One of Australia’s most remote locations surrounded by harsh red desert, Alice Springs is a ruggedly beautiful town with a vibrant Aboriginal culture, and is a fantastic base for exploring Central Australia.

Though the town is small, there are still plenty of unique attractions for tourists to experience, and as such, we highly recommend spending at least 48 hours here before heading out on your Outback adventure.

The following are itinerary suggestions for how to make the most out of 48 hours in Alice Springs.

Day 1: An Introduction to Alice Springs

Take a walking tour of the city for an introduction to Alice Springs.

Alice Springs.

While making the following stops, visit the Tourist Information Centre in the middle of town to plan out and schedule any additional days you would like to spend on the Larapinta Trail or the Outback.

Stop 1: Page 27 Café:

3 Fan Arcade.

Make a breakfast stop at this fantastic café.

Fantastic food at affordable prices – the cafe is surprisingly trendy for being located in an Outback Australian town.

Stop 2: Alice Springs School of the Air Visitors Center:

80 Head Street.

A fabulous visitor’s center dedicated to presenting an overview of the wonderful organization that is School of the Air. The School of the Air is a great story of providing quality education in a remote and difficult setting.

See classes in action and kids learning via computers, cameras and satellite.

Stop 3: Aboriginal Australia Culture Center:

86 Todd Street.

Learn to play a didgeridoo, throw a spear or boomerang and get a real feel for the Aboriginal culture and music at this fascinating gallery.

Stop 4: Stuart Town Gaol.

Built in 1908 this is the oldest building left in downtown Alice Springs. Though it stopped operating as a gaol in 1938, the building remains well maintained.

Stop 5: Old Ghan Museum:

Norris Bell Avenue.

This is a specialty museum which describes the history of the legendary Ghan Railroad of Australia and offers a fascinating insight into the old railway.

The Old Ghan Museum.

Train buffs especially will love it here.

Day 2: Outback Wildlife.

Spend a day getting up close and personal with some of Australia’s most iconic native wildlife.

Morning: Alice Springs Reptile Centre:

9 Stuart Terrace, Alice Springs

This is a huge reptile display, featuring over 30 species of different native Australian wildlife, and offers visitors a chance to feed and get up close to many of them.

Afternoon: The Kangaroo Sanctuary

An incredibly informative and non commercial wildlife sanctuary, this is a private sanctuary where you will take a tour through the natural habitat of Kangaroos and interact with the fragile and delicate baby Joey’s.

Kangaroos in their natural environment.

This is a fantastic experience which you will remember for a lifetime – bookings are a must.

Where to Stay:

Desert Palms Resort: 74 Barrett Dr, Alice Springs  (08) 8952 5977

Amazing value for money – rooms are spacious, most include a kitchenette and laundry facilities, and onsite parking means the ability to park directly outside your door.

Brilliantly located close to the Todd River, you are only a 10 minute walk into downtown, and with a beautiful spacious pool with free wifi.

 About Megan Claire

Megan is an Australian Journalist who has been travelling and blogging around the world for the last 7 years to inspire others to embark on their own worldwide adventure!  Her husband Mike is an American travel photographer, and together they have made the world their home.

Follow their journey on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.