Australia

Discover the Best of the Red Centre: 6 Things to Do in Alice Springs You Can’t Miss

Top thing to do in Alice Springs

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Alice Springs is one of those towns that is full of red dust, friendly locals, and a very unique personality!

In order to help you make the most of your time in Alice Springs, in this article I walk you through some of the best things to do in Alice Springs.

After experiencing Alice Springs to its fullest a few years back. I can tell you firsthand that this place is very special and unique.

Besides all the dust, killer everything (spiders, snakes, etc…) Alice Springs has something for everyone.

Visit Uluru (Ayers Rock) National Park

“Ayers Rock” otherwise known as Uluru, (its aboriginal name), is a giant sandstone monolith right in the middle of the Australian Outback, and is a very sacred place to the Aboriginal people in Australia, and it’s totally badass.

When it comes to Alice Springs attractions, Uluru is number one. It attracts over 250,000 tourists from all over the world each year.

The best time to visit Uluru is at Sunset, so make sure not to miss your chance to see this ginormous rock when the sun goes down! (pictures do not do it justice)

Then again, Uluru at sunrise is also a great time to see this beast of a rock. That’s if you can wake up that early.

NOTE: As of 2019, climbing Uluru has been prohibited because of the spiritual significance of the site, as well as for safety and environmental reasons.

Best way to get there: Getting a tour is always best as you will learn about the history etc…

Distance from Darwin: 4:52 hours – 430km.

Recommended Uluru Tours: Guided Tour with Sunset Refreshments

Fun Fact: It takes 3 hours to walk around this behemoth.

Hike Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)

The Olgas are a group of 600 million-year-old round rock formations made up of cobbles and sedimentary rock ranging from basalt and granite all held together by sandstone.

When entering the “main area” it’s like walking into Jurassic Park. There’s nothing else like it in the world! it’s super badass.

Best way to get there: Organized tour.

Distance from Alice Springs: 5h06 min – 493km.

Recommended Kata Tjuta Tours: 3-Hour Small-Group Kata Tjuta Afternoon Tour

Fun Fact: Kata Tjuta is a sacred site where many stories of Kata Tjuta are only known by initiated men.

Mount Conner (Atilla or Artilla)

At a quick glance, you might think you have arrived at Uluru, but look again and you will see that it is in fact different rock!

This strange flat mountain top is home to Lake Amadeus one of the largest salt flats in the world and is one of those things to do in Alice Springs that not a lot of people know about as it is not specifically advertised. It’s a true hidden gem in my opinion!

Best way to get there: The only company that is authorized to go to Mount Conner is Curtain Springs Station as it is privately owned land.

Distance from Alice Springs: 3h27 min – 339km.

Fun Fact: Because of its resemblance to Uluru, Mount Conner is regularly called “Fooluru”.

Hike Kings Canyon

Located in Watarrka National Park between Alice Springs and Uluru, Kings Canyon is a sandstone behemoth towering over 70m into the sky. A total hikers paradise.

With over 600 species of native plants, Kings Canyon is one of those things to do in Alice Springs that you will never forget. Don’t forget to go down into the “Garden of Eden” while you’re there.

Best way to get there: Organized tour.

Distance from Alice Springs: 3h28 min – 331km.

Recommended Kings Canyon Tour: 3-Hour Small-Group Kata Tjuta Afternoon Tour

Fun Fact: A very popular Australian movies named Priscilla Queen of the Desert, was filmed here.

On a side note… if you do take a tour, you’re are bound to stop on the side of the road and dig up some witchetty grubs with your guide. A.k.a – Large, white, wood-eating larvae.

Also known as an Aboriginal delicacy. So go ahead…this is an Outback tradition and just simply one of those things to do in Alice Springs.

Visit Standley Chasm

Located 50km from Aline Spring is a natural rocky alleyway formed thousands of years ago by rushing floodwaters – resulting in these enormous 80m rock walls.

Try to arrive midday to get the full Standley Chasm experience. The sandstone will appear to be glowing right before your eyes, get ready to have your mind blown.

Best way to get there: Organized tour.

Distance from Alice Springs: 37 min -50km.

Recommended Tours: West MacDonnell Ranges Half-Day Trip

Fun Fact: Standley Chasm was originally a sacred site where women collected bush medicine and performed sacred ceremonies

Visit Glen Helen Gorge

If you’re headed toward the West Macdonnell Ranges make sure to do a quick pit stop at Glen Helen Gorge.

Glen Helen is not only a pretty rock, tucked away inside the gorge lies a beautiful watering hole, perfect for those hot days in the Outback.

Best way to get there: Organized tour.

Distance from Springs: 1h28 min – 133km.

Recommended Tours: West MacDonnell Ranges Half-Day Trip

Fun Fact: Legend has it that Glen Helen Gorge is the home of an ancient Rainbow Serpent and regard it as a sacred spot.

Take Instagram Worthy Pictures at Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu)

Depending on if you’re going or coming from Alice Springs, do not miss this pit stop along the Stuart Highway, tucked away inside of Tennant Creek.

Recognized as a significant spiritual site and one old the oldest religious sites in the world, the Devils Marbles has been a landmark since 1870.

To this day it is still one of the most recognized things to see in Alice Springs.

Best way to get there: Organized tour or rental

Distance from Alice Springs: 4h11 min – 412km.

Recommended Devils Marbles Tours: Most tours stop here either way.

Alice Springs Activities

Apart from visiting all these cool places mentioned above. Not many people know this, but you can actually visit a farm and get a private boomerang and didgeridoo lessons.

Where to Stay in Alice Springs

With Alice Springs being such a remote town, you would think finding a place to stay would be hard but rest assured that there are more than enough places to stay. Have a look below to see what is available.

Never travel without travel insurance!

As a digital nomad I always use SafetyWing, because it covers everything, and it's super affordable. The best part is that you can actually order the insurance if you already left for your trip. You can read my full review here

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