Au alice springs dirt road discoverpage detailed culture history
Aus nt alice springs Glen Helen
Auz outback cycling alice springs 3 partner active
Places - Alice Springs
Au alice springs dirt road discoverpage detailed culture history
Aus nt alice springs Glen Helen
Auz outback cycling alice springs 3 partner active
Places - Alice Springs
The cities of Australia

Alice Springs

Uncover the mysterious and lively city of Alice Springs. The third-largest town in the Northern Territory is renowned for its friendly locals, Indigenous artwork, unique natural wonders, rare wildlife, and quirky personality. Surrounded by beauty, discover the Larapinta Trail, the MacDonnell Ranges, Uluru, and the Kata Tjuta. Alice Springs is the beating heart of the Red Centre and is waiting to be explored.

Where should you visit in Alice Springs?

Be welcomed by the friendly locals in Alice Springs

Highlights

Alice Springs is a special place and is bursting with things to do and see. Splurge in some shopping at Todd Mall or go for a picnic at Ellery Creek Big Hole. Here, you can marvel at rugged cliffs that surround a tranquil gorge. An ideal spot for swimming and hiking.

A view of Alice Springs

From Anzac Hill, you have a beautiful view over Alice Springs. Here, you can watch the sunset. The walk-up takes approximately 30 minutes. Or take a wander through sandy gorges and discover Aboriginal rock art at The Yeperenye/ Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park.

Cyclists in the outback of Australia
Are you ready for a tailor-made holiday in the Northern Territory?
Learn more about Indigenous way of life

School of the Air

To get an idea of how children in remote parts of Australia attend school, visit the School of the Air. In an interactive way, you can see how they are taught remotely. The Alice Springs School of the Air plays an integral role for children who live in the Outback. It is one of the world's largest classrooms, covering over 1.3 million square kilometres!

Royal Flying Doctor Service

Discover the rich history and many challenges of the Flying Doctors. Every day, the Royal Flying Doctor Service helps around 100 patients in Central Australia. However, you may know the Royal Flying Doctor Service from a TV series! Alice Springs is not the place where the series was recorded, but here, you will find the visitor centre.

Twee mensen die met een protofoon bellen
Visit the School of the Air
© Tourism Australia
Learn about remote learning in Australia
© Tourism Australia

Finke Gorge National Park

Discover a protected area in the Northern Territory, located approximately 138 kilometres west of Alice Springs. Only accessible by 4WD, it's a great day tour to explore authentic Australia. Covering an area of 46,000 hectares, you will find rare and unique flora and fauna and the impressive Palm Valley. Here, you can also find the Finke River/ Larapinta which is believed to be one of the oldest rivers in the world and is estimated to be over 300 million years old.

Visit Finke Gorge National Park with a local guide
© Tourism Australia
Get off the beaten track in a 4WD!
© Tourism Australia

Cultural significance

The Aboriginal Arrernte people are the traditional owners of Mparntwe/ Alice Springs and the surrounding regions. Traditional stories describe how the region of Alice Springs and the MacDonnell Ranges were created by their ancestors.

Many Arrernte people also live in communities outside of Alice Springs

Today, the Aboriginal Arrernte people of Australia continue to observe traditional laws and take care of their country. While teaching their children the Arrernte language and passing on the importance of their culture.

Finke is a remote Indigenous Australian community
An Aboriginal guide standing in front of Uluru
Uncover the stories of this special part of Australia together with an Indigenous guide
© TravelEssence

Admire Indigenous artwork

During your visit to Alice, be sure to visit the Mbantua Art Gallery. Here, you can find a large selection of Aboriginal paintings and Australian indigenous artwork from local artists living in Central Australia. The Mbantua Gallery showcases over 250 artists and has been specialising in Aboriginal art for over 20 years. You can also meet Aboriginal artists at the Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre.

Marvel at Indigenous artists create beautiful artwork
© Tourism and Events Queensland
A visit to the Mbantua Aboriginal Art Gallery is a must-do!
© Tourism Australia/Tourism NT
Aus Waterlilies in Kakadu Darwin NT

Would you like to learn more about Alice Springs?

Join one of our live and informative presentations, hosted by one of our travel specialists. And find out how to travel to Australia in a uniquely local way. There are also plenty of opportunities to ask questions!

