How far is Araluen from Darwin CBD?

Araluen is approximately 4 km from Alice Springs. By car, the journey takes around 5 min off-peak and 7 min during peak hours.

Does Araluen have public transport?

Araluen is served by bus routes connecting to Alice Springs CBD via Araluen, though there is no direct rail service. A car is recommended for most journeys.

What is the population of Araluen?

According to the 2021 Census, Araluen has a population of approximately 2,673 residents. It is a mid-sized suburb within the Alice Springs (Town).

Is Araluen a good place to live?

Araluen offers a comfortable suburban lifestyle with access to local amenities and services. It suits a range of residents from families to retirees, depending on personal preferences for pace of life and proximity to urban centres.

What is the postcode for Araluen?

The postcode for Araluen, NT is 870.

What is the average income in Araluen?

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Araluen is about $1,281 per week (around $66,600 per year). The median household income is $2,451 per week and the median family income is $2,806 per week.

What is the age profile of Araluen?

The median age in Araluen is 34. The largest age group is 25–34 (443 residents, around 17%). Around 30% of residents are under 20 and about 8% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

How much is rent in Araluen?

In Araluen, the median weekly rent is $440, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,870 (2021 Census).

Araluen

NT 870 • Rest of NT

2,673

Population (2021)

$127,452

Median Household Income

4.15 km²

Area

$440/wk

Median Rent

Cultural HubOutback LivingEstablishedRegional

About Araluen

Araluen is a well-established residential suburb of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, located approximately 4 kilometres south of the town centre at an elevation of 593 metres. Home to around 2,670 residents, the suburb takes its name from the Araluen Cultural Precinct, a significant arts and heritage complex on its northern edge. The community is diverse, reflecting Alice Springs' unique outback demographics with a notable mix of Indigenous Australians, government workers, and tourism industry employees.

The suburb is anchored by the Araluen Cultural Precinct, which houses the Araluen Arts Centre, Museum of Central Australia, and the Central Australian Aviation Museum — making it a cultural hub for the entire region. Araluen offers a quiet, family-oriented lifestyle with established homes, local parks, and proximity to the MacDonnell Ranges providing a dramatic desert backdrop. The suburb suits government employees, healthcare workers, and families who appreciate the unique outback lifestyle while requiring access to Alice Springs' services and schools.

Araluen falls under postcode 870 and is governed by Alice Springs Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Namatjira electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Northern Territory Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission 💰 Top 50 Suburbs in Northern Territory by Median Household Income

📍 Location

State

Northern Territory

Postcode

870

Urban Area

Charles

LGA / Council

Alice Springs

Federal Electorate

Lingiari

State Electorate

Namatjira

Type

Urban

Timezone

Darwin (UTC+9:30)

Coordinates

-23.70°, 133.86°

Statistical Area

Rest of NT

Area

4.15 km²

Elevation

593m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)

$440

Median Mortgage (monthly)

$1,870

Avg Household Size

2.8 people

Median Age

34 years

Social Housing (% of dwellings)

4.8%

44 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

300/301 — Alice Springs CBD via Araluen 10-15 min
400/401 — South Alice Springs circuit 15-20 min

Commute to Alice Springs

Distance

4 km

By Bus

10-15 min

By Car (Peak)

7 min

By Car (Off-Peak)

5 min

🛣️ No rail services in Alice Springs; bus services operate Mon-Sat only (no Sunday or public holiday services); most residents drive

Walkability Car-Dependent

Suburban streets designed for driving; Cultural Precinct walkable from nearby homes but most errands require a car

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

No schools listed for this postcode.

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016

2,706

Census 2021

2,673

▼ 1.2% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016

$57,044

Personal Income 2021

$66,612

▲ 16.8% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal

$66,612 / yr

$1281/wk

Household

$127,452 / yr

$2451/wk

Family

$145,912 / yr

$2806/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,702

Born Overseas 840

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

1. India 145
2. New Zealand 136
3. United States 82
4. England 61
5. Philippines 60
6. Zimbabwe 48
7. South Africa 22
8. Sri Lanka 18
9. Fiji 14
10. Nepal 14
11. Canada 9
12. France 9
13. Germany 8
14. China 7
15. South Korea 7

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 718

Australian 686

Australian Aboriginal 366

Irish 258

Scottish 230

German 167

Indian 146

Filipino 83

Maori 76

Italian 75

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,195

Both parents born in Australia

1,047

Both parents born overseas

296

One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity

45.2%

No Religion

40.6%

Hinduism

2.6%

Sikhism

2.0%

Islam

1.2%

Buddhism

1.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years

231 (8.6%)

5-14 years

405 (15.2%)

15-19 years

178 (6.7%)

20-24 years

118 (4.4%)

25-34 years

443 (16.6%)

35-44 years

435 (16.3%)

45-54 years

368 (13.8%)

55-64 years

273 (10.2%)

65-74 years

156 (5.8%)

75-84 years

53 (2.0%)

85+ years

8 (0.3%)