Alice Springs

Travel Guide Oceania Australia Northern Territory Alice Springs

Introduction

alice springs at dawn

Alice Springs is the second largest city in the Northern Territory, Australia, after Darwin. It is located deep in the heart of the Australian Outback, close to the geographic centre of the country.

The most famous attraction near Alice Springs is Uluru (formerly Ayers Rock), an iconic, instantly-recognizable rock formation in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another nearby attraction is Watarrka National Park, best known for the impressive King's Canyon.

[edit]

Neighbourhoods

[edit]

Sights and Activities

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Sunset Ayers rock

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is best known for Uluru (Ayers Rock), the sandstone rock formation that is Australia's best-known natural attraction. This World Heritage listed park, situated just north of the border between the Northern Territory and South Australia, also boasts the Olgas, another unique rock formation.
The Kings Canyon Park is another National Park, but both are located hours from Alice. The West and East McDonell Ranges are closer to Alice and suitable for a daytrip.

[edit]

Events and Festivals

Bass In The Dust - A music festival to be held on September 22, 2008.
Camel Cup - Ever seen a camel run? At this festival, you can see a whole bunch of them racing each other. July 12, 2008.

[edit]

Weather

Alice Springs has hot weather during the summermonths of November to March, sometimes with days on end having temperatures over 40 °C, dropping to around 20 °C at night. In winter (June to August) nights can drop below zero, while days are pleasantly warm, around 20 °C on average. Alice Springs is a dry place with some rain in most months, but mainly concentrated in a few showers. Summer sees a little bit more rain than winter.

[edit]

Getting There

By Plane

Alice Springs Airport (ASP) serves Qantas flights to other major domestic airports, including Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns, Perth and Darwin. Alliance Airlines also operates a service to and from Brisbane, while budget airline Tiger Airways Australia has just recently begun operating a Melbourne-Alice Springs flight.

By Train

The Ghan is an overland train from Adelaide to Darwin that stops in Alice Springs. It's not cheap, but it is spectacular as it passes through the Outback.

By Car

anywhere on the stuart highway

Alice Spring is located along the Stuart Highway, which runs from Darwin to Adelaide, where it turns into the Princes Highway and continues on to Melbourne. Driving to Alice Spring from either Darwin or Adelaide is a very long trip through the Outback (about 17 and a half hours), so make sure you carry enough water and stop for fuel whenever you see a petrol station.

By Bus

Greyhound provides bus services towards the south (Adelaide) and north (Darwin) with stops in several towns on the way, including Katherine, Coober Pedy and Tennant Creek.

[edit]

Getting Around

By Car

There are plenty of companies you could choose to hire a car from, including Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty. Car hire is often not available to drivers under 25, or if it is, it's more expensive for younger drivers.

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

[edit]

Eat

[edit]

Drink

[edit]

Sleep

Budget

Property	Address	Type	Popularity
Alice Lodge Backpackers	4 Mueller Street Alice Springs	Hostel	87
Alice Motor Inn	27 Undoolya Road	Hotel	80
Annie's Place	Traeger Avenue	Hostel	75
Desert Palms Resort	74 Barrett Drive	Hotel	80
Desert Rose Inn	15 Railway Tce	Hostel	86
Haven	3 Larapinta Drive Alice Springs	Hostel	76
Toddy's Backpackers & Budget Accommodation	41 Gap Road	Hostel	81
Kathysplace	4 Cassia Court	Hostel	100
Alice Springs YHA	Parsons St / Leichhardt Tce	Hostel	85
Alice's Secret Travellers Inn	6 Khalick Street	Hostel	82
Alice in the Territory	46 Stephens Road	Hostel	84
Alice Springs YHA	Corner Parsons Street and Leichhardt Terrace	HOSTEL	-