Northern Territory · Attraction
Alice Springs Desert Park
Desert wildlife in stunning detail
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Spread across 1,300 hectares on the western edge of town, Alice Springs Desert Park brings together the plants, animals and landscapes of Central Australia's three great desert habitats. Nocturnal houses, open-air aviaries and guided ranger talks give visitors an immersive look at animals that are rarely spotted in the wild, from bilbies and thorny devils to wedge-tailed eagles.
The park is owned and operated by the Northern Territory Government and sits just seven kilometres from the Alice Springs town centre, making it an easy half-day or full-day outing. Three distinct habitat zones, sand country, woodland and desert rivers, are linked by a 1.6-kilometre path that guides visitors through changing landscapes at their own pace.
The free-flight bird show is the centrepiece of the daily program, running in the afternoon when temperatures allow birds of prey to fly overhead in an open-air theatre backed by the MacDonnell Ranges. Seasonal ranger-led tours add cultural context from Arrernte traditional owners.
The nocturnal house is a particular highlight, using reversed lighting to allow visitors to watch bilbies, mala and other night-active species going about their natural behaviour in simulated darkness. Children are consistently engaged, making this one of the most family-friendly stops in Central Australia.
Scenic views
