There is something about Alice, a pioneering town that was hatched out of the urge to be connected with the wider world.
Located on the outskirts of the modern-day town, Telegraph Station, abuzz with insects and its lovingly preserved colonial buildings, pays homage to the visionary development of the overland telegraph
line which, in 1881, linked Adelaide to Darwin, and connected Australia to London, by way of Indonesia.
Telegraph Station was the nerve centre of this epic project, which in turn gave birth to the town we know today.
Another enduring symbol of Alice's frontier-conquering character is the Royal Flying Doctors Service. Take a wander through its highly informative operations centre for a first-hand appreciation of just how much of a lifeline this service is to the Outback's widely scattered communities. While you are there, cross the road and visit the excellent Reptile Centre, which is positively crawling with critters, including crocodiles, venomous snakes, bearded dragons and the achingly beautiful thorny devils.
Keeping a sentinel watch on Alice Springs, the lofty lookout site of the Anzac war memorial offers a truly grand panorama. Under expansive sapphire skies and framed by the rusty reds of the craggy and grazed MacDonnell Ranges, lovely, leafy Alice Springs bustles below you.
At just three hours' drive from Uluru, it's well worth adding to your Red Centre agenda.
TOP TIPS
* If you are travelling through Central Australia on The Ghan you can leave the train in Alice Springs for several days and rejoin it on a later service. For details visit Great Southern Rail's www.gsr.com.au
* Rental car hire is extremely affordable if you really want to unleash your inner explorer. Ayers Rock operators and Alice Springs airports have a range of rental car operators.
* Summer temperatures reach as high as 45C and can be oppressive - and there are hordes of flies. The cooler months from April to October are far more conducive to outdoor adventure.
