Deals > Explore > Alice Springs > Outback heritage
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS)
Brainchild of the Reverend John Flynn, the Royal Flying Doctor Service was the first aerial medical organisation of its type in the world. The RFDS began it service from Alice Springs in 1939 and it is now possible to visit the working base in town and enjoy an audio-visual presentation, a guided tour of the communications area and browse the interactive museum.
Alice Springs Telegraph Station
Situated four kms north of modern day Alice, the Alice Springs Telegraph Station was the town's original site. Built in 1872, it is the best preserved of the 12 stations along the old Overland Telegraph Line that once relayed messages between Adelaide and Darwin. Restored buildings now house various artefacts from early last century.
School of the Air
It is the biggest classroom in the world, 1.3 million square kms - and for children living in isolated communities around the NT, it is the only classroom they know. This unique educational facility was the first of its type. On school days you can hear lessons being broadcast.
National Road Transport Hall of Fame
The display is housed in the Kurt Johannsen Pavilion and includes an outstanding collection of heavy vehicles, including the world's first motorised road train. The display also includes a 'T' Model Ford utility, military vehicles, a 'B'-Model Mack truck, a 1954 side valve Ford flat tray truck, steam engines, photographic displays and much more.
National Pioneer Women's Hall of Fame
This heritage listed building houses a major exhibition including over 100 photographs of women who fought social convention to become first in their profession. In addition, Women at the Heart Exhibition tell the story of women who helped pioneer Central Australia. Founder is Molly Clark, owner the remote Old Andado Station, who still lives in the area.
Alice Springs owes its existence to a cross-section of plucky pioneers and today, travellers can ponder various historic milestones at a number of key heritage sites in and around the town.
Just 150 years ago, explorer John McDouall Stuart forged a path through the heart of the continent and the Overland Telegraph Line followed a few years later, connecting Australia to the outside world and putting Alice Springs on the map. The Alice Springs Telegraph Station was the original site of the town and some of its old buildings have been restored and are open for exploration today.
For a long time, Alice remained a lonely outpost but the discovery of gold brought miners, and later cattlemen who established stations the size of European countries. As industry grew, so did the need for sophisticated transport and service options for remote settlements.
Stop at the National Road Transport Hall of Fame on the way in from the airport to marvel at various feats of mechanic invention including the world's first motorised road train. The original base of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Alice is still functional and visitors are welcome to take a guided tour around its operations. Similarly, the School of the Air provides visitors with a view of radio lessons in action and background information on its unique services.
