The Old Telegraph Station Historical Reserve marks the birthplace of the town of Alice Springs. It is one of those tourist spots that locals and non-locals
need to visit, in order to better understand the inception of this beautiful, little town.
The iconic Post & Telegraph Station, Alice Springs
The Telegraph Station is over 140 years old and was initially set up to serve as a mode of communication between Darwin and Adelaide. There was a waterhole in its vicinity, which led to the birth of the name "Alice Springs".
The history of Alice Springs as a town, explained here
There are a range of buildings, each with historical artifacts that you can interact with, so take advantage of the props that are available for public use, in order to obtain a real-life feeling of what it was like to communicate and live in the surroundings back in the day.
Morse Code that was used back in the day!
The Reserve is around 4km out of the Alice Springs town centre and patrons can either drive their cars/4WDs there or can alternatively use their bicycles to make use of the bike routes that lead to the Reserve.
Trail options at the Telegraph Station
Mountain bikes are available for hire from the Kiosk, so make sure you opt for that alternative towards touring the historical landmark. You can find a map of trails where you can ride the mountain bikes
here.
Mountain bikes are available to explore the Station precinct
Upon arrival, all patrons are encouraged to pay an entry fee that helps with the maintenance and preservation of the historical significance of the Station. Patrons are able to take themselves on a self-guided tour by using a map of the Reserve, where they can explore the various historical milestones in each building, which is fantastically comprehensive via dynamic and interactive displays, as well as in written form. If you see yourself spending over an hour at the Reserve, it might be a good idea to either bring some snacks and a bottle of water or purchase the same from the cafe that is situated at the Kiosk.
Showcasing the vehicles used by the troops to travel large distances to establish communication
Taking a short tour across each of the buildings at this Reserve was eye-opening. The displays are absolutely comprehensive and life-like, making the visitors feel like they've been transported back in time and are re-living the experiences of the soldiers and patrons of the Reserve. There are plaques that are set up against each building and exhibits, so that the visitors can get a comprehensive and holistic perspective of the importance of certain gadgets and devices that aided with the communication and set up of the current town of Alice Springs.
Where Alice Springs got its name from a once-beautiful Spring
It's absolutely wonderful to have an establishment like the Telegraph Station, where the history behind the inception of this beautiful little town of Alice Springs is well-explained. The different buildings carry a wealth of visual and written material that helps visitors understand what Alice Springs was like in the early days. Everyone who visits Alice Springs should aim to check out this simple little spot.
Prepare to go on a historical adventure at the Telegraph Station
