Alice Springs and the Central Australian region has a rich and diverse heritage, both natural and cultural, indigenous and non-indigenous. These are just some of the places worth visiting that will make your visit to “The Alice” and Central Australia, memorable.
Central Australia was, for thousands of years before the coming of Europeans, occupied by various sub-groups of the Arrernta (Aranda) peoples, stretching past Hermannsburg to the west, beyond Arltunga to the east, as far as Aileron to the north and almost to Oodnadatta in the south. Significant aboriginal sites able to be visited today include Corroboree Rock, Standley Chasm (Angerkle Atwatye) and the Ewaninga (Napwerte) Rock Carvings.
Between 1860 and mid-1862, John McDouall Stuart made three failed attempts to become the first European explorer to traverse the country from Adelaide to the coastline of the Arafura Sea (near present-day Darwin) before finally succeeding in late 1862. Although he never actually came up through The Gap in the McDonnell Ranges, the town of Alice Springs originally bore his name and today has many places named in his honour, including Stuart Park and the Stuart Highway.
Stuart’s explorations enabled the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line between 1871 and 1872, together with the regularly-spaced Repeater Stations, such as the Alice Springs and Barrow Creek Telegraph Stations, that linked Australia telegraphically, across Asia and Europe, to Britain. That same year, the first of the pastoral stations, such as Owen Springs and Undoolya, were being carved out and in 1877, the Lutheran Mission at Hermannsburg was established.
In 1888, the small settlement of Stuart Town (re-named “Alice Springs” in 1931) was proclaimed and its first 104 lots (essentially the present-day Central Business District) were surveyed.
The discovery of gold at Arltunga, in 1887, saw an influx of prospectors make their way on foot in search of their fortune and, for quite a while, they represented the largest non-indigenous population in the region. Stuart Town, by contrast, only had a “white” population of a dozen people, out-numbered even by the Telegraph Station to its north.
The town and the region continued to grow and the early part of the new century saw many developments, including the construction of a new Town Gaol in 1908 and the establishment of a hotel, a saddlery and two general stores.
In 1926, the town’s first hospital, Adelaide House, was built, followed soon after by the Old Courthouse and The Residency (1928) and the town’s first school, the Old Hartley Street School (1929). These developments heralded the arrival of the railway link from the southern states in 1929, as evidenced by the Railway Cottages on Railway Terrace.
Air services followed with the creation of the Town Aerodrome in the late-1930s and the launching of Connellan Airways in 1939.
The town’s new General Cemetery, established in 1931 to the south of the Town Aerodrome, began to take over from the earlier Stuart Town Cemetery, located in George Terrace. In 1934, the RSL Monument was erected on Anzac Hill, commemorating the fallen of WWI.
Growth of the town accelerated towards the beginning of World War II, reflected in the electrification of the town in 1937; the establishment of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (1939); the building of the Wallis Fogarty Store (1939); Tuncks’ Store; the government officers’ houses in the Heritage Precinct (1938 - 43); and the construction of the town’s New Prison, presently occupied by the National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame.
The war years (1939 - 45) accelerated development of the town, with improvements in water supplies and the sealing of the North Stuart Highway resulting from the need to defend Australia against the Japanese advance and the re-location to Alice Springs of the Territory’s administration following the bombing of Darwin in 1942. Little physical evidence has survived of the once-extensive military presence, but for the odd Sidney Williams Hut (such as the present day Totem Theatre); the Officers’ Mess at 4 Hele Crescent; and the Munitions Bunker on Gosse Street. The
RSL Museum is a great source of information on this period of the town’s history.
The war years saw very few non-military building, with the exception of the Pioneer Walk-in Theatre, presently occupied by the YHA.
Following the end of WWII in 1945, the town experience an even greater rate of growth, as many soldiers who had passed through the town returned to settle in “A Town Like Alice”. The growth was assisted by the Army’s sale of surplus war buildings, materials and equipment, enabling improvements in the township and pastoral stations, the opening up of the Farms Area south of the Gap, and the establishment of a fledgeling tourism industry. Regular tours began to run to Ayers Rock and The Olgas, Simpson Gap and Palm Valley, and the town’s first man-made attraction was established: the Pitchi Richi Sanctuary, just south of The Gap.
In 1952, John Flynn’s Grave was erected in recognition of his contribution towards the development of Alice Springs and outback Australia. Four years later, the John Flynn Memorial Church (1956) was also built in his honour.
The 1960s and 70s saw tourism continue to grow, as the town came to epitomise The Outback through books and movies of the time, such as “A Town Like Alice”, “Jedda” and “The Overlanders”. New Hotels, such as The Riverside (Todd Tavern) and many of the surviving commercial buildings, such as the Heenan Building at the southern end of Todd Mall, were built at this time.
Interest in the history of the town and the central Australian region has continued to the present day, with the establishment of the National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame, the Central Australian Aviation Museum, the Strehlow Centre, the Araluen Art Gallery, the National Road Transport Hall of Fame, the Old Ghan Railway Museum and the Alice Springs Desert Park.

All in all, The Alice has something for anyone who appreciates the importance of looking after heritage for future generations.
Heritage
Locations
In Alice Springs
The Residency
The Residency is one of the towns more unique heritage places, its significance as the short-lived “capital” of Central Australia makes it of importance on a national level.
Old Stuart Town Gaol
Built in 1908 of local stone, the Old Stuart Town Gaol is the oldest surviving building in Central Business District of Alice Springs, serving until 1939 and the establishment of the new prison.
