Alice Springs Population 23,600
Alice Springs is situated in the geographic centre of the Australian continent,
23km (14 miles) south of the Tropic of Capricorn, and at the foot of the
picturesque MacDonnell Ranges.
Climate
Average temperatures: January max 36C (97F) - min 21C (70F); July max 20C
(68F) - min 4C (39F). In summer the temperatures can reach up to 42C
(107F), but the humidity is always low. The town is 610m (2001 ft) above
sea level.
Characteristics
The Northern Territory's most famous, and second largest town, The Alice
is a place to visit in its own right, but equally, it is a good base
from which to explore the wonders of The Centre. The spectacular MacDonnell
Ranges stretch for 150km (93 miles) to both the east and west of Alice
Springs, and contain many beautiful and unusual chasms and gorges.
How to Get There By Air
Alice Springs is 15km (9 miles) south of the airport. There is an Airport
Shuttle Service which meets every incoming and outgoing flight, and picks
up and drops off from all city accommodation places.
By Bus
Coach companies which travel Australia wide and have depots in Alice Springs
are Greyhound Pioneer and McCaffertys.
By Rail
The Ghan travels from Sydney and Melbourne to Adelaide and Alice Springs,
13 21 47.
By Road
Alice Springs is a long way from everywhere. The Stuart Highway is sealed
from Adelaide to Darwin, and the distance from Adelaide to Alice Springs
is 1540km (957 miles), and from Alice Springs to Darwin is 1480km (920
miles). Mt Isa to Alice via the Barkly Highway (sealed) is 1180km (733
miles).
Tourist Information
The Central Australian Tourism Industry Association is in Gregory Terrace,
(08) 8952 5199 or (08) 8952 5800.
The regional office of the Northern Territory Tourist Commission is at
67 Stuart Highway North, (08) 8951 8555.
Additionally, you can phone 13 3068 for general information, email nttc@nttc.com.au
or visit www.alice.com.au
Accommodation
A wide variety of accommodation is available, from luxury hotels to youth
hostels, and the Tourist Centre has a complete list. Here is a selection
with prices for a double room per night, which should be used as a guide
only. &The telephone area code is 08.
Rydges Plaza resort, Barrett Drive, 8952 8000. 235 rooms (private facilities),
licensed restaurant, bistro, swimming pool, spa, sauna, gym, tennis $210.
Alice Springs Vista Hotel, Stephens Road, 8952 6100. 140 units, licensed
restaurant, swimming pool, spa, tennis, barbecue $145.
Alice Motor Inn, 27 Undoolya Road, 8952 2322. 20 units, swimming pool $85-110.
Gapview Resort Hotel Motel, 115 Gap Road, 8952 6611. 52 units, licensed
restaurant, swimming pool, spa, barbecue $85.
Outback Motor Lodge, South Terrace, 8952 3888. 42 units, swimming pool,
barbecue $85-95.
Mount Nancy Motel, Stuart Highway, 8952 9488. 50 units, swimming pool,
barbecue $75.
Melanka Lodge Motel, cnr Todd Street & Stott Terrace, 8952 2233. 55
units, licensed restaurant, barbecue, pool $80-90; back-packer accommodation,
110 rooms $15 per person per night.
Caravan Parks
MacDonnell Range Holiday Park, Palm Place, 8952 6111. (No pets allowed)
273 sites, excellent facilities, barbecue, pool playground - powered
sites $23 for two, cabins $55-80 for two.
G'Day Mate Tourist Park, Palm Circuit, 8952 9589. (No dogs allowed) 86
sites, excellent facilities, pool - powered sites $20-22 for two, on-site
vans $50-55 for two, cabins $55-65 for two.
Stuart Caravan Park, Larapinta Drive, 8952 2547. (No dogs allowed)150 sites,
barbecue, pool - powered sites $21 for two, cabins $50-70 for two.
Wintersun Cabin & Caravan Park, Stuart Highway, 8952 4080. (No pets
allowed) 105 sites, pool - powered sites $20 for two, cabins $45-90 for
two.
Camping
There are quite a few overnight camping sites in the Centre, and for information
and pamphlets contact the Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern
Territory, South Stuart Highway, 8951 8211.
