Air Adventure Australia

Destination Profile - Alice Springs, Northern Territory

Located 1524 km from Darwin and 293 km north of the South Australian border. Alice Springs is 576 metres above sea level and lies on the often dry Todd River. It is in the MacDonnell Ranges and lies on a rich alluvial plain. The Todd River, which was first discovered and named in 1871 by the parties building the Overland Telegraph, flows only after heavy rains. It rises in the MacDonnell Ranges and disappears 320 km south-east into the sands of the Simpson Desert.

Recognised as the 'Centre of Australia' Alice Springs owes its modern popularity to a booming tourist industry which brings people to 'The Alice' to either explore the beauty of 'The Centre', particularly the magnificent MacDonnell Ranges, or head off to Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) which lie to the south-west.

Historically it owes its existence to the fact that it was a vital link on the Overland Telegraph Line. It subsequently became the major railhead in the Northern Territory with cattle and goods being shipped through its goods yards.

The history and heritage of Alice Springs overflow with a rich cast of characters - in the late 1800's and early 1900s only the most intrepid pioneers braved its rugged environment. From Afghan cameleers to flying doctors, today it is possible to pay homage to their legacy at various historic sites around the town. A great base from which to explore its surrounding natural wonders, the town itself defies most travellers' expectations combining a strong sense of its outback history with all the convenience of modern facilities. Most of all, it is the uncomplicated yet vibrant personality of Alice that leaves a lasting impression on visitors.

The springs, after which the town in named, lie to the north-east of the town and were discovered in 1871 by the team building the Overland Telegraph. The surveyors were William Whitfield Mills and John Ross and there is some dispute as to which of these two men found the springs and named them. Mills did write that he had discovered a pass through the MacDonnell Ranges which led to an area 'with numerous waterholes and springs, the principal of which is the Alice Spring which I had the honour of naming after Mrs. Todd.'

The reason for this 'honour' was that Sir Charles Todd, the then Postmaster-General of South Australia, had been the driving force behind the building of the Overland Telegraph. Lady Alice Todd was his wife.

Hidden in the heart of the continent a long way from any other major signs of civilisation, the premier outback destination of Alice Springs was originally established as a repeater station on the Overland Telegraph Line in 1871. Stunted by its remoteness, the town struggled to develop with its population only reaching a meagre couple of hundred by the late 1950s. Finally in the mid eighties, the Alice was connected to South Australia by a shorter, sealed road, and its new accessibility helped promote the town's rapid growth to its present size.

The centre of Alice Springs lies in between the usually dry Todd River and the Stuart Highway, and contains the majority of the accommodation and eating out options. This compact and modern downtown area also features contemporary shopping plazas, art galleries (focusing on opal jewellery and local Aboriginal work), museums, and the Alice's small but lively nightlife scene.

Following Larapinta Road less than 10 kms out of town, the first of many attractions in this area is the Alice Springs Desert Park. The world's original "bio-park" is amazing. Several different ecosystems make up the major exhibits and these vary from walk through aviaries to the unique endangered species section. Only a few kilometres up the road, Simpson's Gap is one of a number of breathtaking narrow gorges in the area, showcasing the power and persistence of Mother Nature. Less than half an hour from Simpson's Gap, Standley Chasm is probably the most spectacular of all the gorges around Alice Springs. Less than seven metres across at its widest point and 80m deep, sunlight illuminates the bottom for a mere fifteen minutes a day!

With a population of over 50,000, the town is a self-contained business community catering for its population and the many thousands of visitors. Visitors may call in on the world's largest classroom - the School of the Air .

Although tourism is Central Australia's most valuable sector, the region also supports a huge cattle industry.

The Desert Park is a major highlight housing a tremendous array of the reptiles, marsupials and birdlife that inhabit this seemingly 'uninhabitable' arid ecosystem. The free flying raptor display must be seen to be believed.

This destination is part of the Flyaway Faraway Kimberley Style, Wet Season Spectacular and Unseen Centre Australian Adventure.