Alice Springs is located in the Northern Territory. Almost precisely in the geographical centre of Australia, it is a thriving, modern community of 28,000 Territorians. The tropic of Capricorn passes just 30km North of Alice Springs.
The original Alice Springs is a waterhole located 3km north of the present city and named after Alice Todd - wife of the Superintendent of Post and Telegraph, Sir Charles Todd. Located at the historic Telegraph Station, it is now a beautifully restored memorial dedicated to the pioneering spirit of the men who built the overland telegraph line from Adelaide to Darwin.
Since their arrival, Alice Springs has evolved into a modern Outback town, with all the creature comforts of a capital city. Alice Springs has everything you require, with international standard accommodation at all levels. There are plenty of shops, from air-conditioned plazas to unique boutiques. Restaurants vary from fast food chains to five-star dining.
This area is part of the territory of the Arrernte people and is known by the local names of Arrende, Yeperenye, or Mparntwe - and is connected with the caterpillar dreaming. The aboriginal presence in Alice Springs is strong. Their 40 000 year old culture and spiritual connection to this region echoes in every rock and landmark. They preserve the timeless art, songs and rituals that connect humankind with Australia's legendary creation and pre history - The Dreamtime.
Located in the heart of the Red Centre, Alice Springs is a vibrant modern town with a thriving population of 28 000 people. Made famous by the Neville Shute 1950’s novel ‘A town like Alice’, Alice Springs is an iconic travel destination – an Australian ‘must do’!
Alice Springs has some iconic restaurants where you can tickle your tastebuds with cuisine ranging from native Australian, Asian delights, good old fashioned Aussie Steak to even a Swiss Indian restaurant
Click here for a Alice Springs Restaurants
Alice Springs has an array of retail shops ranging from major supermarkets and chain stores, to boutique dress shops and art galleries.
Retail Shops
Yeperenye Shopping Centre – includes Woolworths, and 35 specialty stores including Betts and Betts, Flight Centre and a food court - www.yeperenye.com.au
Alice Plaza Shopping Centre – includes Target, and 25 specialty stores including Williams, Wombat, Hourglass Jewellers, Rockmans, Dymocks and a food court.
Kmart
Coles Shopping Complex and 15 specialty stores
Springs Plaza – 10 specialty stores and food court
Todd Mall – specialty shops, restaurants and pubs
Art Galleries
Alice Springs is the Aboriginal Art capital of Central Australia. Galleries boast art from Aboriginal communities throughout the Northern Territory. Below are just a few:
Mbantua Art Gallery and Cultural Museum www.mbantua.com.au
Gallery Gondwana www.gallerygondwana.com.au
Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre www.aboriginalart.com.au
Boomerang Art www.boomerangart.com.auRed Sands Art www.redsandart.com.au
Alice Springs is the home of quirky, unique events ranging from the dry river boat race – Henley on Todd and the famous Camel Cup to the largest off road racing event in Australia the Tattersals Finke Desert Race.
Click here for Iconic Alice Springs Events.
Maps
Click here for CBD – Map A
Click here for Alice Springs Township – Map B
Click here for Central Australia Region – Map C
West MacDonnell Ranges
The panoramic landscapes of the West MacDonnell Ranges are extraordinary, for both their immensity and the spectacular array of rugged gorges, gaps and chasms. The amazing colours of sunburnt oranges, maroons and purples truly depict the unspoiled serenity that is yours to discover.
Simpsons Gap - is one of the most prominent gaps and is renowned for seeing black footed rock wallabies at dawn and dusk at the permanent water hole. Only 18 kms from town and can also be reached by the bike path leading from town.
Standley Chasm – Be inspired by the impressive sheer cliff walls that light up in the midday sun – the chasm is the reward after walking along a river bed walk fringed by magnificent ghost gums and cycad palms. A true piece of Central Australian beauty just 40 kms from town,
Further along Namitjira Drive, go for a refreshing swim at Ellery Creek Big Hole or Glen Helen Gorge, hike one of the impressive walks at Ormiston Gorge, or visit the Ochre Pits.
Visit Hermannsburg – an Aboriginal Community that was home to the famous Aboriginal Artist Albert Namitjira. Originally a Lutheran Mission, the historic cultural precinct includes a museum, tearooms and art gallery featuring some of Albert Namatjira’s original works.
