In the heart of Australia lies Alice Springs, the beating heart of Australia’s Red Centre. The outback town of Alice Springs, famously known as “Alice”, is the 3rd largest town in the Northern Territory. Alice Springs is a staple destination for people planning to visit the iconic Uluru/Ayers Rock and other surrounding natural and geological highlights. It’s also a fascinating spot to explore Australia’s Aboriginal culture. Qantas has direct flights to Alice Springs from most major cities in Australia, and Virgin Australia offers direct flights from Adelaide and Darwin. If you want to experience another way of travel, try to reach Alice Springs via The Ghan, a comfortable and scenic train journey between Adelaide and Darwin via Alice Springs and Katherine. Stunning landscapes, remote communities, and spirited outback nature, here are some of the best things to do in Alice Springs, Australia.
1. Take an exciting hot air balloon ride (from USD 231.11)
The ideal way to see Australia’s extensive beauty is aboard a spectacular hot air balloon ride. Experience the immenseness of this incredible landscape from a one-of-a-kind bird’s-eye perspective. The pre-dawn flight is led by a professional who takes you high above Australia’s outback where you can appreciate the peacefulness and stillness of the terrain. Catch glimpses of wondrous wildlife like giant red kangaroos and see indigenous flora and fauna. Without a doubt, this is a memorable adventure.
Alice Springs: Early Morning Hot Air Balloon Flight
Duration: 4.0 hour
2. Revel in the ride of a lifetime with Alice Springs Camel Tour (from USD 60.0)
You will experience Australia in a unique fashion when you hop on the perfect desert animal—a camel. You will be led by an expert guide through pretty red-sand tracks and scenic forest trails. The camels are tame so participants should have no worries managing. Along the trek, you’re sure to witness wild kangaroos and wallabies hopping about. At the completion of the journey, you can have a keepsake photograph taken against the rugged West MacDonell Ranges. Participants have the choice of an afternoon or evening departure.
Alice Springs Camel Tour
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
3. Know more about Australia's remote learning (from USD 9.0)
Living in the isolated outback makes it difficult for youngsters to attend school so Alice Springs School of the Air was created in 1951 to afford kids the education they deserved. Initially, radio broadcasts were used to conduct teaching. Today, lessons are taught via internet technologies to create an efficient virtual classroom experience. This fabulous guided tour introduces participants to the school’s mission with a short film that showcases the interesting history. You can even watch a live lesson as part of the tour.
Skip the Line: Alice Springs School of the Air Guided Tour Ticket
Duration: 30 to 60 minutes
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4. See the best flora and fauna at Olive Pink Botanic Garden
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Olive-Pink Botanic-Garden on Monday, March 16, 2020
Olive Pink Botanic Garden is a prime destination for nature lovers. Catch sights of tiny and agile black-footed rock wallabies in addition to 80 species of colorful birds. Located on 39.5 acres (16 hectares) along the bank of Todd River, Olive Pink Botanic Garden is an oasis of Australia’s unique wildlife and rare indigenous plant life. A great network of scenic walking trails affords many opportunities for intimate exploration as well as nice views of West MacDonnell Ranges and Todd River. Don’t forget to stop by Bean Tree Cafe that is nestled among the gardens.
Olive Pink Botanic Garden
Address: Tuncks Rd, Alice Springs NT 0870, Australia
Website: Olive Pink Botanic Garden
Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)
Price: Free
5. Admire fabulous views atop ANZAC Hill
ANZAC Hill is a prominent fixture on Alice Spring’s townscape and the go-to spot to relish expansive views of not only the city but the dazzling West Macdonnell Ranges in the distance. Situated in the heart of Alice Springs, ANZAC Hill is only a quick climb of a set of stairs. From here, you’re able to look out at the breathtaking, all-encompassing sight of the city’s surroundings. At 1995 feet (608 meters), ANZAC Hill is the ideal place to catch amazing sunrises and dramatic sunsets.
ANZAC Hill
Address: Anzac Hill Rd, Alice Springs NT 0870, Australia
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
6. Delve into the Miocene period at Megafauna Central
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
If you’re crazy about ancient fossils, then a visit to Megafauna Central is a must. This fine archaeological museum features Central Australia’s wide-ranging Alcoota fossil collection that includes rare flightless birds and ancient thylacines or canine-like marsupials from the captivating Miocene era. This engaging museum features various exhibits and a viewing window of the fossil workshop, so museumgoers can observe the delicate fossil cleaning and preservation work. If you’re curious as to what roamed the earth eight million years ago, then a trip to Megafauna Central is the answer.