The sites are: Henbury Meteorite Craters, Kings Canyon, Chambers Pillar,
Trephina Gorge, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, Finke Gorge, Corroboree
Rock, N'Dhala Gorge, Ruby Gap, Serpentine Gorge, Redbank Nature Park and
Rainbow Valley.
Camping in the Centre is not your ordinary overnight campout, and several
precautions have to be taken as regards water, petrol, tyres, clothing,
and the risks of fire. The Commission can advise on all these aspects,
and their advice should not be ignored.
Local Transport
All major car rental companies are represented in Alice, and there are
plenty of taxis.
Bicycles can be hired from Melanka Lodge, 8952 2233, and mopeds from Shell
Todd, cnr Todd Mall & Wills Terrace, 8952 2279.
The Alice Wanderer operates on an hourly circuit visiting the major attractions,
and is an explorer-type service. For bookings and enquiries 8952 2111.
Eating Out
As with accommodation, Alice has a wide variety of eating places, ranging
from takeaways and coffee shops along Todd Mall and in the Yeperenye
Shopping Complex on Hartley Street.
KFC, Red Rooster, Hungry Jacks, Long John Silvers have all found their
way to the Alice, and counter lunches can be obtained at the Stuart Arms
Bistro in Todd Mall.
Following are some restaurants you might like to try:
The Palms Restaurant at Alice Springs Pacific Resort, 34 Stott Terrace,
8951 4545 - licensed, a la carte menu, hopen nightly from 6.30pm.
Golden Inn Chinese Restaurant, 9 Undoolya Road, 8952 6910 - licensed, Cantonese,
Szechuan, Malaysian - hopen Mon-Fri noon-2pm, 5-10.30pm, Sat-Sun 5-10.30pm.
The Overlanders Steakhouse, 72 Hartley Street, 8952 2159 - licensed, Australian
food including buffalo, camel and kangaroo steaks - hopen seven nights
from 6pm, and weekdays for lunch.
La Casalinga, 105 Gregory Terrace, 8952 4508 - licensed, Italian and pizza
bar - hopen seven days, restaurant 6-10pm, pizza bar 5pm-1am.
Keller's, Diplomat Hotel, Shop 1, Gregory Terrace, 8952 3188 - Swiss and
Indian cuisine - take away available.
Bojangles Saloon & Restaurant, 80 Todd Street, (08) 8952 2873.
Entertainment
The famous Ted Egan Outback Show, with tall tales and outback songs, is
presented hTues, Thurs, Sat & Sun at 8pm at the Chateau Hornsby Winery,
Petrick Road. Bookings are essential, 8952 9952. Ted is almost an Alice
Springs legend, and his show is top entertainment. If you notice that
many people are singing along with him, it is because they are part of
coach tours that have been listening to tapes of his songs all the way
to the Alice. Dinner is available from 6pm.
Lasseters Hotel Casino, 93 Barrett Drive, 8950 7777, has poker machines
and keno from 1pm and gaming tables from 7pm, and is hopen till very late.
Dress regulations apply - no cords or jeans for men or women, and men must
wear dress shoes.
Rio's Nitespot, at the Casino, has a disco from 9.30pm on Thurs-Sat. Simpsons
Gap Bar in the Sheraton Hotel has live entertainment from 8.30pm, Mon-Sat.
Heavitree Gap Tavern, at the Heavitree Gap Tourist Resort, off Ross Highway,
8950 4413, has a disco Fri-Sat 9pm-2am, and live entertainment from 4pm
Sun.
Alice Springs Gapview Resort, 115 Gap Road, 8952 6611, has a disco Wed-Sun
9.30pm-2am.
Araluen Arts Centre, Larapinta Drive, 8951 1120, has live theatre and films,
and on the first Saturday of every month there is a cabaret in the Bistro.
Points of Interest
Your first stop should be Anzac Hill which offers a good view of the town
and the surrounding ranges. Sunset and sunrise are the best times for
photographers, as the hills glow with colour. To get there by car turn
off the Stuart Highway just past the Shell depot, or you can walk up
via the Lions walk, opposite the Catholic Church on Wills Terrace.
