Flights to Alice Springs
Alice Springs (2005 population 26,486) is
located in the Northern Territory of Australia, and is the second largest town
within the region. Sometimes called
"the Alice", the area is also known as Mparntwe to the
Arrernte, the indigenous people of the land.
The Arrente have lived in and around the site for more than 50,000
years. Beginning in 1861, John McDouall
Stuart led an expedition to the Central Australian desert, not far from where
Alice Springs lies today. It was this
Scotsman who established a route from the southern to the northern region. Later, a settlement was established for
construction on a repeater station for the Overland Telegraph Line,
linking the area down the line to Great Britain. Completed in 1872, the Overland Telegraph Line
traced the path of Stuart's route and opened the interior for settlers. Eventually gold was discovered just east of
the site of Alice Springs, bringing a significant amount of permanent
settlers.
A country rich in waterholes, gorges and mountain ranges, it is an important
area to the Arrernte people-- who made this sacred area a conservation
site. In many schools in the region the
Arrenrte tongue is still spoken and thus taught, and is even spoken in local
government. The native people of this
area are very important to its cultural heritage. Considering its size, this town has done
quite well for itself, boasting a world-class convention center, great
restaurants, and a series of top-notch tourist attractions. Of these, visit the site of where
westernization all started-- the Overland Telegraph Station. One of the great engineering feats of 19th
century Australia (and an important milestone in telegraphic history), it is
also one of its best kept tourist attractions. Get your fill of the outdoors,
and visit one of the several parks and gardens including the Olive Pink Botanic
Garden, Alice Springs Desert Park, The Alice Springs Reptile Centre and the
MacDonnell Ranges. All of these great
family excursions will get you searching for a way to stay.
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