Emu Run Alice Explorer Tour

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A gentle full day around Alice Springs: ancient Arrernte rock engravings, morning tea at a working cattle station, red dune country south of town and the Old Ghan story in the morning, then the town's own landmarks in the afternoon, from the School of the Air to Anzac Hill.

Days

Full day, about 10 hours

Age

2 years and over

Group size

Max 21

Start / finish

Alice Springs / Old South Road / Alice Springs
Your accommodation, around 5:30pm

Return

Your accommodation, around 5:30pm

Transport

Air-conditioned bus with accommodation pick-up

Meals

Morning and afternoon tea

Route

View map

Included experiences

Ewaninga Rock Carvings — ancient Arrernte rock engravings
Ooraminna Station — morning tea at a working cattle station
Red Dune Desert Lookout — red sand country to the MacDonnell Ranges
Old Ghan Museum — the story of the old Ghan railway
School of the Air and Royal Flying Doctor Service — outback lifelines
Telegraph Station and Anzac Hill — the town's history and best view

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: THE OLD SOUTH ROAD

Your guide collects you from your Alice Springs accommodation from 7:45am and heads south on the Old South Road, a quieter dirt road out of town. On the way you hear about the Finke River, which some geologists believe has followed much the same course for hundreds of millions of years, making it one of the oldest rivers in the world. Your guide also tells the story of the Overland Telegraph Line, finished in 1872, which carried messages across this country between Adelaide and Darwin, and of the old Finke settlements further south.

MORNING: THE EWANINGA ROCK CARVINGS

The first stop is Napwerte, the Ewaninga Rock Carvings Conservation Reserve. Here early Arrernte people pecked symbols into low sandstone outcrops beside a claypan: circles, lines and animal tracks, thought to be thousands of years old. Arrernte custodians still hold their meaning, and much of it is not shared with outsiders, so your guide explains what can be told. A short, flat walk loops past the main rocks. Look closely in the low morning light, when the shadows make the carvings easier to see.

MID-MORNING: OORAMINNA STATION HOMESTEAD

Next is Ooraminna Station Homestead, a working cattle station where the outback way of life carries on much as it has for generations. The station is also home to an outback film set, complete with its own saloon, which appeared in the film The Drover's Boy. Morning tea is served on the deck of the homestead, with nothing but bush, red earth and birdsong around you. It's a good moment to ask your guide about life on a station this far from town.

LATE MORNING: THE RED DUNE AND THE OLD GHAN MUSEUM

From the Red Dune Desert Lookout you look out over deep red sand to the distant MacDonnell Ranges. The colour comes from a thin coating of iron oxide on each grain. Back towards town, the Old Ghan Museum tells the story of the railway that reached Alice Springs in 1929. It was named after the Afghan cameleers who carried supplies through the Centre before the line came, and the old narrow-gauge track closed in 1980 when a new line was built further west. Then it's back into town.

MIDDAY: LUNCH IN ALICE SPRINGS

Around the middle of the day you have free time in the centre of Alice Springs to find lunch at your own expense. The Todd Mall is the place to start, lined with cafés and galleries selling Aboriginal art from across the Centre. On the walk you may cross the bed of the Todd River, usually just dry sand, which flows only a few days a year after heavy rain. In town the river is famous for the Henley-on-Todd, a boat race run on foot in bottomless boats along the dry bed.

AFTERNOON: THE SCHOOL OF THE AIR AND THE TELEGRAPH STATION

After lunch the tour turns to the town's own story. At the School of the Air, which began teaching by two-way radio in 1951, you see how children on remote stations across the Northern Territory are taught over vast distances. The Alice Springs Telegraph Station is where the town began, built in 1872 on the Overland Telegraph Line. Its waterhole was named after Alice Todd, wife of Charles Todd, who built the line, and the town took its name. You walk among the original stone buildings of what was first called Stuart.

LATE AFTERNOON: THE FLYING DOCTOR AND ANZAC HILL

At the Royal Flying Doctor Service visitor centre you learn how doctors and nurses fly to patients far from any hospital, a service John Flynn started in 1928. Afternoon tea is part of the day. The tour finishes on Anzac Hill, topped by the town's war memorial, with the whole of Alice Springs below and the MacDonnell Ranges running east and west, broken only by Heavitree Gap to the south. In the late light the ranges glow red. You're back at your accommodation around 5:30pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from your Alice Springs accommodation.
Departure time: 7:45am. Runs six days a week from April to October and three days a week from November to March.
Finishes: Back at your accommodation around 5:30pm.
Minimum age: Children from 2 years. Under 18s must travel with a parent or guardian.
Fitness: Short, easy walks that suit all ages and fitness levels.
Dietary needs: One of vegetarian, gluten-free or dairy-free can be catered for on request. Mention any allergy when you book and carry your own medication.
Please note: Maximum 21 people per tour, in an air-conditioned bus.

What to bring

Proof of booking (the emailed version is fine)
Your NT Parks Pass
Water bottle, at least 1 litre
Strong, non-slip walking shoes
Wide-brimmed hat
Fly net, especially in summer
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Camera
Money for lunch
Comfortable clothes: cool and light in summer, warm in winter

What is included

Local guide
Pick-up and drop-off at your Alice Springs accommodation
Air-conditioned transport
Morning and afternoon tea
Entry fees to the attractions

Not included

NT Parks Pass, $10 per person (buy online before the tour; a digital copy is fine)
Lunch, during a break in the town centre

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

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.

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 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.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

“Great tour of Alice Springs and surrounds.”

A great way to see Alice Springs with Bluey, a friendly and knowledgeable guide, and all entry fees covered. Highlights for me were the Flying Doctor base and School of the Air, then tea and biscuits at Ooraminna Station and the film set there.

Linda D Verified· Travelled 1st September 2026

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