Alice Springs, Northern Territory — Attractions
Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park
Formerly known as Ayres Rock, Uluru rises from the surrounding plains, protected within the Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park, and belongs to the Anangu Aboriginal people for whom it holds a special spiritual significance. In an isolated spot 280 miles (450km) from Alice Springs, the power of the rock draws hundreds of visitors taken on tours by Aboriginal guides who explain the monolith's importance in Aboriginal culture. A visit to this monolithic rock, the world's greatest, is an awesome experience. It is composed of a type of sandstone that has been exposed through folding, faulting, the erosion of rock and infill. At the base are caves, inlets and overhangs formed by chemical degradation and erosion. Some opt for the 1,142ft (348m) climb to the top, which takes about 45 minutes and is not for the faint-hearted; however it should be noted that for spiritual reasons the Anangu people request that visitors not climb the rock. Visitors should try to view Uluru at different times of the day - part of the magic of the rock is its constant color changes in different lights, particularly at sunrise and sunset. Visitors can take a camel tour of the outback at Uluru, or enjoy an unforgettable flight in a light aircraft or helicopter for a bird's eye view of the monolith. About 19 miles (30km) from Uluru is another fascinating geological formation on the desert landscape. Known as Kata Tjuta (formerly known as the Olgas), these comprise 36 domes of red-brown earth, the tallest of which, Mount Olga, is 656ft (200m) taller than Uluru. There is a range of accommodation at Uluru, from luxury resorts to campsites. There is also an Aboriginal cultural center and an arts and craft center, along with restaurants, swimming pools, galleries, supermarket, medical center and post office.
- Region/City Name
- Alice Springs
- Phone Number
- (0)8 8956 1128
- Email Address
- uluru.info@environment.gov.au
- Website
- www.environment.gov.au/parks/uluru
- Hours
- Hours vary depending on the season. Generally opens between 5am and 6.30am and closes between 7.30pm and 9pm
- Admission
- A$25 (adults), valid for three consecutive days
Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Center
The Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Center at Alice Springs started out in the 1970s and has since gone on to become one of Central Australia's most popular tourist attractions. Winning a Brolga Award for Tourism Excellence in 2005, the television series based on the RDFS has made this center an absolute must see. On average, 80,000 people visit the center each year, visiting the museum where they can browse through old medical equipment and an original Traeger Pedal Radio.
- Region/City Name
- Alice Springs
- Address
- 8-10 Stuart Terrace
- Phone Number
- +61889521129
- Email Address
- reservations@flyingdoctor.net
- Website
- www.flyingdoctor.org.au
- Hours
- Open Monday to Saturday from 9am 5pm and Sundays and public holidays from 1pm to 5pm. Closed Christmas Day and New Years Day. The last tour each day commences at 4pm.
- Admission
- A$7 (adults); A$3.20 (children). Concessions available.
Ernabella Arts
Ernabella Arts Inc. is Australia's oldest Indigenous art center and has been in operation since 1948. Aboriginal men and women can come here to develop and showcase their artworks in order to promote and sustain cultural heritage. These people speak Yankunytjatjara, Pitjantjatjara and Ngaanyatjara from the Western Desert language groups of central Australia. Used by approximately 70 people of all ages, the center displays Aboriginal art, contemporary art, craft, ceramics and paintings.
- Region/City Name
- Alice Springs
- Address
- Alice Springs NT 0872
- Phone Number
- +61889562954
- Email Address
- ernabellaarts@bigpond.com
- Website
- www.ernabellaarts.com.au
- Hours
- Gallery open Monday to Friday from 9am 5pm
Adelaide House
Located in Todd Mall next to the John Flynn Memorial Church, this impressive and historical Adelaide House was opened as a hospital-hostel in 1926. Sister Jean Findlayson was the brainchild behind the center, setting it up so that patients did not have to travel to Oodnadatta by wagon. Adelaide House was the only medical center in Central Australia until the opening of the hospital in 1939 and, during its peak, catered for a population of 950 people. In 1983 it was restored as a museum of local history and a radio room at the back of the house is where the first test radio transmission was received from Hermannsburg by Maurie Fuss in November, 1926, when Flynn and Traeger were experimenting with radio for the Flying Doctor Service. On display are journals, maps, publications and The museum has some fine displays including the story of the Australian Inland Mission, early journals, maps and a vast collection of historic photographs.
- Region/City Name
- Alice Springs
- Address
- Todd Mall, Alice Springs
- Phone Number
- +61889521856
- Hours
- Open Monday to Friday from 10am 4pm and Saturday 10am 12pm.
- Admission
- A$3.50 (adult) A$3.50 (children). Concessions available.
