Campervan Hire Alice Springs

In the heart of Australia lies a city with a story to tell. Alice Springs calls to travellers with a sense of adventure and a curiosity about the mighty Outback. Upon arrival, you will be struck by the heat, red dust, and intense remoteness of the city - and ready to explore. Refer to our Outback itinerary to do just that, and chop and change as you see fit to make the most of the time you have. There is no better way to explore this region than with your own Alice Springs campervan hire.

You can also drive to Alice instead and pick up a campervan in another city - try Darwin, or Broome, or Adelaide.

Despite its small size, Alice Springs has a wide selection of campervan rentals from which to choose. Simply type your preferred dates into Motorhome Republic’s search engine and filter by group size, vehicle preference, and even price. Opt for a well known international brand like Apollo, Britz, Maui Motorhomes, or Mighty Campers, or try a local option. Book through us to get a great deal as you hire a campervan and enjoy 24/7 customer service.

Tips for driving a motorhome in the Outback

Avoid problems on the road by arming yourself with as much knowledge as possible before heading off:

• Service stations in the Australian Outback are few and far between. Fill up whenever you get the chance and carry an extra supply of fuel and water to be safe.

• Opt for a 4WD if you plan to go offroading, otherwise stick to sealed roads.

• Avoid driving at night - wildlife running out onto the road is a real danger.

• Full cover insurance for your campervan rental is recommended. Check with your supplier about coverage rules, etc.

• Check out our Australia driving guide to get familiar with the nation’s road rules.

• Download our handy road trip app to help you on your way.

An Australia campervan hire trip isn’t complete without experiencing the Red Centre. Fly into Alice Springs, to begin your Australian Outback adventure of a lifetime. Alice Springs is the closest starting point for a campervan hire Uluru adventure.

“The Alice” is a remote, colourful city characterised by red dust and rugged features. It’s a lively place full of personality, culture and history, and the gateway city to the Outback and renowned Uluru desert rock. Experience this city in all its unique glory, and then grab your motorhome rental and hit the desert road.

It is not enough preparation to just select the pick up date and drop off date, and stop there. In this guide, you’ll find out what to do in the area, fun annual festivities to plan around and where to head next in your campervan hire tour from Alice Springs, Northern Territory.

Alice Springs Campervan Hire Itineraries

Located in the heartland of Australia, Alice Springs is your gateway to the Red Centre. Grab your campervan rental from the city and head north or south for one memorable road trip.

Red Centre Adventure: Adelaide to Darwin: (or Darwin to Adelaide)

Start from the tip top of Australia in Darwin, the southern coast in Adelaide, or smack dab in the middle of the desert in Alice Springs for a once-in-a-lifetime experience through the Red Centre. Take as little as 18 days or as many as 36 for this outback adventure.

Traverse the Australian desert and visit Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park for a must-see sunset (and sunrise) at Uluru, a famed and sacred red rock in the middle of nowhere. You can stare in awe at ancient cave paintings, walk through the desert on the back of a camel, get your adrenaline pumping on a quad bike tour and much more when you opt for this fantastic route.

If you make your way towards Darwin, stop by Katherine Gorge and Kakadu National Park, both exquisite natural landscapes where you can kayak, swim, camp, hike and more. Cruising south to Adelaide? Swing through Port Augusta visiting Wadlata Outback Centre and don’t miss cellar door hopping through Barossa Valley vineyards, an hour north of the state capital.

Don’t forget to read up on safety tips for driving through the Outback.

Image: Joanna Penn

What to do in Alice Springs

Spend a few days adventuring around Alice Springs. Here are a few activities worth checking out during your campervan road trip:

Cultural experience

The history in the area is mind-blowing. Start by visiting the Australian Aboriginal art galleries to hear stories dating back 30,000 years and see rock carvings, body painting and ground designs. Then drop by Papunya Tula gallery and Araluen Arts Centre, followed by a stop at the Sounds of Starlight for a didgeridoo performance or book a workshop to learn to play the indigenous instrument.

• Aboriginal Cultural Experience
• Papunya Tula gallery
• Araluen Arts Centre
• Sounds of Starlight
• Alice Springs Show Day

Nature

Spend hours in the desert exploring national parks and learning about the Red Centre’s flora and fauna. Experience a desert oasis in Palm Valley, located in Finke Gorge National Park. Head there to hike, swim, camp, or book a 4WD adventure. It will take an entire day to travel to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, but it’s worth it! Catch a sunset at Uluru, the sacred red rock and stay for a night of mind-blowing star gazing. An Alice Springs motorhome holiday is always worth a visit to a caravan park or two.

• Finke Gorge National Park
• Alice Springs Desert Park
• Palm Valley
• Uluru/Ayers Rock Tour
• Outback Astro Tour
• Alice Springs Reptile Centre

Outdoor Activities

Exploring the outdoors is why most tourists visit Alice Springs and the Red Centre and the activities are endless. For a sweeping view of the city and MacDonnell Ranges climb up Anzac Hill or book a helicopter or hot air balloon ride to see the ranges from above. If you’re heading to Uluru, make sure to stop by Kings Canyon and the Rainbow Valley in Simpson Desert, to find mesmerising red rock faces alongside dense palm forests where you can hike, book a camel or quad bike tour or a helicopter ride. It’s also a great spot to catch a sunrise or sunset.

• Helicopter flight in the West MacDonnell Ranges
• Mountain biking in the Araluen Mountain trails
• Pyndan Camel Tracks
• Kings Canyon Quad Bikes

Food

Enjoy a wide variety of international cuisine in Alice Springs including Indian, Italian and wild game meats such as crocodile, camel and kangaroo. Here’s a list of the best restaurants in town:

• Hanuman Restaurant
• Montes
• Overlanders Steakhouse
• Epilogue Lounge
• Casa Nostra
• Red Ochre Grill

Helpful motorhome tips for your Alice Springs road trip

Read on for more information and articles to make your motorhome adventure one you’ll never forget.

Alice Springs city guide

For more information on what to do in Alice Springs and what vehicle to select for your holiday, read on.

Advice for the Outback

This harsh environment is not for the ill-equipped or last second planners. Learn from Allan Whiting of Outback Travel Australia for safety tips on how to survive the Outback.

National Park Tours

Love visiting national parks? Read about the top 5 Australian National Parks great for campervans.

Winter road trips

Prefer less tourists on the open road? Try visiting in winter when you can save on motorhome rates, plus enjoy cooler weather in the typically hot sections of Australia.

Understanding Aussie slang

For help with the eccentric Aussie language, read our guide “Traveler’s Guide to Australian Slang.”

Essential guide to camping in Australia

Is this your first motorhome rental in Australia? Learn the essential tips for camping in Australia.

Alice Springs not your pick up location of choice in Australia? Consider other options including Tasmania campervan rental or a rental from Cairns, Newcastle, Brisbane. If you'd like to start in the western part, consider getting a motorhome rental in Perth. Alternatively, explore the capital city with ease when you visit Canberra in a campervan hire, all around the country, in New Zealand, and even worldwide - all with the best offers prepared by Motorhome Republic.