BABS : The Bed and Breakfast Site : Accommodation Australia

Northern Territory

The Centre

Alice Springs is situated at the geographic centre of Australia.

Alice Springs is a new settlement in an ancient landscape situated on the floodplain of the Todd and Charles Rivers and nestled in the picturesque hills and gorges of the MacDonnell Ranges which stretch 400 km on either side of the town. The town has a population of 25000 people of whom 25% are Aboriginal.

The climate is semi-arid with the extremes of temperature which characterise desert regions. The temperature in summer (November–February) ranges from daytime highs of 35–40 degrees to  lows of 20-22. In winter (June–August) the nights can drop to below freezing but with days of 20–24 degrees. March–May (autumn) and September–October (spring) have balmy days around 28–30 deg C with nights between 10–15 deg C. The sky is almost always a brilliant blue during the day and so clear at night that millions of stars are visible. Or to quote Australia's favourite poet:

"For he sees the vision splendid of the sunlit plains extended,
And at night the wondrous glory of the everlasting stars."
A.B.(Banjo) Patterson.

Visitors can comfortably spend two or three days exploring the many attractions in and around Alice Springs – on foot, bicycle, motorcycle, hot-air balloon, helicopter, light aeroplane, camel, taxi, tour coach, shuttle bus, private hire limousine or self-drive rent-a-car.

Alice Springs is famous for a number of different events held annually including the Camel Cup and the (dry river bed!) Henley-on-Todd Regatta.

The Old Telegraph Station (the original settlement), Adelaide House, Old Stuart Town Gaol, the Residency, the Historic Precinct and Anzac Hill preserve some of the history of European settlement of the area from the 1870s.

The School of the Air, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the Museum of Technology, Transport and Communications and the Transport Heritage Precinct convey to the visitor the ingenious methods which the pioneers devised to overcome the hardships and isolation of life in Central Australia.

Pitchi Richi Sanctuary, the Strehlow Centre, Hermannsburg, Wallace Rockhole and the many Aboriginal art and craft galleries introduce the visitor to the Aboriginal Dreamtime and traditions.

The Araluen Centre for Arts and Entertainment with its galleries, craft studios and theatre presents a showcase for the vibrant arts community of Alice Springs.

Alice Springs has a casino, lively nightclubs and a variety of restaurants and cafes offering a cosmopolitan range of food and refreshments.

The main shopping precinct has a large number of stores selling Aboriginal art and artefacts, souvenirs, local jewellery such as opal and other semi-precious stones, and specialised clothing such as the famous Akubra hat, Australian stockman's clothing and different T-shirts as well as the usual bookshops, clothing stores and supermarkets.