Megafauna Central
Address: 21 Todd Street Mall, Todd St, Alice Springs NT 0870, Australia
Website: Megafauna Central
Opening hours: Mon: 10am - 4pm; Wed - Fri: 10am - 4pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 2pm (closed on Tue)
Price: Free
7. Sip your favorite cocktail at Epilogue Lounge & Rooftop Bar
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The wait is over - WE ARE BACK! $10 Pizza and Open Mic Night are calling tonight - and the best Spritzers in town!
Posted by Epilogue Lounge on Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Epilogue Lounge & Rooftop Bar is one of the hotspots in Alice Springs. Oozing with a cool retro vibe, Epilogue Lounge & Rooftop Bar offers a casual pub-style setting serving freshly prepared local cuisine. Nosh on tapas-inspired eats or try a house specialty such as flavorful schnitzels, juicy steaks, fresh seafood, and cheesy pizza. The rooftop bar is a breezy delight on a pleasant night and patrons can choose from a lengthy drink list of robust wines, sudsy beers, or handcrafted cocktails.
Epilogue Lounge & Rooftop Bar
Address: 1/58 Todd St, Alice Springs NT 0870, Australia
Website: Epilogue Lounge & Rooftop Bar
Opening hours: Wed - Thu: 3pm - 12am; Fri - Sat: 2pm - 2am (closed on Sun, Mon & Tue)
8. Explore Stuart Town Gaol
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
A local history museum, Stuart Town Gaol was constructed in 1907 and is the oldest existing structure in Alice Springs. A former holding cell for criminals, the cold-stone exterior reflects its somber use. Today, Stuart Town Gaol houses interesting memorabilia and compelling stories related to law enforcement and prisoner tales. If you want to tour the building, pay the entrance fee and pick up the keys at Hartley Street School located at 39 Hartley St, Alice Springs NT 0870, Australia. Be aware a key deposit of 16 USD is required.
Stuart Town Gaol
Address: 8 Parsons St, Alice Springs NT 0870, Australia
Website: Stuart Town Gaol
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10:30am - 12:30pm; Sat: 9am - 12:30pm (closed on Sun)
Price: 2 USD
9. Go stargazing at Alice Springs camping grounds
The best way to embark on your outback holiday at Alice is by camping. There are lots of quality campgrounds around Alice that allow you to get out into its awe-inspiring landscapes – red earth and blue skies. You can rent a car and head out to several camping grounds such as West MacDonnell National Park, East MacDonnell Ranges, and Finke Gorge National Park. From the camping grounds, there are many walking treks to explore the nature and to reach Uluru, the famous Ayers Rock. Or, you can join an Uluru/Kata Tjuta camping tour with stunning sunset and sunrise at Ayers Rock as part of the journey. Whichever you choose, nothing beats the feeling so up close and personal with nature by camping and stargazing at Alice Springs.
Uluru Camping Tour by Emu Run Experience
Address: 12 Power St, Alice Springs NT 0870, Australia
Price: from 475 AUD (367 USD)
Contact: +61 889537057
Website: 4 Day / 3 Night Uluru Camping Tour Package
Ayers Rock Camp Ground
Address: 173 Yulara Dr, Yulara NT 0872, Australia
Price: from 43 AUD (33 USD)
Access: Ayers Rock Camp Ground is located 15 km (9 mi) from Uluru/Ayers Rock
Contact: +61 889577001
10. Pay a visit to Araluen Arts Centre
Australian Aboriginal art is the oldest ongoing art tradition in the world. Hear the Yeperenye (Caterpillar) story of the Western Arrernte people and discover the fascinating spiritual origins of the MacDonnell Ranges. The Araluen Arts Centre has developed insightful Aboriginal Cultural Art information through the exhibition and explains the history of Aboriginal art in the region, and also explains the concepts of the Dreaming (or Altyerre in Arrernte). An outdoor market operates in the Todd Mall every second Sunday from mid-February to early December featuring local produce, arts and crafts, and food from 9am until 1pm. You can find original Aboriginal arts and crafts for you to take home from Alice Springs.
Araluen Arts Centre
Address: 61 Larapinta Dr, Araluen NT 0870, Australia
Price: from 15 AUD (11 USD)
Opening Hours: 10am - 4pm.
Access: Araluen Arts Centre is located on Larapinta Drive, just 2 km (1.2 mi) from Alice Spring’s town centre.