Outside Hermannsburg, travel 4x4 along what is thought to be the world’s oldest watercourse the Finke River to Palm Valley within the Finke Gorge National Park. Palm Valley is home to groves of unique and beautiful palms that are remnants from millions of years ago when Central Australia was lush with tropical forests.
www.centralaustraliantourism.com
www.travelnt.com.au
East MacDonnell Ranges
East MacDonnell Ranges are the unrealised treasure of Central Australia. Thought by many to be one of the most beautiful drives in the region, you can discover the joys of what, to the local Arrente people is thought to be the birthplace of the mountain range.
Visits to Emily and Jesse Gaps, Corroboree Rock, N’Dahla Gorge will show you an insight into the great cultural significance that these beautiful places have to the Arrente people. Take the stunning hike at Trephina Gorge to truly capture the beauty of the East MacDonnell Ranges.
Further afield is the Arltunga Homestead which was the site of Australia’s most remote – but short lived – gold rush. You will find a ghost town to explore with the remains of mining camps and old mines.
You wont find any rubies at Ruby Gap but you will find priceless scenery in this remote 4x4 access only gem.
You will find plenty of gems – Garnets and Zircons at Gemtree, where you can take a tour and get all the know-how on how to dig your own gems which you can have made into jewellery.
www.centralaustraliantourism.com
www.travelnt.com.au
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Uluru & Kata Tjuta (Ayers Rock and The Olgas)Located 480 kms from Alice Springs, Uluru and Kata Tjuta are true icons of the Northern Territory.
Nothing will prepare you for the your first view of Uluru – it’s sheer size and the power of it’s ancient spirit will overwhelm you. Uluru stands at 348 metres high and is 9.4km around the base, and once you stand at the base of it you will understand why it is not only a natural phenomena, but of great cultural significance to the local Anangu people.
To witness a sunset over Uluru is breathtaking as ‘the rock’ colours range from fiery oranges to majestic purple. Sunrise is just as impressive – a spectacular way to start your day in this unique part of Central Australia. You can take an informative tour around the base of Uluru and learn the ancient Aboriginal legends of how Uluru came to be, or for the more energetic, the climb is still open (the local Anangu people do not climb Uluru and do ask for people to respect their beliefs – so whilst it is still permissible to do so, they do prefer it is not climbed)
To the west of Uluru, lie the majestic domes of Kata Tjuta. Mt Olga stands 200 metres higher than Uluru and The Olgas are made up of 36 domes. Take a gentle stroll into the Walpa (Olga) Gorge which is a desert refuge for plants and animals and soak up the sheerness of the domes and the vastness of the landscape. An easy walk – 2.6km – 1 hour return. Alternatively – the Valley of the Winds Walk is a more challenging but worthwhile walk – 7.4km – 3 hours walk. Take in the stunning sunset which rivals the one at Uluru to truly soak up the ancient landscape.
Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park has a $25 per person ticket which is valid for 3 consecutive days.
Yulura (Ayers Rock Resort)Located at the edge of the Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park is Yulura – or Ayers Rock Resort. This township is owned and operated by Voyages Hotels and Resorts and has a population of approx 1000 permanent staff members – and can cater for up to 5000 guests.
Yulara has a town centre which has a supermarket, post office, bank and take away food outlets and restaurants. The resort has a total of 10 restaurants, 6 hotels, 1 campground and 1 coach campground.
- Longitude 131 -
- Sails in the Desert Hotel – 232 rooms - 5 Star Hotel -
- Desert Gardens Hotel – 218 rooms - 4 Star Hotel
- Emu Walk Apartments – 40 x 1 Bedroom + 20 x 2 Bedroom - 4 Star Apartments
- The Lost Camel Hotel – 99 rooms - 3.5 Star Hotel
- Outback Pioneer Hotel and Lodge – 125 x 3 Star Hotel and 42 x 2 Star Lodge Rooms
Ayers Rock Resort www.ayersrockresort.com.auUluru and Kata Tjuta National Park www.environment.gov.au/parks/uluru/index.html
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Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park
Located 310 kilometres West from Alice Springs and 300 Kilometres to the North East of Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park is situated on the Western Edge of the George Gill Ranges.
Kings Canyon is a mighty chasm cleaving the earth to a depth of 270 metres. The sheer red rock face of Kings Canyon soars 100 metres above the dense forest of palms, ferns and cycads which provides shelter for them from the surrounding desert conditions.
