Bus Rentals in Australia & New Zealand

Alice Springs (ASP): first leg of a Red Centre program

For many groups, Alice Springs Airport is the start of a longer road program rather than a hotel run. The airport publishes no coach pickup point or staging area, so arrival day is planned in two parts: a clean kerb pickup, then the drive.

At the terminal

The terminal front works for loading only: a vehicle may stop there while someone is with it and people or bags are moving on or off. Parking at the kerb is strictly prohibited, and an unattended vehicle, or one breaking the traffic rules, gets an infringement notice. A car meeting one person can use the Short Term Car Park, which costs nothing for 10 minutes.

So the vehicle comes to the front as the group comes out, loads and leaves. In the hot months, keep travellers inside until the call.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan, exterior
Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan, exterior

Into town

Todd Mall is about 15 km north. The Alice Springs Convention Centre on Barrett Drive takes meetings of 10 up to conferences of about 1,200 delegates, and accommodation clusters in three places: around Todd Mall, along Barrett Drive, and down the Stuart Highway towards Heavitree Gap. An airport shuttle bus serves the town centre, hotels, motels and hostels; booking ahead is advised.

Transfer time to the CBD

  • about 15 km by road to Todd Mall, about 15-20 min in light traffic

Terminals

  • Single passenger terminal

Uluru and Kings Canyon by road

The road to Uluru runs about 468 km. Allow more than a car's five hours: coaches keep to the 100 km/h heavy-vehicle limit, even on Stuart Highway stretches where cars may go faster. Most groups make it an overnight trip. Coaches reach Kings Canyon on sealed roads via the Stuart and Lasseter highways and Luritja Road; the shorter Mereenie Loop is unsealed and for 4WD only.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta requires a park pass for every visitor. Tour operators apply to the Director of National Parks for a permit, and applications take at least 14 days, so lodge early. The Northern Territory manages driver fatigue under its own work health and safety rules, not the national law.

Questions

What happens on very hot days?

When 36 degrees C or more is forecast, walkers must be on the Kings Canyon Rim Walk before 9am and the Valley of the Winds track closes beyond Karu Lookout at 11am. Schedule early starts.

Can a group visit the Desert Park on arrival day?

Yes. Coach parking there is free; groups of ten or more need to book ahead with the park.

What should the quote set out for an Uluru run?

The vehicle, the overnight stop, driver hours under the NT rules, and any park permits the tour needs.

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