The 16 best things to do in Alice Springs

Alice Springs boasts the highest number of art centres per capita in Australia and is renowned for its incredible Aboriginal art. The breathtaking landscapes of the Northern Territory have inspired some of Australia’s most celebrated artists, including Albert Namatjira, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Judith Pungata Inkamala and Adrian Jangala Robertson, whose works can be admired in the town’s many galleries. Our top pick is Araluen Arts Centre, where you can browse more than 1,100 works from the region or check out the latest touring exhibition. It's also home to a world-class theatre, hosting music gigs, dance performances and comedy, plus an Arthouse Cinema that screens a different movie each Monday at 7pm from March to November.

Time Out tip: Another nearby gem is Bindi Enterprises, a public gallery and supported employment place for people with disability. You can find a full list of art galleries in Alice Springs here.

This one's not for the faint-hearted. Winding through the red desert rocks and valleys in the heart of the Northern Territory, the 230-kilometre Larapinta Trail is achingly beautiful – but also achingly challenging. People are drawn to this multi-day trek in Central Australia for its incredible colours, its sacred beauty, and its ancient landscape and Indigenous history that has to be seen to be believed. You can choose to walk the whole thing across 12 days (the track is divided into 12 sections), or dip in for segments – whether that be for one day or several nights.

Time Out tip: The Classic Larapinta Trek in Comfort guided experience is a great option for those new to multi-day hiking. By covering 69.5 kilometres of the trail’s highlights with just a daypack and retreating to eco-camps each night, you can focus on the ancient landscapes and Indigenous stories rather than just survival.

Rainbow Valley is one of those rare places that truly takes your breath away. Known as Wurre to the Upper Southern Arrente people, the Traditional Owners of the Land, Rainbow Valley Conservation Area is home to many significant archaeological sites and ancient Aboriginal artefacts. The best time to marvel in the magic of the Valley is at sunrise or sunset, when the freestanding cliffs and sandstone bluffs transition from ochre red to fiery orange and soft pink. We recommend taking the short path that circles the claypan and ends at Mushroom Rock – a striking sandstone formation sculpted by wind and rain over millions of years.

Time Out tip: Those without a car can explore Rainbow Valley in style on a guided 4WD tour with Sandrifter Safaris, and those in a campervan can spend the night under the stars in one of two designated camping areas.

One of the easiest natural wonders to reach from Alice Springs, Simpsons Gap, or Rungutjirpa to the Arrernte Aboriginal people, is a must-visit on any Red Centre road trip. It’s best to visit the towering cliffs at dusk or dawn, when black-footed rock wallabies can be spotted bouncing along the dirt track. You can follow several walking tracks into the Gap, including the popular 15-minute Ghost Gum Walk that passes by large mulga trees and other interesting native flora. 

Time Out tip: There's little shade, so bring water and sun protection. 

Stand by and look high at Standley Chasm, a striking three-metre wide, eight-metre tall gorge in the heart of Tjoritja / the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park. Known as Angkerle Atwatye (meaning ‘the gap of water’) to the Western Arrernte people, this sacred geological site is owned and operated by the local Aboriginal community. You can take a self-guided walk to the Chasm, which is a 2.4-kilometre round-trip from the visitor centre ($12 entry), or embark on an Indigenous guided tour, where you’ll learn about the deep connection between the land and its custodians.

Time Out tip: Cap off your walk with a refreshing drink at the shady café, or unwind overnight at the campground. 

Just 40 minutes from Standley Chasm or an hour from Alice Springs, Ellery Creek Big Hole is the perfect spot to cool off after a long day exploring under the blazing sun. It’s only a three minute walk from the car park to the natural waterhole, known as Udepata to the Traditional Aranda Land Owners. With plenty of shaded spots perfect for a picnic or even a peaceful nap, you could easily spend the whole day here. Two bushwalking tracks offer incredible views of the waterhole, which has been carved by massive floods over thousands of years, and there are camping grounds for those who want to linger a little longer.

Time Out tip: If you don't have a car but want to hit all the hotspots in Tjoritja / the West MacDonnell Ranges, let Alice Springs Expeditions take you on a personalised one- or multi-day expedition.

In Australia, the name Jimmy Shu is synonymous with top-tier Southeast Asian cuisine, and his stylish Alice Springs outpost lives up to the hype. Hidden inside DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Hanuman takes you on a flavour-packed journey through the best of Indian, Malaysian and Thai gastronomy. Like any great Asian banquet, the menu is designed for sharing. Start with spiced vegetable samosas, Nonya chicken satay and Hanuman’s signature hot oysters flavoured with lemongrass, sweet basil, ginger, chilli and coriander. The easiest way to attack mains is to share a bunch of curries, rice and noodle dishes. Our standout was the mild vegetarian kofta curry, which we mopped up with flaky Malaysian roti and fragrant coconut jasmine rice.

Time Out tip: Heading to Darwin next? You’ll find Hanuman’s original location waiting for round two.

With minimal light pollution and high elevation, Alice Springs offers some of the best, darkest night skies on Earth. You can witness the wonders of the incredible cosmos at Earth Sanctuary, an award-winning astronomy park run by Joe Falzon and his three sons. Their engaging 90-minute Astro Tour is a perfect taster for budding stargazers, where you’ll marvel at the moon through powerful telescopes, learn to find your zodiac in the eclipse, hear celestial stories about the Milky Way, and maybe even catch a shooting star. Given Alice Springs is located in one of Australia’s darkest regions, you may never see so many stars again.

