Alice Springs and its immediate surroundings present many options for delving further into the cultural, historical history of Alice Springs, and the nature and environmental of Central Australia.

Nature reserves, museums, galleries and interpretative displays are all readily accessible from the town centre and provide the ideal interlude to exploring the East MacDonnell Ranges, the West MacDonnell Ranges, and the Simpson Desert areas.

Some of the more significant local attractions in and around Alice Springs include:

Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre: The Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre in Todd Street includes a gallery showing Arrernte culture and an Aboriginal music museum. Learn to play a didgeridoo at the only Didgeridoo University in the world. You can have a go at spear throwing, try billy tea and damper and experiment with bush tucker. Open 9:00am to 6:00pm.

Adelaide House Museum: Designed by Rev. John Flynn, Adelaide House opened in 1926 as Alice Springs' first hospital. In his unique design, Flynn used a cellar with air-ducting leading up into the building to provide cool air for summer. Adelaide House now contains extensive biographical details on Flynn. Located in Todd Mall and open from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Alice Springs Cultural Precinct: The Precinct presents a wonderful array of culture and history on one site. Wander through the Araluen galleries or stroll through Memorial Cemetery, where many early Centralian characters lay buried. Visit the Museum of Central Australia and the Aviation Museum of Central Australia or simply sit back and relax in the Frank McEllister Park. On the corner of Larapinta Drive and Memorial Avenue, it is open 7 days 10:00am to 5:00pm but closed Christmas Day and Good Friday.

Alice Springs Desert Park: This unique Park showcases the landscapes, animals and plants of Australia's deserts and their traditional use by Aboriginal people. Animals and plants are presented together in habitats as they would appear in their natural environment along with the stories of their inter-relationships, with a Nocturnal House showcasing animals of the desert night. Situated in Larapinta drive to the west of the town centre, it is open from 7:30am to 6:00pm daily.

Alice Springs Turf Club: Racing has always been part of the pioneering history of Alice Springs. Today, 125 years after the first race meeting was conducted, racing takes place almost weekly at picturesque Pioneer Park Racecourse. Open 11:00am to 10:00pm.

ANZAC Hill Lookout: The lookout on top of Anzac Hill provides panoramic views of Alice Springs and the ranges beyond. It is located off Wills Terrace and is open daily with no admission charge.

Araluen Arts Centre: The Araluen Centre houses two major art galleries including the Albert Namatjira Gallery featuring some of the original work of this famous Aboriginal artist. The centre hosts major travelling exhibitions throughout the year and also has a permanent collection. Live theatre and cinema are a regular feature, with details published in the local newspaper. Located in Larapinta Drive, the public display areas are open from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

Arltunga: Officially Central Australia's first town, Arltunga was established as a result of the 1887 gold rush with fortune seekers travelling a perilous 600 kms from the Oodnadatta railhead, often on foot. Mining activity continued in the area for 30 years with the town reaching a peak population of 3,000 people. Today you can relive the heyday of Arltunga at the historical reserve, where the remains of mines, old miners camps and stone buildings (some of which have been restored), are preserved for the public to explore. Located 110 kms east of Alice Springs, the reserve can be reached easily in a two-wheel drive vehicle along the Ross Highway. Camping is not permitted, however admission is free and the visitors centre is open from 8:00am to 5:00pm daily.

Aviation Museum Of Central Australia: The north-south runway of Alice Springs' first aerodrome was cleared using police and prison labour in 1920. The first aircraft landed in 1921. The original Connellan Airways hangar still stands. Early photographs provide a potted history of Connellan Airline's 40 years of service. Located in Memorial Avenue, the museum is open 10:00am to 5:00pm.

Chateau Hornsby Winery: Chateau Hornsby is the first and only vineyard and winery in the Northern Territory. Wine tastings and wine sales are available every day. Jazz at the Winery every Sunday ($3 adults), held in afternoons in cooler months, and evenings in warmer months. Located in Petrick Road, admission is free and opening times are Mon-Sat 9:00am-5:00pm, Sun 9:00am-9:00pm. Closed December and January.

Date Gardens: Australia's oldest date plantation, The Date Garden continues to produce juicy dates you can sample in ice-cream and muffins, or au naturel. Date palms were bought to this country by the Afghans in the 1800s and the conditions couldn't have suited them better. In Palm Circuit, admission is free and opening times are Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm, Sat 9:00am-1:00pm. Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday.

