About Alice Springs

Capital of the Outback

Alice Springs set amongst the ancient MacDonnell Ranges where every suburb of Alice enjoys spectacular views of the towering red quartzite escarpments, contrasting starkly against the green parks and gardens of the city.

Being the most geographically centred population in Australia, the climate is semi desert with the overnight average temperature in winter (May – Jul) from 5°C to summer daytime averaging 35°C – 38°C, (Dec – Feb) and rainfall of around 350mm per year.  The population of 28,000 is relatively young and made up of a wide range of cultural backgrounds from around the world.

Like the best outback towns, Alice Springs makes you feel welcome. Rich in both Aboriginal and European history the town enjoys “city like” facilities without the hassles and traffic. An abundance of restaurants and accommodation from the four and five star hotel accommodation to quality Bed and Breakfast and unique cattle station stays. Gateway to the Outback and the many adventures available. Alice boasts daily flights from every capital city and then some. The life style has an easy outdoor nature rhythm about it with beautiful living weather nearly year round. During winter the day time activities are the focus with temperatures around the 20 degrees with clear blue skies and plenty of sunshine. During summer the activity focus becomes early morning, or late afternoon into the evening with evening meals nearly always being eaten outside.

Town facilities include
Golf -a fully greened 18 hole golf course ranked in the top 10 desert golf courses in the world, with its spectacular views of the MacDonnell Ranges and huge vistas of the surrounding landscape. A pleasant experience even for the novice.

Aboriginal Art and Culture
While most of the Aboriginal communities have retail art shops in town the best art and selection is still only available on the communities. The highest quality pieces being shipped directly out to the big city art dealers around the world. Cultural experiences too are available at different communities, each language group being different from the next. For instance the lore, language and culture around Uluru bears little connection to Alice Springs or to Papunya and Hermannsburg areas.
Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre has a good selection of paintings as well as wooden artefacts and didgeridoos, they also offer local touring.
Papunya Tula Artists is a company formed by the Western Desert Artists whose homeland extend some 700km to the west of Alice Springs predominantly of the Luritja/Pintupi language groups. It currently has 47 shareholders and represents around 90 artists.

European Art and Culture
Alice is home to some very unique art and cosmopolitan culture.
Alice Springs Cultural Precinct is an excellent place to start. Encompassing The Araluen Centre which houses a 500 seat theatre, hosting both local, interstate and international acts as well as art house films on Sunday nights. Along with 3 major galleries featuring many local artist’s works in a variety of mediums including water colour and oil paintings, one being the Namatjira Gallery. The Museum of Central Australia includes displays of the evolution of Central Australian mega fauna and the largest ever bird and the Strehlow Collection. The Aviation Museum with its collection of early Flying Doctor and other historical aircraft housed in the original Connellan Airways hangars.  
National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame The heritage listed building houses a major exhibition featuring over 100 photographs of women who fought social convention to become first in their field. Additionally “Women at the Heart”, tells the story of the pioneering women of the Centre.
Leaping Lizards Art Gallery a contemporary gallery of modern pieces a treasure trove of decorative art pieces
Arunta Art Gallery is run by one of the local characters Mrs Harvey. She has owned and run the bookshop come art gallery for longer than I can remember and is a font of knowledge about rare and specialist books on Outback and Central Australia

Restaurants and coffee shops
While we may live in the middle of “no where” our enjoyment of good food and beverages has kept pace with the big cities.
Coffee shops abound like at the
Royal Fling Doctor Service Cafe. An ideal spot to enjoy a delicious light lunch or choose from a great selection of home made cakes as part of a leisurely morning or afternoon tea. Located in the heritage listed Royal Flying Doctor Service Headquarters the café is a favourite with locals and visitors offering both indoor seating or head outdoors to the tranquil garden.
Oscars Restaurant at the northern end of Todd Mall has good coffee fresh delicacies in a modern brassier styled restaurant looking into the mall. With very good service and large main serves it is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner

