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 · Updated June 2026
1
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)
2
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
3
Epilogue Lounge
Epilogue Lounge is a dining experience in Australia's Red Centre, a vast desert landscape of ancient red rock gorges, sacred Aboriginal sites, and some of the most dramatic scenery on Earth. The Red Centre food scene blends Australian bush tucker with influences from Southeast Asia, creating a unique culinary identity you won't find anywhere else. Located 1290km from Darwin.
1290km16h 8min
4
Bonya Hill
Bonya Hill offers a rewarding bushwalk through Australia's Red Centre, a vast desert landscape of ancient red rock gorges, sacred Aboriginal sites, and some of the most dramatic scenery on Earth. The trail showcases the unique landscapes of the Red Centre region with opportunities to spot native wildlife, discover Aboriginal rock art, and experience the raw beauty of the Territory. 1278km from Darwin. Carry plenty of water — at least 1L per hour of walking.
1278km15h 58min
5
Castle Hill
Castle Hill offers a rewarding bushwalk through Australia's Red Centre, a vast desert landscape of ancient red rock gorges, sacred Aboriginal sites, and some of the most dramatic scenery on Earth. The trail showcases the unique landscapes of the Red Centre region with opportunities to spot native wildlife, discover Aboriginal rock art, and experience the raw beauty of the Territory. 1309km from Darwin. Carry plenty of water — at least 1L per hour of walking.
1309km16h 22min
6
Bundarunganu Hill
Bundarunganu Hill offers a rewarding bushwalk through Australia's Red Centre, a vast desert landscape of ancient red rock gorges, sacred Aboriginal sites, and some of the most dramatic scenery on Earth. The trail showcases the unique landscapes of the Red Centre region with opportunities to spot native wildlife, discover Aboriginal rock art, and experience the raw beauty of the Territory. 1087km from Darwin. Carry plenty of water — at least 1L per hour of walking.
1087km13h 35min
7
Imbumbunna Hills
Imbumbunna Hills offers a rewarding bushwalk through Australia's Red Centre, a vast desert landscape of ancient red rock gorges, sacred Aboriginal sites, and some of the most dramatic scenery on Earth. The trail showcases the unique landscapes of the Red Centre region with opportunities to spot native wildlife, discover Aboriginal rock art, and experience the raw beauty of the Territory. 1367km from Darwin. Carry plenty of water — at least 1L per hour of walking.
1367km17h 5min
8
Kaltukatjara Campground
Kaltukatjara Campground is a campground in Australia's Red Centre, a vast desert landscape of ancient red rock gorges, sacred Aboriginal sites, and some of the most dramatic scenery on Earth. Fall asleep under some of the clearest night skies in Australia, wake to birdsong, and spend your days exploring the surrounding bush. Facilities vary — check ahead for availability and bookings during peak dry season.
1392km17h 24min
9
Wallaby Creek
Wallaby Creek is a rest area in the Red Centre region, 1287km from Darwin. Territory rest areas are essential stops on long outback drives — most have shade shelters, picnic tables, and toilets. Fatigue kills on NT roads, so stop every 2 hours.
1287km16h 5min
10
Glen Helen Homestead Lodge Campground
Camp at Glen Helen Homestead Lodge Campground in the Red Centre region. Camping in the Territory is a genuine outback experience — campfires (where permitted), wildlife encounters, and the kind of silence you can't find in the city. 1263km from Darwin. Bring firewood (collection banned in most parks) and plenty of water.
1263km15h 47minyes
11
BP Gap Road
BP Gap Road is a fuel stop in the Red Centre region, 1291km from Darwin. In the NT, fuel stops are more than just petrol — they're rest points, information sources, and sometimes the only services for hundreds of kilometres. Always fill up when you can.
1291km16h 8min
12
Redbank Gorge
Redbank Gorge brings you face-to-face with the incredible wildlife of the Red Centre — vast desert landscapes of ancient red rock gorges, sacred Aboriginal sites, and skies so clear you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye. The Northern Territory is home to saltwater crocodiles, wallabies, wedge-tailed eagles, and more bird species than most countries. Located in Red Centre, this experience connects you with the Territory's remarkable biodiversity through expert-guided encounters you'll never forget.
1247km15h 35min
13
Mount Gordon North
Explore Mount Gordon North, a walking track in Australia's Red Centre, a vast desert landscape of ancient red rock gorges, sacred Aboriginal sites, and some of the most dramatic scenery on Earth. Whether you're after a leisurely stroll or a challenging trek, this trail delivers stunning views and a genuine connection with the Australian bush. Best enjoyed in the dry season (May–October) when conditions are cooler and tracks are accessible.
1507km18h 50min
14
Mount Lyell Brown
Mount Lyell Brown offers a rewarding bushwalk through Australia's Red Centre, a vast desert landscape of ancient red rock gorges, sacred Aboriginal sites, and some of the most dramatic scenery on Earth. The trail showcases the unique landscapes of the Red Centre region with opportunities to spot native wildlife, discover Aboriginal rock art, and experience the raw beauty of the Territory. 1211km from Darwin. Carry plenty of water — at least 1L per hour of walking.
1211km15h 8min
15
Ochre Pits
Ochre Pits brings you face-to-face with the incredible wildlife of the Red Centre — vast desert landscapes of ancient red rock gorges, sacred Aboriginal sites, and skies so clear you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye. The Northern Territory is home to saltwater crocodiles, wallabies, wedge-tailed eagles, and more bird species than most countries. Located in Red Centre, this experience connects you with the Territory's remarkable biodiversity through expert-guided encounters you'll never forget.
1271km15h 53min
16
Ormiston Gorge
The jewel of the West MacDonnell Ranges. Deep permanent waterhole surrounded by towering red quartzite walls. The Pound Walk (7.5km circuit) is one of Central Australia's best day walks.
1600km17h (Alice Springs base)Free
17
Wigley Waterhole
Wigley Waterhole brings you face-to-face with the incredible wildlife of the Red Centre — vast desert landscapes of ancient red rock gorges, sacred Aboriginal sites, and skies so clear you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye. The Northern Territory is home to saltwater crocodiles, wallabies, wedge-tailed eagles, and more bird species than most countries. Located in Red Centre, this experience connects you with the Territory's remarkable biodiversity through expert-guided encounters you'll never forget.
1283km16h 2min
18
Palm Valley Scenic Lookout
Palm Valley Scenic Lookout offers panoramic views across the Northern Territory landscape. The Territory's lookouts reveal the true scale and beauty of this ancient land — from tropical wetlands and sandstone escarpments to red desert ranges stretching to infinity. Best at sunrise or sunset for dramatic light.
1500kmvaries
19
Spencer Gorge
Spencer Gorge is a significant site in the Red Centre of the Northern Territory. The MacDonnell Ranges and surrounding desert harbour ancient geological formations, Aboriginal cultural sites, and remote natural wonders that few tourists ever see. Many of these hidden gems require a short drive from Alice Springs and reward visitors with solitude and spectacular scenery.
1500kmvaries
20
Uluṟu
Uluṟu brings you face-to-face with the incredible wildlife of the Red Centre — vast desert landscapes of ancient red rock gorges, sacred Aboriginal sites, and skies so clear you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye. The Northern Territory is home to saltwater crocodiles, wallabies, wedge-tailed eagles, and more bird species than most countries. Located in Red Centre, this experience connects you with the Territory's remarkable biodiversity through expert-guided encounters you'll never forget.
1433km17h 55min
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