Best things to do in Alice Springs

Alice Springs Essentials

Alice Springs serves as the gateway to the Red Centre, blending Arrernte heritage with pioneering history. This selection features the Alice Springs Telegraph Station, the site of the town's first European settlement in 1872, and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, documenting the evolution of outback medicine. Natural highlights include the Desert Park’s specialized habitats and the Olive Pink Botanic Garden’s arid flora. For panoramic views, Anzac Hill overlooks the MacDonnell Ranges, while the Transport Hall of Fame preserves Australia’s trucking history.

Alice Springs Essentials — Map

Richard Fisher / CC BY 2.0

A

Alice Springs Desert Park

Showcases three desert habitats: Desert Rivers, Sand Country, and Woodland. Features a nocturnal house and daily free-flying bird presentations.

B

Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility

Includes a decommissioned Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, life-sized holograms of founder John Flynn, and live displays of the communication network used for remote medical care.

C

Olive Pink Botanic Garden

Focuses on arid-region plants and indigenous flora. Includes walking trails to Annie Meyer Hill and the grave of founder and anthropologist Olive Pink.

D

John Flynn's Grave Historical Reserve

Resting place of the Royal Flying Doctor Service founder. Marked by an 8-tonne quartzite boulder transported from the Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu) in 1953.

E

Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve

The site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs, established in 1872. Features restored stone buildings and original equipment from the Overland Telegraph Line.

F

Anzac Hill

A memorial site dedicated to those who served in world wars. Offers 360-degree views of the Alice Springs township and the MacDonnell Ranges.

G

Alice Springs Reptile Centre

Houses the largest collection of reptiles in Central Australia. Features Thorny Devils, Frill-necked Lizards, and a saltwater crocodile.

H

Museum of Central Australia & Strehlow Research Center

Displays natural history, fossils from the Alcoota Scientific Reserve, and the Strehlow Research Centre’s collection of Arrernte cultural artifacts.

I

National Road Transport Hall of Fame

A large-scale museum dedicated to the history of road transport in Australia. Houses vintage trucks, road trains, and the Kenworth Dealer Hall of Fame.

J

Pyndan Camel Tracks

Offers guided camel tours through the Ilparpa Valley, providing views of the MacDonnell Ranges and local wildlife like kangaroos and eagles.