The best things to do in Alice Springs for the ‘ultimate outback adventure’
It’s the fascinating Aussie outback town which dates back to the late 1800s.
Now, Alice Springs may be home to only 30,000, people but it attracts 460,000 tourists a year who are keen to sample the culture of the Red Centre in the Northern Territory.
The famous Welcome To Alice Springs sign on Stuart Highway. iStock
And it might be small, but there is plenty to see and do in the town and its surrounds.
Alice, as it’s known for short, is a big hub for Indigenous artists.
There are murals, galleries and even a big light festival every April, Parrtjima – a Festival of Light.
The Araluen Cultural Precinct is home to impressive works including landscapes painted by iconic Indigenous landscape artist Albert Namatjira, as well as visiting shows.
Tjanpi Desert Weavers, run by a social enterprise also has spectacular pieces you’ll want to buy from a gallery.
After all that browsing, swing by the Alice Springs Brewing Co for a tipple.
If you are keen to learn more about the history of the town, you can see the Telegraph station established in 1871,
Aerial view of the town of Alice Springs in Central Australia. iStock
It served as a pivotal link along Australia’s Overland Telegraph Line, connecting Darwin and Adelaide. It now plays host to one of the stops for travellers on The Ghan rail journey.
And it might be in the desert, but there are plenty of native plants to see at the town’s Olive Pink Botanic Garden.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert has some locations around Alice Springs. Sydney Morning Herald
And if you’re more into planets, stargazing is also understandably epic in this part of the world because there are not too many lights.
You can learn from the experts on a tour at the Earth Sanctuary.
An essential for animal lovers is a visit to the Instagram-famous Kangaroo Sanctuary, to meet the unbelievably cute orphans.
If you’re fascinated by how kids in the outback learn, head to the Alice Springs School of the Air.
Old Telegraph Station Building, Alice Springs, iStock
The ANZAC Hill war memorial in Alice Springs is a great place to visit not only to pay your respects, but also enjoy views from the highest point in town.
And if you want to gaze down from even higher, you can do hot air balloon tours to see the red earth from above.
Fans of classic Aussie film Priscilla Queen of the Desert will also want to check out Lasseters Hotel Casino. That’s where the drag queens do their final performance in the film.
ANZAC Hill, war memorial in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia iStock
If that’s your thing plan your visit to coincide with the FabALICE festival in March.
And while Mad Max wasn’t filmed there, the town hosts Red CentreNATS, Australia’s premier festival of wheels
What are the best day trips from Alice Springs?
If you want to venture into the outback, there are plenty of dazzling places to visit.
Only 20 minutes away from the town is Simpsons Gap.
Famous for its towering red cliffs it’s an easy place to get a taste of the desert.
Simpsons gap in West MacDonnell National Park in the NT. iStock
Eucalyptus in Kings Canyon, Australia iStock
If you’re more adventurous and have more time, King’s Canyon is around 300km from Alice Springs, in Watarrka National Park.
It’s on The Red Centre Way road trip passes through the epic landscapes of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. (the famous rock is around five hours drive away).
It has been home to the Luritja and Arrente peoples for more than 20,000 years.
You can learn more on tours with Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience and Tours.
The area is renowned for hiking, but if that’s too energetic, you can also take a scenic flight.
