Alice Springs Travel Guide
Contents
- Alice Springs — The Heart of Australia
- Alice Springs and Its Antipode
- The Town
- Top Things to Do in Alice Springs
- Do and See
- Dining in Alice Springs
- Cafés in Alice Springs
- Bars & Nightlife
- Shopping & Markets
- Tourist Information
Alice Springs — The Heart of Australia
Alice Springs sits near the geographic centre of Australia, surrounded by vast desert landscapes, rugged ranges, and ancient cultural sites. Established in the 1870s as a telegraph station linking Adelaide and Darwin, the town grew into a vital communication and service hub for Central Australia.
Despite its remote location, Alice Springs offers a surprising concentration of cultural institutions, historic buildings, and outdoor experiences. The surrounding landscape — red earth, dry riverbeds, and dramatic rock formations — shapes both daily life and the town’s identity.
Alice Springs and Its Antipode
Every place on Earth has an antipode — the point directly opposite it on the globe, connected by a straight line passing through the Earth’s core.
Alice Springs’ antipode lies in the North Atlantic Ocean, far from any major landmass. As with much of inland Australia, this land-to-ocean antipode highlights the town’s extreme continental position — isolated, expansive, and defined by distance rather than density.
This geographic contrast mirrors Alice Springs itself: a place shaped by vast space, deep time, and enduring connection to land.
The Town
The modern town centre is clustered around Todd Mall, where shops, galleries, cafés, and civic buildings sit close together. Alice Springs remains an important gateway for visitors travelling to Central Australia’s most famous landmarks, including Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
The town also plays a key role in preserving and sharing Aboriginal culture. Learning about the land through Indigenous perspectives offers a deeper understanding of the region’s history, spirituality, and continuing cultural life.
Top Things to Do in Alice Springs
Uluru
Located approximately 450 kilometres southwest of Alice Springs, Uluru is a massive sandstone monolith sacred to the Aṉangu people. Visiting Uluru offers insight into Aboriginal culture and the spiritual significance of the land.
Kata Tjuta
Also known as the Olgas, Kata Tjuta is a group of large domed rock formations west of Alice Springs, forming an important cultural and geological landscape.
Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles)
Gigantic rounded granite boulders scattered across a wide valley, Karlu Karlu is one of the Northern Territory’s most distinctive natural landmarks.
Anzac Hill
A hilltop war memorial offering panoramic views over Alice Springs and the surrounding ranges, particularly striking at sunrise and sunset.
Alice Springs Desert Park
An educational park showcasing desert plants, animals, and Aboriginal knowledge of the land.
National Road Transport Hall of Fame
A museum dedicated to Australia’s transport history, including road trains, historic vehicles, and the Old Ghan Railway.
Alice Springs Telegraph Station
The original telegraph station where Alice Springs began, offering insight into early communications and frontier life.
MacDonnell Ranges
A vast system of mountain ranges east and west of Alice Springs, featuring gorges, waterholes, walking tracks, and Aboriginal rock art.
Araluen Cultural Precinct
A cultural complex including galleries, museums, and sacred sites reflecting Central Australian history and art.
Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum
A museum detailing the history and ongoing work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in remote Australia.
Outback Ballooning
Sunrise hot-air balloon flights offering aerial views of the desert landscape surrounding Alice Springs.
The Kangaroo Sanctuary
A wildlife sanctuary caring for rescued kangaroos, offering guided educational tours.
Do and See
Olive Pink Botanic Garden
A botanical reserve featuring native Central Australian plants and walking paths.
Alice Springs Reptile Centre
A centre housing one of the region’s largest collections of reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and crocodiles.
Alice Springs Memorial Cemetery
The resting place of notable historical figures, including artist Albert Namatjira.
Dining in Alice Springs
Dining in Alice Springs reflects its surroundings: hearty, substantial, and rooted in local ingredients. Visitors can try native meats such as kangaroo, emu, camel, and bush foods, alongside contemporary Australian and international cuisine.
- Red Ochre Grill Restaurant
- Hanuman
- Todd Tavern
- Loco Burrito
- Epilogue Lounge & Rooftop Bar
- Casa Nostra Pizza & Spaghetti House
- Monte’s Lounge
- Flavours of India
Cafés in Alice Springs
Todd Mall is the heart of Alice Springs’ café culture, where locals and visitors gather for coffee, breakfast, and casual meals.
- Red Dog Cafe
- Watertank Cafe
- Page 27
- The Bean Tree Cafe
- Gloria Jean’s Coffees
- The Goods Coffee Shop
Bars & Nightlife
Despite its remote location, Alice Springs offers a lively nightlife scene centred around pubs, bars, and occasional live music events.
- Epilogue Lounge & Rooftop Bar
- Sporties
- Bo’s Saloon
- The Rock Bar
- Lasseters Casino
- Uncles Tavern
Shopping & Markets
Alice Springs is a major centre for Aboriginal art and crafts, with galleries and markets offering paintings, ceramics, textiles, and handmade objects.
- Mbantua Gallery
- Gallery Gondwana
- Todd Mall Markets
- Tjanpi Desert Weavers
- Talapi
- Hermannsburg Potters
- Lone Dingo
- Yeperenye Shopping Centre
- Red Kangaroo Books
- Desert Dwellers
- Night Markets
- Yubu Napa
Tourist Information
Alice Springs Airport is located approximately 16 kilometres south of the town centre and offers regular flights to major Australian cities.
Local transport includes limited bus services, taxis, rideshare options, and tour operators.
The best time to visit Alice Springs is between April and September, when temperatures are mild and outdoor activities are most enjoyable.
Electricity in Australia is 230 volts / 50 Hz using type I plugs.