Adelaide House Museum, Todd Mall, was built by the Australian Inland Mission
1920-1926 as the first Alice Springs Hospital, and was designed by Rev
John Flynn. It is open to the public Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-noon (closed
December to February). Admission is $3.30 adult and $2.20 child.
Flynn Memorial Church, Todd Mall, was built in memory of the late Reverend
John Flynn, founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Australian Inland
Missions.
Museum of Central Australia is in the Alice Springs Cultural Precinct on
Larapinta Drive. Displays include the Fine Art and Natural History of this
arid region. Open daily 9am-5pm, 8951 1122. Admission is $7 adult and $4
concession for the Cultural Precinct, which includes the Aviation Museum.
The Central Australian Aviation Museum is housed in the Connellan Hangar
on Alice Springs' original airport in Memorial Drive. It is open Mon-Fri
9am-4pm, Sat-Sun 10am-2pm, 8951 1122.
The Old Court House, cnr Parsons & Hartley Streets, was built originally
as the Administrator's Council Rooms and as the Mining Wardens Court. It
can only be viewed from the outside.
The Residency, on the corner of Parsons and Hartley Streets, was built
in 1926-27 for John Charles Cawood, the first Government Resident in Alice
Springs. It is now owned and operated by the Museums and Art Galleries
Board of the Northern Territory, and is open daily 9am-5pm, 8951 5688.
Admission is free.
Old Stuart Town Gaol, Parsons Street, was built in 1907-8, and is the oldest
building remaining in the Alice Springs town area. The Gaol is open Mon-Fri
10am-12.30pm, Sat 9.30-noon.
Old Hartley Street School was opened at the end of 1929, and the octagonal
room was added in 1946. The School is now the office and shop of the National
Trust Australia (NT). It is open daily from 10.30am-2.30pm.
The Panorama Guth, in 65 Hartley Street, is a 360 degree painted landscape,
and should not be missed. It is open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm, 8952
2013. Admission is $5.50 adult, $3.30 child.
Old Tunk's Store, cnr Hartley Street & Stott Terrace, was built as
a grocery and general store about 1940, and was used as such until 1980.
It is now the town office of Hertz NT.
The Old Government Homes, further along Hartley Street, were designed for
senior Government officers in the 1930s. Royal Flying Doctor Base was funded
by the women of South Australia as a centenary memorial to the pioneer
women of the State. The late Harry Rolland, a government architect, designed
the radio building and operators' quarters. The base is open Mon-Sat 9am-4pm,
Sun 1-4pm, 8952 1129. Admission is $5.50 adult, $2.20 child.
Gnoilya (Wild Dog) Tmerga is a registered sacred site in a chained-off
enclosure in the Stuart Transit Plaza. Known as Wild Dog Rock, it tells
the story of an Aboriginal Legend.
The above attractions, and more, are included in a Heritage Walk that has
been organised, and the Tourist Offices have all the details.
The Telegraph Station, the original Alice Springs communication post, is
3km north on the Stuart Highway. It features the original building and
equipment in an historic reserve, and is a pleasant picnic spot. Open daily
8am-5pm, with entry $6 adult and $3 child.
School of The Air, Head Street next to Braitling School, is open for visitors
Mon-Fri 1.30-3.30pm. It is closed weekends, public holidays, for school
activities and during the Christmas vacation. Admission is $3.50 adult,
$2.50 child and it is open Mon-Sat 8.30am-4.30pm, Sun 1.30pm-4.30pm.
Olive Pink Flora Reserve, Tunks Road Golf Course Causeway, has a large
variety of native shrubs and trees from a 300km (186 miles) radius of Alice
Springs, and an excellent information centre. Open daily 10am-4pm, 8952
2154.
The Kookaburra Memorial, next to the Aviation Museum is open during the
same hours.
Alice Springs Memorial Cemetery is the final resting place of many pioneers
and famous personalities, including Albert Namatjira, Harold Lasseter of
the elusive 'Lasseter's Reef', and E.J. Connellan, founder of Connellan
Airways, the Territory's first airline.
