Desert Springs
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Desert Springs, NT 0870.
About Desert Springs
Welcome to Desert Springs
Desert Springs sits on the eastern fringe of Alice Springs, wrapped by the ochre ranges that give this part of the Northern Territory its distinctive character. Bordered by East Side, Johns, Mount Johns and The Gap, it's one of Alice's more established residential pockets, known for its golf course, spacious blocks and a setting that feels a world away from the town centre despite being only minutes from it.
With a population of around 1,536 and a median age of 36, Desert Springs tends to attract families and professionals who want room to move — literally and figuratively — without giving up easy access to schools, shops and the airport. It's a suburb that rewards people who appreciate the desert landscape rather than fight it, with red rock backdrops framing many of the streets.
Lifestyle & dining
Life in Desert Springs revolves around a slower, outdoor-oriented rhythm. The Desert Springs Golf Course is the suburb's centrepiece, its lush fairways a striking contrast against the surrounding MacDonnell Ranges scenery, and it doubles as a social hub for residents beyond just golfers. For dining and a wider choice of cafes and pubs, most locals head into nearby Alice Springs town centre, a short drive away, where the suburb's relative quiet gives way to the CBD's cafes, restaurants and pubs.
The pace here suits people who want a home base that feels residential and settled, with the option to dip into town life whenever they choose rather than living in the middle of it.
Getting around
Desert Springs is well positioned relative to the rest of Alice Springs, with the town centre, Alice Springs Airport and the Stuart Highway all within easy reach by car. There's no passenger rail service locally — the famous Ghan line runs through the region but isn't a commuter option — so a car is the practical way to get around, as it is across most of Alice Springs.
Neighbouring suburbs East Side, Johns, Mount Johns and The Gap are all close by, making cross-town trips for schools, sport or shopping straightforward, and the compact scale of Alice Springs means most parts of town are only a matter of minutes away.
Schools & families
The surrounding area is well served by Alice Springs' schooling options, with families in Desert Springs typically drawing on schools across neighbouring suburbs as well as those closer to home. The suburb's demographic mix — a median age of 36 — points to a solid base of families and working-age residents, and the generous block sizes typical of the area suit households wanting a yard, a pool or space for kids and pets.
Parks & recreation
Beyond the golf course, Desert Springs benefits from its proximity to some of Central Australia's best natural recreation. The Gap and Mount Johns nearby offer access to walking trails and views over the MacDonnell Ranges, and the broader Alice Springs area is a launching point for exploring the wider desert landscape, from ridge walks to mountain biking trails that have become popular with locals and visitors alike.
Housing & architecture
Housing in Desert Springs leans strongly towards standalone houses, which make up around 65% of current listings, reflecting the suburb's family-friendly, low-density feel. Apartments and units account for about 22% of listings, land sits at 9%, and townhouses make up the remaining 4%, giving buyers a reasonable spread of options within a relatively small suburb.
Many homes back onto the golf course or take in views of the surrounding ranges, and the architecture generally favours single-storey, climate-conscious designs suited to the desert environment — wide eaves, shaded outdoor areas and pools being common features.
The property market
Desert Springs has recorded solid growth recently, with house prices up 11.4% to a median of $780,000, while units and apartments sit at a median of $398,000 — a notable gap that reflects the suburb's house-dominant character. Median rent across the suburb is $1,050 per week, a figure that points to strong demand relative to the size of the local rental pool.
For buyers, the mix of larger house blocks, the golf course setting and proximity to Alice Springs town centre help explain the price growth, while the more affordable unit market offers a entry point for those not wanting the upkeep of a standalone home. It's a market that suits both owner-occupiers chasing lifestyle and investors drawn to the rental figures.
Market snapshot
Desert Springs property market
Median sale price
$780k
House · 4 bed
Median rent
$1,050
per week
Gross rental yield
7.0%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$637k
Median
$780k
Premium
$1.02m
Days on market
135
Auction clearance
0%
Sold this year
19
Median sold price trend · House 4 bed
Compound growth +0.0% / yr over 4 yrs
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Desert Springs by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Desert Springs, NT 0870.
Population
1,536
residents (2021)
Median age
36
years
Household income
$3,025
median, per week
Median rent
$500
per week
Median mortgage
$2,264
per month
Mortgage / income
17%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Recent results
Recently sold in Desert Springs
$453k
2/66 Cromwell Drive
Sold ~July 2026
$895k
21 The Links
Sold ~June 2026
$750k
5 Concord Court
Sold ~June 2026
Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.
Explore the area
Properties & amenities in Desert Springs
Compare the area
Price map around Desert Springs
Every listing for sale near Desert Springs, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
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Nearby suburbs
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Common questions
Desert Springs suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Desert Springs?
The median house price in Desert Springs, NT is $780k for a 4-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 11.4%.
How much is rent in Desert Springs?
The median weekly rent in Desert Springs is around $1,050 per week.
Is Desert Springs a good place to live?
Desert Springs is a suburb of the town of Alice Springs, in the Northern Territory, Australia. Desert Springs is an established residential suburb in NT, with a population of around 1,536.
What is the population of Desert Springs?
Desert Springs has a population of 1,536 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 36.
How long do homes take to sell in Desert Springs?
Properties in Desert Springs take around 135 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 0%.
How much do you need to buy in Desert Springs?
Entry-level properties in Desert Springs start around $637k, while premium homes reach $1.02m.
What suburbs are near Desert Springs?
Suburbs near Desert Springs include East Side, Johns, Alice Springs, Mount Johns and The Gap.
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