ALICE SPRINGS
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Right
in the centre of Australia surrounded by red desert lies Alice
Springs. The original Alice Spring is still there - the permanent waterhole that clinched the location of the Overland Telegraph Station in the 1870s and named after the wife of Sir Charles Todd, Postmaster General of South Australia. The township was originally called Stuart but officially became Alice Springs in 1933 when only 400 people lived there. Alice Springs is the hub of a truly magical part of Central Australia. You can use it as your base to go south into the Simpson Desert with it's eerie landmarks - east to the gullies, rivers and ghost towns of the East MacDonnell Ranges - north to the gem fields - west to the craggy beauty of the West MacDonnell Ranges including Kings Canyon - and then on to the most famous Central Australian icons of all: Ayers Rock/ Uluru and Mt Olga/Kata Tjuta. (Note that although Alice Springs often is the gateway to Uluru the distance is 460 kilometres, so don't plan for a quick day tour from Alice to Uluru and back.) At first appearance Alice is so civilised that it can be a real disappointment to those expecting saloons on every corner and colourful bush characters, but stick around and explore the area and you'll begin to appreciate the flavour of this desert community. The Alice Springs telegraph station is the reason for the existence of the town. The station was completed in 1872 near the spring named Alice after the wife of the builder of the Overland Telegraph Line, Charles Todd. The station was also built near a regularly used ceremonial ground of the Arrente Aboriginal Clan. Today the station is a popular picnic spot and historical museum. Alice Springs today a town with a population of more than 25,000 originated, as many of the towns along the Stuart Highway did, through the need for an overland telegraph to assist Australia with its communications to the world. Today the Historical Reserve based around the Old Telegraph Station is the Territory's finest existing dedication to the engineering feat and manpower associated with the inception of the telegraph line. Alice Springs has entered the world's consciousness via novels, television and movies. In the face of great odds it has flourished far from the 'civilised' east coast purely upon its own will to survive, with precious very little support from the harsh and breathtaking landscape. Some of the surrounding natural wonders include Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Redbank, Glen Helen and Ormiston Gorges.
And entertainments such as Casino, Karaoke and Piano Bars, Taverns, Cinemas, Festivals, Night Clubs and a Live theatre. If you just want to relax try Bushwalking, Camel Riding, Fossicking, Hot air ballooning, Swimming, Cultural and heritage Walks or just having a traditional Ausssie barbecue. Picture: Todd Mall where markets are held fortnightly.
The Alice Springs
Camel Cup
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Alice Springs is a quirky hodgepodge of tales--part love story, part family drama, even part thriller set in the Australian outback.
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Information about road conditions is available
from the Central Australian Tourism Visitor Information Centre on 8952 5800
in Alice Springs or by phoning 1800 246 199.
Information about weather conditions is available from the Central Australian Tourism Visitor Information Centre on 8952 5800 in Alice Springs or by going to the website www.bom.gov.au
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Alice
Springs a modern town in the heart land. 
