Alice Springs Travel Guide

Alice Springs. Isn’t that one of those names that runs away with your imagination? As was to be expected, the town is not called after young sparkling Alice jumping in the air. However, it is called after an Alice, Alice Todd, the wife of Charles Todd. In 1865, the two of them came to Australia to set up the first telegraph line. The area was large and unpopulated. During an expedition in the area, they came across a river with a waterhole in it. This waterhole was called Alice Springs and this is the site where a telegraph repeater station was founded. Some years later, the station moved to a neighbouring town that got, and still bears, the name Alice Springs.

Because of its central location and its nearby red-coloured rock-formations and the red-sand desert area, the town is also called the Red Centre. It is a nice place to stay and it has, despite its flock of tourists, been able to maintain its authentic character. The town itself has some interesting sights to explore, such as the telegraph station, the botanical garden and the Spencer and Gillen museum. It is also a good place from which to explore the outback with its camel farms, the famous Ayers Rock (respectfully called Uluru, it's original Aboriginal name) and several nature parks.

Maybe you are more familiar with Alice Springs than you know. This is the town where ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ did some groovy dancing. This is also the place where you can check out the Royal Flying Doctors Base, the medical service that lends medical assistance to those that live at remote places. And yes indeed, it was the inspiration for the famous television series. (However, don't be disappointed when you don't bump into doctor Tom or nurse Kate.)