alice springs astronomy tour

The Best Stargazing In The Red Centre

Perhaps some of the most intoxicating sights unique to Australia’s Red Centre are the region’s night skies. There is no light pollution in Central Australia and this means visitors can see the stars in their unobstructed glory from almost anywhere.

Despite the cool climate at night, the views of the constellations are majestic and worth staying up past bedtime to witness. Constellations which cannot be seen from anywhere else in the world are observable from Central Australia’s lookouts and observatories.

The Earth Sanctuary and Uluru Astronomy are two destinations where visitors can learn more about the night skies and how early explorers used them to navigate. The Dark Skies Festival offers visitors the chance to observe some of the clearest night skies seen in Australia. We provide information about these destinations below.

Earth Sanctuary Astro Tour

Earth Sanctuary Astro Tours

The Earth Sanctuary offers stargazing tours in Alice Springs. They are one of only three places in Australia that offer night sky viewing opportunities without light pollution from artificial lights or moonlight interference with star visibility. The centre offers astronomy tours, exciting School learning adventures, events and Outback dining experiences for group tours and inbound operators. The Dark Skies Festival is held at Earth Sanctuary every year.

Ulu r u Astronomy

Ulu r u Astronomy is the perfect opportunity for tourists to enjoy the night sky and learn about indigenous astronomy. There are a couple of different operators who have astronomy tours at Ulu r u.

Outback Sky Journeys

Discover the night sky through a journey of the southern stars. Choose between a family friendly option or an in-depth star gazing experience. Use telescopes as an expert astronomer guides you through constellations, distant galaxies, and highlights significant stars and planets. Learn the mythology and astronomy behind how people use the stars across different cultures. $57/adult.

Capturing the Cosmos

If you are looking for an afternoon activity, the Capturing the Cosmos documentary is the perfect activity. This astronomy documentary reveals the current research and technologies about radio astronomy, dark energy and Australia’s role at the forefront of radio astronomy. Proudly partnered by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia with ASTRO3D. Free Daily at 2pm (for 45 minutes) in the Arkani Theatre.

Uluru Astro Tours

In partnership with Ulu r u Kata Tju t a National Park, Uluru Astro Tours has been granted special access to the national park after hours for the most ideal stargazing location. Learn about space, the stars and surprises of the night sky in this 90 minute experience. $99/adult, $60/child.

Astronomy FAQ

When is the best time to look at the milky way, where can i go to learn about astronomy, what planets can i see, book your experience today.

If you are interested in seeing the night skies of Central Australia in all their splendor, call Tourism Central Australia to make a booking at any one of the venues listed above. We can answer all your questions regarding stargazing in the Red Centre and help you book the holiday of your dreams.

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A guide to constellations and stars in Alice Springs

There’s nothing quite like gazing up at the outback sky at night. With crystal clear skies and minimal light pollution, Alice Springs boasts breathtaking views of the stars and constellations that shine brightly over the red centre. In fact, the outback is regarded by many as the best place in Australia, and one of the best places in the world, for stargazing. Read on for some of the most famous stars and constellations that you may be able to see from Alice Springs.

Southern Cross

No visit to Australia is complete without spotting the Southern Cross, which consists of five stars in the shape of a kite. This star pattern is pictured on the Australian flag, and mentioned in the Australian national anthem, so it is a significant part of Australian culture. The Southern Cross is part of Crux, which is the smallest constellation in the sky. To find the Southern Cross, look for two particularly bright stars close by: Alpha and Beta Centauri. Follow a line from Alpha to Beta Centauri, which will take you to the top star of the Southern Cross: Gamma Crucis.

Libra is the only constellation from the zodiac family that represents an object rather than an animal or a mythological character. The four brightest stars form a quadrangle, seen as scales representing balance, and the name Libra is Latin for ‘the weighing scales’. Within the Libra constellation lies Methuselah, the oldest known star in the universe, as well as three stars with known planets.

Also from the zodiac family of stars is the Scorpius constellation, which represents a scorpion and has associations with Greek mythology. The brightest star within Scorpius is Antares, which is one of the brightest stars in the sky.

Orion the Hunter

This constellation represents a character from Greek mythology named Orion, who was a hunter. It is one of the brightest and most well-known constellations. Within Orion the Hunter are two of the ten brightest stars in the sky: Rigel and Betelgeuse. This constellation belongs to the Orion constellation family. The stars that make up Orion’s belt and his sword are often referred to as the pot and the saucepan in Australia.

The Seven Sisters

If you’ve found Orion the Hunter, follow a line through the three stars of Orion’s Belt, which will lead you to a V-shaped pattern with a bright star. The V shape is the face of Taurus the Bull, and the bright star is his eye. A little past the eye, you will see the Pleiades cluster of stars, also known as the Seven Sisters, which makes up the bull’s shoulder. The name comes from Greek mythology, in which the Pleiads were seven sisters, however, the stars are also thought to be siblings by astronomers.

