Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Alice Springs, Australia

The remote township of Alice Springs is situated a considerable 1,500 kilometers from the nearest urban center.

This location serves as an ideal destination to experience the essence of Australia’s Red Centre.

The Arrernte Aboriginal community has thrived in this environment for tens of thousands of years. Engaging with their culture and ancient survival techniques is indispensable to the Alice Springs journey.

The breathtaking scenery includes vast desert landscapes, the magnificent sandstone features of Uluru and Kings Canyon, as well as the impressive ridges and deep gorges of the MacDonnell Ranges.

It is quite remarkable that international fast food franchises such as McDonald’s have reached Alice Springs, while museums and historical landmarks illustrate just how this isolated area has been woven into the broader narrative of the world during the 19th and 20th centuries.

1. Alice Springs Desert Park

A substantial area of desert located west of Alice Springs has been transformed into a park allowing visitors to fully appreciate the natural beauty, diversity, and adventurous spirit of the outback.

Within the botanical installations, one can find enclosures for kangaroos and emus, as well as a nocturnal house that houses reptiles, mammals, invertebrates, and birds visible primarily at night.

Visitors will gain insights into how the Arrernte Aboriginal people have thrived in this challenging environment for millennia, witnessing sand drawing and learning about techniques for sourcing water and food.

At the Nature Theatre, spectacular wildlife presentations, including a free-flight bird of prey demonstration, can be witnessed. Additionally, there are opportunities to participate in a nocturnal tour for an enlightening spotlighting experience to observe nocturnal creatures in their natural habitat within the MacDonnell Ranges.

2. The Kangaroo Sanctuary

The conservation efforts initiated by Chris “Brolga” Barns in Alice Springs gained widespread recognition with the BBC documentary Kangaroo Dundee in 2013.

Barns’ 188-acre sanctuary is dedicated to the iconic red kangaroo.

Inspired by the rescue of a joey from the pouch of a mother who was tragically killed on the road, Barns established a baby kangaroo rescue center in 2005, followed by this sanctuary in 2011. At the time of this writing in 2020, efforts were underway to develop Central Australia’s first wildlife hospital.

The sanctuary invites visits from Tuesday to Friday for a guided sunset tour lasting between two and three hours.

Guests are advised to bring water, a hat, and appropriate footwear to interact closely with kangaroos and engage with the few residents unable to return to their natural habitat.

Visitors will also learn vital techniques on how to assist a joey if encountered near a deceased kangaroo on the roadside.

3. Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum

The RFDS base in Alice Springs commenced operations in 1939, featuring an exceptional interactive museum situated on the original site of the former Radio Station House.

Inside, visitors can learn about the innovative spirit embodied by pioneering figures such as the inaugural RFDS pilot, Arthur Affleck, and inventor Alfred Traeger.

Affleck traversed the expansive outback in an open-cockpit aircraft, using geographical landmarks for navigation, while Traeger’s pedal radio revolutionized communication in Australia’s most remote locations.

Exhibits include a significant collection of historical radios and medical equipment, along with models of aircraft from the service’s fleet.

Visitors have the opportunity to step into the cockpit of a modern plane and view a detailed replica of a Pilatus PC12. A focal point of the museum is a holographic projection of the service’s founder, John Flynn (1880-1951).

4. Alice Springs School of the Air (ASSOA)

Another essential institution providing educational services across the vast expanses of the outback is the Alice Springs School of the Air, which connects with students over a “classroom” spanning an impressive 1.3 million square kilometers.

This education is largely delivered through online classes supplemented by family activities.

From 1951 to the early 2000s, lessons were broadcast via radio until the advent of satellite internet and broadband technology.

The visitor center in Alice Springs has been operational since 1996, offering insights into this resource and the individuals who facilitated its inception.

Guides share the innovative strategies employed to educate children in extraordinarily remote regions, and guests may observe a typical lesson, either live or recorded.

All proceeds from the visitor center are reinvested into the organization.

5. Alice Springs Reptile Centre

This establishment is not merely a zoo for reptiles; it rescues snakes and lizards from areas scheduled for controlled burns designed to mitigate bushfires. They also dispatch staff to residences to safely remove venomous snakes.

When possible, these animals are relocated to uninhabited regions.

The Alice Springs Reptile Centre holds the most extensive collection of reptiles in the Northern Territory.

Among their displays is a giant saltwater crocodile, viewable from below in a glass enclosure.

The Gecko Cave features local lizard species, alongside remarkable exhibits such as the perentie, the fourth-largest living lizard on earth, and the unique frill-necked lizard.

Some of the world’s most venomous snakes, including death adders and inland taipans, are exhibited, while visitors can safely handle a less hazardous python.

6. Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve

Situated just minutes from the contemporary town center, this location marks the first European settlement in central Australia.

The township of Stuart was established in 1872, surrounding one of the twelve stations constituting the Overland Telegraph.

This ambitious 19th-century innovation connected Port Augusta in South Australia with Darwin, spanning 3,200 kilometers, and enabled rapid communication between Australia and the global community.

In 1963, this site was designated a Historical Reserve, and guided tours are available to explore the historic stone buildings furnished with artifacts from the 19th century.

A network of cycling and walking paths originates from the reserve, ranging from short to lengthy routes such as the renowned Larapinta Trail, which will be discussed subsequently.

7. Anzac Hill

A prominent feature of the Alice Springs skyline is the 608-meter hill, which frames the central business district to the north.

A refreshing way to spend a morning or evening is to ascend the Lions Walk to enjoy breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.

This trail was initially established in the 1970s, offering panoramic views of the township.