Adelaide House
Completed in 1927 to a design by the Rev. John Flynn, Adelaide House served as the region’s only hospital until 1939, employing a unique cooling system based upon the “Coolgardie safe”
Old Hartley Street School
Established in 1930 as the town’s first purpose-built school, the Old Hartley Street School served until 1965, with its unique 1945 octagonal Kindergarden extension.
River Red Gum
This River Red Gum, the last to survive in this part of the Town Centre, is evidence of past river flood levels. It is sacred to the Arrernte people and is protected under the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority.
Former Pioneer Walk-in Theatre
One of only a few surviving buildings from the WWII era, the open-air theatre entertained the troops and was the scene for the world premiere screening of “A Town Like Alice”. Today, it is occupied by the YHA.
Former Riverside Hotel
Built in 1960 to a design by noted Territorian architect, Beni Burnett, the historic Riverside Hotel (re-named The Todd Tavern) is the last remaining traditional-styled pub in town.
Alice Springs Heritage Precinct
Established in 1939 as a new subdivision for government infrastructure, the precinct features several Official’s Houses, many designed by Beni Burnett, as well as Stuart Park, the new Hospital and Prison.
Stuart Memorial, Stuart Park
Erected in 1939, the Stuart Memorial commemorates John McDouall Stuart’s four expeditions attempting to traverse Australia from south to north, a feat he finally achieved in 1862.
Royal Flying Doctors Service
The Alice Springs Royal Flying Doctor Service base, established in 1939, helped expand essential medical services into Outback Australia, with innovative use of Aviation and Radio.
Women's Museum of Australia
The only museum of its kind in Australia, Women’s Museum of Australia (formerly the National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame) showcases the special contribution that women have made in history and Australia’s heritage.
Olive Pink Botanic Garden
First established in the mid-1950s by the anthropologist Miss Olive Pink, the flora reserve served as her home until her death in 1975, and was opened to the visiting public in 1985.
ANZAC Hill Memorial
Erected in the 1930s to commemorate the fallen in war, The Anzac Hill Memorial offers visitors a contemplative space with stunning views over the town and the ranges, particularly at dawn and sunset.
RSL War Museum
Long-time waterhole for veterans, the Alice Springs RSL Club’s new Museum features displays of war-time memorabilia and historic photographs depicting Australia’s war history.
Old Stuart Town Memorial Cemetery
Established in the late 1800s as Stuart Town’s first cemetery, the headstones speak of the hardships endured by the area’s first European settlers. Burials continued until the early 1930s.
Araluen Centre Art Galleries
From the traditional to the contemporary, these art galleries cater to all tastes, and include a gallery dedicated to the work of perhaps Australia’s best-known Aboriginal artist, Albert Namatjira.
Central Australian Aviation Museum
Established on the site of the town’s first Aerodrome, The Central Australian Aviation Museum features Connellan Airways’ original hangar, along with many planes and memorabilia commemorating aviation in central Australia.
Alice Springs General Cemetery
Alice Springs General Cemetery serves as the final resting place for many of the town’s historic characters, including artist Albert Namatjira, prospector Harold Lasseter and anthropologist Olive Pink.
Pitchi Richi Sanctuary
The heritage-listed Pitchi Richi Sanctuary was the town’s first man-made attraction catering to the growth in central Australian tourism. It is one of the town’s more unique historic places and is presently being restored by Heritage Alice Springs.
National Road Transport Hall of Fame
The National Road Transport Hall of Fame showcases Australia’s men, women and machines of the road transport industry, and is the largest museum of its kind in Australia with over 200 vehicles on show.
The Old Ghan Railway Museum
The Ghan Legends Museum celebrates the legend that was the Old Ghan train, named as a tribute to the early camellers whose “camel trains” helped open up The Centre.
Alice Springs Telegraph Station
Built in 1872 as a repeater station for the Overland Telegraph Line, the Alice Springs Telegraph Station marks the first European settlement in the central Australian region.
Old Courthouse
Coming Soon – The Old Courthouse was built at the same time as The Residency, as part of government infrastructure for the newly declared ‘state’ of Central Australia.
Heenan Building
Coming Soon – Designed by noted Territorian architect, Beni Burnett, the Heenan Building gave The Alice it’s first Milk Bar in 1959??
Former Wallis Fogarty Store
Coming Soon
Catholic Church Precinct
Coming Soon
Former CWA Hall
Coming Soon
Coolibah Swamp
Coming Soon
School of the Air
Coming Soon
Museum of Central Australia
Coming Soon
Former Date Farm
Coming Soon
Old Timer's Museum
Coming Soon
Around
Alice Springs
John Flynn's Grave
Erected in 1952 as a final resting place for the Rev. John Flynn, his grave under the MacDonnell Ranges is a fitting tribute to the man and his achievements for the people of The Outback.
7 Mile Aerodrome
Coming Soon
Owen Springs Homestead
Coming Soon
Hermannsburg Historic Precinct
Coming Soon
Glen Helen Homestead
Coming Soon
Corroboree Rock
Coming Soon
Arltunga Goldfields
Coming Soon
Old Hamilton Downs Homestead
Coming Soon
Alieron Homestead
Coming Soon
Old Ambalindum Homestead
Coming Soon
Ryan's Well
Coming Soon
Barrow Creek Telegraph Station
Coming Soon
Want to get involved?
Our organisation is limited only by the number of volunteers and funding available. By becoming a member, volunteering your time or making a donation, our association will be able to continue our restoration projects and run more activities.
News
& Events
Heritage Alice Springs aims to keep the community informed about news affecting heritage in the town and the Central Australian region.
Heritage Alice Springs also holds a number of events at The Residency, including the Annual Spring Flower Show and Heritage Week activities.