Diarama Village, on Larapinta Drive, depicts myths and legends of the Australian
Aborigines, and also has a good selection of arts and crafts. Open daily
10am-5pm, 8952 1884.
The Date Gardens, Palm Circuit, is Australia's first commercial date garden.
It is open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm, 8952 8493.
Frontier Camel Tours, Ross Highway, 8953 0444, is a camel museum, and offers
camel rides. It is open daily 9am-5pm, and is one of the most popular attractions
in Alice.
Alice Springs Reptile Centre, 9 Stuart Terrace, has a large collection
of Central Australian reptiles. It is open daily 9am-5pm, 8952 8900. Admission
is $7 adult, $4 child, and the centre is open daily 9am-5pm.
Alice Springs Desert Park, Larapinta Drive, 8951 8788, showcases a selection
of the flora and fauna which are part of the desert landscape. The Nocturnal
House is excellent. The award-winning attraction is open 7.30am-6pm daily
and admission is $18 adult, $9 child and $40 family.
The Old Timers' Folk Museum, south on the Stuart Highway, has exhibits
dating back to the 1890s. It is open daily 2-4pm, 8952 2844, with admission
prices at $2 adult, children free.
The Ghan Preservation Society, 5km south of Alice in Norris Bell Avenue,
is hopen daily, but train rides are only available Wed, Thurs, Fri and
Sun, 8955 5047. The museum charges admission at $5.50 adult, $3.30 child.
Chateau Hornsby, Petrick Road, off South Stuart Highway, 8955 5133, is
15km (9 miles) from the heart of Alice Springs, and is Central Australia's
first and only winery. Tours are available, as are barbecue lunches, and
there is a restaurant. It is open daily 10am-5pm between March and December.
Festivals
The Bangtail Muster is held on the first Monday in May, which is a public
holiday in the Northern Territory. There is a parade of floats and a
sort of Mini-Moomba. It is a great day for the kids.
The Camel Cup is held on the second Saturday in May, and is organised by
the local Lions Club. This camel race has been held every year since 1971.
The Food and Wine Festival is held the day after the Camel Cup on the Lawns
of the Verdi Club, Undoolya Road, beginning at 11am. There is a great deal
of entertainment, with live music throughout the day.Wynn's Finke Desert
Race - Alice-Finke-Alice, is held over the Queen's Birthday weekend in
June. Finke is 240km (149 miles) south of Alice Springs, and the competitors
and pit crews camp out in cold temperatures overnight at Finke, then the
race recommences next morning for the trip back to Alice.
Alice Springs Rodeo is held in August/September, and cowboys and cowgirls
from all over Australia compete for top prize money.
Henley-On-Todd is held in September, and is an incredible event. The ingredients
for its success are: a dry river bed, bottomless boats, and plenty of human
horse-power. The regatta begins with a parade of the different craft down
Todd Mall, then the races start at 9.30am in the Todd River next to the
Anzac Oval.
Beerfest is held the day after Henley-On-Todd at the Verdi Club. It begins
at 11.30am, with entertainment throughout the day, 40 different varieties
of beer, and lots of food of different nationalities.
Tours
There are many tour companies in Alice Springs offering tours in and around
the town by coach, plane, helicopter, camel or horse. The Tourist Centre
has a complete list, and can advise on the best tour to suit your requirements.
Outlying Attractions
The Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory offer Ranger
guided tours and talks available at the parks around Alice Springs. For
information on these very interesting tours contact the Commission, 8951
8788, or the Alice Springs Regional Tourist Association.
West of Alice
John Flynn's Grave Historical Reserve
7km (4 miles) west of Alice Springs on Larapinta Drive, there is a stone
cairn which contains the ashes of Reverend John Flynn, the founder of
the Australian Inland Mission, The Royal Flying Doctor Service, the first
inland medical centre, and an outback padre patrol system. The cairn
is crowned by a large boulder from the Devil's Marbles. The reserve has
no facilities.
Simpsons Gap National Park
The Park is located in the West MacDonnell Ranges, 18km (11 miles) from
Alice Springs, and is one of the largest parks in Central Australia.
