Alice Springs features rugged gaps and gorges, stunning desert landscapes, an interesting pioneering history and a vivid Aboriginal art scene. The town is framed by the MacDonnell Ranges to the east and west and is located just 200km south of the geographic centre of Australia.
Alice Springs began as a repeater station along the Overland Telegraph Line and has a rich pioneering history of Afghan cameleers, flying doctors and outback explorers. Their stories can still be heard through a range of attractions and sites around town.
It is also the scene for outback adventure, try quad bike riding, trek the Larapinta Trail, head out of town for four-wheel driving and camping or take a swim in a beautiful natural waterhole. Explore the rich, colourful world of contemporary Aboriginal art through the many galleries and art centres both in and around Alice Springs.
Climate
Central Australia is a semi-arid environment and experiences Australia’s typical four seasons; summer, autumn, winter and spring.
The Red Centre has hot summer days from December to February and surprisingly cold nights from June to August. Spring and autumn are warm throughout the day and cool at night.
|
Month
|
J
|
F
|
M
|
A
|
M
|
J
|
J
|
A
|
S
|
O
|
N
|
D
|
|
|
35.9
|
35.0
|
32.3
|
27.6
|
23.0
|
19.7
|
19.5
|
22.9
|
27.0
|
31.1
|
33.9
|
35.4
|
|
|
20.9
|
20.1
|
17.1
|
12.2
|
7.7
|
4.9
|
3.7
|
6.0
|
9.7
|
14.4
|
17.6
|
19.9
|
|
|
42.7
|
41.4
|
33.1
|
16.4
|
16.1
|
14.6
|
13.6
|
10.4
|
9.4
|
20.1
|
25.1
|
36.3
|
Getting here
Alice Springs is truly in the heart of Australia and has direct air services from Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Cairns. Direct daily services also operate between Alice Springs and Ayers Rock Airport.
For those with a little more time, enjoy a historic train journey on the legendary Ghan with twice weekly services to both Adelaide and Darwin.
Getting around
Alice Springs offers a range of quality coach companies for your transport needs (link through to Transport).
The town also has a network of bicycle paths for you to explore, jump on a dot painted mountain bike with an Aboriginal guide or hire a bike from your hotel reception.