Awesome Alice Springs
Smack bang in the red centre, Alice Springs is no spring chicken. In fact, it’s been inhabited for up to 30,000 years. Today, Alice Springs is both a tourist hub for the surrounding areas and a wonderful mix of European and Aboriginal influences. The Olive Pink Botanic Garden, for example, features native desert plants rather than the usual flowers and rolling green lawns.
Speaking of desert, there’s no shortage of that in the Alice. To get a taste, visit the Larapinta Trail, which is over 200km long and takes in the dusty vastness. After your walk, take a swim in Red Bank Gorge to escape the heat, as the Todd River running through town is generally dry. Alice Springs is the perfect location to unearth some secrets of the Aussie outback – although with the CIA’s satellite tracking station nearby, some things will probably remain hidden…
Alice Spring’s Top 10
| 10. Simpson Desert This is the Australia often depicted to the rest of the world – all red sand dunes and crazy rock formations. | 5. Alice Springs Desert Park Be introduced to the flora and fauna of the surrounding deserts, but don’t use a visit as an excuse to miss the real thing. |
| 9. Finke Gorge National Park Here’s where to reallyput your four-wheel-drive vehicle to the test (as opposed to those morning soccer runs…). | 4. Todd Mall The focal point of the town offers a bunch of places to pick up some Aboriginal art. |
| 8. Adelaide House See Aussie ingenuity on display with the unique air-conditioning system and bike-powered communication device. | 3. Telegraph Station Historical Reserve See where the modern town began from nothing more than a humble telegraph station. |
| 7. MacDonnell Ranges Go for a walk amongst the ranges, then take a dip in one of the many swimming holes to cool down. | 2. Museum of Central Australia Come and learn about the largest bird to ever live on Earth. |
| 6. Alice Springs Reptile Centre This is sure to keep the kids happy. Check out the dinosaur-inspired frill-necked lizards! | 1. Uluru While it’s a few hours’ drive out of town, you can’t visit the Alice without going to Uluru. |
Alice Springs Events
Like many things in Australia, the Camel Cup Camel Race, which takes place in July, began with a good old-fashioned Aussie bet.
At the annual Beanie Festival in July, you’ll feel left out if you’re not wearing wool on your noggin’.
Also in July, the Bass in the Dust music festival will get you dancing in the dirt and having a cracker of a time.
The Henley-on-Todd Regatta in September is the only dry river regatta in the world – the contestants have to carry their boats!
In September, the Desert Mob Art Show sees art lovers and creators from all over Australia come together to buy, sell and view Aboriginal art.
When To Go
- With a desert climate, daytime temperatures average around 34ºC (93ºF) in summer and seldom drop below 20ºC (68ºF) in winter.
- In winter overnight, the mercury can drop below freezing – so pack accordingly.
- Alice Springs’ rainfall is sporadic, with November and December the rainiest months (averaging four or five rainy days per month)
Visit our partner page Alice Springs hotels by Hotel.com.au
Getting Around
Pick up a free timetable from the visitor centre and use the bus to get around town.
Alternatively, hop in a taxi, which tend to assemble around the visitor centre.
There’s also the Alice Wanderer sightseeing bus, which will take you to many of the most popular attractions within Alice Springs.
