alice springs with a dog

Am off to Alice with the kids and dog in early April to do all the tourist stuff, ie the rock, King's canyon, etc. Have already booked the dog into a kennel in Alice and paid, but I know the kids and the dog won't be keen on this. So was think that if possible may try to keep the dog with us, camp outside the parks and do day trips in. Was wondering if there was anyone else in the same position and we could maybe do a bit of a dog minding swap, ie you look after our mut for a day and we look after yours. That way we get to keep him with us and still get to spend time looking around without the concern about the dog. I know we can leave the dog in the car park at these spots, but he will probably bark the place down. Otherwise I'll just utilise the kennel and the dog and kids will just have to make do.