Pyndan Camel Tracks, Alice Springs, Northern Territory © Tourism NT
Top things to do in Alice Springs with kids
Show your kids the beauty of the Australian outback in Alice Springs.
By Leah Dobihal
With enough wildlife, culture and nature to impress the whole family, Alice Springs is the perfect place for an outback adventure. This town offers the best of the Northern Territory’s Red Centre; encounter desert animals, scan the Milky Way in vivid detail and see the sights from the back of a camel.
Here’s where to find family fun in Alice Springs.
Discover desert wildlife
Alice Springs Desert Park, Alice Springs, Northern Territory © Alice Springs Desert Park
Where: 871 Larapinta Dr, Alice Springs
Ready to see the desert come to life? Then it’s time to visit the Alice Springs Desert Park. Here, you’ll see animals uniquely adapted to the dry landscape, from thorny reptiles to cute quolls. Expect plenty of excitement with free flying bird demonstrations and dingo shows. Families can even embark on a nocturnal tour to spot critters only active at night.
Take a look into space
Earth Sanctuary, Alice Springs, Northern Territory © Tourism NT/Matt Glastonbury
Travel tip
Don’t forget to bring warm clothes. The desert temperatures can drop during winter!
Where: Lot 4005 Colonel Rose Dr, Alice Springs
There’s nothing more magical than gazing into a starry outback sky. At Earth Sanctuary, your kids will be amazed as they peek through telescopes up at the vibrant Milky Way. Guides will help you navigate the sky with practices that have been used for thousands of years. As an added bonus, Earth Sanctuary is 100% carbon neutral.
Meet cuddly kangaroo joeys
The Kangaroo Sanctuary, Alice Springs, Northern Territory © Tourism NT/Matt Glastonbury
Where: Colonel Rose Dr, Kilgariff
Just outside of Alice Springs lies a truly unforgettable animal experience. At the Kangaroo Sanctuary, children seven years and older can interact with an icon of the outback – the red kangaroo. Kangaroos big and small roam the 188-acre (76-hectare) reserve, and wake up from their daily sleep just in time for your sunset tour. Be sure to book in advance.
Ride on the back of a camel
Pyndan Camel Tracks, Alice Springs, Northern Territory © Tourism NT
Where: 2/15 Jane Rd, White Gums
For a unique desert experience the whole family will love, book an afternoon or sunset tour with Pyndan Camel Tracks. The kids can get to know their camel before trekking through the red dirt on camel back. And from that height, even the littlest ones will have the chance to spot hopping kangaroos and amazing views.
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Day trips around Alice Springs
Learn about the Royal Flying Doctor Service
RFDS Alice Springs Tourist Facility, Alice Springs, Northern Territory © Tourism NT/Shaana McNaught
Where: 8/10 Stuart Terrace, Alice Springs
The Royal Flying Doctor Service – a service that provides medical care to remote regions – is a fascinating part of Australian history. At the Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility, you’ll find virtual reality, interactive games and even holograms to teach you some amazing stories. Then, climb into a replica aircraft to see what it’s like being a patient at 15,000 feet.
Get behind the wheel of history
National Road Transport Hall of Fame, Alice Springs, Northern Territory © Tourism NT/Chris Tangey
Where: 92 Norris Bell Drive, Alice Springs
If your kids play with firetrucks and trains, they’ll no doubt be impressed by the full-scale vehicles at the National Road Transport Hall of Fame. You can climb behind the wheel of old fire engines, see some of Australia’s first road trains and even enjoy sculptures made of old car parts. It’s a one-of-a-kind museum that all ages can enjoy.
