Is Alice Springs worth visiting? (2024)

Alice Springs is the best place to visit and to stay for a few nights if you’re looking to explore the Red Desert. The town is the biggest in central Australia and is also the closest to Uluru.

You can do a day trip from Alice Springs down to Uluru or do a few multi day to explore the Red Desert.

With many opportunities to do in and around Alice Springs, it’s safe to say it’s worth visiting this outback town in the Northern Territory.

What can I expect from a day tour to Uluru?

You can expect a lot of adventure and an incredible sunset when doing a day tour of Uluru. It’s an early start and is about a five hour drive to Uluru. You can enjoy a small breakfast on the coach and get in a nap before arriving.

On the way, you’ll stop off at Erldunda Roadhouse and have the chance to look at incredible Aboriginal art. When arriving in Uluru, you’ll enjoy some lunch before going to see Kata Tjuta, the large domed rock formations.

The next stop is at the Aboriginal Cultural Centre before going on a walk to see the Walpa Gorge.

Finally, the highlight of the tour happens when you watch the sunset over Uluru. You’ll get to enjoy a glass of bubbles and dinner before heading back to Alice Springs.

What is a good multi day trip I can do from Alice Springs?

One of the most popular multi day trips is a three day two night Red Centre tour. The three days are full of adventure and you will see so much of the Red Centre. You can expect to see a lot of fascinating Aboriginal artwork inside galleries and ancient rock art galleries.

Be prepared for all the different kinds of guided walks, one being the Uluru Base Walk. You’ll spend one of the mornings exploring Kata Tjuta and doing the Valley of the Winds walk too. Another key walk is through Kings Canyon, this is where you’ll see the beautiful Garden of Eden!

The most exciting part of this tour is experiencing the sunrise and sunset over Uluru at one of the best viewing platforms in the area!

What can I do in Alice Springs?

Aside from remarkable tours from Alice Springs, there’s a lot you can do in the outback town. A popular activity is watching the sunrise from a hot air balloon! You’ll be able to see kangaroos, camels, and brumbies waking up to the sunrise.

Or you can visit the Reptile Centre and get close to all kinds of reptiles from goannas and frill necked lizards.

Alice Springs has so much adventure to do in and around the outback town in the Territory.

Is Alice Springs worth visiting? (2024)

FAQs

Is Alice Springs worth visiting? ›

Alice Springs is a perfect town to visit to experience Australian outback adventures. Alice Springs is the best place to visit and to stay for a few nights if you're looking to explore the Red Desert. The town is the biggest in central Australia and is also the closest to Uluru

Uluru
The sandstone formation stands 348 m (1,142 ft) high, rising 863 m (2,831 ft) above sea level with most of its bulk lying underground, and has a total perimeter of 9.4 km (5.8 mi). Uluru is notable for appearing to change colour at different times of the day and year, most notably when it glows red at dawn and sunset.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Uluru
.

How many days do you need to see Alice Springs? ›

If you really want to see Alice Springs in all its beauty, we'd recommend coming for at least 2-3 days, even a week to do some day trips.

What is so special about Alice Springs? ›

Nestled between the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs is celebrated for its desert landscapes, the characters that have shaped its history and a strong cultural connection with the Arrernte people.

What is the best month to visit Alice Springs? ›

Best time to visit Alice Springs

If you're sensitive to extremes, the best times to visit are April to September. Spring and autumn provide a nice balance between the hot and the cold. The moderate temperatures in spring and autumn mean you can stay outdoors longer.

Is it safe to go to Alice Springs now? ›

Yes, it is safe to travel to Alice Springs! Not only is Alice Springs a large central town, but it is a popular place for many travellers to visit. Regardless of where you are travelling, there are some steps you can take for increased security.

Do you need a car to get around Alice Springs? ›

Getting around Alice Springs

Most things are within walking distance in the town, and there is a public bus available. If you want to venture to the MacDonnell Ranges or other places that are further afield without a car, a diverse range of day tours can be booked.

