Alice Springs – Is it Referring to the Young Girl Alice in Wonderland?

Northern Territory | Write a review | February 25, 2010

Well, Alice Springs is the name of a beautiful holiday destination in Australia. It is so named after the wife of Charles Todd, Alice Todd, both of them came here in 1865 to establish a first telegraph line. During the expedition of the area, they saw a river containing a waterhole named Alice Springs where a telegraph repeater station was set. So, this is the real story behind the town. Speaking more about its past fame, this is the place where Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ showed her great dance and you can find the Royal Flying Doctors Base to provide medical service to distant places.

It won’t be at all surprising to know that the town is also known as the Red Centre due to its central area and close by presence of red rocks and red-sand desert area. For the tourists, the town is a good place to stay, relax, marvel, and explore its natural and historical highlights along with some great family activities.

Alice Springs Australia Attractions

Aboriginal Desert Art Gallery:
This is one of the largest Aboriginal art galleries of the continent situated in the Todd Mall. Set up in 1985, the gallery holds more than 50 local Aboriginal artists’ works with a vast exhibit of Aboriginal art. Visitors can even buy some good work from here offered on sale.
Arunta Art Gallery and Book Shop:
Located in the Todd Mall, this place offers some beautiful collections of Aboriginal art and craft along with a set of books.
Adelaide House Museum:
Located in the Todd Mall and designed by John Flynn, this is one of the earliest buildings in the town built in 1920. Moving within its breezy interiors, explore the past of the city.
Alice Springs Desert Park:
This is one of the sights on the hit list of every visitor. Having won many awards, this park is the first of its kind on the planet and to exhibits plants, animals, and topographies of the continent’s deserts along with the historic use by the Aboriginal folk. The audio-video displays tell you the stories, free-flying birds of prey, and endangered animals. Other arrangements are a Cafe, free audio guides even in English, electric scooters, gift shop, a picnic spot, and BBQ ground. The timings are 7:30 am to 6:00 pm.
Alice Springs Golf Club:
This is one of the superb desert golf courses on the planet with its manicured green land and the contrasting desert and MacDonnell Ranges. Here, you can all the facilities and equipments for the sport.
Alice Springs Reptile Centre:
This is the largest reptile exhibit in the Northern Territory. Here, you can glance at the vast varieties of reptiles some of which are huge perentie goannas, frilled neck lizards, prickly devils, and large and small pythons along with some most deadly snakes such as inland taipans, brown snakes, and death adders.
Alice Springs RSL Military Museum:
The Alice Springs War Museum is located in the RSL Club and boasts the most important collection of war memorabilia in the continent that dates back to 1854. The exhibits include vast items belonging to World War I and II, a pictorial depiction of the town at War.
Alice Springs School of the Air:
Providing educational services to more than 150 kids, the school makes this possible for children who live in distant Central Australia to be a part of the classes without traveling great distances. Simply amazing with its innovative techniques! Since 1951, the school provides a glimpse at the lifestyle of the students. The place is a hodgepodge of history, living, and innovation.
Alice Springs Telegraph Station:
Located just outside Alice Springs at a distance of 10 miles, this reserve marks the first telegraph station from where it was shifted to its current location in the town. This historical reserve was originally the land of the first European village in the town. Established in 1872, the purpose of the station was to transmit messages between Darwin and Adelaide. The station is the well conserved among the 12 stations standing on the Overland Telegraph Line.

Alice Springs Turf Club:
Located at Pioneer Park Alice Springs, this is the place to see the horse races arranged 34 times in a year at the racecourse. Even in the history, horse racing had significant role to play and this has been continued even after 125 years. During April to May, the racecourse exhibit Central Australian racing.
Anzac Hill:
This is the landmark in the town that is most frequently visited, as this is the best spot from where you can obtain an overview of the territory. You can take the pleasure of watching a panoramic view of Alice Springs, the wonderful East, and the West MacDonnell Ranges. The hill is of utmost importance to the local Aboriginal people. Do also visit the Anzac Hill Memorial that was opened to public on 25 April 1934 (The Anzac Day).

Araluen Arts Centre:
This is the hub of performance and visual arts in the form of an array of art galleries and a professional theatre. In the galleries, you can visit the different exhibitions whose focal point is the Aboriginal art from Central Australia and modern art by local and Australian artists.
Olive Pink Botanic Garden:
Discovered by Miss Olive Muriel Pink, this garden provides an insight to the continent’s flora.
Uluru (Ayers Rock):
This is among the major attractions situated out of the town and is seriously not near by. This attraction is the main answer to why many people visit the town. Located at a drive of four hour on the Lasseter Highway, Uluru is the rock where one can take up a challenging climb of 1200 feet to watch the breathtaking sunset. Sacred to the Aboriginal people, the rock belong to the World Heritage list and is made of sandstone that is rich in crystalline minerals changing its color throughout the day. On wet conditions, it is purple or black and under sun, it is red or orange.

Kings Canyon:
This is another prime highlight located at 300 km from Uluru. It is a national park (Watarrka National Park) and is 300 km from Uluru with accommodations of hotels to campsites.
Chambers Pillar Historical Reserve:
Located 160 km south of Alice Springs where only four wheel drive is allowed, this is the place full of rocks, red sand, kangaroos, and dingoes. Do drive here even if you are not experienced to take some sweet memories with you. Avoid a day trip here because the highlight of this place is only seen in the late afternoon and early morning, which calls for only bush camping here.