Anzac Hill

The Basics

There’s no charge to embark on the steep hike or easy drive up Anzac Hill to soak in the views and pay your respects at the cenotaph, and many travelers choose to visit independently. Alternatively, book an Alice Springs tour to combine Anzac Hill with other signature city sights such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Alice Springs Desert Park, or visit as part of a broader Red Centre journey, alongside central Australian icons such as Ayers Rock (Uluru).

Things to Know Before You Go

• Anzac Hill is a must for photographers, Instagrammers, and history buffs.

• Although Anzac Hill is relatively low-lying, the climb is steeper than it looks.

• Wear a hat and sunscreen and carry plenty of water as there is no shade at the top.

How to Get There

Anzac Hill stands in downtown Alice Springs, about a 0.5-mile (800-meter) walk from the visitor information center; if you’re hiking, take Lion’s Walk from Wills Terrace. Buses 400 and 401 run infrequently down Larapinta Drive and only during daylight hours, so travelers without their own vehicle may well want to join an organized tour.

When to Get There

Anzac Hill is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but is rarely crowded. On ANZAC Day (April 25), the memorial hosts both the traditional dawn service and a midmorning service with a parade. The views across Alice Springs and the ranges are particularly special at sunset, which also enables you to avoid the heat of the day.

What Does ANZAC Mean?

From Anzac biscuits to ANZAC Day to Anzac Hill, the term ANZAC is common in Australia. The Australia and New Zealand Army Corps, an army unit composed of Australian and New Zealand soldiers, fought bravely in the First World War during the Battle of Gallipoli, a long and fruitless struggle for a strategic Turkish peninsula. ANZAC Day commemorates their arrival at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915.