Contact: +61 889511122
Website: Araluen Arts Centre
11. Trek Larapinta Trail with friends
The famous Larapinta Trail starts from just outside of Alice Spring’s City centre. The 223 kilometer (139 mile) Larapinta Trail has 12 sections that can be walked in part or in full. You’ll find varying grades and terrain along the trail, which is dotted with freshwater swimming holes at various points, and takes in several stunning gorges and scenic mountain peaks. There are a number of companies, such as World Expeditions and Trek Larapinta, that offer guided multi-day walking adventures along the trail. The best time of year on the trail is from May to August.
Trek Larapinta
Address: Alice Springs NT, Australia
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Contact: +61 1300133278
Website: Larapinta Trek
12. Take in panoramic views from West MacDonnell Ranges
Simpsons Gap is a stunning gorge carved out of the West MacDonnell Ranges by Roe Creek, where water flows through a small gap in the range. The Gap is a sacred site to Central Arrernte Aboriginal people. It is called Rrengetyirpe by the local language; it’s a place that’s associated with Perentie (goanna), Eagle and Rock Wallaby Dreaming’s. Take the Cassia Hill Walk, a short loop walk of about 1.5 km (.9 mi) that will take you through a variety of outback habitats onto a small hill. You can see the outback habitats and take some fantastic photos of the West MacDonnell Ranges.
There’s a short, wheelchair-friendly walk to the Gap itself, free gas BBQs, picnic tables and toilets. And if you look carefully amongst the rock walls leading into the Gap, you might see a Black-Footed Rock Wallaby or two. Don’t forget to experience the Aboriginal traditional dishes for dinner under the Milky Way while you are at West MacDonnell Ranges.
Mbantua dinner by the camp fire - RT Tours Australia
Price: from 160 AUD (123.70 USD)
Opening Hours: Pick up at 4pm
Contact: +61 889520327 (Bob “Penunka” Taylor)
Website: Mbantua Dinner Tour
13. Grab your picnic bag and head to Jessie Gap
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The East MacDonnell Ranges, famously known as East Macs, is less touristy than its twin the West Macs. Emily Gap, just a 10-minute drive from Alice Springs, has some Aboriginal rock paintings and is a registered sacred site. There’s often a shallow pool to wade across to get in to see the ochre paintings, and the Gap is also a sweet spot for birdwatchers wanting to see wild budgerigars nesting for several months after rain each year.
Grab your picnic bag and head to Jessie Gap. Jessie Gap has good picnic facilities and since it’s close to Alice Springs, have a barbecue party to end your day trip at the East Macs.
Website: MacDonnell Ranges
14. Spend some family time at Alice Springs Desert Park
Alice Springs Desert Park is a perfect thing to do if you are going on holiday with your children. The Alice Springs Desert Park is an adventure safari park, and also a natural history museum. You’ll get up close and personal with kangaroos, emus, birds of prey, walk-thru aviaries and the biggest nocturnal house in the Southern Hemisphere, whilst learning just how diverse and full of life Australia’s deserts are.
Alice Springs Desert Park
Address: 871 Larapinta Dr, Alice Springs NT 0871, Australia
Price: from 32 AUD (24.75 USD)
Opening Hours: 7.30am - 6pm.
Access: Alice Springs Desert Park is only 7 km (4.3 mi) from the centre of Alice Springs
Contact: +61 889518788
Website: Alice Springs Desert Park
15. Know the story of the Flying Doctor
Alice Springs is the birthplace and home of Australia’s Royal Flying Doctor. Pay a visit to the Royal Flying Doctors (RFDs) Visitor Centre, to learn the history of the original RFDS Alice Springs working base that commenced in 1939 and its importance to outback Australians and the medical care required to service isolated regions.
There’s a thoroughly detailed museum with guided tours, a gift shop and one of Alice’s very best cafes in shady grounds. Try their homemade meat pie, scrumptious to the last crumb!
Royal Flying Doctor Service Alice Springs Tourist Facility
Address: 8-10 Stuart Terrace, Alice Springs NT 0870, Australia
Opening Hours: 9am - 5pm.
Contact: +61 889588412
Website: Royal Flying Doctor Service
There is more to Alice Springs
With its richness in nature, arts, and cultures, you may wonder how much time you need to explore Alice Springs. The stunning landscapes, remote communities, and so many diverse and exhilarating destinations still need to be explored.
Alice Springs is calling you to return again and to enjoy its outback charm.
History
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