Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Alice Springs Desert Park By means of an easy 1.6km (1-mile) trail
through three reconstructed natural habitats, this impressive wildlife and flora
park shows you 120 or so of the animal species that live in the desert around
Alice, but that you won't spot too easily in the wild (including kangaroos you can
walk among). Most of the creatures are small mammals (like the big-eared bilby),
reptiles (cute thorny devil lizards), and birds. Don't miss the excellent Birds of
Prey show at 10am and 3:30pm. There's a cafe here, too. Allow 2 to 3 hours.
Larapinta Dr., 6km (3 3 4 miles) west of town. & 08/8951 8788. Admission A$18 (US$12) adults, A$9
(US$5.85) students and children 5-16, A$40 (US$26) families. Daily 7:30am-6pm (last suggested entry 4pm;
'roo and emu exhibit closes 4:30pm). Closed Christmas. Desert Park Transfers ( & 08/8952 4667 ) provides
round-trip transfers from anywhere in Alice for A$30 (US$20) adults, A$25 (US$17) students and seniors,
A$20 (US$13) kids 5-16, A$77 (US$50) families; includes park admission.
Alice Springs Reptile Centre Kids can walk around with pythons or
bearded dragons (lizards) on their shoulders, all day if they want, at this Aussie
reptile park. The easy-going proprietor lifts up the cages' glass fronts for better
photos, and lets kids hand-feed bugs to the animals at feeding time. Some
30 species are on display, including the world's deadliest snake—Australia's inland
taipan—and big goannas. Allow an hour.
9 Stuart Terrace (opposite the Royal Flying Doctor Service). & 08/8952 8900. Admission A$7 (US$4.55)
adults, A$4 (US$2.60) children under 17, A$20 (US$13) families. Daily 9am-5pm. Closed Christmas and New
Year's Day.
Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve Alice
Springs began life as this charming telegraph repeater station in 1871, set by a
pretty water hole amid red bouldery hills, sprawling gums full of parrots, and
mercifully green lawns. An oasis in the harsh Alice landscape, it's a place tourists
often overlook. Arm yourself with the free map, or join a free 45-minute tour,
and wander around the old station master's residence; the telegraph office, with
its Morse code machine tap-tapping away; the shoeing yard packed with black-
smith's equipment; and the stables, housing vintage buggies and saddlery. By the
time you arrive, you may be able to “telegraph” e-mails to your friends from the
on-site computer. May through October, “kitchen maids” in period dress serve
scones (biscuits) and damper from the original wood-fired ovens. The park has
pet camels, and sometimes orphaned kangaroo joeys. Allow a good hour, more
to walk one of the several hiking trails leading from the extensive grounds. This
is a lovely picnic spot. There is a gift shop and coffee and snacks for sale, too.
On the Stuart Hwy. 4km (2 1 2 miles) north of town (beyond the School of the Air turnoff). & 08/8952 3993.
Free admission to picnic grounds and trails; station A$6.60 (US$4.30) adults, A$4.95 (US$3.10) seniors and
students, A$3.30 (US$2.15) children 5-15. Daily 8am-5pm (picnic grounds, trails open until 9pm). Station
closed Christmas; picnic grounds open 365 days a year. Take a cab or Alice Wanderer bus (see “Organized
Tours,” below) or the 4km (2 1 2 -mile) riverside pedestrian/bike track that starts near the corner of Wills Ter-
race and Undoolya Rd.
National Pioneer Women's Hall of Fame With a collection of photo-
graphs, domestic items, and other memorabilia, this engrossing museum tells
the stories of more than 100 Aussie women who were pioneers in their fields, be
they Olympic gold medalists, priests, or pilots.
The Old Courthouse, 27 Hartley St. & 08/8952 9406. www.pioneerwomen.com.au. Admission A$3
(US$1.95) adults, free for children under 15. Daily 10am-5pm. Closed mid-Dec to Feb 1.
Royal Flying Doctor Service Alice is a major base for this airborne medical
service that treats people living and traveling in the vast Outback. An interest-
ing 20-minute tour runs every half-hour, featuring a video and a talk in the
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