What is the closest big city to Alice Springs? ›

By far the major industry in recent times is tourism. Almost in the exact centre of the continent, Alice Springs is some 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) from the nearest ocean and 1,500 kilometres (930 mi) from the nearest major cities, Darwin and Adelaide. Alice Springs is at the midpoint of the Adelaide–Darwin Railway.

Why do tourists go to Alice Springs? ›

Our iconic outback town, rich in history, culture and diversity, has much to entice the adventurous visitor. Alice Springs offers most of the facilities you will find in any urban area of Australia, including opportunities for shopping, sight-seeing, cultural immersion and entertainment.

What is the issue in Alice Springs? ›

The issues are widely considered to be the legacy of colonization more than two centuries ago that deprived traditional owners of their ancestral lands. Decades of racism and neglect erupted on the streets of Alice Springs on Tuesday, though youth crime is a problem in many other Australian cities.

Why are there so many Americans in Alice Springs? ›

Alice Springs was perfectly placed to help the United States spy on the Soviet Union. This was in part due to its geography, according to Pine Gap expert Professor Richard Tanter from Melbourne University and the Nautilus Institute. Nuclear annihilation hung heavy between the superpowers and America wanted an edge.

What is the wettest month in Alice Springs? ›

January is the wettest month with around 40mm (1.5") of rainfall, however the climate is considered dry and arid for most of the year. Autumn is one of the best times to visit, with warm days and cool nights. Average temperatures range from 12 - 27°C (53.6 - 80.6°F).

Can you drink the water in Alice Springs? ›

Where does water come from in the Alice Springs region? Drinking water for Alice Springs comes from natural underground water deposits called aquifers. This water is pumped to the surface, treated to meet Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and stored in tanks ready to be used in your home.

What is the average age in Alice Springs? ›

Demographics & education

In the 2016 Census, there were 23,726 people in Alice Springs. Of these 49.0% were male and 51.0% were female. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people made up 18.1% of the population. The median age of people in Alice Springs was 34 years.

What to be careful of in Alice Springs? ›

We sincerely respect the concerns you may have, but ask you to consider travelling to Alice Springs with the same amount of vigilance as you would when visiting large cities or unfamiliar places (keeping valuables hidden, keeping bags close to you, not walking around late at night etc).

Why is there a curfew in Alice Springs? ›

Announcing the new legislation on Wednesday, Ms Lawler said the recent youth curfew in Alice Springs had been a success. The emergency measure, imposed on March 28, was triggered by a string of violent incidents, including a brawl involving up to 150 people and an attack on an Alice Springs pub.

What is crime like in Alice Springs? ›

Selected
CRIME01/12/2021 - 30/11/2022% CHANGE
Assault Rate per 100,0009195.40.42
Domestic violence related assault Rate per 100,0006329.91.34
Alcohol related assault Rate per 100,0004992.9-13.82
Sexual assault Rate per 100,00028910.52
4 more rows

How long to spend at Alice Springs Desert Park? ›

Spend a minimum of 3-4 hours to immerse yourself in the beauty and mystery of Australia's deserts as you wander through the ancient landscapes from dry river beds to dense woodlands full of life. Experience the night during the day in the Nocturnal House and see animals once found in abundance across the desert.

How many days do I need at Uluru? ›

Given the wide variety of activities on offer, we recommend staying at least three days to give yourself time to explore, learn, go on some adventures and take your time to understand this special place. But don't worry if you're only here for a short visit.

Is there a hop on hop off bus in Alice Springs? ›

The Town Hop On – Hop Off allows you to discover the outback town of Alice Springs at your own pace. Stay on-board for a 70 minute guided tour or hop on – hop off all day – it's up to you.

How far is Alice Springs from Uluru? ›

The drive between Alice Springs and Uluru is an absolute must-do, taking travellers through the heart of the country. And it's not a long one, either - the one-way trip from Alice Springs to Uluru is just 450km/5.5 hours on fully-sealed roads.

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