Camping near Alice Springs

Australia’s most remote town is the gateway to the Red Centre.

100% (68 reviews)
100% (68 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Alice Springs

Top campgrounds near alice springs

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Swag Inn

4 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Ross, NT
Our backyard campsite is only 9 km from the centre of Alice Springs. Its located in a rural/urban setting. Alice Springs is as famous for the personality of its locals and contemporary and traditional art as the natural wonders, including the stunning Larapinta Trail and the MacDonnell Ranges, which surround it. The Swag Inn camping spot has access to an outdoor shower and toilet and laundry sink. Enjoy the view of the ranges and the amazing stars in the desert night sky from your campsite. Listen to the bird calls and enjoy the peace. Campers are welcome to enjoy the BBQ Firepit and firewood, within local restrictions. Around town, there are numerous sites of historical significance to the region’s settler history, including the Old Telegraph Station Reserve, which marks the town’s important role as the mid-point of the 19th-century telegraph line running from Adelaide to Darwin. There are great places to eat and drink, with great views.
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
Cooking equipment
from 
AU$45
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping near Alice Springs guide

Overview

More than 1,500km from Darwin and Adelaide at the heart of central Australia, you can’t get more remote than the Northern Territory town of Alice Springs. Whether you’re taking an epic road trip along the Stuart Highway or flying in to check off the highlights, Alice Springs is the gateway to some of the country’s most memorable natural wonders, Aboriginal heritage sites, and national parks. Campers can enjoy bush camping, sleep in a swag beneath the outback stars, or check into a holiday park or caravan park with amenities such as a camp kitchen, kiosk, and swimming pool.

Where to go

Uluru

The iconic red-rock monolith of Uluru or Ayers Rock is the headline act of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, and adventurers can also admire Aboriginal rock art on a base walk, ride a camel through the desert, and explore the red rock domes of Kata Tjuta or “The Olgas.” There’s no camping in the national park, but you’ll find a choice of campsites in neighbouring Ayer’s Rock and Yulara.

West MacDonnell Ranges

The rugged peaks of the MacDonnell Ranges stretch both west and east of Alice Springs, affording plenty of options for bushwalkers and campers. The towering cliffs of Simpsons Gap, the natural waterholes of Ormiston Gorge, and the remote Redbank Gorge are among the highlights of Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park. The park’s three camping areas have a mix of tent and caravan sites.

East MacDonnell Ranges

East of Alice Springs, the road to Trephina Gorge Nature Park is accessible for 2WD campervans and motorhomes, but beyond this, you’ll need a 4WD. Less visited than the western ranges, intrepid campers can venture out to hike through Ruby’s Gap, admire prehistoric rock carvings at N’Dhala Gorge Nature Park, and camp at a remote homestead or bush campground.

When to go

Central Australian summers can be scorching, with daytime temperatures often reaching 40°C. Fall through spring (March to November) provides more pleasant weather for hiking and camping. Annual events such as the Parrtjima light festival (April) and Finke Desert Race (June) pull in the crowds, while August and September bring desert wildflowers. Winter days are typically sunny, but nights can be cold, so wrap up warm if you’re camping.

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