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Major city · Australia

Alice SpringsMparntwe

Give Alice Springs 2 nights as a Red Centre base, not a stopover: fly in, do the town and a gorge day, then drive or fly on to Uluru.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Alice Springs is the hub of the Red Centre, 1,500 km from the nearest big city, so everything here is either a short town visit or a launch pad for the MacDonnell Ranges, Uluru and Kings Canyon. Two nights covers the town and one gorge day; three to four nights if you want the West MacDonnell ranges and a desert-park morning. It is hot and dry most of the year, so plan around the heat, not the crowds.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
AUD
Best months
Apr–Sep (cool, dry, clear nights)
avoid Dec–Feb (40 °C (104 °F)+ days, some sights close)
Airport
ASP
Nights
2
Rules in force · 7
  • Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
  • Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
  • Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
  • Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
  • Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
  • Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
  • Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Alice Springs000 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From mobiles112

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Alice Springs, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
  • Museum or sight ticketDesert Park entryA$25 (≈ US$17)
  • Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personA$40 (≈ US$30)
  • Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomA$200 (≈ US$140)
  • High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomA$380 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$120 (≈ US$80) · Mid A$220 (≈ US$150) · High A$400 (≈ US$300)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

MacDonnell Ranges gorgesArrernte country (Mparntwe)Desert Park and reptile centreGateway to Uluru and Kings CanyonHenley-on-Todd Regatta
Airports
ASP Alice Springs Airport (About 15 km (9.3 mi) south of town; no air bridges, stairs on and off. Qantas and Virgin Australia link Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    37°C (99°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    36°C (97°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    34°C (93°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    29°C (84°F)

  5. May

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    29°C (84°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    32°C (90°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    34°C (93°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    36°C (97°F)

Best: Apr–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jan (37°C (99°F)), coolest Jul (4°C (39°F) low), wettest Jan (5 rain days), driest Jun (1). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Alice Springs: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

37°C (99°F)

22°C (72°F)

5 rd

Feb

36°C (97°F)

21°C (70°F)

4 rd

Mar

34°C (93°F)

18°C (64°F)

2 rd

Apr

29°C (84°F)

13°C (55°F)

2 rd

May

24°C (75°F)

8°C (46°F)

2 rd

Jun

20°C (68°F)

5°C (41°F)

1 rd

Jul

21°C (70°F)

4°C (39°F)

1 rd

Aug

24°C (75°F)

6°C (43°F)

1 rd

Sep

29°C (84°F)

11°C (52°F)

1 rd

Oct

32°C (90°F)

15°C (59°F)

2 rd

Nov

34°C (93°F)

18°C (64°F)

3 rd

Dec

36°C (97°F)

21°C (70°F)

4 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Public buses run a few town lines; walking and cycling cover the centre. Taxis are scarce at peak times and Uber was not available as of 2022. A taxi from the airport to the centre is around A$45. For the gorges and Uluru you need a car or a tour.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

West MacDonnell Ranges (Standley Chasm, Ormiston Gorge)

go

Door to door: Full day

Drive Larapinta Drive west; a car or a day tour

Start early; carry water and fuel. Gorges are the reason to stay a second night.

Uluru and Kata Tjuta

overnight

Door to door: Flight about 1 h; drive about 5 h

Fly ASP to Yulara, or drive the Stuart and Lasseter highways

Not a day trip. Sleep 2–3 nights at Yulara.

Kings Canyon (Watarrka)

overnight

Door to door: 3–4 h each way

Drive via the Mereenie Loop or the sealed route through Erldunda

Rim walk is best at sunrise; unsealed sections need a suitable car.

Alice Springs Desert Park

go

Door to door: About 30 min

Drive or taxi 10 km (6.2 mi) west on Larapinta Drive

Go at opening before the heat; the nocturnal house is the highlight.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Todd Mall and town centre

Walk to cafés, the visitor centre and the Reptile Centre; best for a short stay without a car.

Stuart Highway strip (south)

Motels and roadhouses with parking; handy if you pick up a rental car and leave early.

Larapinta Drive (west)

Closer to Desert Park and the West MacDonnell road; needs a car.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
A$120–180 (≈ US$80–120) excl. bed
Mid
A$200–320 (≈ US$140–250) excl. bed
High
A$350 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × A$200A$400
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × A$220A$880
Airport taxi to town, one way1 × A$45A$45
Rental car, one day1 × A$90 · Unsealed-road cover often excludedA$90
eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$30A$60
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeA$148
Trip total≈ A$406 per person per day, bed includedA$1,623≈ US$1,100

2026 estimate in Australian dollars; flights and tours excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
Pub mealA$20–35 (≈ US$14–25)
Desert Park entryA$25 (≈ US$17)
Telegraph Station historical reserveA$15 (≈ US$10)
Taxi, airport to centreabout A$45 (≈ US$30)
Fuel, per litreA$2.00–2.30 (≈ US$2)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Alice Springs is a small outback town with the usual city-centre night-time caution around Todd Mall and the river; the bigger risks are heat, distance and alcohol-fuelled trouble after dark. Walk in groups at night and keep water in the car.
  • Summer days pass 40 °C (104 °F) and nights stay above 25 °C (77 °F): carry water, start early, avoid midday walks.
  • Rental cars may exclude unsealed roads and limit kilometres; check before booking and confirm NT drop rules.
  • Mobile coverage is patchy outside town; fuel and food stops on the Stuart Highway are far apart.
  • The Residency and some sights close over summer (roughly December to late March): check before you go.
  • Pine Gap is prohibited airspace; you cannot visit it.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
000
From mobiles
112

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Alice SpringsMparntwe

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

checkTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From mobiles112

Embassy

No embassies in Alice Springs; consulates and embassies are in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne. US citizens: check the US Embassy in Canberra.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Taxi ASP → town centre: about A$45 (≈ US$30)
  • Public bus, single ride: check the NT timetable
  • The Ghan, Adelaide → Alice Springs: sleeper only; premium over air fares

Say or show

  • werte — Hello (wer-ta)
  • mpwarre — Thank you (mp-war-re)
  • Wanthathe? — Where is the water? (wan-ha-the)

Arrernte is the local language; English is spoken everywhere in town.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Alice Springs. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Apr–Sep (cool, dry, clear nights) · avoid Dec–Feb (40 °C+ days, some sights close) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for ASP: taxi and transfer times field-checked, late-arrival fallback.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Todd Mall, Anzac Hill, the telegraph station and the gaol precinct.
  3. Place pages with verified hours and summer closures (Desert Park, Telegraph Station, Residency, Reptile Centre).
  4. Heat and remote-road fixtures so gorge and Uluru days can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Australia

Sources