Gismo Queen and her King

Day 41 - Alice Springs

We were right to think this place is cold. Last night the temperature got down to -2C! To go from 30C to -2C in a matter of days in the same state (territory) is just crazy. We might have commented on this more than once in recent days but it is really getting to us. On the plus side, today was a lovely sunny 21C and the wind did seem to ease.

So after an easy relaxing morning with lots of hot coffee, and a quick load of washing, we headed off to the School of the Air. Started in 1950 by a woman who was concerned not only by the lack of education for remote children, but by their lack of socialisation and shyness. For 50 years, the School of the Air was operated via the Royal Flying Doctor Service radio network and the school in Alice Springs serviced children over 1.3 million square kilometres. Then came the internet and School of the Air embraced that which completely changed the way the school operated. They continue to use leading edge technology to educate children in outback Australia.

After this, we headed to the original telegraph station. This was built in 1872 as the Overland Telegraph Line made its way from Adelaide to Darwin and to connect via cable under the sea to Indonesia. This was called the Alice Springs Telegraph Station but when a town started to develop three kilometres south of the telegraph station, it was originally called Stuart. It was later renamed to Alice Springs.
We had to do a few tasks in town so we stopped in the CBD - that didn't take long. Our next stop was the old gaol, which also contains the National Pioneer Women's Museum. That was quite interesting in itself, but so was the gaol, which only closed in 1996. Although some buildings were demolished shortly after this, the main cell blocks remain.
Continuing our theme of different museums and historical interest, we then headed out to the Old Ghan Museum. This was established by the Old Ghan Preservation Society after the old Ghan made it's last journey in 1980 from Adelaide to Alice Springs. We later discovered Lisa was actually on board that trip! The Old Ghan Museum has some of the original carriages which we were able to tour through. Here's Greg at the old bar.
Back to the caravan in time to bring the washing in and then Lisa made meatballs for dinner. We braved the outdoors for dinner tonight, which wasn't too bad without the wind. Paul, Harrison, Greg and Tracey then headed to a show being held within the caravan park by a renowned photographer who also happens to be a singer/songwriter. His show was pretty good and we enjoyed that. A great way to end the day Alice Springs style.

posted by Tracey @ 10:33 pm