Arrive Alice Springs

Arrive in Alice Springs and make your own way to the hotel for check-in.

Tonight, join your tour leader and fellow Sportsnet Holidays travellers at the Official Kick Off Party of the Finke Desert Race with complimentary entry to the Finke Street Party and Night Markets. Highlights of the Finke Street Party include epic stunt performances, meet and greets with competitors, live music, kids zone and more.

On the way to the Official Kick Off Party, visit Anzac Hill for a photo opportunity. One of the most visited landmarks in Alice Springs, this lookout is home to the Anzac Hill Memorial dedicated to the men and woman who have served in defence of their country.

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Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters
93 Barrett Drive
Alice Springs NT 0870

Scrutineering

Before the official Finke racing events commence, enjoy a private coach transfer to visit the original Royal Flying Doctor Service working base and learn about the history of the service and its importance to outback Australians. View the large display of medical equipment that have been used on flights in the past and step inside a replica aircraft and feel what it is like to be a patient at 15,000 feet.

Afterwards, head to the iconic Ooraminna Station Homestead for lunch. A trip to the centre of Australia would not be the same without an authentic and quintessential outback experience like this. About 35kms out of Alice Springs, Ooraminna means "hot tucker" and the property has a long tradition of serving beautiful food in an alfresco setting overlooking the stunning desert landscape that has featured in many a movie and TV show. After learning more about the property, enjoy a delicious 2 course lunch (drinks available for purchase) and relax in the tranquility and charm of the Australian Outback.

Later today, coach transfer to one of the most popular events during race week, Scrutineering. Inspect and admire the competing bikes, cars, quads and buggies as they are checked by technical officials for compliance and safety before a big weekend of racing. Enjoy an exclusive hour-long canape function with a special guest in attendance during the late afternoon.

Overnight
Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters

Prologue

Coach transfer today to the Prologue. Watch on as the competitor’s race against the clock in a time trial format of the prologue circuit, with the best times earning a front row start.

Today is the first day of the Chicane Lounge hospitality. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and a 3-hour beverage package including beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks plus snacks from your private viewing platform. An official programme and stubby cooler are also included.

As a Sportsnet Holidays guest, be one of the lucky ones to take an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of race control during the Prologue.

Once the Prologue is complete, coach transfer back to the hotel.

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Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters

Race Day 1

Coach transfer to Race Day 1 at the Chicane Lounge hospitality. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and a 3-hour beverage package plus snacks. The car and buggy competitors will leave Alice Springs early to take the grueling 226km track, passing through five checkpoints before reaching Finke. The bikes and quads leave later along the same track. Once the competitors arrive in Finke, they’ll set up camp for the night.

At the completion of the race day, coach transfer back to the hotel.

Overnight
Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters

Race Day 2

Coach transfer to Race Day 2 at the Chicane Lounge hospitality. Today enjoy brunch, lunch and a 3-hour beverage package including beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks plus snacks. The cars and buggies will depart Finke in order of arrival from the previous day, with the first cars returning to Alice Springs by mid-morning before the bikes and quads return later in the afternoon for the winners of each category to be crowned.

At the completion of the race day, coach transfer back to the hotel.

Tonight, head to the presentation night where winners are celebrated and competitors who finish the race relish in the opportunity to collect their finishers spikes with stories to tell for a lifetime and a sense of pride in completing one of the most difficult off-road courses in the world.

Overnight
Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters

Farewell Alice Springs

The tour concludes this morning. Please make your own way to Alice Springs airport or your onward destination. Thank you for being part of Sportsnet Holidays' 2025 Tatts Finke Desert Race Escorted Tour!