Considered the spiritual heart of Australia, Alice Springs is rich in Aboriginal culture, art and knowledge. From red desert landscapes to picturesque waterfalls and waterholes, Alice Springs is the perfect destination to start your outback adventure.
Alice Springs is home to natural beauty that is millions of years old and is in abundance of diverse wildlife and historical attractions to keep you exploring for weeks. Alice Springs also has some amazing food and drink to sample and has an extensive museum and art gallery.
Alice Springs is a great place to begin exploring the unique geography of the Red Centre. Like Uluru, it's a place to learn about the richness of the ancient Aboriginal culture as well as having a great deal of fun.
Getting in and around Alice Springs
Alice Springs Airport
With a long drive from most other places in Australia, chances are you'll be arriving in Alice Springs by air. Alice Springs Airport (ASP), 14 kilometres south of the town, has all the usual facilities: ATM, currency exchange, shops and cafes. There's an airport shuttle, taxis and hire cars. These also serve the railway station for legendary rail route The Ghan.
Alice Springs Transport
Getting around Alice Springs (the town) is easy. You walk - and this can't be beaten for getting the feel of a place. Alice Springs is only a small town, and its main attractions are all in close proximity, mostly in the vicinity of Todd Mall.
Alice Springs Car Hire
Car hire is readily available at the airport and in the town. When travelling around Alice Springs, hiring a car is a good idea and gives you independence. There's also a large range of organised tours that pick you up from your accommodation.
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Alice Springs accommodation
Alice Springs accommodation offers something for everyone. There's plenty for the backpacker or family on a budget. Those who want to splash out and enjoy some luxury won't be disappointed either.
Luxury
Vatu Sanctuary offers secluded luxury apartments in a gorgeous environment for the art enthusiast or those seeking something unusual and very special.
Try Alice on Todd Apartments for magnificent executive apartment living. A unique range of apartments, modern kitchens, landscaped pool, kids' playground and relaxation area, all set in a stunning environment of tall gum trees.Vatu Sanctuary offers secluded luxury apartments in gorgeous environs, for the art enthusiast or those seeking something unusual and very special.
Try
Alice on Todd for magnificent executive apartment living. A unique range of apartments, modern kitchens, landscaped pool, kids’ playground, relaxation area, all set in a stunning environment of tall gum trees in established grounds.
Mid-range
Desert Palms Alice Springs has a range of villas to choose from and is located on the Todd River.Alice Springs Airport Motel is well-located if you’re looking for somewhere close to your flight out in the morning, and still only minutes from the CBD. Great proximity to the rugged Macdonnell Ranges.
Budget
The Diplomat Hotel Alice Springs has a central location close to everything. The perfect place to relax and unwind after a day of adventure.
Elkira Court Motel offers affordable, quality accommodation with outback hospitality.White Gum Holiday Inn offers immaculate family units only 5 minutes walk to the business and shopping precinct.
Backpackers
Alice Lodge Backpackers delivers homestyle comfort close to the town centre and offers Uluru tours (licensed travel agency in-house), airport pick-up and a pool.
Toddy’s Resort is the fun place to stay, with a bar, beer garden and restaurant offering kangaroo and camel steaks. Air-conditioned rooms, airport transfers, and an online tour booking service.
Alice Lodge Backpackers delivers homestyle comfort close to the town centre. Uluru tours (licensed travel agency in-house), airport pick-up and pool.
Voyages Ayers Rock Resort (Yulara) — three hours out of Alice Springs — is the purpose-built hub of accommodation and other facilities created for visitors to Uluru. A township in itself, a stay here is well worth considering if you’re planning sunrise or sunset trips to Uluru. See our
Uluru/Ayer’s Rock Destination Guide for more details and options.
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Things to do in Alice Springs
Adelaide House Museum was the original home of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Designed by founder Rev John Flynn and opened in 1926, for a decade this experimental venture was the only medical facility in Central Australia. Adelaide House now serves as a museum; check out the old radio room along with a number of other first-class displays on the local area.
The Road Transport Hall of Fame features displays on Australia's unique road transport heritage, including the bus of Australian coach-touring pioneer Lance Grenda.
Todd Mall offers many interesting attractions, including the market's local art, crafts, produce and food.
The Alice Springs Hop-on Hop-off Tour is an inexpensive and convenient way to see the town's attractions. Calls at places like the Cultural Precinct, Royal Flying Doctor Base and the Old Telegraph station. This tour allows plenty of time to explore.
Hit Lasseters Hotel Casino and try your luck at blackjack, roulette or the array of gaming machines available. Also a good place to enjoy a meal in one of the many classy restaurants on offer.
The Alice Springs Cultural Precinct can be found on the corner of Larapinta and Memorial Drive. Includes the Albert Namatjira Gallery, Museum of Central Australia, Central Australian Aviation Museum and the Strehlow Research Centre.
Camel Rides. Travel along the valley with the backdrop of the stunning MacDonnell Ranges. Savour the bush food available and enjoy refreshments afterwards. A really unique experience.
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Day trips in and around Alice Springs
Standley Chasm is a gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges reached via a walk through some amazing scenery. Standley Chasm has significant cultural meaning to the community and is sacred to women's dreaming.
Hermannsburg Historic Precinct, once the home of Albert Namatjira, a famous Aboriginal artist, is now one of the most important heritage sites in the Northern Territory. Come and learn about the history of the Arrarnta people and see some amazing local art and pottery.
Palm Valley is an amazing oasis with unforgettable colours. Walk the bottom for a step back in time to an era when Central Australia was covered in rainforest and waterholes.
Finke River National Park. This ancient landscape is only accessible by four-wheel drive, and therefore best explored via a tour group.
Uluru (Ayers Rock) is Australia's most iconic rock and is truly a sight to behold. Meet the traditional owners and listen to Aboriginal stories about how Uluru formed: rising up in revolt against a great battle. Uluru has significant cultural importance and is a deeply spiritual place. Walk around this magnificent rock or take a light aircraft or scenic helicopter tour which offers spectacular views of Uluru from the air.
Larapinta Trail offers a number of options for hikers wanting to take in this unique landscape, which features some of the world's oldest metamorphic and igneous rock and over 500 species of flora. Do all 231 kilometres of it, or just one or two of the 20 sections. Various tours and services are available departing from Alice Springs.
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