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Guide to Alice Springs

Aboriginal name: Mparntwe (pronounced M-ban-tua)

Welcome
Aboriginal
Getting to Alice Springs
When to visit

Known as the gateway to the Northern Territory’s epic outback, your Alice adventure will be sure to leave an imprint of the very best kind.

Nestled in the heart of Australia’s ochre outback is Alice Springs. Known to the locals as “Alice”, this town embodies the quintessential Australian spirit, from the ancient desert it sits upon to the Aboriginal culture that is woven into the very fabric of life here. In the town itself, you’ll find an impressive array of outback activities from camel rides to sunrise hot air balloons. But escaping to nature isn’t difficult either. You can float in freshwater swimming holes, explore the awe-inspiring Kings Canyon or marvel at the magnificent monolith of Uluru. There’s no doubt that Alice is the beating heart of Australia’s Red Centre.

Indigenous culture is rich in Alice Springs/Mparntwe. The Traditional Custodians – the Arrernte people – are known for their fascinating Yeperenye (caterpillar) Dreamtime story, which describes how the region’s landscape was created by their giant caterpillar ancestors. One of the best ways to experience Mparntwe culture is by exploring the town’s vibrant collection of Aboriginal art galleries along the Desert Art Trail.

Traditional name: Mparntwe (pronounced M-ban-tua)
Indigenous Peoples: Arrernte
Traditional languages: Arrernte

You can fly to Alice Springs on a QantasLink flight from Brisbane, Sydney, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Darwin.

Alice Springs Airport (ASP) is located 10 minutes out of Alice Springs town centre.
There is an airport shuttle service into town that is available to book at the airport or online prior to your arrival
There are taxis and hire cars available at the airport or in town

For true romantics, there’s no better way to get to Alice Springs than on a three-day train journey aboard the Ghan, which runs from Adelaide to Alice Springs and Darwin.

Alice Springs offers three bus routes that operate between Monday to Saturday (excluding public holidays). However, the best way to get around is by car, bike or on foot.

Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit Alice Springs. These two seasons bring warm days and cool nights with surrounding destinations such as Uluru and Kata Tjuta experiencing their dry seasons.