Max (Argentinian Bush Barista)

Max’s story is one you’ll hear often in Central Australia. He arrived in Alice Springs years ago for a visit, and then never left. Captivated by desert landscapes, fiery sunsets and the strong sense of community, he built a life here and went on to open his own business, Yaye’s Café.

Alice Spring’s café culture

Alice Springs’ café culture punches well above its weight. The town is brimming with quality coffee, flaky pastries and hearty brunches that are perfect for everyone from early-morning hikers to road-trippers rolling through the Red Centre. Favourites like Page 27 Cafe, The Locals Alice Springs and The Goods Coffee Shop each have their own loyal following, offering the perfect fuel for any Alice adventurer.

As a long-time local and owner of Yaye’s Café, Max is deeply woven into the town’s food scene. He’s the kind of person who’ll not only serve you a great coffee, but also point you towards a standout pastry or a hidden gem you might otherwise miss. One of his favourite local's tips is Twisted Teaspoon, a coffee van that you might drive past without realising it’s there, but well worth pulling over for.

Hiking in Alice Springs

Nature is never far in Alice Springs, and for Max, that’s what sealed the deal. His very first sunset in the Red Centre was from the top of the Telegraph Station, watching the Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges shift from ochre to deep crimson as the sky lit up in impossible shades of pink and orange. It was the kind of moment that stops you in your tracks and makes you feel small in the best way possible. Since then, hiking has become part of his weekly rhythm, whether it’s exploring the dramatic gorges of the West MacDonnell Ranges, swimming at Ormiston Gorge, or simply going back to where he first fell in love with the desert. In Alice Springs, the backyard is vast, wild and endlessly explorable.

Bush food experiences in the Red Centre

In the Red Centre, food is deeply connected to Country, and exploring native ingredients is an amazing way to experience it. In Alice Springs, Kungkas Can Cook offers immersive bush foods tours that blend cultural storytelling with native bushfoods. Near Kings Canyon, Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience and Tours shares hands-on knowledge of bush tucker and traditional practices. For a premium desert dining experience, Tali Wiru showcases native ingredients beneath the star studded desert sky. Together, these experiences deepen visitors’ connection to Country and the stories carried through food.