Things you should know about Alice Springs

If you think about desert, Sahara comes first in any mind. Nevertheless, Australia is covered 70 % by deserts! Thinking about the desert, anyone knows that in a desert there is no life and the survive is very difficult. This is again a myth you will forget after visiting Alice Springs, which is located in the very middle of Australia. And in the middle of desert, of course.

Alice Springs viewed from Anzac Hill

Alice Springs, or Alice, or The Alice, as the Aussies shortly name it, is a small town with 25 000 inhabitants. It was grounded around 1870 when a cable line linking the Australian big cities was set in the desert. Enthusiastic workers discovered a spring here, and thus the town was founded. It is an important symbols for all Aussies, and maybe for all the mankind, of surviving in the most difficult conditions. The name of the Cable Company manager was Todd, and the name of his wife was Alice.

The original Alice's Spring which gave the name to the town

Today Alice Springs is an important tourist attraction and enjoys many amenities you didn’t normally expect in such a little town. There are many hotels, starting from budget hostels to luxury five stars hotels. Most important thing you should be aware of while in Alice Springs is the possible shortage of running water. Water is the most important resource for this town, you can imagine, and don’t be upset if you can’t take a shower in your hotel.

The legendary Ghan train in the railway station Alice Springs

Alice Springs is easy reachable by air from any important city of Australia. Fact is, that Alice Springs relies on air flights for its survive since a few decades, and you can visit there an interesting Aviation Museum. Alice is also reachable by car, through the Stuart Highway, or by train (The legendary Ghan has a station here. The Ghan is not Orient Express, and costs more than the flight. But it is a worth adventure for train fans.)

Camel races in Alice Sping are incrediby fast and spectacular

Camel races in Alice Springs are incrediby fast and spectacular

Maybe the most interesting thing to do in Alice Springs is visiting the Desert Park. Thus you will learn about the rich wild life in a desert, which is very far from what you could think. On 3000 acres you can discover bugs, scorpions, lizards and even wallabies (a kangaroo relative on the edge of extinction). If you have the chance to visit it after a rain, you have the unique opportunity to watch an unbelievable show. But it happens very rarely! The Desert Park lies a few kilometers outside the town, but any hotel in the town is able to organize a tour for 15 $, including the entrance fee. You can even eat very good in the park at a satisfactory restaurant.

The Telegraph Station from Alice Springs is a historical building, one of the town first build.

Camel races are also an attraction in Alice Springs. They are very spectacular, as these special trained camels reach unbelievable speeds. The locals are very fond of these events, and organize them on a regular basis.

There are so many things to know and discover in Alice Springs. It is without any doubt one of the world’s most interesting travel destination. You don’t need more than 3 days for knowing thoroughly the town, but it is important to have seen it.