These stars and constellations can be seen on a self-guided astrology excursion or simply from your Alice Springs campsite. Alternatively, book a tour to learn about what you see and the significance the constellations have to Aboriginal culture.

Where to stargaze

Located north east of Alice Springs airport, Earth Sanctuary Space Observatory offers a specialist stargazing location, complete with knowledgeable guides. If a guide is not required, simply book a campsite, sit by the fire, and look up. The entire outback offers ideal stargazing conditions, however for the best of the best, venture further away from town into the surrounding ranges and nature parks for even clearer skies.

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Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, Flinders Ranges, South Australia © South Australian Tourism Commission

Australia’s ultimate stargazing locations

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Remote destinations and ink-black skies make Australia one of the best places in the world to gaze at a marvellously bright Milky Way.

The Milky Way contains billions of stars, and when you gaze into the desert skies above Central Australia, you’ll feel like they are all blazing down on you. Just outside of Alice Springs , Earth Sanctuary’s astronomy tours highlight planets, constellations and lesser-known phenomena such as dark nebulae. Join an experienced guide to explore the marvellous southern night sky using a laser pointer and telescope.

The Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights, illuminate the night sky with hues of green, blue, purple and red in a spectacular natural display. The light show is visible all year round from Tasmania , although you are most likely to see it during winter at locations that are free from light pollution. Hobart’s highest mountain, kunanyi/Mount Wellington, offers a magnificent viewpoint, as does the nearby Mount Nelson.

Where to see the Southern Lights

Travelling in Tasmania? Keep your eyes peeled for one of nature’s most magnificent shows.

Read time • 3min

Love the idea of falling asleep beneath a blanket of stars? Wherever you go in Australia, you will find glamping and off-grid experiences that allow you to soak up the full splendour of the night sky. Simply step outside your tent and look up to see the spectacular display in all its glory at destinations such as Queensland’s Nightfall camp , New South Wales’ Paperbark Camp and Arkaroola  in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges .

No wi-fi, no worries: Where to go off-grid in Australia

Switch off and unwind at one of these back-to-nature escapes in Australia.

Read time • 8min

You don’t need to go far from the city to enjoy a spot of stargazing. In Western Australia's capital , the Perth Observatory has been around for more than 120 years, boasting modern and historic telescopes to showcase globular clusters, nebulae, star clusters and galaxies. Choose from a range of Night Sky Tours including a Moonlit Night option, which allows you to explore the intricate details of the moon’s surface.

Have you ever noticed the giant emu in the night sky? During the Universal Dreaming tour, the guides at Cosmo Centre in outback Queensland will show you the people and animals that, according to Indigenous lore, live among the stars. Take a seat around a campfire and roast marshmallows as you listen to ancient stories from the world’s first astronomers. Tours with the Cosmos Centre run from April to September each year.

Candlelit dinners can’t compete with starlit dinners, particularly when they take place in one of the outback's most picturesque locations. Experience a multi-course dinner highlighting native ingredients before sharing Aboriginal stories and decoding the night sky as it glistens above you. Choose from Sounds of Silence or Tali Wiru at Ulu r u, or Under a Desert Moon at Kings Canyon .

Guide to Uluru and Kata Tjuta

The ancient rock formations of Uluru and Kata Tjuta rise from the land to make an incredible sight. Immerse yourself in the Aboriginal stories of this special place, 500 million years in the making.

High altitude, low humidity and distance from the big cities gave Warrumbungle National Park the status of the Southern Hemisphere’s first Dark Sky Park, and the stargazing here is second to none. Siding Spring Observatory, on the edge of the national park, is home to the largest optical telescopes in Australia. Pitch a tent to sleep beneath the stars at well-equipped spots like Camp Blackman .

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We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

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Amateur Astronomy

Australian space agency, exploration, alice springs astronomy tours - march.

• # Amateur Astronomy
• # Astrophotography
• # Community
• # Space Events

This night sky tour is an award-winning astronomy program in one of the best viewing areas in the world.

Astronomy tour includes:

• Entry into Earth Sanctuary and Space Observatory
• Experienced star-guide with laser light pointer
• Look through a deep sky telescope
• Licensed Bar available (cash or card)

Stargazing in the heart of the Australian outback is an experience not to be missed. Thousands of kilometers away from city lights the clear night skies will leave you speechless. Look up and be amazed at a blanket of sparkling stars, too many to count! The Moon, planets, constellations, satellites, meteors and our awe-inspiring Milky Way Galaxy. Earth Sanctuary's star guides will take you on a captivating space adventure in this award-winning astronomy tour. Suitable for all ages in a fun and insightful way.

Earth Sanctuary Astronomy Guides

With almost 20 years of field experience under the spectacular skies of Central Australia, Earth Sanctuary's guides are skilled communicators in astronomy. We continue to make complex scientific concepts fun and easy to grasp whilst providing holistic views on the significance of the night sky to different cultures throughout history.

Planning for your Astronomy Tour

All astronomy tours are weather dependent. When potential weather issues arise, Earth Sanctuary will continue to update you with weather reports. This may involve updates up until 5 pm on the day. Where visibility is poor, this can result in a tour cancellation and a subsequent refund be provided.

