This year's destination

Alice Springs

“The Alice” is located in the very heart of central Australia and boasts a wealth of attractions showcasing breath taking landscape and a variety of historic attractions featuring both western and native Aboriginal influences.

Alice Springs is known as Mparntwe to its traditional inhabitants, the Arrernte, who have lived in the Central Australian desert in and around what is now Alice Springs for more than 50,000 years.

“With its rugged beauty and iconic Australian culture, 'The Alice' provides the perfect day escape for our 2008 Pathfinders Charity Flight” says Flight Chairman, Nelson Fraser.

Location

Almost in the exact center of the continent, Alice Springs is some 1200 km from the nearest ocean and 1500 km from the nearest major cities, Darwin and Adelaide.

History

According to the traditional Aboriginal stories, the landscape in the desert surrounding Alice Springs was shaped by caterpillars, wild dogs, traveling boys, two sisters, euros, and other ancestral figures.

The Telegraph Station was located near what was believed to be a permanent waterhole in the usually dry Todd River and was thus named ‘Alice Springs” after the wife of former Postmaster General of South Australia, Sir Charles Todd.

During the 1960s, Alice Springs became an important defense location with the development of the U.S/Australian Pine Gap joint defense satellite monitoring base, home to about 700 workers from both countries.

The 2008 Qantas Pathfinders Charity Flight will be visiting the following Alice Springs attractions:

Anzac Hill

Unveiled in 1934, Anzac Hill has become one of the most visited landmarks in Alice Springs. Originally a place to commemorate those who fought in World War I, the site is now a memorial in honour of those who have served during every war that Australia has participated in.

The lookout offers spectacular panoramic views of Alice Springs as well as the East and Western MacDonnell Ranges.

The Telegraph Station

Constructed in the early 1870’s, the Telegraph Station’s completion marked a new era enabling fast and direct communication between Britain and the independent Australian colonies of Darwin and Adelaide.

The site has been magnificently restored with buildings, house furnishings and artefacts from early last century. The Historical Reserve marks the original site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs and was operated for 60 years.

For more information, visit the Northern Territory Government website

The Royal Flying Doctors Service

Established in Alice Springs in 1939, the Royal Flying Doctors base operates from a hangar at the Alice Springs Airport and an associated communications centre in Alice Springs CBD.

The service provides speedy medical care to people in the southern half of the Northern Territory and the northern regions of South Australia. The base encompasses a full aero-medical service, a preventative health services program, a communications base and a museum and tourist facility.

For more information, visit The Royal Flying Doctors Service website

Alice Springs Town Centre

Explore the Alice Springs Town Centre and take a heritage walk in the CBD which boasts places of great historical significance against spectacular scenery with vibrant colours.

Apart from numerous souvenirs and gift shops, local sites include the old courthouse, the Flynn Memorial Church, the old gaol and the Gallery Gondwana which showcases the best in Aboriginal fine art.

For more information, visit the Alice Springs Town Council website

National Road Transport Hall of Fame

What better way to enjoy a bush tucker BBQ lunch then against a backdrop of one of Australia’s leading historical venues? The Hall of Fame boasts over 11,000 sq ft of one of the world’s most unique road collections. Visitors are taken on a tour through Australia’s transport history from early camel strings to modern day roadtrains and stretchliner coaches.

Vehicles are not restored to pristine conditions; instead they are displayed in a way that is reminiscent of how they were during their working periods, enabling visitors to learn how Australia’s transportation development was established.

For more information, visit the National Road Transport Hall of Fame website.

For more information, visit the Tourism Central Australia website.

Qantas Pathfinders 2008 Charity Flight takes off at 6.45am on Saturday 4 October 2008, and returns at around 8pm. Click here to book, or call 1300 662 033.