9 minute read
DESTINATION ALICE SPRINGS : A TOWN LIKE ALICE
A town like Alice
Alice Springs is a unique desert oasis in Central Australia that combines natural beauty, cultural immersion and friendly locals who are ready to welcome guests, writes Gavin Dennett
There is nowhere else quite like Alice Springs. Located in Central Australia, in the Northern Territory, 1500km south of Darwin, and roughly the same distance north of Adelaide, it’s an isolated city that serves as a desert oasis sandwiched between the stunning parallel ridges of MacDonnell Ranges.
Home to sprawling desert landscapes, spectacular flora and fauna, and sunsets that shimmer off the ranges, Alice Springs is a natural wonder that showcases the best of outback life. While summers can be stifling hot, when Spice visits on the back of a rare week of rain, the surrounds are green and lush, and Todd River is flowing – by all accounts, an unusual occurrence.
Beyond the gorgeous outback plains, picturesque horizons and culturally diverse population, upon arrival visitors are met with friendly, welcoming locals who are proud of their spot on the map and are eager to share their love for it.
As a region for business events, group travel and incentives, Alice Springs offers fantastic venues and attractions, ranging from the practical and economical, to astonishing and spectacular. Its events and tourism industry works in unison, boasting an Alice Springs-first mentality to showcase a part of the world far removed from Australia’s populous east coast.
However, despite its welcoming vibe, connection to First Nations peoples and spectacular natural beauty, Alice Springs has an image problem. Recent curfews as part of Operation Ludlow, youth crime and problems stemming from impoverished communities and alcohol have caused local tensions, leading to social unrest and spikes in antisocial behaviour.
Instead of pretending the issues don’t exist, local authorities and tourist bodies are facing the situation head on, addressing concerns out-of-towners might have about visiting Central Australia or bringing delegates to town for events, through open communication and myth-busting sessions.
Having now visited Alice Springs and experiencing it first-hand, my lesson is don’t believe everything you read. Australia’s mainstream media has painted a picture of a lawless town to rival some of the most dangerous cities in the world. This simply isn’t the case.
Coordinating conferences around events might be a good idea because you’ve got a lot of people in town and other activations.
While the cultural melting pot does create tensions that are complex in nature and have led to spikes in targeted violence – and it’s advisable to probably not venture out on the streets in town after dark – normal precautionary behaviour should apply.
For groups visiting and staying in Alice Springs, safety shouldn’t be a concern, as Commander James Gray-Spence from Northern Territory Police’s Southern Command tells Spice
“I’ve been in Alice Springs since 2022, and set up Operation Adrena, which has involved a surge of high-visibility police officers taking back the CBD through patrolling and community policing, and engagement with businesses,” he says.
“Operation Adrena was successful … with a raft of changes to policy and funding for Northern Territory police. We got broad alcohol bans reinstated, meaning alcoholprotected areas came back in until 2027 to give people a chance to get alcohol management plans in place for different communities across Northern Territory.
“Overall, we have seen reductions in offences because alcohol isn’t frequently available, although domestic violence reports are an issue.
The property crime during summer [20242025] was a challenge for us, which all regional centres in Australia experience, policing-wise.”
Alice Springs has peaks in visitor numbers throughout the year, based on the seasons and large events happening in and around town. Gray-Spence’s advice is to time business events around busy periods when policing is at its peak and more is happening, such as the Parrtjima light festival in April.
“Coordinating conferences around those events might be a good idea because you’ve got a lot of people in town and other activations so there will be dedicated frontline police operations,” he says.
“We are very keen to work with event organisers to know when and where your events are held, and offer guidance in terms of police resources. I’m always open to hearing from people planning a conference here, and I encourage people to reach out.
“Like anywhere, visitors need to be situationally aware in public places. Don’t go to strange places alone or be flashing money around. Generally, you are not exposed to antisocial behaviour in Alice Springs any more than at other places around the world.
“We have low levels of violent crime, but high levels of interpersonal assaults that are entrenched in certain demographics, of which a majority is alcohol and domestic violence related. While this isn’t good, it is highly unlikely you’re going to be in a public place and be accosted or assaulted.”
Despite social issues that lurk beneath the surface and can boil over, Alice Springs is an outstanding, safe destination for events that will leave delegates richly rewarded and connected to Indigenous culture and the outback spirit.
