Updated in October 2026, this Alice Springs Desert Park guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
Alice Springs Desert Park is a desert wildlife and botanic park on Larapinta Drive, seven kilometres west of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. Easy walking trails lead through three desert habitats, a Nocturnal House and a free-flying bird show. You can book through Viator before you travel. As of October 2026, adult day entry costs $41.50, not the $37 in older guides. The Nocturnal Tour runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday, not every weekday as older guides state.
Quick facts for Alice Springs Desert Park
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Larapinta Drive, Alice Springs, Northern Territory 0870 |
| Opening hours | Daily 7:30 to 18:00. Last entry 16:30. Closed Christmas Day |
| Nocturnal House | Daily 9:00 to 17:30 |
| Adult day entry | $41.50 |
| Nocturnal Tour (adult) | $42 |
| Distance | 7 km from the centre of Alice Springs |
| Typical visit | 3 to 4 hours |
Why book Alice Springs Desert Park tickets?
- 🦅 A free-flying bird show: Birds of prey soar over the amphitheatre at the foot of the MacDonnell Ranges.
- 🌙 The Nocturnal House: Day becomes night in an air-conditioned space for rare and endangered desert animals.
- 🏜️ Three desert habitats: Desert Rivers, Woodland and Sand Country connect on easy walking trails.
- 🪃 Aboriginal guides: Presentations show how Aboriginal people find food and medicine in the desert.
- 🔦 An evening Nocturnal Tour: You spotlight bilbies, echidnas and mala in a predator-proof enclosure.
Ticket prices for Alice Springs Desert Park – and how to book
All prices are in Australian dollars and are valid to 31 March 2027. You can pre-book or buy day entry tickets on arrival.
| Day entry ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $41.50 |
| Child (5 to 16) | $21 |
| Child under 5 | Free |
| Student or concession (full-time student, concession, Health Care and disability concession card holders) | $29 |
| Australian seniors (Seniors Card holders) | $33.50 |
| Family saver 1 (1 adult and up to 2 children aged 5 to 16) | $70.50 |
| Family saver 2 (2 adults and 1 child aged 5 to 16) | $94.50 |
| Family saver 3 (2 adults and up to 4 children aged 5 to 16) | $111.50 |
| Nocturnal Tour ticket (bookings essential) | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $42 |
| Child (5 to 16) | $21 |
| Child under 5 | Free |
| Student or concession | $29 |
| Australian seniors | $33 |
| Family saver 1 (1 adult and up to 2 children) | $69 |
| Family saver 2 (2 adults and 1 child) | $85 |
| Family saver 3 (2 adults and up to 4 children) | $125 |
The Thorny Devil experience costs $25 per person on top of admission. Book it at the entry station or online. A day and night pass combines day entry with the Nocturnal Tour, and both are used within seven days of purchase. Carers of visitors with a disability enter free with a Companion Card, a disability pension card or a child disability allowance Health Care Card.
You can book through Viator for day entry.
Opening hours for Alice Springs Desert Park
The park opens every day from 7:30 to 18:00, with last entry at 16:30. It closes only on Christmas Day. Weekday and weekend hours are the same.
| Item | Time |
|---|---|
| Park opening hours | Daily 7:30 to 18:00. Last entry 16:30 |
| Nocturnal House | Daily 9:00 to 17:30 |
| Nature Theatre bird show | 10:30 daily, plus 15:00 from 1 March to 31 October |
| Thorny Devil experience | 12:45 daily |
| Nocturnal Tour | Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 19:30 from April to October, and 20:00 from November to March |
Nature Theatre gates open 15 minutes before each show. They close at show time and do not reopen. The Nocturnal Tour takes about one hour.
How to get to Alice Springs Desert Park
By car, drive west on Larapinta Drive from the town centre for 6 kilometres to the entrance. By bus, take route 400 to Albrecht Drive, then walk 20 to 25 minutes. By bike or on foot, a shared path starts at Blain Street off Larapinta Drive and covers 2.8 kilometres. By transfer, a daily return service runs with Alice Wanderer, and taxis and day tours also go to the park.
