Best Things to Do in Alice Springs
Alice Springs is the gateway to Australia's Red Centre and a cultural hub in its own right. From world-class Aboriginal art galleries to ancient gorge swimming holes, here's everything worth doing.
20 locations · Featured first, then closest to Darwin · Updated September 2026
1
Ghan Railway Experience
The legendary Ghan train journey from Adelaide to Darwin (or reverse) — 2,979km through the heart of Australia. 54 hours, from ,489 one-way. Off-train excursions at Katherine and Alice Springs. One of the world's great train journeys.
1495kmvaries
2
Alice Springs Desert Park
Three desert habitats — desert rivers, sand country, and woodland. Nocturnal house reveals the hidden night life of the desert. Birds of prey show features free-flying raptors.
1497km16h (fly to Alice Springs)$37/adult
3
Kings Canyon (Watarrka)
The Rim Walk is one of Australia's great short walks — towering 100m sandstone walls, the Garden of Eden permanent waterhole, and vast desert views. Ancient cycad palms create an otherworldly atmosphere.
1620km15h (fly to Alice Springs + drive 4.5h)Free
4
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Australia's spiritual heart. Uluru rises 348m above the desert plain — a site of profound cultural significance for the Anangu people. Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) offers equally stunning walks through 36 ancient domed rock formations.
1943km20h (fly recommended)$38/adult (3-day pass)
5
Longitude 131° Luxury Resort
Ultra-luxury tented pavilions facing Uluru. All-inclusive: gourmet dining, guided experiences, and sunset Uluru views from your bed. From ,500/night. Consistently ranked among Australia's finest luxury lodges.
1943kmFly
6
Yulara Campground
Yulara Campground offers camping in the Northern Territory. Camping in the Territory is a genuine outback experience — campfires (where permitted), wildlife encounters, the Southern Cross overhead, and the kind of silence you can't find in the city. Facilities vary from basic bush camps to powered sites. Book ahead May-September (peak season).
150kmvaries
7
Stuarts Well Camp
Stuarts Well Camp offers camping in the Northern Territory. Camping in the Territory is a genuine outback experience — campfires (where permitted), wildlife encounters, the Southern Cross overhead, and the kind of silence you can't find in the city. Facilities vary from basic bush camps to powered sites. Book ahead May-September (peak season).
150kmvaries
8
Owen Springs Reserve Camp
Owen Springs Reserve Camp offers camping in the Northern Territory. Camping in the Territory is a genuine outback experience — campfires (where permitted), wildlife encounters, the Southern Cross overhead, and the kind of silence you can't find in the city. Facilities vary from basic bush camps to powered sites. Book ahead May-September (peak season).
150kmvaries
9
Glen Helen Camp
Glen Helen Camp offers camping in the Northern Territory. Camping in the Territory is a genuine outback experience — campfires (where permitted), wildlife encounters, the Southern Cross overhead, and the kind of silence you can't find in the city. Facilities vary from basic bush camps to powered sites. Book ahead May-September (peak season).
150kmvaries
10
Erldunda Camp
Erldunda Camp offers camping in the Northern Territory. Camping in the Territory is a genuine outback experience — campfires (where permitted), wildlife encounters, the Southern Cross overhead, and the kind of silence you can't find in the city. Facilities vary from basic bush camps to powered sites. Book ahead May-September (peak season).
150kmvaries
11
Simpsons Gap Day Area
Simpsons Gap Day Area offers camping in the Northern Territory. Camping in the Territory is a genuine outback experience — campfires (where permitted), wildlife encounters, the Southern Cross overhead, and the kind of silence you can't find in the city. Facilities vary from basic bush camps to powered sites. Book ahead May-September (peak season).
150kmvaries
12
Curtin Springs Camp
Curtin Springs Camp offers camping in the Northern Territory. Camping in the Territory is a genuine outback experience — campfires (where permitted), wildlife encounters, the Southern Cross overhead, and the kind of silence you can't find in the city. Facilities vary from basic bush camps to powered sites. Book ahead May-September (peak season).
150kmvaries
13
Serpentine Chalet Camp
Serpentine Chalet Camp offers camping in the Northern Territory. Camping in the Territory is a genuine outback experience — campfires (where permitted), wildlife encounters, the Southern Cross overhead, and the kind of silence you can't find in the city. Facilities vary from basic bush camps to powered sites. Book ahead May-September (peak season).
150kmvaries
14
Alice Springs Rest Area (North)
Alice Springs Rest Area (North) is a free rest area along the Northern Territory highway network. Shade shelter, picnic table, and toilet (most sites). The golden rule on NT roads: stop and rest every 2 hours. Fatigue kills more than speed in the outback.
800km9h
15
Buchanan Rest Area
Buchanan Rest Area is a free rest area along the Northern Territory highway network. Shade shelter, picnic table, and toilet (most sites). The golden rule on NT roads: stop and rest every 2 hours. Fatigue kills more than speed in the outback.
800km9h
16
Lasseter Highway Rest Area
Lasseter Highway Rest Area is a free rest area along the Northern Territory highway network. Shade shelter, picnic table, and toilet (most sites). The golden rule on NT roads: stop and rest every 2 hours. Fatigue kills more than speed in the outback.
800km9h
17
Stuarts Well Rest Area
Stuarts Well Rest Area is a free rest area along the Northern Territory highway network. Shade shelter, picnic table, and toilet (most sites). The golden rule on NT roads: stop and rest every 2 hours. Fatigue kills more than speed in the outback.
800km9h
18
Aileron Rest Area
Aileron Rest Area is a free rest area along the Northern Territory highway network. Shade shelter, picnic table, and toilet (most sites). The golden rule on NT roads: stop and rest every 2 hours. Fatigue kills more than speed in the outback.
800km9h
19
Mount Ebenezer Rest Area
Mount Ebenezer Rest Area is a free rest area along the Northern Territory highway network. Shade shelter, picnic table, and toilet (most sites). The golden rule on NT roads: stop and rest every 2 hours. Fatigue kills more than speed in the outback.
800km9h
20
Curtin Springs Rest Area
Curtin Springs Rest Area is a free rest area along the Northern Territory highway network. Shade shelter, picnic table, and toilet (most sites). The golden rule on NT roads: stop and rest every 2 hours. Fatigue kills more than speed in the outback.
800km9h
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