Alice Springs with Kids
An easy, rewarding family base in the Red Centre — desert wildlife and a birds-of-prey show, cold gorge swimming holes, rock wallabies and short, doable walks.
Alice Springs with Kids
Alice Springs is an easy, rewarding place to travel with children. The Desert Park turns the desert into an adventure of animals, a nocturnal house and a birds-of-prey show; the MacDonnell Ranges offer gorge swimming holes and short, doable walks; and there are rock wallabies to spot and hands-on history to explore. Keep days short, start early to beat the heat, and build in a cool-off, and the Red Centre becomes a brilliant family trip.
What to Do with Kids
Desert Park
Animals, a nocturnal house and a birds-of-prey show — a family favourite.
Gorge Swims
Cold, spring-fed waterholes like Ellery Creek Big Hole for a supervised swim.
Short Trails
The flat walk to the Simpsons Gap waterhole and into Standley Chasm.
Rock Wallabies
Watch for black-footed rock wallabies at Simpsons Gap at dawn and dusk.
Family Tips
- Start early and keep days short — the desert heat tires children fast
- Build in a swim or cool-off; gorge waterholes are cold, so supervise closely
- Carry plenty of water, hats and sun protection everywhere you go
- Visit in the cooler months (about April to September) — see the best time to visit
- Pick short, flat walks like Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm
With Kids — FAQ
Is Alice Springs good for kids?
Yes — the Desert Park with its animals and nocturnal house, the swimming holes and short walks of the MacDonnell Ranges, and hands-on history make it a great family base in the Red Centre.
What are the best things to do with children?
Meet desert wildlife and the birds-of-prey show at the Desert Park, cool off at a gorge waterhole such as Ellery Creek, walk the easy trail to the Simpsons Gap waterhole, and spot rock wallabies at dawn or dusk.
Can kids swim in the gorges?
Yes, at the designated swimming waterholes such as Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge. The water is spring-fed and can be very cold, so supervise children closely and check current conditions.
Which walks suit families?
The short, mostly flat walks are best — the stroll to the Simpsons Gap waterhole and the walk into Standley Chasm. See Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm.
When is the best time to visit with kids?
The cooler months (roughly April to September) are far more comfortable for families than the fierce summer heat. See the best time to visit.
Alice Springs, Planned Around You
The MacDonnell Ranges and their gorges and waterholes, the Desert Park and the Telegraph Station, and the road south to Uluru — with the driving and bookings handled by the family that’s toured Australia since 1974.
Call 0409 661 342 Plan My Trip — Free Enquiry