Alice Springs & the MacDonnell Ranges
Alice Springs sits almost exactly at Australia's centre — a characterful outback town ringed by the ancient MacDonnell Ranges, and the cultural capital of the Central Desert. It's the base for the classic Red Centre loop to Kings Canyon and Uluru, a stop on the Ghan, and a place of superb Aboriginal art and true outback history. Here's how to make the most of Alice and its ranges.
Desert Park, the Telegraph Station & art
Start at the wonderful Alice Springs Desert Park to meet the desert's wildlife and plants, then trace the town's origins at the Telegraph Station. The School of the Air and Royal Flying Doctor Service base tell the story of life across a vast outback, and the Araluen precinct and town galleries showcase some of the country's finest Aboriginal art. For the full rundown, see our Alice Springs travel guide.
Gorges of the West MacDonnells
West of town, the West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja) unfurl a string of gorges and waterholes — Simpsons Gap, the towering walls of Standley Chasm, the icy swim at Ellery Creek Big Hole, and the beautiful Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen. Threading through them is the legendary Larapinta Trail, one of Australia's great long-distance walks. Sample it on day trips or walk it section by section.
Getting there & when to go
Alice has its own airport and is the mid-point of the Ghan. It's about 4.5 hours' drive to Uluru, so it makes a natural Red Centre base. Come in the cooler months (April–September) for comfortable walking; pack warm layers for cold desert nights and carry plenty of water year-round. See our getting around and best time to visit guides.
Alice Springs & the MacDonnell Ranges: your questions
Alice is the heart of the outback. Meet desert wildlife at the excellent Alice Springs Desert Park, tour the historic Telegraph Station where the town began, and discover outback ingenuity at the School of the Air and the Royal Flying Doctor Service base. Add the Araluen arts precinct and world-class Aboriginal art galleries, and use Alice as your springboard to the MacDonnell Ranges, Uluru and Kings Canyon.
Uluru is about 450 km south-west of Alice Springs — roughly a 4.5-hour drive. Many Red Centre trips are based in Alice and loop out to Kings Canyon and Uluru, or fly directly into Ayers Rock Airport. Alice itself sits right beside the West MacDonnell Ranges, so there's superb gorge country on the doorstep. See our Uluru & Red Centre guide.
The West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja) stretch west of Alice Springs and hold some of the Centre's best scenery — Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, the icy swimming holes of Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge, and Glen Helen. They're also home to the famous Larapinta Trail, one of Australia's great multi-day walks. You can sample them on easy day trips or walk them over many days.
The cooler months (April to September) are the most comfortable — warm, dry days and crisp nights ideal for walking the ranges. Summer (December–February) can be very hot, over 40°C, so plan early starts and carry lots of water. Desert nights get cold in winter, occasionally near freezing, so pack warm layers. Many of Alice's big festivals also fall in the cooler season.
Yes — Alice Springs is far more than a stopover. It's the cultural capital of the Central Desert, with outstanding Aboriginal art, quintessential outback history, and the spectacular MacDonnell Ranges right beside town. It's also the classic base for the Red Centre loop to Kings Canyon and Uluru, and a stop on the Ghan. See our dedicated Alice Springs travel guide.