Time Out tip: Make the most of it by staying the night in one of Earth Sanctuary's intergalactic-style glamping domes.

While the foothills of the MacDonnell Ranges are home to many cute (and some rather creepy) creatures, you can get up close at one of Alice Springs’ many wildlife parks. Only seven kilometres from the town centre, Alice Springs Desert Park is full of rare and endangered animals, like emus, dingos, bilbies, desert skinks and thorny devils. You can spot these animals across the park’s three desert botanical habitats, watch free-flying birds of prey in the Nature Theatre or spot endangered species on a Nocturnal Tour. Just ten minutes down the road, Alice Springs Reptile Centre houses 100 – you guessed it – reptiles, definitely best viewed behind glass. For a more wholesome experience, head to The Kangaroo Sanctuary, where you can join a guided sunset tour from Wednesday to Friday, and learn about their rescue and rehabilitation program for baby kangaroos who’ve lost their mothers.

Time Out tip: Head to Olive Pink Botanic Garden – Australia’s only arid-zone botanical sanctuary, where you can see more than 600 native plants and enjoy a quiet coffee at the café.

For the best views over Alice Springs, make your way to the summit of Anzac Hill – a memorial dedicated to those who served our nation in World War One. Standing at 608 metres, this is the most popular landmark in town, offering panoramic views stretching all the way out to the MacDonnell Ranges. It’s a moderate 15-minute walk to the top from Wills Terrace via the Lions Walk path (start opposite the Catholic Church), or a short drive to the car park. At the top, soak in the scenery and read the interpretive signs, which tell fascinating creation stories of the local Arrernte people. 

Time Out tip: Visit at sunrise or sunset for the most magical views.

Tucked away in a little laneway off Todd Mall, Page 27 feels like a café plucked straight from hipster Melbourne – and not just for the quirky decor and top-tier coffee, but for the vegan-friendly, all-day breakfast menu. You can wake up with a hot cuppa or fresh cold-pressed juice, before diving into a classic eggs Benedict, macadamia crumble French toast, avocado bruschetta or sriracha chilli eggs. From 11.30am, the decision gets even tougher with hearty grilled steak burgers and nourishing salad bowls available for dine-in or takeaway.

Time Out tip: Page 27 is open daily until 2pm, so don't leave lunch too late!

We’re calling it: Ormiston Pound is one of the Red Centre’s best-kept secrets. Located just a 90-minute drive from Alice Springs, this expansive 46.5-square-kilometre natural amphitheatre features towering red, rocky cliffs, hidden lush greenery and a permanent swimming waterhole. We recommend doing the 8.5-kilometre Ormiston Pound Walk circuit, which offers sweeping vistas of the pound – one of only two in Australia. Just be prepared for a cold river crossing after rainfall! The Red River Gum Walk is a more relaxed return hike, and you can cool off after with a dip in Ormiston Gorge.

Time Out tip: After your hike, head to The Gorge Kiosk for a refreshing iced coffee with local honey. It’s one of the best caffeine hits you’ll find in the Outback! The Kiosk opens from 10am to 4pm daily during peak season.

See Alice in a whole new light on a sunrise hot air balloon ride. As you float 1,000 feet above the Australian outback, you’ll witness the sun rise up above the ranges, transforming the landscape from deep blue to vibrant orange, pale pink and baby blue. Outback Ballooning offers 30- or 60-minute rides, including a thrilling flight in their 24-passenger hot air balloon, which is the largest in Australia. After a beautiful voyage, celebrate your safe landing with a glass of Champagne and snacks.

Time Out tip: Bring a jacket – even during summer, the mornings can be crisp!

Heads up – you're better off doing this one with a 4WD. Starting in Alice Springs, this six-day road trip takes you along vast, straight roads through the rolling red dunes of the outback to Kings Canyon. The 700-kilometre loop passes through all the hotspots, one of the best being Ormiston Gorge in the immense hills of Tjoritja / the West MacDonnell Ranges. The aim of your trip is probably to get to Uluṟu though, which we definitely recommend you do. Don't forget to head 40 minutes away to Kata Tjuṯa to watch the sunset over the glowing red domes. 

Time Out tip: Avoid road tripping from December to February, when summer temps often exceed 40 degrees!

Hear the heroic tales of Australia’s flying doctors at this popular museum, dedicated to the life-saving work of those serving our outback communities. Located at the original Alice Springs base from the 1930s, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Tourist Facility brings history to life with interactive technology. You can meet the RFDS founder, Reverend John Flynn, through one of only two life-size ‘human’ holograms in the Southern Hemisphere, experience what it’s like to be a patient flying to safety via virtual reality, and sit inside a replica RFDS aircraft.

Time Out tip: Expect to spend one hour exploring the museum.

Alice Springs has lots of surprises up its sleeves when it comes to festivals. First up on the calendar is fabAlice, a sassy showcase of drag, cabaret, comedy and family-friendly events right in the heart of the desert. Next up is Parrtjima, Australia’s longest light show installation, where the 300 million-year-old Tjoritja / MacDonnell Ranges come alive with light and show. Perhaps the quirkiest of them all is the Alice Springs Beanie Festival in June, where more than 7,000 beanies from around the globe are exhibited at Araluen Arts Centre. For more arts and culture, don’t miss Desert Mob, one of the nation’s oldest Aboriginal art festivals and marketplaces. Finally, sports fan can get their fix with the iconic Finke Desert motor race in June or the exhilarating Henley to Todd Regatta dry riverbed boat race in September. 

Time Out tip: Book your accommodation as soon as possible, as it can get quite expenny during peak times.