Alice Springs

Travel Guide
Alice Springs
Whether you want to experience the natural beauty of Australia's Red Center or explore the history of the area, this outback town offers a unique Aussie experience.

Alice Springs is a small town in the very center of Australia. It is surrounded by desert and scrubland on all sides and is an equal 930 miles (1500 kilometers) from Darwin in the north and Adelaide in the south. The town was founded as far back as the 1870s, but the population remained low until it became a major staging area for soldiers during the Second World War. It’s the primary transport hub and distribution center for Central Australia, but still feels as far from the rest of the world as you can possibly get.

Fill up on water, pack some lunch, and head out to explore the MacDonnell Ranges. The ridges and gorges are dotted with watering holes and sacred Aboriginal sites. Walk a leg of the Larapinta Trail to see some of its more spectacular areas or even take a few weeks to tackle the entire 139 mile (223 kilometer) trail. If that’s a bit too extreme, tour the desert on camel back or jump on a quad bike.

For one of the best views in the region, climb Mount Gillen. It’s a tough trek and should be avoided at the peak of summer, but getting to the summit is well worth the effort. Learn about local flora and fauna at Alice Springs Desert Park. For a closer look at some of Central Australia’s most fascinating creatures, check out the Alice Springs Reptile Centre.

Any history buffs should head to one of the town’s many museums. Drop by the Aboriginal Australia Culture Centre to learn about native Australians or spend a couple of hours browsing the collection at the Adelaide House Museum. Art lovers should note that Alice Springs is a center of indigenous art, with several galleries scattered around town. Be sure to check out the collection at the Araluen Arts and Cultural Centre.

Alice Springs is a town at the heart of a region like no other. Surrounded by the red deserts of Central Australia and home to some excellent cultural institutions, it’s not a place you’ll forget.

Where to stay in Alice Springs

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Ross

You'll enjoy the restaurants and sporting events in Ross. You might want to make time for a stop at Frontier Camel Farm or Yeperenye-Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park.

Ross
Alice Springs featuring golf and tranquil scenes as well as a small group of people

Desert Springs

Travellers come to Desert Springs for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Alice Springs Golf Club and Lasseters Casino while you're in town.

Desert Springs
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The Gap

Unique features of The Gap include the restaurants and shopping. Make a stop by Alice Springs Transport Heritage Centre or Royal Flying Doctor Service while you're exploring the area.

The Gap
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East Side

Travellers come to East Side for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Joint Geological-Geophysical Reserve and Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve while you're in town.

East Side
Araluen Cultural Precinct which includes aircraft, a sunset and modern architecture

Araluen

Travellers like the museums in Araluen, and Alice Springs Desert Park is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Araluen
Alice Springs showing camping and night scenes as well as a couple

Connellan

Visitors to Connellan enjoy its gardens, and if you want to do some exploring, Chambers Pillar is worth a stop.

Connellan
Diplomat Motel Alice Springs
Diplomat Motel Alice Springs
3.5 out of 5
20 Gregory Terrace, Corner Hartley St and Gregory Terra, Alice Springs, NT
The price is HK$382 per night from 29 Apr to 30 Apr
HK$382
per night
29 Apr - 30 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly motel in Alice Springs. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on 11 Mar 2024

Diplomat Motel Alice Springs
Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters, an IHG Hotel
Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters, an IHG Hotel
4.5 out of 5
93 Barrett Drive, Desert Springs, NT
The price is HK$922 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
HK$922
per night
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Alice Springs. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (998 reviews)
"Excellent large suite....fantastic bathroom...large living room.....large bedroom....comfortable bed...only thing that I could say was that the living room furniture was sparse and not comfortable....they could also put in a microwave."

Reviewed on 15 Mar 2024

Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters, an IHG Hotel
Desert Palms Alice Springs
Desert Palms Alice Springs
3.5 out of 5
74 Barrett Drive, Desert Springs, NT
The price is HK$695 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
HK$695
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star golf motel in Alice Springs. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a terrace. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (862 reviews)
"Everything was to our satisfaction and we enjoyed our stay with you. Thank you very much. Kerin"

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2024

Desert Palms Alice Springs
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
3km from CBD. One-year-old, modern, self-contained unit with a homely touch.
3km from CBD. One-year-old, modern, self-contained unit with a homely touch.
Braitling
Stay at this aparthotel in Alice Springs. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Alice Springs Telegraph Station and Larapinta Trail Trailhead ...
3km from CBD. One-year-old, modern, self-contained unit with a homely touch.
Quest Alice Springs
Quest Alice Springs
4.5 out of 5
9-10 South Terrace, The Gap, NT
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Alice Springs. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Alice Springs Golf Club ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (337 reviews)
"Really comfortable and clean, service was also great"

Reviewed on 12 Mar 2024

Quest Alice Springs
Vatu Sanctuary
Vatu Sanctuary
2.5 out of 5
18 Knuckey Avenue, Braitling, NT
Stay at this apartment in Alice Springs. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Anzac Hill and Alice Springs Telegraph Station are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (8 reviews)
Excellent place in Alice Springs
"I stayed in a studio which was very spacious and comfortable. It has all modern amenities. Communal areas are great! I specially liked the artwork in the rooms and outside. Overall fantastic place."

Reviewed on 28 Oct 2017

Vatu Sanctuary
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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