Where to Stay in Alice Springs – A Guide to this Australian City
Alice Springs is a city located in Australia’s Northern Territory. It is the third-largest city in the territory and one of the most important inland cities in the country. Alice Springs is famous for its desert landscape and for being the main gateway to visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and Ayers Rock. In this post, we will explore the best areas to stay in Alice Springs.
Alice Springs is located near the southern border of North Australia, in the heart of the country, and in the middle of Australia’s great central desert. Its isolation is, however, subjective. Alice Springs is one of the most important tourist centres in Australia. Its equidistance from all the major Australian cities (which are mostly located on the coast) also makes Alice Springs an important city of fairs and congresses within Australia.
The main tourist attractions in Alice Springs are closely related to nature and wildlife. The main sights in the city include the Desert Park, the Reptile Center, the Botanical Garden or the nearby Larapinta Trail. Nearby national parks and reserves include the imposing Uluru Monolith, Alice Springs Desert Park, the West MacDonnell and Finke Gorge National Parks or the Owen Springs Nature Reserve.
Alice Springs Airport is located about 13 km from the city centre and offers daily connections to most cities in Australia. Alice Springs is a small city, so it’s fairly easy to move around on foot. If you’re planning to visit the national parks around, the best way to move is by car. You can rent a cheap car here. Alternatively, you may choose to book one of the many organised tours to Uluru.
With regards to the best location to stay in Alice Springs, the CBD area offers proximity to the urban tourist attractions, business centres and is home to some of the best hotels in town. See accommodation in Alice Springs’ CBD.
Nestled at the foot of the majestic MacDonnell Ranges in Alice Springs, the 4.5 star Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters offers rooms with a balcony or patio. Guests enjoy free WiFi, a heated pool, a spa bath and a 24-hour health and fitness centre.
Keep reading to discover our top picks for the best areas to stay in Alice Springs, NT.
The best areas to stay in Alice Springs
1. Our favourite area: City Centre (CBD)
Alice Springs’ Central Business District or CBD is, as its name suggests, the heart of the city and one of the best areas to stay in Alice Springs.
Alice Springs’s City Centre is known for its grid streets, low-rise buildings, shops, and restaurants with outdoor terraces.
It is the oldest part of Alice Springs and includes many of the important institutions and places of the city, such as ANZAC Hill, the Reptile House, the Adelaide House Museum, the Totem Theatre or the Alice Plaza Shopping Centre.
The CBD is also located next to the city’s train station, which, although lacking frequent passenger services, offers weekly connections from The Ghan, a train that runs Australia from north to south, from Adelaide to Darwin.
The City Centre is also the best area to hire an organized tour to Uluru National Park, located just over 5 hours south of the city.
Alice Springs City Centre has the largest hotel offer in the city, from backpacker options to luxury hotels.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Alice Springs:
- Central location
- Pedestrian-friendly
- Best area for sightseeing
- Great transport connections
- Reptile House
- Wide variety of hotels
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
Elkira Court Motel
Elkira Court Motel is located in the centre of Alice Springs and offers air-conditioned rooms with a refrigerator. It has an outdoor pool and barbecue facilities. Elkira Motel is 15 minutes’ drive from Alice Springs Airport.
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Budget
Alice Lodge Backpackers
Alice Lodge Backpackers has a fully equipped shared kitchen, barbecue facilities, a lounge with a TV and access to a shared laundry. It also includes a safe and free luggage storage.
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Luxury
Quest Serviced Apartments Alice Springs
This 4-star hotel offers free Wi-Fi, parking and modern accommodation close to the CBD, Alice Springs Convention Center and Lasseters Casino.
2. Desert Springs & Convention Centre
The area of Desert Springs is located south of Alice Springs.
It is a quieter area than the centre of the city, but it has several accommodation options.
The Alice Springs Convention Centre, which has state-of-the-art facilities, has been, since its inauguration in 2002, the venue for small meetings, intimate dinners, and national and international conventions.
The Olive Pink Botanical Gardens of Alice Springs specializes in plants from the arid areas of Australia.
The proximity to the Alice Springs Convention Centre makes Desert Springs one of the best areas to stay in Alice Springs for business travellers.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Alice Springs:
- Peaceful area
- Best area for business travellers
- Botanical Gardens
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