HERITAGE ALICE SPRINGS

For 40 000 years this area has been a traditional "meeting place" for the trading of artifacts, knowledge, art and culture. You can now experience our vibrant living culture today at our unique centre.
All of these tours are Aboriginal owned and operated, so authenticity is guaranteed.
Our award winning tour operation is a fully owned and operated Aboriginal enterprise established by Pwerte Marnte Marnte Aboriginal Corporation, a Southern Arrernte Tribal group.
It is a unique opportunity for you to share in our culture.

Built in 1907-08, this building served as the town\'s gaol until 1938. Stuart Town Gaol was the town\'s first official building. Although it is architecturally simple in style, its use of local materials if of great importance. The floor plan and fittings reflect the harsh discriminatory treatment of prisoners during the time of its use. The display focus is on the history of law and order in Central Australia and the conditions under which prisoners were kept until 1938.

The National Road Transport Hall of Fame is a museum that is unique to most other road transport museums throughout the world in that it has taken a lateral approach to the restoration of its world. Vehicles are props to the trials and tribulations of road transport pioneers covering all forms of road transport, from the camel strings of old to today's modern roadtrains and stretchliner coaches. With vehicles displayed in their working day condition maintained by 'bush mechanics and engineers' in those days, the National Road Transport Hall of Fame aims to truly represent Australia's road transport.

Journey to the heart of Alice Springs and be inspired by Rev John Flynn's historic vision for the bush. Designed by Flynn, Adelaide House is one of the earliest buildings in Alice Springs, built in 1920 by the Australian Inland Mission.

As you step into the cool interior of this historic building situated in the heart of Todd Mall, you'll step back in time.

Wander the displays to learn Flynn's story and the connection of the bush nursing hostel and the Traeger Pedal Radio, which brought health services to the vast outback. Experience the hospitality and healing of this peaceful sanctuary, offering home-style and historic food, tea/coffee, local products promoting healing, wellbeing and inspiration.

Adelaide House is a part of The Flynn Trail, a self-guided heritage tour in Alice Springs and surrounds. Entry into Adelaide House is via a donation.

Relive the history of the Old Ghan and the pioneering past as you wander through the Old Ghan Train Museum. Explore the old train and carriages to learn about the legend that is the Old Ghan Train - one of the most famous railways in the world. The original narrow gauge railway is closed, but 10km of track has been preserved for the Old Ghan to take tourists on excursions. Enjoy a Sunday morning train ride from the MacDonnell Siding, located 8 kilometres south of Alice Springs, where there is a 1930s-style railway station. The display area includes a souvenir shop, tearooms and restored locomotives and carriages. Groups can book a dinner on the Old Ghan Train for the night. This is the ideal way to view the magnificent Central Australian desert at sunset and its clear night skies while reliving an adventure that is truly unique to Central Australia. After the Old Ghan ceased running it was replaced by the 'Legendary Ghan, which has travelled from Adelaide to Alice Springs since 1980. The final link to Darwin was completed in 2001.

Located in the original Connellan Airways hangar on the site of Alice Springs' first air strip, the museum houses early flying doctor planes, a restored DC3 and other historical aircraft and aviation memorabilia. View the remains of the 'Kookaburra', and learn the tragic story of its crew who perished in the Tanami Desert searching for Kingsford-Smith, the famous Australian Aviator. The Central Australian Aviation Museum is part of the Araluen Cultural Precinct.

At the Fred McKay Museum you can gain a new insight into the lives of the people who live in the outback. Be inspired by the story of Rev Fred McKay - a much loved and respected friend of the many people who came to pioneer new lifestyles in the outback. He helped to develop hospitals, medical services, and hostels for school children and supported bush mothers. The museum shares stories of ordinary people who achieved extraordinary success against huge challenges. Take the 5-minute silent walk to the Fred and Meg McKay Peace Garden, the resting place of Fred and Meg McKay, which is adjacent to the Swag Chapel that was hand built by students and staff. On Wednesday nights, during school terms only, enjoy a billy tea and damper with the outback students (bookings are essential). The Fred McKay Museum is located in the Fred McKay Education Centre, an iconic, symbolic building. The museum is part of the Flynn Trail and is open during school days from 9am to 11am. It is closed from December to the end of January inclusive.

A self-guided walking tour around the Araluen Cultural Precinct provides a fascinating glimpse into the art, culture and heritage of Central Australia, and into some of the local identities that helped develop the region. The precinct was home to Eddie Connellan, a pioneer of aviation in the Northern Territory. The original hangar, associated heritage buildings and the Connellan, or Araluen Homestead, still form part of the precinct. The Araluen Cultural Precinct is also culturally significant to the local Arrernte people. There are seven registered sacred sites and trees of significance on the precinct. These are an integral component of the Two Women Dreaming Track. Some of the attractions which make up the Araluen Cultural Precinct include - Central Craft, Yepereny Sculpture, Strehlow Reseach Cente, Museum of Central Australia, Central Australian Aviation Museum and the Araluen Arts Centre.

