Alice Springs Travel Guide

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

Alice Springs is a small town in the very centre of Australia. It is surrounded by desert and scrubland on all sides and is an equal 1500 kilometres (930 miles) 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 centre 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 223 kilometre (139 mile) 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 centre 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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The Gap

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

The Gap
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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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
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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
School of the Air which includes signage as well as a small group of people

Braitling

The restaurants and shopping are a few reasons travellers visit Braitling. Though there aren't many top sights in the neighbourhood, you can visit Larapinta Trail Trailhead and Alice Springs Telegraph Station, a few notable attractions nearby.

Braitling
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Gillen

Gillen is well liked for its restaurants and sporting events. If you're hoping to see more of the larger area, Araluen Cultural Precinct and Araluen Arts Centre are some interesting sights nearby to check out.

Gillen
Elkira Court Motel
Elkira Court Motel
3.5 out of 5
65 Bath Street, Alice Springs, NT
The price is ₹7,632 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
₹7,632
₹8,411 total
includes taxes & fees
2 Nov - 3 Nov
Stay at this motel in Alice Springs. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a conference centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition in ...
7.8/10 Good! (522 reviews)
"The room I was in was a little noisy due to the security gate when open and closed"

Reviewed on 26 Oct 2024

Elkira Court Motel
Mercure Alice Springs Resort
Mercure Alice Springs Resort
4.5 out of 5
34 Stott Terrace, East Side, NT
The price is ₹6,737 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
₹6,737
₹7,411 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Alice Springs. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"nice"

Reviewed on 29 Oct 2024

Mercure Alice Springs Resort
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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹5,312 per night from 13 Nov to 14 Nov
₹5,312
₹5,860 total
includes taxes & fees
13 Nov - 14 Nov
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly motel in Alice Springs. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Good overnight accomodation. Walking distance to shops and the mall."

Reviewed on 20 Oct 2024

Diplomat Motel 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.
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 Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Alice Springs Golf Club ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (353 reviews)
"Quiet location. 10 minutes from the main square"

Reviewed on 15 Oct 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 Wi-Fi, 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
Heavitree Gap Outback Lodge
Heavitree Gap Outback Lodge
3 out of 5
1 Palm Circuit, Ross, NT
Stay at this 3-star campsite in Alice Springs. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge) and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Heavitree Gap and Alice ...
7.8/10 Good! (44 reviews)
AN EXCELLENT MOTEL,CARAVAN AND CAMPING COMPLEX
"THE " Heavitree Gap Outback Lodge " was just such a refreshing place to stay at minimal cost. The staff at reception "LESLIE AND PAGE were so helpful and refreshingly honest in their attitude towards customers and their respective jobs. The cleaning and room preparation was excellent and the cleaning ..."

Reviewed on 25 Sep 2014

Heavitree Gap Outback Lodge
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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