Access is via Larapinta Drive, then a signposted turnoff into the Park,
and is suitable for conventional vehicles. The Park actually commences
only 8km (5 miles) from Alice, but the Visitor Centre is a further 10km
(6 miles) into the Park, and there is always a Ranger on site. The centre
has a display illustrating aspects of the natural history of the area,
toilets and a parking area. 5km (3 miles) further into the park there
is a developed picnic area.
The Park is open daily 8am-8pm, and is accessible year round, with the
cooler months from April to September being the most pleasant. During summer,
the high temperatures make bushwalking uncomfortable. The best times to
observe the native wildlife are early morning and late afternoon. There
are numerous opportunities for bushwalking, and while most walks are not
marked, there are natural landmarks that offer adequate guidance.
Standley Chasm
The Chasm is a steep cleft in the MacDonnell Ranges,and is about 50km (31
miles) west of Alice. The reserve is open daily 8.30am-4.30pm, and has
a kiosk, barbecues and toilets. The entrance fee is minimal, and the
Chasm is a photographer's delight when the sun is overhead and lights
up the red walls.
Ellery Creek Big Hole Nature Park
93km (58 miles) west of Alice Springs on Namitjira Drive is another gorge
with high red cliffs and a large waterhole with shady River Red Gums.
There are picnic facilities and toilets.
Serpentine Gorge Nature Park
This gorge is 104km (65 miles) to the west, and is narrow and winding with
waterholes and bush scenery. The entry road is a bit rough, and there
are barbecue and toilet facilities.
Ormiston Gorge and Pound National Park
Pound National Park is the largest park in the Western MacDonnell Ranges,
and its most popular feature is Ormiston Gorge, the catchment area of
the Finke River, thought to be the oldest river in the world. The Gorge
has a near-permanent waterhole at its southern end.
Access to the Park is suitable for conventional vehicles, although periods
of heavy rainfall can cut the roads due to flooding. Up-to-date information
on road conditions are available by phoning Road Reports on 1800 246 199.
The park has picnic facilities for day visitors, including gas barbecues
and toilets. The small general campground is suitable for tents, campervans
and caravans. The other campground caters for large groups and coach tours.
Both campgrounds have barbecues, toilets and showers, but all visitors
are advised to bring their own drinking water. There is a Visitor Information
Centre in the Park, and they can advise on all the bush walks available.
Glen Helen Gorge Nature Park
Glen Helen Gorge is 133km (83 miles) from Alice Springs, and has been formed
by the Finke River cutting through the MacDonnell Ranges. There is a
30m (98 ft) deep waterhole, which the Aborigines believed was the home
of the Giant Watersnake. Next door to the Park is the Glen Helen Homstead,
8956 7489, which offers accommodation, a caravan park and barbecue facilities.
Redbank Nature Park
Redbank Gorge is 30km (19 miles) west of Glen Helen, and there are several
very deep and cold pools along its 800m (875 yds) length. As with the
other gorges, the scenery is magnificent, and there are picnic facilities.
Hermannsburg
The historic buildings of Hermannsburg are 123km (76 miles) south-west
of Alice Springs on Larapinta Drive. It was established as a mission
by the Lutheran Church, and is now owned by the Aranda People who are
restoring the old buildings with the help of the National Trust. The
Kata-anga Tearooms are hopen daily 9am-1pm, and Aboriginal artefacts
are available.
Finke Gorge National Park
The Park covers 46,000ha (113,620 acres), including the famous Palm Valley.
The Park is best known for its population of the rare palm Livistona
mariae or Red Cabbage Palm. These 3000 or so palms have survived here
for at least 10,000 years, and are unique to the area. The Park is 16km
(10 miles) south of Hermannsburg, and 138km (86 miles) from Alice Springs.
The access road requires 4WD, and there are barbecues and toilets.
South of Alice
Rainbow Valley Nature Park
The park's main attraction is seen at its best in later afternoon, when
the setting sun shines directly onto a stark range of richly-coloured
sandstones. There are picnic facilities, and 4WD is recommended. The
Park is 101km (63 miles) south of Alice Springs, turning off the Stuart
Highway at 85km (53 miles).
