About Alice Springs
Alice Springs is a town in the Northern Territory, Australia; it is the third-largest settlement in the Northern Territory after Darwin and Palmerston. The name Alice Springs was given by surveyor William Whitfield Mills after Alice, Lady Todd, wife of the telegraph pioneer Charles Todd. The town is situated roughly in Australia's geographic centre, nearly equidistant from Adelaide and Darwin.
Places to visit in Alice Springs
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Alice Springs Desert Park
Zoo · 2 mi from centreA wildlife park showcasing Central Australian desert habitats, animals and Aboriginal plant knowledge. Arrive in the morning for the bird of prey show, and consider the nocturnal house for rare species.
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Anzac Hill
ViewpointA small hill with a war memorial and a sweeping view over the town and MacDonnell Ranges. It is easy to reach on foot or by car, and sunset is the most popular time to go.
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Alice Springs Telegraph Station
Historic · 2 mi from centreThe restored station that marked the town's founding beside a waterhole on the Todd River. Walk the stone buildings and exhibits, then follow the riverside trail back toward town.
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Simpsons Gap
Nature · 10 mi from centreA dramatic gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges with tall red cliffs and a waterhole. Look for black-footed rock-wallabies on the rocks in the early morning or late afternoon.
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Standley Chasm
Nature · 25 mi from centreA narrow gorge on Aboriginal land where the walls glow orange when the sun is overhead. Plan to be there around midday for the best light, and wear sturdy shoes.
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Royal Flying Doctor Service
MuseumA visitor center telling the story of the medical air service that serves remote outback communities. The short film and exhibits make a good introduction to life in the outback.
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Ormiston Gorge
Nature · 68 mi from centreA towering gorge with a permanent waterhole, popular for swimming and hiking. The Ghost Gum lookout walk is short and rewarding, but the water stays cold even in summer.
Things to do in Alice Springs by type
10 tours, tickets and experiences across 3 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Day Trips & Excursions 5 experiences A Town Like Alice - Half-Day Tour -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 4 experiences Alice Spring Desert Park -
Outdoor activities & Adventure 3 experiences A Town like Alice with Alice Springs Desert Park - Full-Day Tour
- Over 6 hours 4
- 3-6 hours 2
- Small group 5
Top experiences in Alice Springs
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 10 available.
Balloon Flight Tour
From $276 per adult
Alice Spring Desert Park
From $29 per adult
A Town like Alice with Alice Springs Desert Park - Full-Day Tour
From $205 per adult
Where to stay in Alice Springs
Popular hotels in Alice Springs, out of 24 properties you can book.
Desert Palms Alice Springs
From $152 per night
Alice On Todd Apartments
From $124 per night
Mercure Alice Springs Resort
From $136 per night
Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters
From $240 per night
Mantra Alice Springs
From $85 per night
Elkira Court Motel
From $94 per night
Alice Springs YHA
From $110 per night
Quest Alice Springs
From $186 per night
Greet Hotel Alice Springs
From $74 per night
Capricornia Motel
From $105 per night
Knotts Crossing Resort
From $151 per night
DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs
Best time to visit Alice Springs
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Alice Springs is April to May and August to September, when average daytime highs are around 71–80°F and rain falls on about 2 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Alice Springs weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 94° 69° 54%
- Thu 22 Oct 91° 65° 67%
- Fri 23 Oct 94° 68° 6%
- Sat 24 Oct 97° 67° 10%
- Sun 25 Oct 80° 64° 12%
- Mon 26 Oct 83° 58° 9%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Australian dollar (AUD)1 US dollar ≈ $1.43
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +61
- Driving
- On the left
- Time zone
- Australia/DarwinUTC+9:30
- Capital
- Canberra
Upcoming public holidays in Australia
- Christmas Day
- St. Stephen's DayBoxing Day
- New Year's Day
- Australia Day
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Alice Springs
These are the airports closest to central Alice Springs. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- ASP Alice Springs Airport8 mi (12 km) from the city centre
Getting around Alice Springs
There are a couple of public bus lines bringing you around town. Other than that, you can get around by foot or bike, drive or take a taxi. Taxis can be scarce during peak hours. Uber is not available in Alice Springs as of August 2022. A taxi from the airport to the centre of town is around $45.
Alice Springs travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Alice Springs?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Alice Springs is April to May and August to September, when average daytime highs are around 71–80°F and rain falls on about 2 days a month.
What is the weather like in Alice Springs?
January is usually the warmest month in Alice Springs, with average highs of 101°F (38°C). July is the coolest, with average lows of 42°F (6°C). The wettest month is typically March, with about 128 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Alice Springs?
Alice Springs Airport (ASP) is the closest airport, about 8 miles (12 km) from the centre of Alice Springs.
What currency is used in Alice Springs?
Alice Springs uses the Australian dollar (AUD). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $1.43.
What time zone is Alice Springs in?
Alice Springs uses the Australia/Darwin time zone (currently UTC+9:30). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Alice Springs?
There are a couple of public bus lines bringing you around town. Other than that, you can get around by foot or bike, drive or take a taxi. Taxis can be scarce during peak hours. Uber is not available in Alice Springs as of August 2022. A taxi from the airport to the centre of town is around $45.
What are the best places to visit in Alice Springs?
Top sights in Alice Springs include Alice Springs Desert Park, Anzac Hill, Alice Springs Telegraph Station and Simpsons Gap. A wildlife park showcasing Central Australian desert habitats, animals and Aboriginal plant knowledge. Arrive in the morning for the bird of prey show, and consider the nocturnal house for rare species.
What are the top things to do in Alice Springs?
Popular experiences you can book in Alice Springs include Balloon Flight Tour, Alice Spring Desert Park and A Town like Alice with Alice Springs Desert Park - Full-Day Tour. Destina Holidays offers 10 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Alice Springs?
The most popular types of experiences in Alice Springs are day trips & excursions (5), zoo, aquarium & nature (4), outdoor activities & adventure (3) and tour & activities (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Alice Springs?
Popular areas for hotels in Alice Springs include Alice Springs and Katherine. Well-reviewed options include Desert Palms Alice Springs and Alice On Todd Apartments.
How many hotels can I book in Alice Springs?
Destina Holidays currently lists 24 properties in and around Alice Springs, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