Derived from an Aboriginal word referring to the umbrella bush that thrives here, Watarrka National Park has been home to the Luritja people for more than 20,000 years. The area was little known to Europeans until recently; Ernest Giles being the first white man to explore the area in 1872.
A moderately challenging six-kilometre walk takes in magnificent views of the Canyon rim, the weathered, buttressed domes of ‘the Lost City’ and the ‘Garden of Eden’ - a sheltered valley with permanent waterholes and lush vegetation. The walk is suitable for fit, relatively experienced walkers and can be completed in about three to four hours. For the less energetic, the shorter and easier Kings Creek walk leads into the centre of the Canyon.
Kings Canyon Resort
Owned and operated by Voyages Hotels and Resorts, Kings Canyon Resort, there are a range of accommodation rooms:
- 4.5 Star Deluxe Spa rooms
- 4 Star Standard Rooms
- 3.5 Star Budget Lodge Rooms
- Campground
www.kingscanyonresort.com.au
www.nt.gov.au/nreta/parks/find/watarrka.html
Kings Creek Station
Ian and Lyn Conway established Kings Creek Station in 1981. The station lies 36 kilometres from the magnificent Kings Canyon (Watarrka) and is set amongst majestic desert oaks.
Kings Creek Station is a working cattle/camel station with facilities for camping, accommodation and an opportunity to experience the outback either by quad (4 wheel motorbike), helicopter or camel.
www.kingscreekstation.com.au
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Tennant Creek & the Barkly RegionTravel north of Alice Springs along the Explorer’s Way (Stuart Highway) and include the Barkly Region to your NT holiday itinerary.
Challenge your perception and be pleasantly surprised. Discover within its vast boundaries Aboriginal culture, gold mines, historic stock routes, flora and fauna and fascinating bush pubs and characters.
The Barkly sure is a big place and home of the Devils Marbles, an outstanding geological feature.
The boundaries stretch from the Overland Telegraph Station at Barrow Creek to the south spreading northerly to the historic township of Newcastle Waters while unfolding east to the Queensland border. Tennant Creek, at the heart of the region, has a population of 3000 people.
In 1860, John McDouall Stuart named a watercourse Tennant Creek, but it was not until 1872 when the Telegraph Repeater Station was built, that there was any European settlement in the area.
With the discovery of gold in 1932, the humble beginnings of Australia’s Last Goldrush Town were assured.
Modern facilities and services nestle within our township where, art galleries, music, murals and festivals portray our heritage and culture.
While proudly boasting of its mining heritage the town is also host to the amazing age old culture of the Aboriginal people. With a long association to the area they are well represented locally. Both lifestyles are showcased at the town’s two major attractions.
www.centralaustraliantourism.com
www.barklytourism.com.au
Attractions
Alice Springs has enough attractions to keep you busy for at least a week – regardless of how much time you have in Alice Springs you must check out at least a couple of these attractions.
Click here for a list of attractions.
Tours
Alice Springs and the Central Australian region has too many tours and fun stuff to do to list! To make it easier for you, we haven’t even attempted to write them all down – just click on to any of the following websites to see the fun and spectacular scenery that awaits you in the Red Centre:
Tourism Central Australia.
Tourism Central Australia is the regional tourist association for Central Australia – incorporating Alice Springs, Ayers Rock and the Barkly Region. Visit this site for all information on visiting and touring options in Central Australia
www.centralaustraliantourism.com
Tourism NT
Toursim NT is charged with the promotion and development of tourism in the Northern Territory.
www.travelnt.com.au
Territory Discoveries
Territory Discoveries is the Northern Territory holiday specialists. A division of Tourism NT visit this site for itinerary ideas and tour bookings.
www.territorydiscoveries.com
Alice Springs is on the International Tourist Trail and therefore we have an abundance of accommodation ranging from backpackers through to 4.5 star hotels.
The majority of 3 – 4.5 star hotels are within walking distance from the Alice Springs Convention Centre.
Click here for Accommodation
Maps
Click here for CBD – Map A
Click here for Alice Springs Township – Map B
Click here for Central Australia Region – Map C
Click here for frequently asked questions in regards to Access, Climate, Dress Standards, Time Difference and Transport options
