for a briefing on Aboriginal art. It covers the basic history and its cultural meaning, from the dot paintings that began at Papunya in 1971 to the stories of country that every work carries. It's the place to ask the questions you might feel awkward asking in a gallery. Alice Springs has more art galleries per head than anywhere else in Australia, so it helps to know where to start.

THE ART CENTRES

Then you visit between four and eight art centres and galleries, chosen on the day around what is open and when the centres are happy to have visitors. Places often on the list include Papunya Tula Artists, the company owned by Western Desert painters since 1972, Tjampi Desert Weavers, whose women weavers make baskets and sculptures from desert grasses, and Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre, home of the watercolour landscape tradition begun by Albert Namatjira. Araluen Arts Centre holds one of the most important collections of Namatjira's work, and Tangentyere Artists works with painters from the Alice Springs town camps. Other regulars are Yubu Napa, Bush Balm and Bindi Enterprises. If there's a centre you'd like to see, ask when you book.

BUYING WITH CONFIDENCE

Buying from an Aboriginal-owned art centre means the money goes back to the artist and their community. Your guide helps you understand what you're looking at and what makes a purchase ethical, and never takes a commission on anything you buy, so the advice is straight. You finish the tour back at your accommodation, about three hours after you started, with a far better eye for the art of the Centre.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from your Alice Springs accommodation.
Please note: The itinerary is a rough guide; the art centres visited depend on availability, and visits are timed to suit the centres. Let us know at booking if there are specific art centres you'd like to visit. Art Tours of Australia and its guides never take a commission on art sales.

What to bring

A bottle of water
A way to pay for art and coffee
Clothes for the weather

What is included

Pick-up and drop-off from Alice Springs accommodation
Briefing on Aboriginal art at a local cafe
Visits to 4 to 8 art centres and galleries with a guide

Not included

Art and coffee purchases

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.