Alice Springs History
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The history of Alice Springs Township began in 1871 when a telegraph repeater station was built there, one of several repeater stations between Adelaide and Darwin. The township that grew up was initially called Stuart, but this name never really caught on and was officially changed to Alice Springs in 1933. Development of the town was slow, however, and the original road to Adelaide wasn't replaced until as late as 1987. In the past, travellers including train travellers basically followed the route of Stuart and the Overland Telegraph north from Port Augusta to Alice Springs, travelling what is today called the Old South Road through Oodnadatta and Finke. Today, the Stuart Highway is a first class road that is accessible by any vehicle.
For a short period of time Alice Springs was the capital of a territory known as Central Australia, which was later reincorporated into the Northern Territory.
Development has accelerated greatly over the past 20 years and today the town is a modern, moderate sized municipality that has a wealth of resources and facilities compared to any town of similar size anywhere in Australia. A significant part of Alice Springs history is the Ghan railway, which first arrived in the town in 1929. The railway was recently extended to Darwin. You can discover more about the history of the Ghan and its role in the development of Alice Springs at the Old Ghan Museum and Transport Hall of Fame.
Alice Springs is the second largest town in the Northern Territory of Australia. Popularly known as "the Alice" or simply "Alice", it had a population of 26,486 in 2005. Averaging 576 metres above sea level, the town is nearly equidistant from Adelaide and Darwin, close to the geographic centre of Australia. The site is known as Mparntwe to its traditional inhabitants, the Arrernte, who have lived in the Central Australian desert in and around what is now Alice Springs for more than 50,000 years. The outback oasis of Alice Springs is situated at the approximate centre-point of Australia. It is part of the Northern Territory, located in what is sometimes referred to as the Red Centre, a name that points to the rich ochre deposits found here. Located along iconic Ghan railway, Alice Springs is equidistance from Adelaide and Darwin. The Alice, as it's affectionately called, is the perfect place to stage an excursion into the quintessential outback. This is the only major city for miles, and tourists flock here for a glimpse of life on the Australian frontier. Tour operators plan trips of any length into the remote surroundings , and any skill set can be accommodated.
One of Australia's major icons, Ayers Rock (or Uluru) is located within striking distance of Alice Springs. This unique sandstone formation beckons admirers from the Alice, though at more than 280 miles away, it isn't particularly close. All the same, this is the landscape tourists imagine when they dream of Australia from home: red, sand-swept plains; unique wildlife darting among the chaparral undergrowth; and a pervasive dry heat. However, there's more to Alice Springs than bushwalking and braving the frontier. The city itself is a cultural gem with several historic buildings that have stood in their place for more than a century. The telegraph station, once a powerful asset in communicating with the rest of the country, is an ever-popular site with visitors.
Culture abounds in this part of the country. The Arrernte Aboriginal tribe has lived here for several millennia and their culture along with their dreamtime stories have been preserved through a rich, oral tradition. Aboriginal arts and crafts are for sale in the city centre, and several events throughout the year highlight the cultural contributions of this demographic.
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