Alice Springs

Welcome to Alice Springs

Alice Springs is Australia’s most famous outback town, right in the heart of Australia. For a small outback town, visitors are surprised by its vibrant café culture, contemporary art scene and jam-packed festival and events calendar. Float above the Red Centre horizon in a hot air balloon and watch the changing colours of the desert landscape as the sun rises. 

If its adventure visitors are after, they’ve come to the right place: mountain-biking, bushwalking, four-wheel driving, camel riding, quad bike riding and station stays are all on offer in Alice Springs. The ‘Alice’ has a huge reputation for Aboriginal art — pieces from Alice Springs are displayed in galleries and collectors’ homes all over the world. The town’s many art galleries can be explored on foot, and you can even meet local artists and hear firsthand meaningful stories behind their art.

Access: Alice Springs has a domestic airport with services to all of Australia’s capital cities. You can also drive to Alice Springs on the Explorers Way from Adelaide or Darwin. Consider boarding the legendary Ghan train, which travels between Darwin and Adelaide via Alice Springs, with various classes of travel. 

If venturing further afield, a NT Parks Pass is required to enter the MacDonnell Ranges.

West MacDonnell Ranges 

The West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja) stretch west of Alice Springs. There’s plenty of outback adventure here, with things to see and do only a short drive from Alice. Swim in the freshwater swimming holes of Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge, walk through the impressive rock formations of Standley Chasm – Angkerle Atwatye at noon as the sun sets the red rocks ablaze or spot rock wallabies at Simpsons Gap. 

Drive yourself or join a guided tour to the West MacDonnell Ranges. Most roads to the main tourist sites are sealed. There are lots of tour options for all budgets and tastes, from day trips to multi-day tours, and there are plenty of camping spots and accommodation options to choose from. 

East MacDonnell Ranges

Step off the beaten track to explore the East MacDonnell Ranges, which are every bit as pretty and adventurous as those on the western side of the range. Wander through Aboriginal rock art sites at Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park, or go further inwards to Trephina Gorge, where some of the ranges best walking trails will reveal the special sights, sounds and smells of this incredible country. Visitors will need a four-wheel-drive vehicle to get to most sites in the East MacDonnell Ranges as the roads are not sealed (all part of the adventure!), or join a guided tour from Alice Springs.

Top things to do:

• Explore the stunning West MacDonnell Ranges 
• Enjoy the bird show at the Alice Springs Desert Park
• Catch an early morning flight in a hot air balloon ride
• Learn about local history at the Telegraph Station