This interesting outback city is surrounded by a surprising number of locations of interest. It's the second biggest city in the Northern Territory, with about 25,000 people, and is located about 1,500 km from Darwin, and about 300 km north of the South Australian border.
This city has often been called the center of Australia, and is a popular tourist spot for people wanting to explore Ayers Rock (Uluru), the MacDonnell Ranges, and the Olgas (Kata Tjuta). There are many other attractions available here, as well.
Alic Springs exists due to its original importance as a link in the Overland Telegraph line, as well as being a major railhead for the Northern Territory in years gone by. Cattle and other cargo came through Alice Springs before heading to other locations.
Located about 600 m above sea level, Alice Springs is on the Todd River, a dry bed that contains water only after a heavy rain. This river rises in the MacDonnel Ranges and flows through the rich alluvial plain where Alice Springs is located, then disappears about 300 km south in the Simpson Desert.
The springs themselves are located northeast of the city, and were discovered in 1871, while the Overland Telegraph was being built. The Springs were named after Alice Todd, who was the wife of Sir Charles Todd, the namesake of the Todd River, and the driving force behind the telegraph's creation.
Of course, Alice Springs has been settled for longer than Europeans have been there - five generations of Europeans have lived there, but probably more than three hundred generations of Aborigines. There are plenty of attractions related to this ancient culture as well as ones related to more recent history.
Anzac Hill is an excellent place to start looking at what Alice Springs has to offer, showing visitors a three hundred and sixty degree panorama and a great view of the city. If you continue east from there, you'll also see the bed of the Todd.
History lovers should check out Adelaide House, which was the city's first hospital and has a number of interesting architectural features, like 45 cm thick walls and an intriguing cooling system. Nearby is the famous radio hut, featuring the first pedal wireless radio and the site of Australia's first field radio telegram transmission.
The oldest building in Alice Springs is the Old Stuart Gaol, with desery oal lintels and local stone. There are also a number of railway cottages near the railway station, and nearby is Wild Dog Rock (Gnoilya Tmerga). This stone is associated with an aboriginal legend.
You can also see the Henley-on-Todd regatta every August - a race along the dry river bed, and the Bangtail Muster in May - a parade with humorous floats. More rail history is available at the Ghan Preservation Society museum, which features a tea room and souvenir shop.
The Pitchi Richi Sanctuary is an interesting mix of collected machinery, clay sculpture garden and animal sanctuary, and you can see Emily Gorge just a few kilometers away. Other natural wonders in the area include Simpson's Gap National Park, the Chambers Pillar Historical Reserve, the Ewaninga Rock Carvings Reserve, and Henbury Meteorite Conservation Park.
This city has often been called the center of Australia, and is a popular tourist spot for people wanting to explore Ayers Rock (Uluru), the MacDonnell Ranges, and the Olgas (Kata Tjuta). There are many other attractions available here, as well.
Alic Springs exists due to its original importance as a link in the Overland Telegraph line, as well as being a major railhead for the Northern Territory in years gone by. Cattle and other cargo came through Alice Springs before heading to other locations.
Located about 600 m above sea level, Alice Springs is on the Todd River, a dry bed that contains water only after a heavy rain. This river rises in the MacDonnel Ranges and flows through the rich alluvial plain where Alice Springs is located, then disappears about 300 km south in the Simpson Desert.
The springs themselves are located northeast of the city, and were discovered in 1871, while the Overland Telegraph was being built. The Springs were named after Alice Todd, who was the wife of Sir Charles Todd, the namesake of the Todd River, and the driving force behind the telegraph's creation.
Of course, Alice Springs has been settled for longer than Europeans have been there - five generations of Europeans have lived there, but probably more than three hundred generations of Aborigines. There are plenty of attractions related to this ancient culture as well as ones related to more recent history.
Anzac Hill is an excellent place to start looking at what Alice Springs has to offer, showing visitors a three hundred and sixty degree panorama and a great view of the city. If you continue east from there, you'll also see the bed of the Todd.
History lovers should check out Adelaide House, which was the city's first hospital and has a number of interesting architectural features, like 45 cm thick walls and an intriguing cooling system. Nearby is the famous radio hut, featuring the first pedal wireless radio and the site of Australia's first field radio telegram transmission.
The oldest building in Alice Springs is the Old Stuart Gaol, with desery oal lintels and local stone. There are also a number of railway cottages near the railway station, and nearby is Wild Dog Rock (Gnoilya Tmerga). This stone is associated with an aboriginal legend.
You can also see the Henley-on-Todd regatta every August - a race along the dry river bed, and the Bangtail Muster in May - a parade with humorous floats. More rail history is available at the Ghan Preservation Society museum, which features a tea room and souvenir shop.
The Pitchi Richi Sanctuary is an interesting mix of collected machinery, clay sculpture garden and animal sanctuary, and you can see Emily Gorge just a few kilometers away. Other natural wonders in the area include Simpson's Gap National Park, the Chambers Pillar Historical Reserve, the Ewaninga Rock Carvings Reserve, and Henbury Meteorite Conservation Park.
About the Author:
The team at WesternXposure operate travel tours Australia that will showcase what the Australian outback is all about. Get up and close with nature today!
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