Alice Springs Places to Visit

Exploring Australia’s Pioneering Past

Alice Springs: This famous town played a major role in the development of the Australian outback, first for cattle, then the Gold Rush Era. Later, it became important in early aviation in the 20th Century as well as the communication links between Britain and the rest of the world.

Anyone with an interest in Australian history will find Alice Springs an absorbing destination. Milestones achieved here range from the importance of early rail and air services to the development of the pastoral industry. Just as importantly, historical places to visit here include the role of the Afghan camel drivers and the exploits of the early inland explorers, as well as the the building of the overland telegraph line.

Discovering Alice Springs’ Historical Places

• Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve – Built in 1871, the Telegraph station buildings are among the oldest in Central Australia. This was the original site of the town and today offers a perfect setting for a picnic.
• ANZAC Hill – The short climb or quick drive to the top is well rewarded with sweeping views of the town. At the base is the RSL and War Museum.
• National Road Transport Hall of Fame – Road transport enthusiasts will love the this display of heavy vehicles, including the world’s first motorised road train.
• The Date Farm – Australia’s oldest date plantation continues to produce succulent fresh dates and a wide variety of speciality date products like ice cream. An ideal spot for afternoon tea.
• Royal Flying Doctor Service – Visit the working base first opened in 1939. Excellent audiovisual displays and a home style cafe with garden seating.
• Olive Pink Botanic Gardens – Named after one of Alice Springs’ earliest resident’s, Olive Pink, who arrived in the Centre in 1930. A great advocate of Aboriginal rights she worked and lived on local communities and later established these wonderful botanic gardens located on the east bank of the Todd River.
• Old Timers Traegar Museum – The museum offers fascinating insights into the lifestyles of the NT’s early pioneers.
• National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame – Located in the Old Court House building, the exhibition includes ‘Women of the Heart’ which explores the fortitude and ingenuity of Central Australia’s pioneer women.
• Alice Springs heritage places – The town has many historic building and attractions including The Residency, built in the 1920s to house the town’s first government official. There is also the Old Hartley School built in the 1920s and at its peak in 1950 had over 400 students and the Old Stuart Town Gaol which is Alice Springs’ oldest surviving building originally constructed in 1907.

Telegraph Station Historical Precinct

There are buildings dating back to the earlier settlement of Alice Springs located here, including the original telegraph repeater station, now restored. The telegraph line linked Australia to the rest of the world in the 1870s through Darwin and an undersea cable to Java.

The museum explains how the equipment worked and about the trials of setting up the station so far from civilization.

Map of Alice Springs

See the Alice Springs Map:.

Alice Springs Map - NT Australia

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