4 Adventurous Locations to Elope in Alice Springs
1/05/25
Want location ideas for the perfect elopement in the Red Centre?
So do I!
I did the hard part for you and scouted some incredible locations throughout Alice Springs and its surrounds and found 4 absolutely stunning locations.
In my research, I found so many options for the luxurious elopements but what about the adventurous kind? These 4 locations listed below will take you from a gentle ‘semi-adventurous’ to a 100% adventurous, get your hiking boots on and jump in your 4×4 kind.
And remember, just because no one gets married there doesn’t mean that you can’t. The beauty of eloping is that it is low impact on the environment. It is not a hundred people. It is a small handful, usually no more than 20. You are much more likely to get permission and access to beautiful places if there are fewer people and there is less impact involved. Please ensure you or your photographer have gained correct permissions from the park prior to organising your elopement.
Ormiston Gorge
Starting off with an easy, yet absolutely beautiful one! The stunning Ormiston Gorge.
Ormiston Gorge is located 135 km west of Alice Springs. It is located in the Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park. Accessible by any vehicle, and close enough to Alice Springs that you can return to a hotel after your ceremony. Camping options are also available so you can stay on site in your van, tent or camper!
With vibrant red cliffs contrasting the brilliant green and white ghost gums, this makes for a photographers dream. Have your ceremony in the river bed and walk up to The Ghost Gum Lookout for stunning sunset golden hour bridal portraits or if you are feeling like getting your hiking shoes on. Hike in 1 hour along the Ormiston Pound walk for EPIC valley landscapes.
Palm Valley
This one comes with some challenges but they are 100% worth it. Palm Valley has breathtaking views and so much variety. Palm Valley is 2 and a half hours from Alice Springs. To get there you must drive a fun but lengthy 4×4 track along (and sometimes through) the Finke River. It is rocky, it is sandy and absolutely beautiful. At the end of the track there are camping facilities, but the adventure doesn’t stop there. You have multiple viewpoints to choose from. Two which I have pictured here. Strap on your hiking boots – dress and suit in tow, because it is an uphill climb. The effort is well worth it, with postcard worthy views, where you can say ‘I do” to the love of your life.
Uluru
I know, I know…. This one is very obvious. But my goodness it is beautiful and so authentically Australian.
There are no wedding ceremonies allowed inside the National Park itself. It is a very sacred site for our Indigenous Australians. You can, however, have the elopement ceremony outside the National Park at the top of one of the sand dunes that look out onto Uluru.
Fly there, drive there and stay in the many accommodation options available to you. From luxurious resorts, to hotels, to caravan parks, it has it all.
Simpsons Gap
A 20 minute drive from Alice Springs in Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park. This location is easily accessible and offers so much variety in the landscape. Think a towering narrow gorge, vibrant in the colour red that is so distinctly Australian. Walk up the river bed with ancient ghost gums and then take a step back and have some photos taken with a panoramic view of the West McDonald Ranges!
This site has some sacred areas, please respect these when photographing around this location.
What do you need to get eloped in a rural location;
1 – A photographer willing to join you on your adventure. I know a photographer that would be sooo onboard for any epic adventure… (hint hint, it’s me)
2 – A celebrant. You can decide if you want a celebrant present on the day. If you do not, you will have to do the legalities with a licensed celebrant before your elopement and then have a symbolic ceremony in your location of choice. If you do want a celebrant present, then the celebrant will accompany you on your hike and journey to your elopement location. This means your celebrant will have to be one of the adventurous kind. Trust me, some celebrants LOVE getting out and doing something different, so ask the question!
3 – Two legal witnesses – will need to sign your legal documentation. I (or your photographer) can be one of your witnesses, so you will have to either bring one friend or family member to be the second. If you would like, I can also bring someone for the soul purpose of being your witness!
4 – Confirmation from the National Park that you are able to elope in the lcoation at that specific time of year. Some places may be closed at certain times of the year, have restrictions due to cultural sensitive areas or are too busy with tourists. So please double check before organising anything. 9/10 times they will say yes!
That is it my friends!
So what do you reckon? Want to say ‘I do’ in outback Alice Springs?