The Old Quarry
Featuring spectacular limestone rockfaces that dazzle at sunset, The Old Quarry is a magnificent outback destination for open-air dinners, desert experiences and memorable Northern Territory hospitality. Boasting spectacular views across MacDonnell Ranges, this event and performance venue is an authentic piece of Central Australia that lives long in the memory.
Alice Springs Desert Park
Just 7km from the centre of Alice Springs, at the base of West MacDonnell Ranges, this 1300-hectare site presents and interprets the Australian desert environment and its inhabitants, while contributing to the conservation of Australia’s desert flora and fauna.
Alice Springs Desert Park is closely connected to the local Arrernte people, and visitors can experience desert life, including guide presentations, flying bird shows and nocturnal tours. The site is available for indoor and outdoor events such as cocktail gatherings among Australian wildlife at Nocturnal House; outback dinners under the stars at Sand Country; and conference events in Madigan’s Function Room, overlooking MacDonnell Ranges.
Earth Sanctuary
A family-run operation located 15 minutes from the centre of town, Earth Sanctuary is the product of rich dedication to outback life. The Falzon family’s dream is manifested in a welcoming and sustainable business on 100 acres that merges ecology, culture and astronomy to create a unique tourism experience.
Visitors can experience native wilderness by staying in fully functioning eco-domes or sleeping under the stars, while learning about the earth below and sky above.
Brothers Ben, Dan and Tom Falzon are well known from TV shows Outback Paramedic and Outback Brothers, and their infectious enthusiasm for the land and wealth of knowledge is well suited for incentive groups.
Alice Springs Telegraph Station
Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve is a well-preserved historic site. The Telegraph Station was established in 1871, serving as a pivotal link along Australia’s Overland Telegraph Line, connecting Darwin and Adelaide. It bridged Australia’s population centres and connected the continent to the broader telegraph network of the British Empire.
The Telegraph Station’s team shares a love for history, and the locale is a memorable setting for group visits and dinner among the trees, with offsite caterers welcome.
Standley Chasm
Known traditionally as Angkerle Atwatye, the spectacular Standley Chasm is an important cultural site for Indigenous peoples. Located in a private flora and fauna reserve surrounded by West MacDonnell National Park, it is owned and operated by the local Arrernte community.
The chasm is a spectacular geological formation with 80-metre sheer rockfaces split by a natural creek bed, which is flowing with water when Spice visits – a not-too-common occurrence. Visitors can walk to the site along a 1.2km trail and experience cultural presentations on the significance of the wondrous precinct.
Desert Knowledge Precinct
Desert Knowledge Australia is a statutory arm of the Northern Territory Government, established in 2003 to manage Desert Knowledge Precinct, a 73-hectare area of bushland, office buildings, event venues, a cafe, and a business and social impact community south of Alice Springs.
Its Business and Innovation Centre features meeting rooms and conference spaces for hire, as well as office space and hot desks.
Araluen Arts Centre
Housing 1100 artworks that reflect the vitality of Central Australia, Araluen Arts Centre also has rooms for hire than can be used for private events, small-scale productions, conferences, meetings and workshops.
Its Araluen Theatre seats 487 people and is a popular auditorium for conferences and events, with its stage regularly used for hosted breakfasts.
Purple House
A rewarding experience as an incentive venue, Purple House is an Indigenous owned and run health organisation that is helping deliver services to the local population, particularly mobile dialysis units. At this facility, groups can learn about the charitable organisation and experience demonstrations on creating healing bush balms.
Alice Springs Convention Centre
Alice Springs Convention Centre caters for small meetings of 10 people through to conferences of 1200 delegates and exhibitions up to 3000 visitors. Its conference rooms can be configured for different events, exhibitions and workshops.
The largest conference space, the MacDonnell Room, spans 42 metres by 28 metres and is supported by the smaller Ellery Room – for up to 450 guests – two boardrooms, plus breakout spaces. The entire centre can also be booked, including outdoor courtyards and the foyer.
Accommodation
Located next door to Alice Springs Convention Centre, Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters by IHG is a 205-room hotel featuring three restaurants – Tali, Juicy Rump steakhouse and Splash Poolside Cafe – and a massive fitness centre and pool.
It features a pool, tennis courts, two restaurants and a friendly resident peacock.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs is a few hundred metres down the road, on the banks of Todd River, and also offers convenience to the convention centre, while being walking distance to the centre of town. With 228 guest rooms, five dedicated events spaces, including the Grand Ballroom for up to 400 guests, a pool, tennis courts, two restaurants and a friendly resident peacock, it’s well suited for large groups staying onsite, doing business and getting about town.