Parking at Alice Springs Desert Park
Parking is free for cars and coaches. Accessible parking bays are in the car park.
How long to spend at Alice Springs Desert Park
Allow three to four hours as a minimum. The 1.6-kilometre trail connects three habitats, and the daily presentations add time. Open at 7:30 to beat the heat, and use the Nocturnal House as a cool break.
Accessibility at Alice Springs Desert Park
The pathway system is easy to follow, with full access for wheelchairs. A small collection of wheelchairs is available for free hire. Electric shop riders can be hired from the entry station. Accessible parking bays are in the car park.
Accessible toilets are at the Courtyard, Desert Rivers, Nocturnal House and Amphitheatre. Free entry is available for carers and companions with eligible cards.
What to see at Alice Springs Desert Park
Desert Rivers. A walk along a dry river bed shows why river red gums are so important to animals. Demonstrations explain how Aboriginal people harvest food and medicine here.
Woodland. This habitat shows the plants and animals of the desert woodland. It is one of three walk-through habitats on the trail.
Sand Country. This habitat shows the sand country of Central Australia. You learn how plants and animals adapt to a dry environment.
The Nocturnal House. Day becomes night in an air-conditioned space with rare and endangered desert animals. It is home to Central Australian reptiles, invertebrates, birds and mammals.
The Nature Theatre. Free-flying birds of prey demonstrate hunting and foraging skills in the amphitheatre. The show varies daily, with no guarantee of species.
Dingoes and kangaroos. Presentations show dingo behaviour and the life of kangaroos. You also learn about desert survival and plant medicine.
The aviaries. Desert birds are shown in aviaries along the trails. They show how birds fit into the web of life.
The Changing Heart movie. A big-screen film takes a cinematic journey through four and a half billion years of desert creation.
The Thorny Devil experience. An expert reptile keeper leads a private close-up viewing of thorny devils. It costs $25 per person.
Practical visitor tips for Alice Springs Desert Park
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book ahead | You can buy on arrival, but book tickets in advance to plan your day. |
| Arrive early | The park opens at 7:30, and mornings are cooler. |
| Be seated for the bird show | Gates close at show time and do not reopen. Arrive 15 minutes early. |
| Choose a day and night pass | The Nocturnal Tour runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Use both tickets within seven days. |
| Plan around last entry | Last entry is at 16:30, so allow at least three hours. |
Frequently asked questions about Alice Springs Desert Park
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What time does Alice Springs Desert Park open? | Daily from 7:30 to 18:00, with last entry at 16:30. It is closed on Christmas Day. |
| How much does entry cost? | Adults pay $41.50 and children aged 5 to 16 pay $21. Children under 5 enter free. |
| When does the free-flying bird show run? | At 10:30 daily, and also at 15:00 from 1 March to 31 October. |
| Which nights does the Nocturnal Tour run? | Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 19:30 from April to October, and 20:00 from November to March. |
| Do I need to book in advance? | You can buy day entry on arrival, but advance booking is recommended. Nocturnal Tour bookings are essential. |
Things to do near Alice Springs Desert Park
Flynn’s Grave: A memorial to the founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service on Larapinta Drive west of Alice Springs.
Simpsons Gap: A rocky gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges west of Alice Springs.
Alice Springs Reptile Centre: A reptile centre in the centre of Alice Springs.
Olive Pink Botanic Garden: A botanic garden of arid-zone plants in Alice Springs.
Alice Springs Telegraph Station: A historic telegraph station site in Alice Springs.
Alternatives to Alice Springs Desert Park
Standley Chasm: A narrow gorge in the West MacDonnell Ranges west of Alice Springs.
Ellery Creek Big Hole: A waterhole in the West MacDonnell Ranges west of Alice Springs.
Ormiston Gorge: A gorge with a permanent waterhole in the West MacDonnell Ranges.
Glen Helen Gorge: A gorge on the Finke River in the West MacDonnell Ranges.
Trephina Gorge Nature Park: A park of gorges and river red gums in the East MacDonnell Ranges.
