Explore the vibrant heart of Australia’s Red Centre

Here’s something you may not know about Alice Springs: this desert township in the heart of the country knows how to throw one hell of a party. Take Parrtjima: A Festival in Light, the event that literally sets the desert nights aglow.

A milestone of light

Marking its 10th birthday this year, Parrtjima is a celebration of culture, art and technology. As ever, this year’s festival — taking place from April 4 to 13 — will include magnificently illuminated lightworks, as well as speakers, workshops and live music. This year’s theme is Timelessness, focusing on the way that music, song and storytelling allow generations to connect.

Parrtjima is a symphony of light and culture.

The big decision is exactly when to come. Fly in for opening weekend and you can enjoy a welcome ceremony and Troy Cassar-Daley performing live, as well as a spot of shopping at the Blak Market.

Come towards the end of the festival and you can catch a Parrtjima first — a performance by the Darwin Symphony Orchestra, joined in an al fresco concert by Desert Divas Catherine Satour, Casii Williams and Bronwyn Stuart. The swelling sounds of a 65-person orchestra drifting through this vast landscape promises an evening to remember.

FabAlice brings the glitz and glamour

Can’t wait that long for a dose of desert fun? A real glitter-bomb of a festival is taking place in the last week of March. FabAlice is a glitzy, fun, family friendly event with a program packed with drag, cabaret, burlesque and stand-up comedy performances.

FabAlice provides a dazzling array of entertainment.

Sing along at an interactive screening of everyone’s favourite 1994 drag road film, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, or try your luck at drag queen bingo. Fancy adding a bit of flair to your own look? Then the look and learn drag make-up workshop is for you. This deep dive into drag-queen glamour is more than just a crash course on contouring and fake eyelashes. You will also get insights into how to transform op-shop finds into fabulous outfits and how to work a wig.

Art for every taste

The festive vibe keeps rolling right through winter. Heading towards its 30th year, the Alice Springs Beanie Festival is a true one-of-a-kind. Between June 20 and 23, visitors will be able to choose their perfect head-warmer from among 7000 unique beanies knitted by a broad range of artists, including Aboriginal artists in remote communities.

Textile lovers will love the crochet and textile workshops, but the real joy of this festival is the coming together of women from some of our most far-flung communities. The chance to swap stories with people from all over the country is at the heart of the Beanie Festival.

Indigenous creatives will also be in the spotlight in September when one of Australia’s oldest Aboriginal art festivals takes place. Showcasing both emerging and established artists, Desert Mob is a lot more than just an exhibition. With studio visits, art workshops, concerts and curator talks, it is a chance to immerse yourself in the world of Indigenous art.

If you love Aboriginal art, there’s always something to see in Alice Springs. A trip to the sprawling Araluen Arts Centre is essential: you never know what you will find in its exhibition spaces and museums. Another must-see is the Tjanpi Desert Weavers Gallery, which focuses on artists who use Tjanpi — the golden grass that springs up in tufts right across the desert — to create sculptures and artworks. More than 400 women from 26 desert communities showcase their work here.

Alice and beyond

While you are here, don’t miss the opportunity to explore some of the area’s natural wonders. Hidden away in the nearby Tjoritja / West MacDonnell ranges — better-known to locals as the West Macs — are waterholes that offer the chance to take the plunge all year round. Look for flocks of wild budgerigars wheeling around swim spots such as Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge, lined with white-trunked ghost gums, where the water can get up to 14 metres deep after a heavy rain.

In the West MacDonnell ranges, Ormiston Gorge is a great place for a dip and swim.

Don’t miss Angkerle Atwatye Standley Chasm, a place that is sacred to the local Arrente people. A pleasant walk along a bush trail takes you to this dramatic gorge squeezed between walls that rise 80 metres into the air. It is memorable at any time of day but particularly at midday, when the sun sitting directly overhead gives the rocky walls a warm red glow.

Alice Springs is more than just a place - it’s a feeling, a connection, and a story waiting to be told. From the glow of Parrtjima to the sparkle of FabAlice and the rich traditions of Desert Mob, this vibrant town is alive with culture, creativity, and unforgettable moments. Whether you visit for an event or to experience its timeless landscapes, you’ll find yourself falling in love with Alice. Discover the region through the eyes of those who love it most in Love Letters to Alice Springs. Discover Australia’s heart at northernterritory.com/love-to-alice.