Find out how early Territorians lived, worked, travelled and obtained supplies at the Old Timers Traeger Museum. Located in Alice Springs, the museum houses an extensive collection of photographs and paraphernalia from the early days of white settlement in Central Australia. Wander through the displays that describe early white exploration and the opening up of the region after completion of the Overland Telegraph in the late 1800s through to the present day. As well as gemstones, fossils, and Aboriginal artefacts, there is fascinating information and objects from the Overland Telegraph, about pastoralists, mining and pioneers. The museum is situated in the grounds of the Old Timers Village and is run on a voluntary basis by the residents. The museum was created by John Blakeman, who began collecting items connected with the people of Central Australia. It opened in 1966 and was named after inventor of the pedal radio, Alfred Traeger. Since then the collection has continued to grow with donations of items from the community.

Olive Pink Botanic Garden is Australia's only arid zone botanic garden. Located adjacent to the Todd River and not far from the centre of Alice Springs, it is a great place to wander along trails to see the hundreds of plant species that are native to the Red Centre. There are over 500 Central Australian plant species to see as you wander around the 16hectare garden. Learn more about the founder Miss Pink or desert habitats and plants from the interpretation material around the garden or by going on one of the self-guided walks. After heavy rainfall the garden comes alive with wildflowers and attracts many species of butterflies and birds. Euros (hill kangaroos) are regularly seen grazing here and the threatened black-footed rock wallaby resides in the rocky hill habitat. Western bowerbird bowers are at home and in summertime many different reptiles sun themselves within the grounds. Miss Olive Muriel Pink, anthropologist, Aboriginal rights campaigner and artist, was responsible for the gazettal of the garden area in 1956. Some of her original plantings still survive in the garden today. The Olive Pink Botanic Garden is a stop on the route of the Alice Wanderer hop-on, hop-off bus.

The Araluen Arts Centre is the focal point of Alice Springs' performing and visual arts scene, incorporating a series of art galleries and a professional theatre. The galleries feature exhibitions from the Araluen Collection with a focus on contemporary Aboriginal art from Central Australia and both local and Australian artists. Travelling exhibitions are a key highlight of the annual visual arts program. The Albert Namatjira Gallery exhibits a selection of paintings by this famous artist, his descendants and contemporaries. It also includes some early Papunya boards showing the emergence of western desert dot painting and contemporary trends in Aboriginal art. The Araluen Arts Centre was designed and built around the 300 year old Corkwood Tree in the Sculpture Garden. This tree, another at the front of the building and Big Sister Hill are also considered sacred by the local Arrernte people. Araluen Arts Centre is part of the Araluen Cultural Precinct.

Enjoy unbeatable aerial views of Kakadu National park—Australia’s largest national park—on this scenic flight. Take off from Jabiru for a thrilling flight on a light aircraft and soar over natural wonders including The Archway, the Arnhem Land escarpments, East Alligator Valley, the Mikinj Valley Billabongs, and the Magela flood plains. With a guaranteed window seat, you are assured a spectacular view, and live commentary from your pilot will make sure you don’t miss anything.

• Spectacular views of Kakadu National Park with guaranteed window seats
• Live on-board commentary points out all the key landmarks
• Choice of departure times available throughout the day
• Hassle-free pickup and transfers from your Kakadu hotel

Escape the city for the day and skip the hassle of driving. This guided tour takes you from Darwin into the stunning wilderness of Litchfield National Park. You\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'ll have the chance to swim in waterfalls, learn about native flora and fauna, and take in the stunning landscapes.

• Full-day trip to Litchfield National Park from Darwin
• Hassle-free pickup and drop-off from your hotel
• Includes lunch: No need to bring your own
• Learn about local flora, fauna, and history from your guide

Kakadu National Park is Australia’s largest national park and visiting during the wet season, when the rivers and waterfalls are at their most impressive. This overnight tour is ideal for active travelers who want to explore beyond the main sights. Spot crocodiles on a cruise along the Adelaide River, admire the Aboriginal Rock art at Nourlangie, hike through the rainforest, and swim in natural pools and waterfalls.

• Chance to see wild crocodiles along the Adelaide River
• Guided hikes to remote areas of the Kakadu National Park
• Hassle-free hotel pickup and transfers from Darwin
• Small-group tour ensures a more personalized experience

Take a half-day tour from Darwin that includes a crocodile cruise on the Adelaide River and a stop at the Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre. Watch crocodiles jump up from the river to snatch hunks of meat just outside your boat, then take in the region\\\\\\\'s wildlife and wetland. Includes crocodile boat cruise, and hotel pickup and drop-off in Darwin.

• Half-day tour with crocodile cruise on the Adelaide River, from Darwin
• Cruise down the Adelaide River to see crocodiles up close from a smaller boat
• Watch crocodiles leap into the air to feed
• Visit the Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre
• Includes croc cruise, and round-trip transport from Darwin