Moreover, visitors can also traverse the summit to take in the views of the MacDonnell Ranges to the west.

The hill is named after a memorial established in 1934, honoring members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who lost their lives during World War I. This memorial has since been adapted to include plaques commemorating all conflicts involving Australian forces.

8. The Larapinta Trail

The trek of a lifetime commences at the Telegraph Station and meanders through the ridges of the West MacDonnell Ranges.

The Larapinta Trail measures 223 kilometers, divided into twelve segments, and due to extreme summer temperatures, this hike is best undertaken during the winter months.

While the prospect of navigating rugged, isolated terrain inhabited by venomous snakes may deter some, the trail offers many wonders, including gorges and secluded waterholes.

Over 600 plant species line the pathway, which traverses some of the oldest igneous and metamorphic rocks on the planet.

The trail’s infrastructure is commendably accommodating, with kilometer markers indicating the distance remaining and the proximity to the next campsite or section.

Each evening, the skies dazzle with a multitude of stars, and campsites are equipped with water supplies, picnic tables, and even gas barbecues.

9. Ormiston Gorge

The trailhead for sections nine and ten of the Larapinta Trail is located 135 kilometers west of Alice Springs, at a location distinguished by its extraordinary natural beauty.

Half a kilometer from the visitor center presents a waterhole nestled at the base of the gorge’s towering walls.

Here, one can indulge in one of the world’s exceptional natural swimming experiences.

If you prefer a view of the landscape, you can climb to the Ghost Gum Lookout without straying far from the waterhole.

For those seeking a longer hike, the Ormiston Pound Walk is available, spanning up to four hours and leading you to the flat interior of the Pound surrounded by a vast circle of mountains, before returning through the gorge.

10. Women’s Museum of Australia and Old Gaol

After outgrowing its previous location in the former courthouse of Alice Springs, the Women’s Museum of Australia relocated to the town’s Old Gaol (constructed in 1938) in 2007, providing a dual appeal.

The Women’s Museum honors and preserves the significant contributions of women to Australia’s history.

The permanent exhibition “Women at the Heart” highlights the resourceful women of the Australian outback, illustrating the challenges they faced as well as their triumphs in some of the world’s most remote locations.

The exhibit “Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Lives” showcases Australian women’s contributions across various fields such as mining, finance, law, gastronomy, sport, aviation, and activism.

Meanwhile, the gaol exhibition offers a series of interactive and immersive experiences spanning the women’s and men’s cell blocks, recounting the history of the facility from 1938 until its closure in 1996.

11. Araluen Cultural Precinct

Culturally inclined visitors may find themselves spending an entire day at the Araluen Cultural Precinct, located in the western part of the town.

A brief overview of the institutions present includes the contemporary crafts center Central Craft, the Museum of Central Australia, the Strehlow Research Centre focused on Aboriginal Culture, the Central Australia Aviation Museum, and the Araluen Arts Centre.

The Araluen Arts Centre features four galleries and a theatre, with the Albert Namatjira Gallery being a notable highlight, dedicated to the renowned Arrernte artist (1902-1959). The Art Centre’s collection boasts over 1,000 works encompassing Aboriginal art and contemporary pieces, including paintings, prints, photography, and sculpture.

Visitors can also stroll through a sculpture garden centered around a 300-year-old corkwood tree, while the theatre, accommodating 500 guests, boasts a diverse program featuring dance, drama, comedy, opera, children’s theatre, and more.

12. Finke Gorge National Park

This park, which covers 46,000 hectares on the way to Uluru, is exclusively accessible by 4WD and contains remarkable features.

The Finke River is hailed as having the oldest catchment globally, with geological formations dating back 350 million years.

Within the park, you will find Palm Valley, the exclusive habitat for the Central Australian cabbage palm, with approximately 3,000 adult palms and numerous juveniles of this highly sensitive species recorded.

For those prepared for exploration, several walking trails are available.

The most rewarding of these is a rocky staircase leading to the Kalarranga Lookout, offering views of the intricate sandstone formations encircling the ancient bed of Palm Creek.

The park is also significant to the Western Arrernte Aboriginal People, and visitors can delve into their culture and dreaming narratives on the Mpaara Walk.

13. Olive Pink Botanic Garden

For those interested in the flora that thrives in the arid conditions of Australia’s expansive interior, the botanic garden spans 16 hectares on the east bank of the Todd River.

Founded in 1956, it is named after its first honorary curator, Olive Pink, who was an artist, anthropologist, gardener, and advocate for Aboriginal rights.

The garden features the rise, Tharrarltneme (Annie Meyer Hill), a site of spiritual significance for the Arrernte people.

Over 600 distinct plant species are labeled throughout the garden, including 145 naturally occurring species and 40 that are considered rare or threatened (marked by two horizontal lines). Visitors may explore these along a network of walking trails offering views of the town, the MacDonnell Ranges, and the Todd River.

14. Road Transport Hall of Fame

What captivates visitors about the heavy machinery displayed at this museum is its weathered appearance.

This authenticity reflects the true documentation of road freight and transport as the vehicles have been preserved in their original state, showcasing their role in expanding Australia’s development and industry.

A particularly rare display includes a 1930s AEC eight-wheel Roadtrain, one of only three ever manufactured.

Other trucks demonstrate modifications made by bush mechanics and engineers to adapt them for the unique challenges of the Australian terrain, including added bull bars and winches.

The museum presents vehicles from over 60 manufacturers, featuring models dating back to a 1911 Model T Ford, and notably includes classic B-model Macks credited with transforming road transport in Australia.