Height above sea level:,660m
Latitude: -23.4200
Longitude: 133.52.00
Location: 1,500km south of Darwin
Highway: Stuart Hwy (87)
Nearest Major Town: Darwin
Nearest Airport: Alice Springs
Touring Area: Central Australia
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Population: 35,000, Height above sea level:,660m Latitude: -23.4200 Longitude: 133.52.00 Location: 1,500km south of Darwin Highway: Stuart Hwy (87) Nearest Major Town: Darwin Nearest Airport: Alice Springs Touring Area: Central Australia |
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Alice Springs is the centre for one world's most exciting touring
areas, encompassing some 100,000 square kilometres.
The Centre is best known for the enormous monolith, Ayers Rock, but 'The Rock' as it is known to locals, is merely a bonus in an array of unique attractions. Within as few hours drive of Alice Springs you can see the spectacular Kings Canyon or the lush Palm Valley; you can explore the gorges and chasms of the MacDonnell Ranges or browse the fascinating ruins of the old Arltunga gold rush town. Closer to town are the Ewaninga Rock Carvings and Corroboree Rock, rich in aboriginal 'Dreamtime' legend, and stark reminders of Australia's rich heritage. While the 'Dreamtime' is tangibly evident in and around Alice Springs, pioneering settlement of the harsh Central Australian environment by Europeans is also evident. The original buildings of the Alice Springs Telegraph Station (1871) are fully restored and offer an insight into the conditions and enterprise of the first residents. Near the town centre the first substantial building, the Stuart Town Gaol (1909), still stands. The city of Alice Springs was 100 years old in Australia's bi-centennial year (1988) and was gazetted as Stuart town in 1888. In a little over a century it has grown from a handful of telegraph station employees, miners and adventurers, to a thriving city of 29,000 people. That this history and growth can be seen and felt through the original town buildings complements its individuality. (See A Brief History of Alice Springs) Yet Alice Springs is not only history. It is a vibrant town renowned for its zany carnivals and the life-loving people who have made their home in the heart of Australia. The Camel Cup, Henley on Todd, Bangtail Muster, Wine and Food Festival, Beerfest, Alice Springs Cup, Rodeo, and endless sporting carnivals make it a fun town. For the adventurous, Lasseters Casino provides an opportunity to try your luck on the tables or poker machines.The art lover will find galleries and museums to delight them, many displaying and selling genuine aboriginal artefacts and art. Whatever you are seeking in an outback holiday, you will find it in, or near, Alice Springs. A browse through menus opposite will confirm this. Over the past 10 or 15 years the quality of accommodation in Alice Springs has kept pace with its rapid growth. Major hotel and motel chains are now represented and a list will be found below. For the sporting person there is every facility, including a golf course set adjacent to the MacDonnell Ranges, and which must be one of the prettiest settings for the game available. Alice Springs is a destination rather than a short stop-over. At least 1500km. from the nearest capital city, and 450 from Ayers Rock, you should set aside at least a week to explore this unique corner of the earth. See Alice Springs Town Centre Map |
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© Copyright Peter W. Wilkins | |
