Woolworths Alice Springs: Prices, Online Shopping & More

Living in Alice Springs means knowing that a carton of milk or a bag of apples can cost noticeably more than it does in Sydney or Melbourne. For the roughly 25,000 residents of the remote desert town, Woolworths at Yeperenye Shopping Centre is one of just two major supermarket options.

Store Address: 40 Hartley Street, Alice Springs NT 0870 ·
Phone Number: (08) 8958 6575 ·
Cash Withdrawal Limit: Up to $500 per transaction ·
Online Shopping: Available with delivery and click and collect

Here are the key details for Woolworths Alice Springs.

Are groceries more expensive in Alice Springs?

The ACCC has repeatedly pointed out that transport costs, limited competition, and smaller population density push prices higher in rural and remote Australia.

ACCC Remote Grocery Report

The short answer: yes, groceries cost more in remote communities like Alice Springs. While Woolworths does not publish store-level mark-ups, the national picture from CHOICE (consumer advocacy group) gives a useful baseline.

In a 17-item basket without specials, Woolworths came to $90.08, Aldi $75.98, Coles $90.90, and IGA $101.84. With specials, Woolworths dropped to $89.08, while Coles went to $90.09.

CHOICE

For a 10-item name-brand basket without specials, Woolworths cost $54.71 and Coles cost $55.17 — a gap of just 46 cents. These national figures suggest Woolworths and Coles are neck-and-neck on overall pricing, but Alice Springs shoppers should expect a premium on top of those base numbers due to freight costs.

What factors contribute to higher grocery prices in remote Australia?

• Freight costs: most groceries reach Alice Springs by road from Adelaide or Darwin, adding 10–30% to wholesale prices (ACCC Remote Grocery Report)
• Limited competition: only two major chains (Woolworths and Coles) serve the town
• Smaller stores: lower stock turnover means less bargaining power with suppliers

How much do Woolworths employees get paid in Australia?

Woolworths retail wages fall under the General Retail Industry Award. According to employee reports on Indeed (job platform), casual team members typically earn between $24 and $28 per hour, while shift supervisors earn around $30 per hour. These rates are consistent across metro and regional stores, though remote area allowances may apply in places like Alice Springs.

Which supermarket is the cheapest in Australia?

CHOICE (independent consumer organisation) consistently ranks Aldi as the cheapest major supermarket in Australia. In their 2024 survey, the 17-item basket at Aldi cost $75.98 without specials, versus $90.08 at Woolworths and $90.90 at Coles. When specials are included, Woolworths ($89.08) and Coles ($90.09) remain close, with Aldi unchanged at $75.98. IGA came in highest at $99.10 with specials. (Same source: CHOICE survey)

The implication: if you live in Alice Springs and can reach Coles, the price difference between Woolworths and Coles is small. Both are significantly pricier than Aldi — but Aldi has no store in Alice Springs, so residents effectively face a Woolworths–Coles duopoly.

Does Alice Springs have Coles?

Yes, Coles operates a store in Alice Springs. It is located at the Alice Plaza, 36 Todd Mall, Alice Springs NT 0870. Opening hours are typically 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM Monday to Saturday and 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday, according to the Coles Store Locator (official retailer).

What are Coles opening hours in Alice Springs?

Coles Alice Plaza: Mon–Sat 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM, Sun 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM. These hours may vary on public holidays.

The pattern: with only two options, shoppers must rely on weekly specials rather than brand loyalty.

Does Woolworths offer online shopping?

Yes, Woolworths offers online shopping with delivery and click and collect for Alice Springs postcodes. According to the Woolworths Shopping Online (official service page), customers can place orders via the website or app, choose a delivery window, or pick up from the store.

How does Woolworths online shopping work in Alice Springs?

• Minimum order: $30 for delivery, $20 for click and collect
• Delivery fee: starts at $5 for standard delivery (may vary by postcode)
• New customers: $15 off each of the first four orders of $120 or more with code YOUR15
• Substitution policy: shoppers can choose to accept or decline substitutes for out-of-stock items

What delivery options are available for Alice Springs?

Standard home delivery is available to most Alice Springs suburbs. For faster service, same-day delivery slots may be available if orders are placed before a cutoff time (typically 1 PM). The best way to confirm availability for your exact address is to check the Woolworths website with your postcode. For more information on her family life, you can read about Hilarie Burton’s children and marriage at $Hilarie Burton’s children and marriage.

Can I get $500 out at Woolworths?

Yes, Woolworths allows customers to withdraw up to $500 in cash at the checkout with a purchase. The service is free and available at all Woolworths stores, including Alice Springs. No minimum purchase is required, but the cash-out amount is capped at $500 per transaction (Woolworths Cash-Out Policy).

How to withdraw cash at Woolworths checkout

1. Shop for your groceries as usual
2. At the checkout, tell the cashier you want cash-out
3. Select the amount (up to $500)
4. Pay for your groceries with a debit, credit, or EFTPOS card
5. The cash is handed to you immediately — no ATM fee

This service is especially useful in Alice Springs, where ATM access can be limited and bank branches are scarce. Many locals rely on Woolworths cash-out as their primary way to get notes without paying surcharges.

Is Safeway now Woolworths?

Yes, Safeway supermarkets in Australia were rebranded to Woolworths between 2008 and 2017. According to Wikipedia (Woolworths Group history), the change was part of a national consolidation: Woolworths had acquired the Australian Safeway chain in the 1980s but kept the name in some states until a unified brand push. Today, all former Safeway stores in Australia operate under the Woolworths banner.

Is Woolworths British or Australian?

Woolworths Group is an Australian company, founded in 1924 in Sydney. The UK’s Woolworths (a separate chain) closed in 2009. The US had its own F.W. Woolworth Company (a five-and-dime store) that was never related to the Australian brand. The Australian Woolworths is now one of the country’s largest retailers, with supermarkets, BIG W, and wholesale operations — wholly Australian-owned and headquartered in Sydney.

What do Americans call Woolworths?

The US once had a chain called F.W. Woolworth, which invented the five-and-dime store but closed all its US locations in 1997. American consumers generally do not have a “Woolworths” today. The Australian Woolworths has no connection to that defunct brand. In the US, the closest equivalent would be Walmart or Target — full-service supermarkets.

The implication: tourists should not confuse the Australian brand with its defunct international namesake.

For Alice Springs residents, the grocery landscape is a duopoly. Woolworths provides essential services — cash-out, online ordering, and a moderately stocked selection — but faces no serious price pressure from Aldi or IGA. The catch is that national CHOICE data shows Woolworths and Coles are within cents of each other on a typical basket, so loyalty may come down to convenience, opening hours, or who offers the best weekly specials. For someone living in a remote community, the practical choice is clear: compare the catalogues each week, use Woolworths’ online service to avoid driving in the heat, and never assume either store is “cheaper” without checking.

For more on Australian retail, see our guide to Beacon Lighting stores.