East MacDonnell Ranges: See first hand the picturesque gorges and dry river valleys of Trephina that are the epitome of Central Australian scenery, step back into the Territory's history at the Arltunga historic mining settlement, and appreciate the long history of the regions Eastern Arrernte culture at Corroboree Rock and N'Dhala Gorge.

Frontier Camel Farm: 4km from Alice Springs on the Ross Highway, you can get a closeup look at the animals originally used by our pioneers for outback exploration and supply and hear an informative talk about camels in Australia, their characteristics and curiosities. Enjoy a short camel ride, find out how a modern camel farm operates and about other uses for camels today. There is also a reptile house and a kangaroo enclosure, and tours depart twice daily at 10:30am and 2:00pm from April to October.

Gemtree: 140kms north-east of Alice Springs, on the Plenty Highway, you can experience the excitement of finding your own gems at the Central Australian Gemfields of Gemtree. An oasis in the semi desert mulga country, Gemtree has everything you need to make fossicking easy, and tag-a-long tours depart daily including an experienced guide and all fossicking equipment. Back at the park, one of the on-site gemcutters can turn your stones into beautifully facetted gems, and there is also a large display of local gems in the rough, cut and set into jewellery pieces. Entry is $40 per group of 1-4 people, including guide and fossicking equipment, and it is open from 8:00am to 6:00pm daily.

John Flynn's Grave Historical Reserve: This tiny Reserve is the resting place for the ashes of the Reverend John Flynn, founder of the Flying Doctor Service and the Australian Inland Mission. The grave is on a low hill 7km west of Alice Springs at the foot of the MacDonnell ranges with a sign detailing some of his achievements.

Larapinta Trail: An exciting long distance walking trail through the West McDonnells starting at the Overland Telegraph Station and crossing a variety of terrain from high exposed ridgelines with spectacular views, to sheltered gorges, home to many of the arid zones rare plants. It also joins the Ranges' established and better known visitor attractions, using these as access points where walkers may start or end their adventure. When completed, the trail will continue 220kms to Mt Razorback, but with regularly spaced entry and exit points, day and overnight treks are possible along shorter sections. Walkers must register at a Parks and Wildlife Commission Ranger Station before attempting to walk the Trail, and the Trail may be closed in times of extreme heat during summer.

MacDonnell Siding: The Old Ghan is the legendary train whose name commemorates the Afghan cameleers and which from 1929 until 1980 travelled the narrow gauge from Alice Springs to Adelaide. For over 50 years the Old Ghan travelled this track, sharing a history of hardship and adventure with the pioneers who opened up the vast Outback. MacDonnell Siding is a re-creation of an Outback rail centre, complete with station building, loco shed and a comprehensive museum of railway artefacts. With sufficient people, you can ride on the Old Ghan and you can arrange charters for the steam or diesel locomotives. 10 kms south of Alice Springs, MacDonnell Siding is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm daily.

Merreenie Loop Road: The Mereenie Loop brings Central Australia’s most spectacular sights closer, linking Alice Springs to Ayers Rock/Uluru, 450 kilometres away, via Kings Canyon, the West MacDonnell Ranges and Glen Helen Gorge, with a stretch of quality unsealed road.

Minerals House: Fossicking information advice and permits can be obtained from this office. Contains a display of gems and minerals, interpretive displays on geology and mining activities of the Northern Territory. Geological maps and publications are also for sale. In the NT Department of Mines and Energy office at 58 Hartley Street, admission is free and is open Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:00pm. Closed public holidays.

Museum of Central Australia: Explore this fascinating museum full of Central Australia's natural history, science and culture. The museum also includes a display relating to Professor Ted Strehlow and his fascinating work with the Arrernte (Aranda) people of Central Australia. Open daily 9:00am to 5:00pm.

National Pioneer Women's Hall of Fame: This heritage listed buliding houses a major exhibition on women who fought social convention to become first in their profession, either in Australia or in their state or Territory. In addition, Women at the Heart tells the story of the women who helped pioneer Central Australia. In the Old Court House, corner of Hartley and Parsons Streets, it is open 10:00am to 2:00pm or by appointment, but is closed mid December to end of January.