Restaurants abound what sort of themes would you like?.
The Lane Offers a base of French bistro cuisine for lunch and dinner along with an eclectic range of additions including tapas and wood fired pizzas. Choose from 20 wines by the glass, beers and fresh juices, gourmet deli items and an extensive wine list with over 300 entries. Dine inside in air-conditioned comfort or al fresco on the verandah on the Mall.
Bojangles Saloon and Restaurant (in town) with its up beat atmosphere and rustic Australian decor has a good range of Australian styled foods.
Keller’s Restaurant (in town) with its interesting combination of Swiss and Indian – my favourites are the indian dishes, Beat the owner boasts a very exquisite and impressive wine list. Experience the chef’s passion for food with his regional and seasonally inspired menu. Graze on the unusual fusion of Swiss and Indian along with innovative Australian cuisine at its best. Alfresco or inside dining.
Bluegrass Restaurant (in town) has a casual atmosphere with an unusual selection of very good and large meals to compliment it. Outside dining even in winter is a rewarding choice.
Red Ochre Grill (in town) specialises in Australian native cuisine
Barra on Todd A fresh seafood restaurant in the desert makes a welcome addition to the Alice Springs dining scene. Located at the Alice Springs Resort, the Barra on Todd restaurant offers a refreshing alternative to the traditional outback fare of beef, camel, kangaroo or emu. Barra on Todd’s menu pays homage to its namesake with four separate dishes, including a mouth watering barramundi on lemon risotto with champagne and salmon caviar or the simple but classic deep-fried barramundi with lemon pepper chips and preserved lemon mayonnaise.
Hanuman Restaurant (Crowne Plaza) This award winning restaurant is a must for any visitor to Alice Springs. Enjoy superb local produce authentic Thai and Indian dishes with the finest of Australian and imported wines. We recommend both their signature dish of Hanuman Oysters and the spicy whole fish.

Attractions
Alice Springs Desert Park is a very good introduction to the vast outback. Most people think it is a theme park or zoo before visiting, however following their 3-4 hour experience, all walk away with a very different impression. Most people are “blown away” with the very casual yet very informative modern displays some even encouraging hands on involvement. Representing 72% of the Australian mainland the biodiversity sets the scene for the real thing.
Royal Flying Doctor Service Instigated by the Reverend John Flynn it was the first aero medical service in the world combining radio communication, aerial transport and medicine. Still in operation today it is an insight to the many hardships experienced by the pioneering families and how the tyranny of distance has been overcome in the Australian Outback.
Adelaide House was the first hospital established in Central Australia and was designed by the Reverend John Flynn.
School of the Air is an adaptation from the flying doctor. With regular communication available to every far flung homestead and mining camp, teacher education was introduced, allowing standards and a community spirit to develop.
Andrew Langford’s Sounds of Starlight Theatre A spell binding journey stimulated by the didgeridoo and the beat of the bush, enriched with photographic images and special effects.
Red Centre Dreaming Dinner and Show A performance by traditional Aboriginal artists with dancing, weaponry, and didgeridoo playing.
Transport Hall of Fame – No, it is much more than another truck museum it is the transport industry museum with displays of the people, the businesses and the equipment designed and built for Australian conditions. It is also the home of the first road train built in the world.

Health, Fitness and Beauty
Alice has a selection of well being services and products
Alice Springs Health and Relaxation Centre – Massage, Sauna and Spa
Alice Body Crafts – specialising in Polynesian Huna Massage and Shiatsu
Beaute on the Mall – An extensive range of beauty treatments and massages
Headlines – Hair and Beauty
YMCA of Central Australia – fully equipped weight gym and classes
Essential Fitness - fully equipped weight gym and classes

Walking and cycling around Alice
Because of our life style and weather, walking and cycling around Alice is a very pleasant experience with a comprehensive network of good paths to most attractions and facilities. For the more energetic the Simpsons Gap bicycle path is a seventeen kilometre sealed track from Flynn’s Grave to Simpsons Gap itself. Wildlife abounds around every corner creating a rewarding ride experience. As a family we enjoy the ride and picnic regularly. Larapinta Walking Trail – For the energetic the majority of the trail is for experienced bush walkers, the trail is divided into 12 sections, starting at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station and running west along the backbone of the MacDonnell Ranges for 223kms to Mt Sonder. Section 1 is a 24km walk from the Alice Springs Telegraph Station to Simpsons Gap and is recommended as a 9 hr walk. The views along different sections of the trail are spectacular to say the least with a constant feeling of wilderness and space it has become world renown as a must do walk.

Parks and Wildlife NT website.