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Sprawled among garnet-red Outback and the rough-hewn ridges and gorges of the West MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs started life as a humble, impossibly isolated telegraph station. It has transformed, over the last century, into very much a modern town that acts as the service hub for vast tracts of Australia’s Northern Territory — an area as large as Western Europe.
It’s also a starting point for the Ghan railway (the accompanying Old Ghan Heritage Railway Museum displays restored locomotives).
Aboriginal people make up the majority of the population, and just walking the streets you might hear several native languages.
It has to be said that, for many visitors, Alice Springs’ reality barely matches up to the rose-tinted depiction of the town in Nevil Shute’s A Town Like Alice, or the romance of 19th-century pioneer legends its name evokes.
As a town it’s rough around the edges. During the day, it often has a listless, shuttered feel, and there are few options for entertaining yourself.
But, if you’re looking to explore more widely in central Australia, Alice Springs makes a great addition to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Australia’s largest canyon, Kings, sits between the two and is a five-and-a-half-hour drive from Alice Springs (a relatively short hop in Outback terms).
From the air, ‘the Alice’ (as it’s known) appears even more inaccessible. You can see this inhospitality on a hot-air balloon tour over the West MacDonnell Ranges. Outside its boundaries, you’ll see how the scorched wilderness and saffron-shaded rocks of the Ranges quickly take over.
Alice Springs also abounds in good indigenous art galleries, from the flagship Araluen Arts Centre to smaller community art hubs.
And, there are a couple of museums-come-working-bases that let you witness first-hand how people have adapted to the challenges of Outback living. You can tour both the Royal Flying Doctor Service Base and the School of the Air. The latter was founded in 1951, when it began to broadcast lessons to children living in the remotest corners of the country.
Best time to visit Alice Springs
Alice Springs experiences its coolest and most temperate weather in the Austral winter (June to September), so you’ll generally find visiting during these months makes for a more comfortable stay.
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Suggested itinerary featuring Alice Springs
This sample itinerary will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in Alice Springs, and showcases routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places near Alice Springs
- The MacDonnell Ranges 85 miles away
- Kings Canyon & Watarrka National Park 151 miles away
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park 212 miles away
Photos of Alice Springs
Our expert guides to exploring Alice Springs
Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Alice Springs, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Alice Springs at its best.
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Classic railway journeys in Australia: The Ghan vs the Indian Pacific Classic railway journeys in Australia: The Ghan vs the Indian Pacific
Classic railway journeys in Australia: The Ghan vs the Indian Pacific
Australia by train? Yes: the country hosts two of the world’s greatest routes, The Ghan and the Indian Pacific. But, what are the differences between them? Our specialists explain. Either way, expect Outback scenery and great on-board dining and hospitality.
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Australia's top 10 nature experiences Australia's top 10 nature experiences
Australia's top 10 nature experiences
From mountain ranges to ferny forests and coral reefs, Australia has more than its fair share of natural wonders. We’ve picked ten of the best for you to experience, and share our tips for making the most of your trip.
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Central & Outback Australia Central & Outback Australia
Central & Outback Australia
The centre of Aboriginal Australia, the Outback and central Australia take in Alice Springs, Uluru and some of the country's most intriguing wildlife. Our specialists will suggest the best places to visit and stay in the region where red earth glows against a blue sky.
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