Native Gap: This small reserve is a scenic stopping place on the Stuart Highway, just north of Alice Springs, where travellers and day visitors can enjoy the shaded picnic area and the sweeping granduer of the MacDonnell Ranges.

Old Hartley Street School: This was Alice Springs' first purpose-built school, opened in the 1930s. At its peak in the 1950s, it catered for over 400 students and was the transmission point for the School of the Air. Today it is home to a branch of the National Trust. At 37-43 Hartley Street, admission is free and it is open 10.30am to 2.30pm.

Old Stuart Town Gaol: The Stuart Town Gaol was constructed in 1907/8 and is Alice Springs' oldest surviving building. It received its first prisoner in 1909 and remained in service until 1938. Open Monday to Friday 10:00am to 12.30pm.

Old Timers Folk Museum: Find out how the early Territorian pioneers really lived. See their photographs, the everyday items they used at home and work and how they travelled and obtained supplies. South Stuart Highway, open 2:00pm to 4:00pm daily March to October.

Olive Pink Botanic Garden: Located in Tuncks Road, this 16-hectare arid zone botanic garden features native plants of Central Australia. The visitors centre presents a graphic interpretation of the evolution of Australian arid zone flora and the story of the Garden's founder, Miss Olive Pink. Admission is by donation and it is open 10:00am to 6:00pm daily except Christmas Day and Good Friday. The visitors centre is open 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Overland Telegraph Station: Alice Springs obtained its name from the waterhole at the Overland Telegraph Station established in 1872 to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide. This historical reserve marks the original site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs. 4km north of Alice Springs, guided tours are available during the winter months of May to September inclusive.

Panorama Guth: A 360 degree landscape painting of the surroundings of Alice Springs which stands 6 metres high and sixty metres around accessed by a spiral staircase. A foreground of natural sand and flora completes the illusion of being within the inspiring landscape of scenic areas and natural features found around Alice Springs. Located in Hartley Street, Panorama Guth is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm Mon-Sat and 12 midday to 5:00pm Sunday and public holidays.

Road Transport Hall of Fame: The National Transport Hall of Fame has an outstanding display of heavy vehicles, including the world's first motorised road train, and is unique in its approach to the preservation and presentation of road transport. At MacDonnell Siding (Norris Bell Ave). Open daily 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Royal Flying Doctor Base: The Royal Flying Doctor Service is a non-profit organisation that has been providing a mantle of safety to those living and working in the remote areas of the Central Australian Outback since 1939. Tours of the base allow the visitor to appreciate the scope of the current operation, while the museum depicts the intrepid spirit of the early pioneers and the history of remote area medical and aviation services in the region. Located in Stuart Terrace, the RFDS Base is open from 9:00am to 4:00pm Mon-Sat and 1:00pm to 4:00pm Sunday and public holidays.

School Of The Air: Another important part of the history of Alice Springs, the Alice Springs School Of The Air opened in 1951 broadcasting to children of isolated communities throughout a 1.3 million square kilometre 'classroom'. Interpretive displays demonstrate the important role it has in the Outback and on school days you can hear lessons being broadcast. Located in Head Street, it is open from 8:30am to 4:30pm Mon-Sat and 2:30pm to 4:30pm Sundays.

Strehlow Research Centre: The Centre provides a repository for the lifework of Ted Strehlow who spent many years among the Aboriginal people of Central Australia, tirelessly recording their songs, ceremonies, legends and the complex rules which govern their society. At the Strehlow Research Centre, designers and artists have provided a setting which echoes the colours, sounds and patterns of the Aranda homelands. Join a guided tour and learn about the dream sequence and Aboriginal implements. This exciting and absorbing display will challenge your values and pose questions about human rights, ownership, respect, trust and the role of academics and governments. Open from 10:00am to 5:00pm daily,

West MacDonnell Ranges: You'll be inspired by the scenery of the West MacDonnell's that motivated artist Albert Namatjira to paint these landscapes and share them with the world. Washed in sunburnt oranges, maroons and purples, these rocky ridges contain chasms and gorges of rugged scenery. Locations include Standley Chasm, Simpson's Gap, Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen Gorge.

Ormiston Gorge