What to wear:

• Closed footwear.
• Winter nights are very cold so dress for warmth, i.e.: beanie, scarf, and gloves.
• Summer nights are very warm so dress for comfort.

Getting There

Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre Colonel Rose Drive, Alice Springs Alice Springs, NT 0870

Tickets are available through the event management platform, Eventbrite

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How Long Is Alice Springs To Uluru?

Written by: Cameron Ward

Published: 09/16/2024

Reading time: 3 mins

Take a journey through the Australian Red Centre.

It may come as a surprise to some, but the drive between Alice Springs and Uluru takes around five hours! You can choose to book a tour where you can relax and take a nap during the journey, or you can drive yourself and make stops along the way at places you want to see.

A tour to Uluru from Alice Springs

There are several tours that leave Alice Springs and travel to Uluru. From a day trip to a multi day tour, there’s something for everyone! The one day tour is a great option for those who don’t have a lot of time but want to visit Uluru to learn about its history and watch the sunset.

If you’ve got a few days to spare, you can choose from a three day camping tour , premium camping , or a four day tour to Uluru. All tours involve camping, but the premium camping tour offers an upgrade to safari tents at an additional cost.

I want to drive myself

So, you plan to drive yourself from Alice Springs to Uluru! There are several things you should be aware of while driving, such as wildlife that might jump onto the road, especially kangaroos, and any roadkill left behind. Adhering to the speed limit is also crucial in Australia! Once you’re mindful of these factors, here are a couple of stopovers you should consider between Alice Springs and Uluru to make the most of your drive

– Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park

Not too far from Alice Springs is Tjoritja, also known as the West MacDonnell National Park. This national park features unique plants and scenic gorges, with must see sites such as Simpsons Gap, Glen Helen, and Ellery Creek Big Hole.

– Watarrka National Park/Kings Canyon

Watarrka National Park is home to the famous Kings Canyon , a stunning area with 300 metre high sandstone walls, views across the red desert, and surprisingly lush areas. Within Kings Canyon, the Garden of Eden is a prominent spot with abundant greenery. The Garden of Eden involves a walk of about three to four hours.

– Mount Conner

Sometimes mistaken for Uluru, Mount Conner is a 500 million year old sandstone peak formation with a flat top. Although Mount Conner is about four metres shorter than Uluru, it is one kilometre longer!

Whether you opt for diving yourself or joining a tour, be prepared the drive is still a long five hours through the Aussie outback! With plenty to see along the way, nothing quite beats seeing with your own eyes just how incredible Uluru truly is, especially at sunset .

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.

Explore Our Uluru Tours

3 Day Uluru & Kings Canyon Tour from Uluru $679

2 Day Uluru Tour from Uluru $680

4 Day Ayers Rock & Red Centre Premium Camping Tour $1109

Uluru Sunset Tour $99

1 Day Uluru Tour from Alice Springs $345

8 Day Uluru to Adelaide Tour

3 Day Uluru & Kings Canyon Tour from Alice Springs $679

Uluru Sunrise and Kata Tjuta from Ayers Rock $199

Uluru Sunset and Sacred Sites from the Rock from $195

Earth Sanctuary         Central Australia

Spirit of the outback,  the perfect outback dining experience.

 Experience the ‘spirit of the outback’ at Earth Sanctuary’s award winning dinner & show. From spectacular sunset over the Eastern MacDonnell Ranges to an awe inspiring canopy of stars your hosts will captivate you with stories ranging from local ecology, culture and astronomy. 

Earth Sanctuary’s famous dinner & show is family owned and operated offering a delicious, home cooked gourmet BBQ dinner in an exclusive location. Earth Sanctuary’s reputation is earned by having some of the best quality guides in the Territory, you’ll be entertained and amazed by their knowledge and hospitality. 

Welcome to the best show on Earth!

Come and see the outback stars

Enjoy mouth watering BBQ

 Available for vegan, vegetarian and special dietary needs.

Mains Gourmet BBQ

 'Taste the Outback' with our bush tucker canapés 

Gourmet BBQ

Enjoy our welcome platter with a a variety  of seasonal dips, cheese, cabana, olives and crackers.

Enjoy our tasty herb and mustard suasages, tender chicken strips and mouth watering rib eye steaks sourced locally in Alice Springs. Crispy potatoes, steamed peas and carrots (winter menu) and stunning homemade gravy and creamy mustard suace. 

Delightful and light. Try our fresh garden salad and creamy colesaw salad to accompany a classic Australian Gourmet BBQ

Desserts Sweet Dreams

With family made recipes!

Home made Sticky Date puddings topped with whipped cream, strawberry and dreamy hot caramel sauce.

We can't let you go without a taste of our classic damper that's made with our guests on arrival. Served with melted butter, it's a homemade speciality that will leave you inspired to try cooking yourself!

For more details and bookings on our Spirit of the Outback program please send our team a message.

(08) 8953 6161

[email protected].