A 50-year-old Alice Springs woman is in hospital with facial fractures after being attacked with rocks and stakes by up to 10 youths.
The incident took place when the youths tried to enter a party in a house in Gillen about 2.30am on Sunday.
Police say the woman had rocks thrown at her, was hit with wooden stakes and then kicked and punched as she fell to the ground.
Superintendent Michael White says officers are following up several leads and are confident of arresting the attackers.
"It's a cowardly attack on this woman, who was asking these people to leave from a party they weren't invited to," he said.
"Our detectives have been working with witnesses and we've got a team of detectives and general duties police investigating this matter."