You can do no better than invest in a swag … and head off bush. However, if you really must sleep indoors, you could try the following.
Hotels and resorts
The ka-ching of poker machines and buzz of a casino is not for everyone. But the rooms here are well appointed, service is consistent and there are a number of bars and restaurants. Its location gives terrific views of the
MacDonnell Ranges and
Heavitree Gap, and the
Juicy Rump is a great place to relax on a lazy afternoon. On a hot day there is a delightful swimming pool and for golfers it's only a short chip to the award-winning
Alice Springs golf course.
Of a similar standard to
Lasseters Hotel-Casino, the
Crowne Plaza offers clean, comfortable rooms, and good service. Home to the ever-popular
Hanuman's Thai restaurant, there is also a lively cocktail bar where locals can be spotted catching up with friends on a Friday afternoon. Or relax around the heated swimming pool, which can be viewed from many of the rooms. There is a gymnasium, spa and sauna and two tennis courts. Also close to the golf course.
Formerly a
Voyages property, rooms here are perhaps a star-sliver below those at
Lasseters or the
Crowne Plaza, but it would be a close call. The best feature of the
Alice Springs resort is its palm-fringed pool and bar area, reminiscent of an island getaway and a popular spot to relax in the summer (note: the bar is
in the pool). It is also slightly closer to town than Lasseters or the Crowne Plaza and is just a short walk to the CBD, restaurants and cafes. Mind you, there is a pretty fine restaurant and bar in house.
Bed and breakfasts
Unique, rammed-earth construction gives this comfortable getaway an old worldly feel. Set in old Eastside in
Alice Springs, and behind the main house on the property, it is a short walk to the centre of town for shops and restaurants. There is a self-contained kitchenette, paved outdoor area and barbecue, saltwater swimming pool and views of the
MacDonnell Ranges.
Family-style accommodation in a residential area in
Alice Springs' east. Air cooled for summer and with a combustion wood heater for winter,
Kathy's Place offers two guest rooms, access to lounge and family rooms, tea and coffee making, swimming pool , tour bookings and advice, as well as, of course, breakfast.
Quality finishings in a fully self-contained villa about 5km north of the
Alice Springs CBD make this a luxury choice. It has a 4.5-star bed and breakfast rating with AAA tourism, the bedroom opens onto the pool (with spa) and barbecue and the operator has a liquor licence.
Backpackers
Right in the heart of the CBD, the
Alice Springs YHA hostel is in the old town movie theatre, complete with a big outdoor movie screen onto which films are projected nightly under the stars. Rooms are air-conditioned, there is a barbecue, swimming pool, internet access and tour desk. Rooms are four-share and multi-share (slightly cheaper).
A funky retreat with a reputation for upbeat fun, groovy tunes and cheap eats. The lounge bar area has been recently renovated, there is a clean communal kitchen, good laundry facilities, a modest pool and internet access. Rooms range from singles to 10-bed dorms. During the day there are classic movies, BBC World News and music clips. A good place to relax, close to town and the
Royal Flying Doctors.
Clean, fun and relaxing, with a party atmosphere,
Toddy's has a great bar and live music most nights of the week from 8pm. Family owned and operated,
Toddy's has been offering rooms for more than 30 years. The jugs of beer are cheap and there are blackboard specials on the bar menu every night. Accommodation ranges from rooms and family rooms to share rooms and dorms up to eight beds (both mixed and male or female) and there is a terrific pool.
Stations and out of town
There are many great spots to stay not far from Alice Springs, too many to include here. All have their own attractions. Here are just three to get you started. If these aren't enough and you want some more, try these links to: Ross River Resort, Jim's Place, Old Ambalindum Homestead and Aileron Roadhouse.
Get a taste of the Australian outback at
Tilmouth Well, on a large working cattle station about two hours north-west of
Alice Springs on the Tanami Highway. This welcome sight on the northwest route out of the town is part of
Napperby Station, which has been owned and operated by the Chisholm family since 1948. Roy and Janet Chisholm began building Tilmouth Well in 1991. It offers fuel and tyre repair, clean rooms, a bar and a restaurant serving good value meals. There is also a pool and barbecue, the cabins are air-conditioned and there is a camping area.
Ooraminna is renowned around Alice Springs for its ability to run fabulous major events and as the place where
Ted Egan had a film set built in his bid to make
The Drover's Boy (it was never made). But its bush setting, proximity to town (about 30 minutes drive along a dirt road or transfers are available) and spectacular sunsets make
Ooraminna the ideal getaway spot.
It offers comfortable, settler-style bush cabins and huts, tours and country-style dinners and breakfasts. Pioneers William and Mary Hayes arrived in the area in 1884 equipped with steel poles to replace the original wooden ones on the Overland Telegraph line. They set up the station, which is now — six generations later — owned by the ever friendly and hospitable Bill and Jan Hayes, who operate Deep Well Station, within which lies Ooraminna Homestead.
An easy 90-minutes drive west of Alice Springs and set among the
West MacDonnell Ranges near
Mt Sonder is
Glen Helen Resort, reportedly once a favourite meeting place for the Aboriginal people from the West and Central MacDonnell ranges. It lies near the end of the renowned
Larapinta Trail and is a top spot to relax after a long walk. The homestead itself is set above the
Finke River at the base of a spectacular red cliff that glows deep purple in the moonlight.
The ancient Finke River winds past the Homestead to the Glen Helen Gorge where there is a waterhole, great for a dip on a hot day, and where you might spot black-footed rock wallabies round sunset. Relax with a cold beer by the bar (a little pricey) or out on the verandah, or in winter cosy up by the open fireplace. During the tourist season (April to October) Glen Helen provides live entertainment five nights a week. Book ahead for the Namatjira Gallery and Restaurant. Rooms are rustic with basic ensuite, but the beds are comfortable, bunk rooms are available, the views are to die for and there are plenty of camping sites.
Caravan parks and camping
Strictly speaking this is a 3.5-star motel with a pool. But it also has some of the best caravan sites and camping spots on offer around
Alice Springs. The lodge itself has double and single bedrooms, some with kitchenette, and dorms. But it's the location itself which makes this property unique; just south of the town and nestled into the quartz slopes of the
Heavitree Range behind.
And the facilities - well-treed and home to countless black-footed rock wallabies, the caravan and camping area has 90 powered sites and 1.2 shady hectares of unpowered sites. As well there is the Heavitree Gap Tavern and Bistro, where you can get great food and entertainment Wednesday to Sunday nights during the tourist season. It has a lively outback pub feel and is family friendly.
About 4.5km south of
Alice Springs is the most awarded holiday Park in the NT, the
Macdonnell Range Holiday Park. Famous for its pancake breakfast on Sundays, it offers villas, ensuite cabins, caravan sites and camping, all with a 4.5-star rating from AAAT. There are full amenities, recreation rooms, TV room, adventure playgrounds, go carts, bike hire and two swimming pools as well as coin-operated barbecues. There is also a minimart for souvenirs and supplies, wireless internet service, a central dump point, washing machines and dryers, fuel and tour booking service.
On the north side of town, about 4km out on the
Stuart Highway heading to
Darwin is the
Wintersun Cabin and Caravan Park. This neat and grassy park offers two-bedroom ensuite cabins, studios, powered and unpowered caravan and camping sites. There is a pool, luggage storage, laundry and washing, barbecues, camp kitchen, shaded eating area, all amenities and a handy nearby mini shopping centre.
How would you rate these hotels? Know any other places to stay? Have your say using the comments form below.
Next: Awesome links
Home