Town in Northern Territory, Australia
Is Alice Springs safe?
Take real precautions, especially at night.
Is Alice Springs safe?
Take real precautions, especially at night. Property and alcohol-related crime is higher than in most Australian towns, and heat and remote driving are serious hazards.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2025-05-29.
- Homicide rate in Australia: 0.9 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Australia: 4.9 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 000 · Ambulance 000 · Fire 000 · All emergencies 000.
Safety in Alice Springs at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Break-ins, car theft and street disorder, with some alcohol-fuelled violence. Tourists are rarely targeted but are exposed after dark. |
| At night | Stay in well-lit central areas, avoid the dry riverbed and take taxis rather than walking at night. |
| Solo women | Possible with care: avoid walking alone at night, use taxis or lifts you can trust, and avoid isolated tracks. |
| Other risks | Extreme heat above 40°C in summer; Freezing nights in winter; Long remote drives with kangaroos and cattle |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake accommodation listings asking for deposits in advance
Take care
- Todd River bed and Todd Mall after dark
- Walking alone at night between town and suburbs
- Alcohol-fuelled disputes near bottle shops and pubs
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Driving while holding a phone is caught by cameras and brings large fines
- Nicotine vapes are legally sold only by pharmacies
- Drinking alcohol is banned in many streets, parks and beaches (alcohol-free zones)
How Alice Springs compares in Australia
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Hobart | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Noosa | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Blue Mountains | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Sunshine Coast | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Great Ocean Road | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Port Douglas | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Canberra | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Margaret River | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Launceston | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Magnetic Island | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Sydney | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Melbourne | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Brisbane | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Gold Coast | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Perth | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cairns | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Byron Bay | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Adelaide | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bondi Beach | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Whitsundays | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Uluru | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Darwin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| K'gari | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Fremantle | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Broome | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Newcastle | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Manly | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Alice Springs | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Alice Springs safe for solo female travelers?
Possible with care: avoid walking alone at night, use taxis or lifts you can trust, and avoid isolated tracks.
Is Alice Springs safe at night?
Stay in well-lit central areas, avoid the dry riverbed and take taxis rather than walking at night.
What is the crime rate in Alice Springs?
Break-ins, car theft and street disorder, with some alcohol-fuelled violence. Tourists are rarely targeted but are exposed after dark. Nationally, Australia records 0.9 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Alice Springs?
Police 000 · Ambulance 000 · Fire 000 · All emergencies 000.
More about Alice Springs
Going to Alice Springs solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Northern Territory Government
- Alice Springs Airport
- Tourism NT: Alice Springs
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.