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Alice Springs

Alice Springs wouldn't win a beauty contest, but there's more going on here than first meets the eye, from the inspirational (excellent museums, a fine wildlife park and outstanding galleries of Indigenous art) to the practical (a wide range of accommodation, good dining options and travel connections).

It's the gateway to some of central Australia's most stirring landscapes: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a four-hour drive away, while closer still, the ruggedly beautiful MacDonnell Ranges stretch east and west; you don't have to venture far to find yourself among ochre-red gorges, pastel-hued hills and ghostly white gum trees.

Alice is a key touchstone for understanding Aboriginal Australia in all its complexity and its present-day challenges. The Aboriginal name for Alice Springs is Mparntwe, and the region's traditional owners are the Arrernte, although many different Aboriginal communities now call Alice Spring home.

When it's not too hot, Alice can be good for cycling.

Explore Alice Springs

  • Alice Springs Desert Park

    Head to Desert Park, where the creatures of central Australia are all on display in one place, including many that are extremely difficult to find out on…

  • Araluen Arts Centre

    For a small town, Alice Springs has a thriving arts scene and the Araluen Arts Centre is at its heart. There is a 500-seat theatre and four galleries with…

  • O
    Olive Pink Botanic Garden

    A network of meandering trails leads through this lovely arid zone botanic garden, which was founded by the prominent anthropologist Olive Pink. The…

  • A
    Araluen Cultural Precinct

    The Araluen Cultural Precinct is Alice Springs' cultural hub; leave a couple of hours aside for exploration of its excellent sights which include the…

  • R
    Royal Flying Doctor Service Base

    This excellent museum, filled with interactive information portals, is the home of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, whose dedicated health workers provide…

  • Telegraph Station

    The old Telegraph Station, which used to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide, offers a fascinating glimpse of the town's European beginnings. It's…

  • Kangaroo Sanctuary

    The home paddock of Kangaroo Dundee (a show about a kangaroo family featured on a BBC/National Geographic production), the Kangaroo Sanctuary offers a…

  • M
    Museum of Central Australia

    The natural history collection at this compact museum is beautifully displayed, with geological exhibits such as meteorite fragments and fossils, as well…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Alice Springs.

  • See

    Alice Springs Desert Park

    Head to Desert Park, where the creatures of central Australia are all on display in one place, including many that are extremely difficult to find out on…

  • See

    Araluen Arts Centre

    For a small town, Alice Springs has a thriving arts scene and the Araluen Arts Centre is at its heart. There is a 500-seat theatre and four galleries with…

  • See

    Olive Pink Botanic Garden

    A network of meandering trails leads through this lovely arid zone botanic garden, which was founded by the prominent anthropologist Olive Pink. The…

  • See

    Araluen Cultural Precinct

    The Araluen Cultural Precinct is Alice Springs' cultural hub; leave a couple of hours aside for exploration of its excellent sights which include the…

  • See

    Royal Flying Doctor Service Base

    This excellent museum, filled with interactive information portals, is the home of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, whose dedicated health workers provide…

  • See

    Telegraph Station

    The old Telegraph Station, which used to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide, offers a fascinating glimpse of the town's European beginnings. It's…

  • See

    Kangaroo Sanctuary

    The home paddock of Kangaroo Dundee (a show about a kangaroo family featured on a BBC/National Geographic production), the Kangaroo Sanctuary offers a…

  • See

    Museum of Central Australia

    The natural history collection at this compact museum is beautifully displayed, with geological exhibits such as meteorite fragments and fossils, as well…

Guidebooks

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks

Get to the heart of Alice Springs with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.