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The Corroboree Rock Conservation Reserve is a sacred site for the local Western Arrernte people

The protected reserve is located approximately 42 kilometres east of Alice Springs in the East MacDonnell Ranges. You can easily stop here on your way to other East MacDonnell landmarks such as the Trephina Gorge and Arltunga. Be sure to take a wander around the base of the rock.

Arltunga Historical Reserve

Located approximately 110 kilometres east of Alice Springs is the Arltunga Historical Reserve. The historic town of Arltunga is a deserted gold rush town and was originally Australia's first town, born out of a gold rush in 1887. Pop by the visitor centre and learn how this town was once filled with 300 people hoping to get lucky and strike gold. Take a wander past the Government Battery, Cyanide Works, the Old Police Station, the mines, and the homes.

Marvel at unique landscapes
Spot big red kangaroos surrounding Alice

Family-friendly

Central Australia is an ideal destination to explore together with your family with plenty of exciting things to do. Whether you would like to have close encounters with unique wildlife such as black-footed rock wallabies or watch the sunrise over the Outback in a hot air balloon. There is something for everyone in this part of Australia.

Alice Springs Desert Park

In Alice Springs Desert Park, a ten-minute drive from Alice Springs, you can spot special animals such as birds of prey, reptiles, and the big red kangaroos. Located at the base of the West MacDonnell Ranges, the Alice Springs Desert Park is closely connected with the Arrernte Aboriginal people of Australia. The Desert Park is open every day from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm (closed on Christmas Day).

Alice Springs Reptile Centre

Visit the Alice Springs Reptile Centre for the largest reptile display in Central Australia. Here, you can see reptiles such as the Frill-necked lizard, Thorny devils, and even a saltwater crocodile named Terry! If you prefer mammals, you can also visit The Kangaroo Sanctuary. A 188-acre wildlife sanctuary for rescued orphaned baby kangaroos and adult kangaroos.

Meet Terry the saltwater crocodile!
© Liam Neal
Kangaroo Alice Springs | Australia holiday
Say G'day to Australian wildlife in Alice
© Tourism NT

Alice Springs Telegraph Station

Located four kilometres north of the town centre, the Alice Springs Telegraph Station is an ideal place to visit with the kids. You can reach the Telegraph Station by car via the Stuart Highway. Established in 1871, today it is a favourite picnic spot with many barbecue areas available.

Alice springs telegraph station | Australia holiday
Be sure to visit the Alice Springs Telegraph Station

Red Centre

If you are visiting Alice Springs, a trip to Ayers Rock/ Uluru and the Olga's/Kata Tjuta is a must-do! There are plenty of day trips or half-day trips on offer. We recommend going together with a small group for a full-day four-wheel drive tour to really experience Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

Located 470 kilometres west of Alice Springs, this area is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara Anangu (the Aboriginal people of the area) and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to learn more about this fascinating part of Australia.

The gigantic sandstone monolith Ayers Rock/ Uluru, which rises above a desert landscape covered in red earth, is one of Australia's most famous sights. The rock is 348-metres high and has a circumference of 9.4 kilometres. A special feature of Uluru is the beautiful shades of colour. From dark red at sunrise through to orange, purple and grey later in the day. Truly a spectacle of nature.

Uluru | Australia Holidays
Watch the sunset over Uluru
© Unsplash | Jason
Stunning Red Center | Australia nature holiday
Kata Tjuta is a must-see!
© TravelEssence

MacDonnell Ranges

The West MacDonnell Ranges/ Tjoritja is located 161 kilometres west of Alice Springs. Discover a natural wonderland that is bursting with waterholes, mystical waterfalls, and thermal pools. Do you love hiking? Conquer the 223-kilometre Larapinta Trail.

An adventure in the West MacDonnell Ranges

Keep an eye out for Black-footed rock wallabies at Simpsons Gap! If you would like to cool off, be sure to take a dip at Redbank Gorge. If you love to hike, swim, picnic and camp - Ellery Creek Big Hole is a great place to visit.

Conquer the Larapinta Trail, one of Australia's most impressive hiking tracks
© World Expeditions Great Walks of Australia
The Larapinta Trail is an impressive 223 kilometres long
© World Expeditions Great Walks of Australia

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At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.