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 April 2026

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)

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

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

Mac Clark (Acacia Peuce) Conservation Reserve

Mac Clark (Acacia Peuce) Conservation Reserve protects some of the most remarkable landscapes 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. Explore ancient rock formations, spot unique wildlife, and connect with tens of thousands of years of Aboriginal culture. 1490km from Darwin. Best visited during the dry season (May–October).

1490km18h 38min

Madigan's Camp 9

Madigan's Camp 9 is a historical site 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 Territory's history spans 65,000 years of Aboriginal culture, European exploration, WWII military operations, and the resilience of frontier communities. 1500km from Darwin.

1500km18h 45min

Corroboree Rock Conservation Reserve

Corroboree Rock Conservation Reserve protects some of the most remarkable landscapes 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. Explore ancient rock formations, spot unique wildlife, and connect with tens of thousands of years of Aboriginal culture. 1297km from Darwin. Best visited during the dry season (May–October).

1297km16h 13min

Marshall Bluff

Marshall Bluff 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. 1479km from Darwin. Carry plenty of water — at least 1L per hour of walking.

1479km18h 29min

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

Illamurta Springs Conservation Reserve

Illamurta Springs Conservation Reserve protects some of the most remarkable landscapes 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. Explore ancient rock formations, spot unique wildlife, and connect with tens of thousands of years of Aboriginal culture. 1331km from Darwin. Best visited during the dry season (May–October).

1331km16h 38min

Kulgera Roadhouse Caravan Park

Kulgera Roadhouse Caravan Park 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.

1509km18h 52min

Benda Hill

Benda Hill is a bushwalking experience in the Red Centre region. Trek through ancient landscapes shaped over millions of years, with panoramic views and the chance to see wallabies, goannas, and colourful birdlife. Located 1475km from Darwin. Start early to avoid the midday heat.

1475km18h 26min

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

MacDonnell Range Holiday Park

MacDonnell Range Holiday Park is where the Territory reveals itself. Camping here puts you right in 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. Whether you're in a swag under the stars or a full setup with powered sites, the experience is uniquely NT — wide open spaces, wildlife at your doorstep, and the kind of peace you simply cannot find in the city. It's remote, so carry supplies and fill up on fuel whenever you can.

1293km16h 10minyes

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

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

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

High Point

High Point offers an unforgettable encounter with Territory wildlife in 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. Whether it's crocs launching from the water, wallabies grazing at dusk, or thousands of magpie geese lifting off a wetland at dawn, the NT delivers wildlife moments that will stay with you forever. The journey is part of the adventure.

1270km15h 53min

Desert Oaks Resort

Desert Oaks Resort 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.

1437km17h 58min

Pyndan Camel Tracks

Experience Pyndan Camel Tracks in 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 NT's wildlife is extraordinary — from 5-metre saltwater crocs to tiny sugar gliders, from wedge-tailed eagles soaring on thermals to jabirus wading through billabongs. This tour or experience gives you access to some of Australia's most remarkable creatures in their natural habitat. Always follow your guide's instructions — this is wild Australia, not a zoo.

1293km16h 10min