Author Archives: Annadakin

Now offering: Night Hike up Mt Sonder

Art Tours of Australia is the home of award winning tour guide, Anna Dakin. Anna has spent a number of years perfecting guiding Larapinta Trail hikes, and is especially fond of taking people up Mt Sonder (Rwetyepme).

“Hiking at night is a really unusual experience – you can’t really tell how far you’ve walked until the sun comes up,” Anna say’s of the 16km return hike to Mt Sonder summit, “watching the sun rise over the desert has to be one of the most rewarding experiences in Central Australia. You can literally see the sun coming up on one side of the mountain, and the shadow of the mountain on the other!”

If you’re interested in spending a night camping out under the stars, and waking up EARLY to complete the challenging hike to the top of the mountain with Anna, reach out to Anna at anna-dakin@outlook.com or call (+61) 0477223011. She can pick you up in Alice Springs, cook you a nice campfire dinner, and guide a hike in the dark to the top of the mountain.

The return hike to the bottom of the mountain is just as rewarding, as you get your first views of the landscape that you already walked through on your way up the mountain!

The hike includes about 750m of incline, which Anna takes at a nice steady pace. The top of the mountain can be quite cold in the winter, although winter is the best time to complete this hike. We run Mt Sonder hikes between March – November, avoiding walking in the very hottest months.

Things to do in Alice Springs

Whether you’re here for a year or just passing through Alice Springs is full of interesting things to do. Here are a few of our favourite suggestions.

  • Watercolour painting class at Simpsons Gap

Spend a Sunday afternoon playing with paint at Simpsons Gap. Art Tours of Australia can pick you up from your Alice Springs accommodation and take you on a short 15 minute drive to the spectacular West MacDonnel Ranges for a watercolour painting class. A wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

A group of people paint with watercolours in a pristine desert landscape
Looking for something to do in Alice Springs? Why not join us for a watercolour painting class?
  • Visit Indigenous art centres

Alice Springs is home to a number of fantastic Aboriginal art centres and galleries. We high recommend visiting the Tjanpi Desert Weavers gallery, the Bindi gallery, Many Hands Art Centre, and the Tangentyere Artists gallery, all in the industrial area of Alice Springs. Remember to check opening times before heading out, alternatively you can reach out to Art Tours of Australia who can drive you from your Alice Springs accommodation to these art centres and galleries.

Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) is a not-for-profit Art Centre, proudly Aboriginal owned and directed. It is home of the Namatjira watercolour artists.

The Centre is strongly committed to improving economic participation of Aboriginal people and maintaining cultural heritage. It was established for Western Aranda artists to come together to paint, share and learn new techniques and ideas.

Iltja Ntjarra is located a short distance from the centre of Alice Springs (approximately a 15-minute walk).
  • Overnight camping trip

Camping in Central Australia has to be one of the most memorable experiences the outback has to offer. Why not join Art Tours of Australia for an overnight camping and art trip?

Outback Tour Services offer Multi-day small group adventure tours in and around the Red Centre, departing from Alice Springs or Yulara.

Choose from 3 and 5 day camping options, or customise a tour for your specific needs. All tours are fully catered with an accompanying guide.

Available accommodation styles vary from “swags” to luxury safari tents and wheelchair accessible tents.
  • Astronomy tour

Interested in learning about the stars in Central Australia? Art Tours of Australia’s tour guides have extensive knowledge that spans to the outer edges of out universe and back. Let us show you the stars! We can pick you up and take you out of town for a short astronomy talk. Just send us an email, text, or give us a call and we can arrange a special trip for your group at a competitive price.

Glen Helen Gorge is a gorge on the Finke River, located 132 kilometres (82 mi) west of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, Australia. It lies within the West MacDonnell National Park.

Yoga & Art retreat

A weekend of yoga, art, and camping near Alice Springs.

Looking for a special yoga and camping trip? Look no further!

Our special weekend camping retreat in Central Australia’s heart, will take place in a peaceful river bed. Expect short hikes, beginner level art classes, yoga suited to all fitness levels, and pure relaxation.

Find out more on our page Yoga & art retreat

This is a one off trip for 2023, so please dont hesitate to book.

Need an escape from city life? Need to slow down, relax and recoup with like minded people? Slow down and set your intentions in one of the oldest landscapes our planet has to offer.

Simpsons Gap Sunset watercolour painting class

Simpsons Gap Sunset watercolour painting classes are now happening every Sunday!

Join us every Sunday for the remainder of the 2023 season for our weekly watercolour painting classes at Simpsons Gap. All you need to do is book online, and we’ll pick you up from your Alice Springs accommodation in the Art Tours of Australia Troopy.

Looking for something to do in Alice Springs?

Our watercolour painting class is suitable for people with any level of art experience, from absolute beginners who haven’t ever picked up a paintbrush, to expert artists who just want to get out into the wilderness. We provide all of the art materials, a platter of snacks, and a guided walk into Simpsons Gap.

Interested in finding out more? Check out the Simpsons Gap Sunset information page.