Red Centre outpost and base for Uluru
Alice Springs is a small desert town in the middle of Australia, with a strong Aboriginal heritage and red ranges on every side. It suits travellers who want outback scenery, culture and a base for Uluru and Kings Canyon. Distances are huge, so plan transport carefully.
Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.
A UNESCO listed national park with the famous red monolith and the domed rocks of Kata Tjuta. It is sacred to the Anangu people and has walks, a cultural center and sunrise and sunset viewing spots.
Park pass was A$38 for 3 days per the official site in 2026.
A gap in the MacDonnell Ranges with a waterhole and wildlife, including rock wallabies. It is the closest gorge to town.
Park entry may be free; check Parks and Wildlife NT.
A nature park showing desert animals and plants, with walks and daily talks. It is a good introduction to the area.
Admission varies.
A narrow chasm in the ranges whose walls glow orange around midday. It is reached by an easy walk.
Small entry fee per person.
A museum about the outback medical service, with an aircraft and exhibits. It tells how remote communities get care.
Entry fee applies.
A hilltop memorial with views over the town and the ranges. A popular stop for sunset.
Free to visit.
The original site of the town, with preserved buildings from the 1870s. There are walks and a waterhole.
Entry fee applies.
A deep sandstone canyon with a rim walk and a garden pool. It is one of the most scenic places in the Red Centre.
Park or tour fees apply; the rim walk is the highlight.
The pedestrian heart of town with cafes, shops and Aboriginal art galleries. It is a good place to see local art.
Free to walk.
A small wildlife center with desert reptiles including large lizards and snakes. It suits families.
Entry fee applies.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it.
Choose how many days you have.
Town sights first, then a West MacDonnell Ranges day, with a spare day for rest or an extra gorge.
A dramatic gorge with a waterhole and walks.
84 mi · Drive, about 1.5 hours each way
An old mission and cultural site.
78 mi · Drive, about 1.5 hours each way
A cool waterhole in the ranges.
56 mi · Drive, about 1 hour each way
Best: May to September. Days are sunny and mild and nights are cool, while summer heat is extreme.
Daily high and average, by month
Typical inches per month
Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.
Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.
Usually September
Arts and cultural events; check dates.
Usually late in the dry season
A boat race on a dry riverbed, check dates.
Usually April, check dates
Light festival along Todd River.
The US advisory for Australia is Level 1, but the remote desert brings heat, long distances and some local crime concerns in town, so take normal precautions.
The center is small, but attractions are spread out and the heat is intense.
Local buses are limited and most visitors rely on taxis, rental cars or tours.
The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.
Best for: first-timers, budget
Close to shops, cafes and tour pickups.
Best for: families, mid range
Motels and apartments near the riverbed.
Best for: comfort, couples
Resort style stays with pools.
Best for: Uluru visitors
Closest base to Uluru, about 450 km away.
| Main airport | Alice Springs Airport (ASP), 9 mi from the center |
| To the center | Taxi or shuttle takes about 15 minutes. |
| Around town | Hire a car or join guided tours. Roads are long and fuel stops are far apart. |
| Ride apps | Uber |
A lean meat served as steak or burger.
Local native ingredients appear on some menus.
Hearty steaks and burgers.
| Plugs | Type I, 230 V |
| Tap water | Safe to drink |
| Tipping | Tipping is not expected. |
| Payments | Cards are accepted in town, but carry some cash for remote stops. |
| Etiquette | Respect Aboriginal cultural sites and ask before photographing people. Do not climb Uluru; it is closed. |
The Arrernte people have lived in the Alice Springs area for tens of thousands of years, and the town is known to them as Mparntwe. European settlers set up the Overland Telegraph Station here in 1872. The town grew with the Ghan railway and later with tourism and Indigenous service organisations. Today it is the main hub of the Red Centre.
Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.