Looking for budget accommodation?
Not sure where to start or what’s on offer?
Alice Springs has a lot to offer in budget accommodation.
In fact, you’ll be surprised just how much budget accommodation there is in a town of only 28,000 people.
The catch?
These places are a lot less luxurious than other hotel rooms nearby. Some have smaller rooms, or the décor is dated.
Some are further away from the town centre than other accommodation options.
So if you can survive for a few days without designer linens, don’t need a huge room or don’t mind a walk, these places will give you some of the best bargains in town.
Click on the link below each review to get the best deals on accommodation in Alice Springs budget accommodation.
Alice Motor Inn
The Alice Motor Inn has been recently refurbished, and has established itself as the most highly rated and cheapest of all the Alice Springs budget accommodation motels we’ve written about here.
What you get: Very large, clean rooms, suitable for families. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms, free wi-fi and internet. There is free use of shared guest kitchen (stove/oven/fridge & microwave) and a complimentary breakfast of cereal, toast, tea & coffee.
What’s the catch? Rooms are a bit dated and the motel is about 15 minutes walk from the town’s centre.
Solution: Convince yourself that you don’t need the latest décor and enjoy Alice’s perfect weather and walk into town.
Get the best rates for the Alice Motor Inn and read more reviews.
Desert Rose Inn
Another Alice Springs budget accommodation favourite, the Desert Rose Inn is located 5 minutes walk from Todd Mall, and 2 minutes from Coles Supermarket.
What you get: A basic, clean, quiet motel-style room (there are backpacker’s rooms as well), in a 2 storey complex with a pool, guest kitchen and laundry. Great location, right in the town centre.
What’s the catch? The rooms are smallish and dated.
Solution: Spend less time looking at the 1980s décor, get outside and explore Alice Springs.
Get the best rates for the Desert Rose Inn and read more reviews.
MacDonnell Range Holiday Park
The MacDonnell Range Holiday Park is a complete 4 Star caravan park extravaganza. Given that it’s got a jumping castle, a huge playground and 2 swimming pools, if you’ve got children, it’s probably the best choice in Alice Springs budget accommodation.
What you get: You’ve got a choice of clean rooms with double bunks or a budget cabin. There’s also all the added free entertainment free pancake breakfast on Sundays, a reptile show, karaoke and a 4WD talk by the legendary Jol Fleming.
What’s the catch: The budget accommodation does not have bathrooms or toilets. Karaoke. It’s 5km south of town.
Solution: Pay a little more and get a cabin with an ensuite or just put up with having to share amenities. Sign a petition to ban karaoke. Stay here only if you’ve got your own transport.
Get the best rates for the MacDonnell Range Holiday Park and read more reviews.
Alice Springs Tourist Park
If you’re looking for something that’s north of Heavitree Gap, but not right in town, then the Alice Springs Tourist Park might be of interest.
What you get: A choice of ensuite or budget cabins from $78 per night, a mini-market, swimming pool and playground. Another bonus is bicycle hire and the near proximity of the Araluen Cultural Centre.
What’s the catch: Like many other budget cabins in Alice Springs, these cabins might not fit in everyone’s definition of ‘budget accommodation’.
Solution: Enjoy the pool and save money by walking to nearby tourist attractions.
Get the best rates and read more about the Stuart Highway Caravan Park.
Todd Tavern
The legendary Todd Tavern is on the corner of Wills Terrace and Leichhardt Street, right at the top of Todd Mall and right next to the Todd River.
As you’d expect, the Todd Tavern is a popular Alice Springs budget accommodation choice if you’re looking for a quintessentially ‘Australian’ accommodation experience (this may not suit everyone! Be warned!)
It’s a place where locals for flock for the Thursday night $6 schnitzels and after work drinks. You an also stay here very cheaply.
What you get: A clean, basic standard room with either shared bathroom facilities, or an ensuite room. Both styles of rooms have TVs, bar fridges and either two single or a queen sized bed. You’re right in the centre of Alice Springs, and the hotel has good ‘pub grub’ (pub food).
What’s the catch: Pubs can be noisy and bright to stay in.
Solution: Invest in ear plugs and a sleeping mask. If you’re an extra light sleeper, have your doctor prescribe sleeping tablets before you go travelling (like I do!).
Visit the website and book: http://www.toddtavern.com.au/
Other Alice Springs Budget Accommodation
There are quite a few backpacker’s hostels in Alice Springs which have private rooms (some with ensuites) available.
If you don’t mind a little bit of extra noise and sharing bathroom/cooking facilities, or saving money and sightseeing are more important than a plush hotel room, you’ll love these places.
There are several fabulous backpackers’ hostels in Alice Springs cater for travellers who don’t want to party.
These places are quiet and restful. If you check the Trip Advisor ratings, you’ll see they’re very highly rated for this reason.
If you want to party, avoid them – or you’ll end up writing a review on Trip Advisor complaining about ‘hostel management Nazis’!
Backpackers’ hostels with private rooms:
- Alice Lodge
- Alice’s Secret Traveller’s Inn (quiet)
- Alice Springs YHA
- The Desert Rose Inn (quiet)
- Haven Backpacker’s
We’d love to know your thoughts on the Alice Springs budget accommodation we’ve written about on this page
Your experiences will help other people, so please leave an honest review in the comments section below. Whether it’s good or bad news, we’d love to know.