Henbury Meteorites Conservation Reserve
Located 145km (90 miles) south-west of Alice Springs, the Park can be reached
in conventional vehicles, and is accessible year round. The Reserve contains
twelve craters which were formed when a meteor hit the earth's surface
at the main crater, 4700 years ago. The meteor disintegrated before impact,
and the fragments formed the twelve craters. They are of interest to
scientists due to their similarity to the moon's surface.
There is no drinking water in the area, and very little firewood, so visitors
should take their own. Facilities include wood barbecues, picnic furniture,
a pit toilet and self guiding walking tracks.
Watarrka National Park
This park contains the western end of the George Gill Range, which includes
the scenically splendid Kings Canyon, attractive rockholes and areas
of lush vegetation. The Canyon features a plateau of rock domes, and
sandstone walls rising up 100m, covered with rock carvings formed by
the erosive action of wind and water.
The park is about 310km (193 miles) south-west of Alice Springs, and is
accessible by conventional vehicles. Facilities include parking areas,
toilets, showers and barbecues. Wallara Ranch, near the junction of Angus
Downs and Ernest Giles Road, has accommodation, food and fuel.
Ewaninga Rock Carvings Conservation Reserve
The Reserve is 39km (24 miles) down the Old South Road from Alice Springs,
and the carvings are thought to predate the Aborigines who reside in
the area now, as they have no knowledge of their origin or meaning. There
are barbecues, toilets and explanatory signs.
Chambers Pillar Historical Reserve
This impressive sandstone pillar was used as a landmark by early pioneers,
and many tales of hardship have been carved in the base. It is 149km
(93 miles) south of Alice on the Old South Road, and access is by 4WD
only.
East of Alice
Emily and Jessie Gap Nature Park
These are two gaps in the MacDonnell Ranges, 13km and 18km (8 and 11 miles)
respectively, east of Alice Springs. They are very scenic and have great
significance to the Aborigines. There are barbecue and toilet facilities.
Corroboree Rock Conservation Reserve
Another scenic pillar of rock which is significant to Aborigines is 48km
(30 miles) east of Alice Springs, and has barbecue and toilet facilities.
Trephina Gorge Nature Park
Situated in the East MacDonnell Ranges, Trephina Gorge Nature Park is noted
for its sheer quartzite cliffs and River Red Gum lined watercourses.
There are two gorges in the park - Trephina Gorge, with its wide views
and sandy creek bed, and John Hayes Rock Hole, which attracts many animals
and birds.
The Park is 85km (53 miles) east of Alice Springs, and is accessible to
all vehicles, although the John Hayes Rockhole track is recommended only
for vehicles with a high ground clearance, as there are a number of rough
crossings. There are three picnic areas, each with toilet facilities, wood
barbecues and picnic benches. Camping areas are located at Trephina Bluff
and Trephina Gorge, where water is provided.
Ross River Homestead
Originally the Love's Creek Station, this is now a ranch style resort,
and is 88km (55 miles) east of Alice, and 15km (9 miles) east of Trephina
Gorge. All facilities are available, including fuel.
N'Dhala Gorge Nature Park
Access to this park is 4WD recommended, and it is 98km (61 miles) east
of Alice Springs. The scenery is magnificent, and there are ancient Aboriginal
rock carvings. The park has barbecue and toilet facilities.
Arltunga Historical Reserve
Alluvial gold was discovered in a dry creek bed downstream from Paddy's
Rockhole in 1887, and at one time the area supported 3000 people. Mining
activity in the area continued for 30 years. Now you can explore the
ruins of a number of stone buildings, some of which have been largely
restored. The Reserve is 110km (68 miles) east of Alice Springs, and
can be reached and explored in conventional vehicles.
There is a small interpretive visitor display and toilet block near the
entrance, and picnic facilities are located at the Historic Mine Walks
parking area and at the Great Western Mine parking area. Toilets and a
picnic area are also provided at the Police Station/Kangaroo Well parking
area. There are Rangers on duty in the Park.
For more information phone 8956 9661.
Ruby Gap Nature Park
Access to this park is by 4WD only, and there are no facilities, just beautiful
gorges along the Hale River.
