Updated in October 2026, this Alice Springs School of the Air Visitor Centre guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
The Alice Springs School of the Air is an interpretive centre 3.5 kilometres north of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. A film, a guided presentation and a live or pre-recorded lesson show how outback children learn across 1.3 million square kilometres. You can book through Viator before you travel. As of October 2026, adult admission costs $17, not the $16.50 shown by older guides, and the centre opens on Sundays from 12:00 to 15:00. It closes from 24 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Quick facts for the Alice Springs School of the Air
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 80 Head Street, Braitling, Alice Springs NT 0870 |
| Opening hours | Monday to Friday 9:00 to 15:00. Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. Closed Saturday |
| Public holidays | 13:30 to 16:30 |
| Closed | Good Friday, and 24 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 |
| Adult (17 and over) | $17 |
| Child (5 to 16) | $14 |
| Concession | $16 |
| Family | $56 for 2 adults and 2 children, or $68 for 2 adults and 3 children |
| Alice Springs residents | Free |
| Typical visit | At least 45 minutes |
| Phone | (08) 8951 6834 |
Why book tickets for the Alice Springs School of the Air?
- 📻 The world’s largest classroom: Lessons reach students across 1.3 million square kilometres of the outback.
- 🎓 A live lesson in action: You may see a teacher run a live lesson from one of the broadcasting studios.
- 🎞️ A film and a guided presentation: Both tell the story of the school from 1951 radio to today’s online lessons.
- 🐄 Stories from the outback: Guides share stories from students on cattle stations, in communities and at roadhouses.
- 🤝 Your ticket supports students: The Visitor Centre raises funds for remote students’ enrichment programs.
Ticket prices for the Alice Springs School of the Air – and how to book
All prices are in Australian dollars.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (17 and over) | $17 |
| Child (5 to 16) | $14 |
| Concession | $16 |
| Family (2 adults and 2 children) | $56 |
| Family (2 adults and 3 children) | $68 |
| Alice Springs residents | Free |
Children in a family ticket can be up to 18 years old when they visit with their parents. Admission includes the film, the guided presentation and a look at a live or pre-recorded lesson. Alice Springs residents can visit free to shop or take a tour. You can book through Viator for a guided tour ticket, which is likely to sell out on busy days.
Opening hours for the Alice Springs School of the Air
The centre opens on weekdays and Sundays but is closed on Saturdays. Weekday and Sunday hours differ, so check the day you plan to visit.
| Day | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 9:00 to 15:00 |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | 12:00 to 15:00 |
| Public holidays | 13:30 to 16:30 |
| Good Friday 2026 | Closed |
| 24 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 | Closed |
Opening hours can change, so check the centre’s social media pages before you travel.
How to get to the Alice Springs School of the Air
The centre is at 80 Head Street, about 3.5 kilometres north of the Alice Springs CBD. By car, travel north along the Stuart Highway and turn left into Head Street. By bus, take route 100 or 101 and walk about 10 minutes down Head Street. By bicycle, ride from the CBD. Staff are happy to help you call a taxi for your departure.
Parking at the Alice Springs School of the Air
Parking is free on site, and coach parking is available.
How long to spend at the Alice Springs School of the Air
Allow at least 45 minutes. That is enough time for the film, the guided presentation, a lesson in the studio, the displays and the gift shop.
Accessibility at the Alice Springs School of the Air
The Visitor Centre is wheelchair accessible and caters to visitors with hearing or vision loss. All information is in English, and information sheets and subtitles are available in several other languages. Toilets are on site.
What to see at the Alice Springs School of the Air
The film. A short film tells the history of the School of the Air. It explains how lessons began on radio in 1951 and now run online.
The guided presentation. A guide shares stories from students and teachers. You hear about life on cattle stations, in Aboriginal communities, in national parks and at roadhouses.
The broadcasting studios. You may see a teacher run a live lesson in one of the five broadcasting studios. At certain times, pre-recorded lessons replace live lessons.
The displays and memorabilia. Exhibits show how the school developed techniques for remote learning. They include children’s work and items from the school’s history.
The gift shop. The shop sells souvenirs and supports the school’s student programs.
Practical visitor tips for the Alice Springs School of the Air
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book ahead | Tickets are sold at the centre, but book tickets in advance to secure a place on busy days. |
| Plan around Saturday | The centre is closed on Saturdays, so choose a weekday or a Sunday afternoon. |
| Visit on a weekday for lessons | Live lessons are most likely on school days. At other times you may see a pre-recorded lesson. |
| Check holiday closures | The centre closes from 24 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. |
| Allow 45 minutes | The film, presentation and studio visit fit in about three-quarters of an hour. |
Frequently asked questions about the Alice Springs School of the Air
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When is the School of the Air open? | Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 15:00 and Sunday from 12:00 to 15:00. It is closed on Saturdays. |
| How much does admission cost? | Adults pay $17, children aged 5 to 16 pay $14 and concession holders pay $16. Family tickets cost $56 or $68. |
| Do Alice Springs residents pay? | No. Alice Springs residents can visit free to shop or take a tour. |
| Is the centre wheelchair accessible? | Yes. It is wheelchair accessible and caters to visitors with hearing or vision loss. |
| Do I need to book in advance? | Online booking secures your place, and advance booking is recommended on busy days. |
Things to do near the Alice Springs School of the Air
Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility: A museum and visitor centre about the Flying Doctor service in central Alice Springs.
Araluen Cultural Precinct: A cultural precinct with galleries, museums and a theatre in Alice Springs.
Anzac Hill: A hilltop lookout over Alice Springs and the MacDonnell Ranges.
Alice Springs Telegraph Station: A historic telegraph station site north of the Alice Springs centre.
Todd Mall: A pedestrian shopping mall in the centre of Alice Springs.
Alternatives to the Alice Springs School of the Air
Alice Springs Desert Park: A desert wildlife and botanic park on Larapinta Drive west of Alice Springs.
Simpsons Gap: A rocky gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges west of Alice Springs.
Standley Chasm: A narrow gorge in the West MacDonnell Ranges west of Alice Springs.
Ormiston Gorge: A gorge with a permanent waterhole in the West MacDonnell Ranges.
Hermannsburg Historic Precinct: A historic Lutheran mission settlement at Ntaria in the West MacDonnell Ranges.
