wow you'll be working in Alice! I have a few good friends there if you don't know many people, great to hang out with. My brother and I have been eager to get back to the NT but have been waiting till Ben is a little older as we will be driving. Have you considered taking the Ghan up there and buying a runaround car on arrival, you can get cheap cars around the place.... I didn't see too many main street cruises whilst in Alice but then it depends if you want the skyline up there...
Petrol is available everywhere, but can be really expensive at the more remote locations.... at Kings Canyon I remember we paid around 1.26c/lt