Located halfway between Adelaide and Darwin, and surrounded by beautiful desert landscapes, Alice Springs is the quintessential Australian outback town.
Known as Mparntwe by its Traditional Owners, the Arrernte people, Alice Springs is an awesome place to live, work and study. Here are 10 reasons why!
1. Nature and wildlife
Alice Springs sits right on the doorstep of some of Australia’s most significant national parks and World Heritage-listed sites, including Kakadu National Park, Finke Gorge National Park, and both the East and West MacDonnell Ranges.
These areas are incredibly diverse, with rocky cliffs, swimming holes, arid plants and, of course, iconic Australian wildlife like kangaroos, wallabies, dingoes and lizards.
2. Arts and Culture
Arts and culture run deep in Alice Springs. In fact, there are petroglyphs (rock carvings) at N’Dhala Gorge that are up to 10,000 years old. If you’re interested in a more contemporary art experience, Alice Springs is home to amazing galleries and artist-run spaces like the Araluen Arts Centre and Watch This Space.
Alice Springs also hosts some of the country’s most unique and spectacular festivals, like Parrtjima and Wide Open Space Festival. There is always something happening in Alice Springs, and so many festivals and events to discover!
3. Work opportunities
Alice Springs is the perfect place to advance your career, with a range of opportunities across many industries and skill levels.
The Northern Territory Government maintains an annually updated list of in-demand jobs, known as the Northern Territory skilled occupation priority list (NTSOPL). This list is a great starting point when it comes to looking for jobs in Alice Springs.
Working in one of these jobs offers even more benefits if you’re on the hunt for permanent Alice Springs accommodation. This is because the Northern Territory Government offers generous rental subsidy schemes to people working in these key industries.
4. Road trips
Road trips are a fantastic way to take in all the scenery of a stunning place like the Northern Territory, and Alice Springs is a great place to begin your journey!
You could try one of the more established routes, like the Alice Springs explorer, Alice Springs to Darwin or Red Centre Way. There are lots of handy resources out there to help you plan, like the NT Drive Guide, and before you set out, remember to make sure you have all of the information you need to travel safely.
5. Tight-knit community
Alice Springs is a diverse, multicultural and young city with a median age of 37.
The remoteness of Alice Springs is what gives it such vibrancy. You don’t have the long waits in traffic or big queues of a busy city, but at the same time, Alice is the unofficial gateway to Australia’s outback. This means a steady flow of people and workers gives the place its own unique energy.
6. Food and drink
If you think great dining experiences are only for big cities, think again! Alice Springs has you absolutely covered for delicious food and drink, no matter what you’re craving.
From local cafes like Page 27 and modern fine dining restaurants like Tali, to the easy-drinking craft beers of Alice Springs Brewing Co, you won’t have to look far for great food and drink in Alice Springs.
7. Activities and events
Alice Springs Town Council organises all types of community events, including Big Day Out in Harmony, Night Markets and the Todd Mall Markets.
If you just want to kick back and relax with a film under the air conditioner, don’t forget you can head to the Alice Springs Cinema, seven days a week!
8. Unique study opportunities
There are plenty of options when it comes to studying in Alice Springs, including Charles Darwin University’s Alice Springs campus, two Flinders University campuses and Alice Springs College of Australia.
Alice Springs is considered a regional destination for migration purposes, and students who study in regional destinations are eligible for certain migration perks. Another benefit of studying in a regional area is that you become eligible for skilled migration visas.
Check out the Australian Government’s regional migration programs here so you can make the most out of studying in Alice Springs.
9. History and heritage
The culture and history of the Traditional Owners of Alice Springs, the Arrernte people, are celebrated throughout the town. You can learn more about the important Aboriginal culture around Alice Springs at places like the Araluen Cultural Precinct.
The modern history of Alice Springs – including the construction of the famous Overland Telegraph line between Adelaide and Darwin – can be seen throughout the town’s many preserved historic outposts.
10. Lots of sunshine
The beautiful arid plants and unique wildlife in Alice Springs absolutely thrive thanks to the sunshine, warm climate and Alice Springs weather.
While summer in Alice Springs can reach up to 40°C, autumn brings with it the perfect balance of warm days and cool nights. July is the coldest month of the year, but it’s not long before spring sets in and the days start warming up again. This is also the best time of year to witness some of those famous Alice Springs thunderstorms!
