Alice Springs
Alice Springs is the gateway to Australia’s red centre – the outback that characterises the land down under. Many visitors use Alice Springs as a landing point only, soon continuing their journeys to icons such as Ayers Rock. Whilst Alice Springs is host to a plethora of day and multi day trips to sites in the outback, there are a wealth of things to do in the town itself.
Olive Pink Botanic Gardens
Olive Pink was a botanical illustrator and anthropologist who petitioned to have what is now the Olive Pink Botanic Gardens set aside as a reserve. Showcasing desert plants native to the area and a number of plants that served as food for the indigenous population, the gardens are a fantastic introduction to the desert habitat.
The Alice Springs Desert Park
A zoo for the desert, the Alice Springs Desert Park showcases the beauty of the Australian desert landscape. With information on the different types of desert that make up Australia, the animals that inhabit them, and the Aboriginal people who traditionally inhabited the land, the outdoors portion of the park is well worth a visit. If that isn’t enough to entice, rarely seen desert wildlife and Australian native waterhole dwellers are on display in the nocturnal house and aquarium.
School of the Air
The School of the Air was the pre-internet answer to education across the vast distances of outback Australia. Students since the 50s have been tuning in and receiving their education – on the radio. These days the school uses broadband rather than radio waves. Visit during the school session and sit in on a lesson, otherwise, content yourself with watching a film on the history of the school and browse the visitor centre.
Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve
The Alice Springs Telegraph Station was one of only twelve stops on the overland telegraph route. Now a reserve, the station has been restored and has become a historical monument to communication across Australia in the late 1800s. Outside are walking tracks, picnic areas and swimming holes and plenty of wallabies and other native wildlife.
The best way to see the sights and experience all there is to do, is to take a highlights tour of Alice Springs.
-Lindsey Hodder