Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve
This oasis marks the first European settlement of Alice Springs, which takes its name from the water hole nearby. Alice Springs began life here in 1872 as a telegraph repeater station, against a backdrop of red hills and sprawling gum trees. Arm yourself with the free map or join a free 45-minute tour. You can wander around the old stationmaster’s residence; the telegraph office, with its Morse-code machine tap-tapping away; the shoeing yard, packed with blacksmithing equipment; and the stables, housing vintage buggies and saddlery. From the on-site computer, you can “telegraph” e-mails to your friends or be really old-fashioned and send mail through the Telegraph/Post Office, which will be stamped with a special franking stamp. It’s a charming and much-underrated place. Allow a good hour—more to walk one of the several hiking trails—or bring a picnic and stay longer. You are also likely to see kangaroos and rock wallabies. It has a gift shop and offers coffee and snacks for sale.
This oasis marks the first European settlement of Alice Springs, which takes its name from the water hole nearby. Alice Springs began life here in 1872 as a telegraph repeater station, against a backdrop of red hills and sprawling gum trees. Arm yourself with the free map or join a free 45-minute tour. You can wander around the old stationmaster’s residence; the telegraph office, with its Morse-code machine tap-tapping away; the shoeing yard, packed with blacksmithing equipment; and the stables, housing vintage buggies and saddlery. From the on-site computer, you can “telegraph” e-mails to your friends or be really old-fashioned and send mail through the Telegraph/Post Office, which will be stamped with a special franking stamp. It’s a charming and much-underrated place. Allow a good hour—more to walk one of the several hiking trails—or bring a picnic and stay longer. You are also likely to see kangaroos and rock wallabies. It has a gift shop and offers coffee and snacks for sale.
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