Just arrived in Alice Springs and wondering how to spend this beautiful afternoon? Got a gap in your plans and want to experience a little taste of what’s on offer? Don’t waste the afternoon in your hotel room when there’s so much to experience in Alice! Here’s a few ideas to get you started.
Take a stroll along the Todd Mall, which is lined with art galleries. Stop at Papunya Tula Artists, Talapi Art Gallery and Mbantua Art Gallery to admire stunning Aboriginal Art from the #RedCentreNT region. While you’re in the area, enjoy lunch at one of the vibrant cafés dotted throughout the Todd Mall.
Hire a bike from Outback Cycling in Todd Mall and enjoy a gentle ride alongside the dry Todd River to the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. Here, you’ll learn about how Australia was connected to the rest of the world via telegraph communication in the late 1800s. It’s also the original site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs. Guided tours of the heritage precinct run at 9:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm & 3:30pm. Enjoy coffee and snacks at the Trail Station Café, and browse through the gift shop. Walking and mountain bike trails depart from the café; bike hire is available on site.
The Araluen Cultural Precinct provides a fascinating glimpse into the art, culture and heritage of Central Australia, and into some of the local identities that helped develop the region. The precinct includes the Araluen Arts Centre, Albert Namatjira Gallery, Central Australian Aviation Museum, the Yeperenye Sculpture, the Museum of Central Australia, the Strehlow Research Centre, and Central Craft.
Located 3.5km from the CBD, the Alice Springs School of the Air Visitor Centre showcases the fascinating innovations of this uniquely Australian school. Known colloquially as the ‘world’s largest classroom’, Alice Springs School of the Air has delivered education to remote Australia since 1951 and services an area of over 1.3 million square kilometres. The visitor experience includes a film and guided presentations that reveal stories about the school, its students and their distinctive outback lifestyles.
Fascinated by the art of the #RedCentreNT and can’t wait to see more? Download the free app Red Centre Art Trails to create your own unique art trail, or follow one of ours.
Some parts of the #RedCentreNT are very remote and isolated, and the people that live and work in these areas depend on the Royal Flying Doctor Service for urgent medical attention. Learn all about it at the Royal Flying Doctor Service Alice Springs Tourist Facility. Get amongst the interactive displays and step inside a full-sized replica on a modern PC-12 airplane and gain an insight into the iconic Australian outback service established in 1928. Tours run every half hour from 9.00am – 4.00pm, and the RFDS café has a great selection of meals, snacks and beverages.
The Alice Springs Reptile Centre is home to the largest reptile display in Central Australia. The display includes snakes, Terry the Saltwater Crocodile, perenties, thorny devils, geckos, turtles and Terry the saltwater crocodile. Each day at 11.00 am, 1.00 pm and 3.30 pm, staff present a fun and informative talk about selected lizards and pythons followed by a supervised handling session.
The Olive Pink Botanic Garden is Australia’s only arid zone botanic garden and the perfect place to unwind amongst native surrounds. Wander along the walking trails to see the hundreds of plant species that are native to the Red Centre, or spot some of the 80 bird species which have been recorded at the park. The Bean Tree Café is open from 8.00am – 3.00pm.
No trip to Alice Springs is complete without a visit to the top of Anzac Hill for a panoramic view of the town. You can drive your car to the top, or if you’re feeling energetic, you can walk up via the ‘Lions Walk’. Enjoy your view of the MacDonnell Ranges and the town centre as the sun goes down.
To make the most of your time in the #RedCentreNT, the multi-award winning Alice Springs Visitor Information Centre can help you experience all the region has to offer. Let our friendly and knowledgeable staff book your accommodation, tours and car hire with unlimited kilometres while you browse our maps, brochures, books, and souvenirs. Give us a call on 1800 645 199 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
