A good friend has a son whose wife has accepted a job in Alice Springs, and has asked me to consider joining a trip to visit them in (possibly) November 2015, maybe around Thanksgiving. Given the long trek to get to Oz, would like to squeeze in some other areas as well, but am not sure what makes the most sense. Likely would fly United into Sydney. Wide open to all suggestions for itineraries and any recommendations for lodging in Alice Springs area.
Thanks!

How long would your trip be?

Of that time, how long do you want to be in & around the Red Centre ( Alice Springs, Uluru,kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, the MacDonnels etc) - and how long in another destination?

Thinking about the other destination, could you open jaw your flight to leave from a port other than Sydney?

Lastly, suggest you have a look at the Visit Australia website to see some of the places & sites that may appeal to you.

November isn't the best time to go to far north Qld ( Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest etc.,), because it's the wet & stinger season, possibly cyclones.

Other options that may appeal include Adelaide & surrounds, possibly including Kangaroo Island, if you're keen to see native wildlife.

Tasmania will be cooler & is a beautiful & diverse island State.

Boils down to time, interests, priorities & $$

Tourism is a key business for Alice so you can find lots of tourist information from the town on-line. The choices range from desert treks to the casino made famous in Priscilla Queen of the Desert (which, with tongue in cheek, has certain documentary qualities.) And, since everyone here is freeloading on Fodors, go to the Destinations section for Australia which has tour suggestions http://www.fodors.com/world/australi...alice-springs/
But first you might look at a full map of Australia. Alice is in the centre; the big cities are almost all spread around the coast. So Alice is a long way from anywhere, accessible by day-long bus rides, a famous railway from South Australia, or airplane. Wherever you go, that geographic fact will be at the foundation of your choices.

Depends a lot on how much time you have. I wouldn't normally recommend the Red Center in late November due to possibly of very hot weather, but since that's where your friend will be, you might as well make the most of it to visit some of the sights - Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, etc. I like Southham's suggestion of the "famous railway" (the Ghan) to South Australia (I.e. Adelaide) from Alice. Perhaps stop over at the opal mining town of Coober Pedy along the way and visit the lovely wine country around Adelaide during your time there.

Most likely you will be entering Australia via Sydney and it well worth spending time there, not only to see the spectacular city sights, but to explore the lovely coast north or south of the city and inland sights such as the Blue Mountains, Canberra and the Southen Highlands. In spring, the countryside should be beautiful.

I wouldn't rule our North Queensland in Nov. We were there in Nov 2012 and the Wet had not arrived yet. It was quite hot, especially inland. We took a great snorkeling tour to the Outer Reef from Port Douglas - we all wore stinger suits even though the risk of being stung is low that far out to sea.

Thanks, guys. Still in prelim phase of planning. Last time this friend and I traveled together was 25 years ago in East Africa. Not sure how much time we will have but hope it will be at least 10 days plus transit. November is not set in stone; found this link http://www.holiday-weather.com/alice...rages/november with average temps; does it look close to accurate?

Will likely be flying United so probably arrive into Sydney, will check out possibility of departing from another city.

For internal transport, much as I would love to recreate the Priscilla bus trip (and pick up some souvenir ping pong balls en route) we will probably fly to reduce transit time. Any tips on finding best intercity airfares?

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Jetstar ( QF ) subsidiary is covered under Qantas, I think.

Virgin has "Happy Hour" specials every day & Qantas also has lots of specials.
You just have to keep watching & nab what you think is a good fare for the time you want to fly

Pay attention to the flight dates for the specials.

United also flies into Melbourne direct so that gives you another option. The Ghan going south from Alice
Goes straight to Adelaide - not Coober Pedy.
Going from Alice Springs to Uluru is one great trip. You could go from Alice to Darwin either on The Ghan
Which stops at Katherine and trips are available whilst the train stops . Darwin with Lichfield and Kakadu is worth seeing even the weather will be the "build up" waiting for the rains.