The Red Centre.
Alice Springs (or Mparntwe in Arrernte language) is the third-largest town in the Northern Territory, with a population of approximately 33,000 people. The town is halfway between Darwin and Adelaide, about 1,500 km each way.
In the town centre, you can get everything you need as there's a variety of shops to stock up on your weekly supplies. As well as cafes and restaurants to explore.
Just a short walk from the CBD is the iconic Todd River, a dry riverbed that can flow when rainfall hits. You are considered to be a local when you've seen the Todd River flow three times.
With deep spiritual origins dating back more than 30,000 years, Alice Springs has an abundance of rich culture and history.
The town is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, including the MacDonnell Ranges and the Red Centre Desert. About 450kms down the road is Uluru, a large sandstone rock formation that is a spectacular sight any time of the year.
For more information on the area and services check out the local council websites:
The area around Alice Springs is often referred to the Central Australian Region.
In Central Australia, you get a taste of all four seasons: warm summer days and chilly sub-zero winter nights.
Alice Springs Airport is 17 km from the town centre and offers flights to major Australian capitals as well as regular flights to regional hubs - Tennant Creek and Katherine.
Great Southern Railways offers rail journeys on the Ghan through the Northern Territory. These stop in Alice Springs on route from Adelaide to Darwin.
Travelling to the Northern Territory by bus is easy and affordable. Major coach and tour companies run coach services between transport hubs in the Territory and destinations in Western Australia, South Australia, and Queensland. For details about tickets, schedules, and fares, visit local visitor information centres, transport hubs or the Greyhound Australia website.
A regular bush bus service connects Alice Springs with remote townships and travels North to Tennant Creek and Katherine. There’s also local public transport bus services in Alice Springs.
You can do plenty of things in Alice Springs throughout the year depending on your tastes and interests.
Alice Springs and Central Australia is an art lover's paradise; there's a cultural precinct, museums and craft centres.
Per capita, Alice Springs has the most art galleries of any town or city in Australia – making it one of the most artistic cities in the world. You can read this handy guide to the art scene in Alice Springs.
If art is not your thing, Centralians celebrate the outdoors with running festivals and other sporting events.
Some key events include:
- Finke Desert Race
- Red CentreNATs
- The Camel Cup
- Partjima: A Festival in Light
Want to know where the locals go for the best coffee? Activate Alice Springs is a great resource to be across all of the insider tips. It could be information on the best mountain biking trails or the best place to grab a delicious pie.
For more information on events in the region, look over the NT Events calendar.
There's a full range of sports on offer in Alice Springs to suit everyone. You can find a local sporting group that interests you by looking at the NT Community website.
Each year, Alice Springs hosts at least one round of AFL. The Central Australian Football League NT (CAFLNT) teams compete in the dry season. For more information look at the CAFLNT website.
Alice Springs Aquatic and Leisure Centre is a state-of-the-art facility equipped with an outdoor pool, splash pad, indoor lap pool, and water slides.
Alice Springs has a lot of essential services, you will find:
- Post Office
- 50 + Bars and Eateries
- 60 + parks and recreation spaces
- 2 x Major Grocery Stores
- 5 x banks + 12 ATMS
- 1 x Hospitals
- 3 x GP Practices and Allied Health Professionals
For those who live more remote, visit bushtel.nt.gov.au to gain an understanding of what is available in the regional communities.
Alice Springs has a range of childcare, primary, secondary and tertiary education options. You can look at the Childcare and School sections to learn more.
Look over the list of schools in your area, visit the Northern Territory Government's Education Directory.
When looking for accommodation in Alice Springs, many are drawn to an area of the convenience of schools, parks, and activities for kids.
Housing and rental average costs are kept up to date on the NT Economy website.
Depending on where you are moving from, prices to relocate to Alice Springs can vary. It's best you shop around and receive multiple quotes from multiple removalist companies. You can find more information about things to prepare for by looking over our Moving page.
Whether you decide to rent or purchase, the Northern Territory Government offers a range of assistance to homeowners to enter the market or build homes. You can find out more information by looking at our Housing page.
Download Regional Guide
The following guide contain even more information around what its like to live and work in each region, with additional information about shopping, dining, attractions, Aboriginal language groups and more.
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Regional living guides
Katherine & Surrounds
Katherine and surrounds, also known as the Big Rivers region extends from the Western Australian border to the Gulf of Carpentaria and along the Queensland border.
East Arnhem Land
The East Arnhem region is known for its beautiful beaches, rich cultural history and relaxed lifestyle.
Tennant Creek & Barkly Region
Tennant Creek is your authentic outback town with one main street and local stores. It's located between Alice Springs and Katherine and is known as the Golden Heart.