Best Things to Do in Alice Springs, Australia

Alice Springs (Mparntwe in Arrernte, the local Aboriginal language) lies at the center of Australia, 1,500 km south of Darwin and 1,500 km north of Adelaide in the Northern Territory. The things to do in and around Alice Springs are defined by three exceptional natural landscapes: Uluru (Ayers Rock), the sacred sandstone monolith 462 km southwest; Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), the multi-domed rock formation adjacent to Uluru; and the West MacDonnell Ranges, a chain of ancient ridges, gorges, and waterholes stretching 250 km west of Alice Springs along the Larapinta Trail. The town itself has the Alice Springs Desert Park (a superlative wildlife introduction to Red Centre species), the Royal Flying Doctor Service museum, the Kangaroo Sanctuary (where orphaned joeys are raised by a foster carer), and a genuine Aboriginal cultural scene around the galleries of Mbantua and Araluen Arts Centre.

Best time to visit

April through September is the recommended season. Winter (June through August) brings perfect days (20-25°C) and cold nights (sometimes below freezing); campfires and sleeping bags are required for outback camping. Summer (October through March) is very hot (40-46°C); most hiking and outdoor activities are restricted to early morning. The desert wildflowers after rain (variable timing) are spectacular. The Henley-on-Todd Regatta in August (a boat race on the dry Todd River bed, where teams carry bottomless boats) is genuinely one of the world’s most unusual events.

Getting around

Alice Springs airport is 15 km south of town. Qantas and Virgin Australia fly direct from Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Darwin. Within Alice Springs, a car is essential for most activities. Car hire is available at the airport. The Red Centre Way driving circuit (West MacDonnell Ranges and Kings Canyon) can be done self-drive in 3-4 days with 4WD in some sections. Uluru and Kata Tjuta require an additional 450 km round trip from Alice Springs or a fly-drive package. Organized tours (half-day, full-day, and multi-day) are widely available from Alice Springs.

What to eat and drink

Alice Springs has a compact dining scene. The local specialty is kangaroo, crocodile, and camel (all available at main restaurants). Overlanders Steakhouse is the most famous for game meat dishes (“mixed grill of the outback”). The Hanuman restaurant does excellent Thai and Indian food. Locals favor the Todd Mall Cafe strip for breakfast. The weekly Alice Springs Farmers Market (Saturday mornings) is worth visiting for local produce and bakery products.

Neighborhoods to explore

Uluru (462 km southwest) – The sacred sandstone monolith of the Anangu people. Since the climbing ban (October 2019), the visitor experience has shifted to circumnavigation (a 10.6 km walk around the base), cultural interpretation at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, and guided Aboriginal cultural walks. The sunrise and sunset light show on the rock face is extraordinary.

West MacDonnell Ranges – The chain of gorges and waterholes stretching west from Alice Springs: Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Serpentine Gorge, Ormiston Gorge, and Glen Helen. Accessible by 2WD for most sites. The Larapinta Trail (the 223 km long-distance walk) is one of Australia’s best multi-day hikes.

Alice Springs Town – Anzac Hill (the hill above town for 360-degree views of the MacDonnell Ranges), the RFDS Museum, Alice Springs Desert Park, and the Kangaroo Sanctuary are the main in-town attractions.

Kings Canyon – Part of Watarrka National Park, 300 km from Alice Springs. The 6 km rim walk to the canyon edge is one of Australia’s best day hikes, involving a steep initial climb (the “Heart Attack Hill”) and spectacular views into the sandstone canyon.