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Alice Springs Desert Park
The award winning Alice Springs Desert Park is the perfect introduction to life in Central Australia's arid zone habitats. Located a short bike ride or drive from town, the park uses integrated displays of plant, animal and human elements to educate visitors about the desert. Enjoy an excellent introductory movie in the theatrette before acquainting yourself with rare and endangered desert wildlife in the nocturnal house.
Olive Pink Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Gardens feature the native plants of Central Australia, and include views of the MacDonnell Ranges from Meyers Hill. The Visitor Centre houses a café with seed and gift shop as well as graphic information on arid zone flora. The Gardens were founded in 1956 by Miss Olive Pink, a botanical artist and anthropologist who campaigned for the rights of Aboriginal people.
Alice Springs Reptile Centre
The Alice Springs Reptile Centre is located in the of centre town, is the largest reptile display in the Northern Territory. Spend an hour perusing the Centre's extensive range of reptiles including huge perentie goannas, frilled necked lizards and thorny devils. You are also welcome to hand feed lizards and handle pythons.
Mount Sonder
At 1380 metres, Mount Sonder is the second highest peak in the MacDonnell Ranges after Mount Zeil (1531 metres). Named after a German botanist, it is the large misty blue mountain seen in the distance from the Mereenie Loop Road around Ellery Creek Bighole. It is possible to climb to the summit of the as part of the Larapinta Trail (Section 12).
Mount Gillen
Named after explorer Francis James Gillen, Mt Gillen is located about six kilometres from Alice Springs in the West MacDonnell Ranges. It has been captured by Albert Namatjira in his watercolour paintings and is spectacular at sunset when viewed from Anzac Hill in Alice Springs.
Alice Springs is surrounded by a red sand sea the size of Europe.
The Simpson Desert stretches south from Alice towards the South Australian border and the Tanami Track goes for over 1000km to the north-west and into Western Australia. Hidden in all that remoteness are some of nature's most fascinating treasures. Spend some time exploring this extraordinary landscape and you'll see why the desert is anything but barren.
The desert is imprinted with spiritual significance for local Aboriginal people, the Arrernte, who Dreamtime stories give meaning to its striking landforms. One of the most inspiring ways to explore the area is with a local guide. Day trips and extended journeys into the East and West MacDonnell Ranges are easily organised from Alice Springs.
The award winning Alice Springs Desert Park, located on the outskirts of town along Larapinta Drive also provides fascinating insight into ecological life in Central Australia's arid zone habitats.
Other attractions located in and around Alice Springs like the Olive Pink Botanic Gardens, The Reptile Centre and the Date Farm interpret key elements of the desert from its native flora to its unique wildlife and the fascinating history of Afghan Cameleers and other pioneers.
