Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve
Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve
Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve
4.5
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Located within the Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve, the Telegraph Station is the birthplace of the Alice Springs township. Is is an excellent value and must see destination to add to your itinerary while visiting the Northern Territory, and situated 4km north of the Town Centre, is easily accessible for a visit. The Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve marks the original site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs. Established in 1871 to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide and also linking with an underwater cable network to London. Consequently creating the first real communication between Australia and England. Time your visit with one of our 4 daily guided tours (included in the price of your entry). The guided tours will immerse you in the history of the Telegraph Station and the township. Most noteworthy, you will learn about how this monumental innovation that connected Australia to the rest of the World!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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See what travelers are saying
- jajavalBLampang, Thailand3,949 contributionsHistorical precinct, very first things in central Aus.This attraction are 3 km from Alice town center with many important historical details. It’s historical reserves as first settlement of whites in central australia , where indigenous habitat of people of arrenrte. It’s hill with historical buildings, with well organized outdoor/indoor exhibition. There is lovely cafe with souvenir shop. There are wide selections of walking, cycling trails around there with well paved paths.Visited October 2023Traveled soloWritten October 27, 2023
- JessejaneqGeraldton, Australia42 contributionsWell, worth a visit to this wonderful old stationA group of five adults enjoyed this tour of the telegraph station. And informative signage and very well kept buildings. the scenery was also magnificent behind the station that would give the coffee at the kiosk 5 out of 5Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 11, 2024
- TwinMumma3514Brightwaters, Australia128 contributionsHistory Alive in Alice SpringsGreat place to visit, very interesting, loved exploring the historical site and learning more about the Telegraph Station and the families who lived there in the past. My kids loved being able to do the quiz to win a lollipop, they loved seeing the old school room and the way people lived in the past. Worth a visit.Visited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten June 12, 2024
- Stu cAdelaide, Australia35 contributionsHistory of Alice SpringsWe opted for a guided tour, which included a 15 minute introduction by the guide on the history of the region which provided valuable insights. As per the normal package, there was a self guided tour of the site with clear signage of the various buildings. Very interesting.Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 12, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,427 reviews
Excellent
763
Very good
519
Average
121
Poor
17
Terrible
7
Aussie_2012
Melbourne, Australia960 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
A lovely park just 5 minutes drive north of town with a cafe and bbq facilities. Entry into the historic area is through the cafe and approx $16 per adult. The telegraph station consists of about 10 buildings of which only a couple you can enter but there are large display signs outside each building to explain its use. Probably allow about an hour at most to get around.
Written July 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ksufan88
Wichita, KS6,795 contributions
Oct 2022
Our tour group visited this historic sight. The best part of our tour was the commentary from our guide Bec. She did an excellent job explaining the history of the telegraph line and it’s importance to Alice Springs. We had time later to wander amongst the buildings, but it wouldn’t have been as memorable if not for Bec’s explanations.
Written November 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RB5655
Canberra, Australia239 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
A great tourist attraction. Well displayed with authentic artefacts. The old buildings are beautiful and well preserved. The walks and cycle paths would be great in cooler months. Great place to Learn the history of the overland telegraph and the amazing achievement of the people working on it in such a harsh environment.
Written May 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa L
Sydney, Australia5 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Enjoyed a few hours at this site. Glad we timed it to be on one of the guided tours as it provides more contextual information. The buildings and grounds are very well kept and the storyboards provide insight into the history of the Telegraph Station. Had morning tea in the cafe which was good value. The gift shop had a variety of local souvenirs nicely displayed and well priced.
Written August 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Collette B
Horsham, UK174 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Wonderful historic site with well preserved buildings that have been kept just as they would have been (inside and out) at the time. Lots of information boards around the site and also at the ticket office/shop, there was a chap who was happy to give us the whole history of the Telegraph Station. It was extremely hot though so we didn’t stay as long as we would have liked.
Written January 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Collette,
Thanks for taking the time to review us. Sorry about the heat - one of the perks of visiting the NT at this time of year is that its not very crowded, but the heat is the trade-off!
Glad you enjoyed your time with us, and the history that we bring to life here at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station.
Written January 31, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Julie W
Hitchin, UK194 contributions
Feb 2020
The guide made this visit with his clear passion about the subject and an opportunity to understand the huge efforts made to get communications through the centre of Australia. The downside is that this place is all outside and it gets very hot and there are lots of flies so you rush through it. Perhaps an add on could be pictures and written information in a separate air conditioned display area.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for the review Julie,
We're looking at air-conditioning for inside the historic precinct, but it will take some time (and government funding). The flies unfortunately are a staple of the warmer months!
Written July 16, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PMQuestions
North Yorkshire, UK35,788 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
So having made our plans months out, and even after checking the website this AM, we turned up and it was closed because of the National Day of Mourning.
However we could still get into the compound and enjoy nearly an hour there. Fascinating snapshot of both a way of life and a technology which have both passed. Extremely good map and signage made this very easy to comprehend and increase the degree of amazement at what they achieved..
However we could still get into the compound and enjoy nearly an hour there. Fascinating snapshot of both a way of life and a technology which have both passed. Extremely good map and signage made this very easy to comprehend and increase the degree of amazement at what they achieved..
Written September 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NitroFastHarry
260 contributions
Jun 2019
The part of the Todd River whereby Alice Springs got its name. Some heritage buildings from the Old Telegraph station are interesting and well kept. There is no cost except donation. There is plenty of parking suitable for buses and and caravans.
There is a cafe and toilets and plenty of lawn sit and relax.
There is a bike path nearby...
Best come early when there is less visitors.
There is a cafe and toilets and plenty of lawn sit and relax.
There is a bike path nearby...
Best come early when there is less visitors.
Written May 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for taking the time to review us. There generally is an entry fee to enter the historic precinct, but we're waiving it presently as we don't have the buildings open (since unfortunately we're only running a skeleton staff due to covid impacts).
The bike paths out here are amazing, the Telegraph Station is the hub for almost all the MTB routes in the area and attracts riders from all over the world.
Written July 17, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Margar550
Barossa Valley, Australia75 contributions
Oct 2022
A must see when in Alice. The Telegraph station is the reason Alice was established and the site has been brilliantly restored and maintained. We spent over two hours exploring the buildings and finding out about its chequered history. Situated in a lovely park by the dry Todd River, you can also walk into the city centre from here.
Written November 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TwinMumma3514
Brightwaters, Australia128 contributions
May 2024 • Family
Great place to visit, very interesting, loved exploring the historical site and learning more about the Telegraph Station and the families who lived there in the past. My kids loved being able to do the quiz to win a lollipop, they loved seeing the old school room and the way people lived in the past. Worth a visit.
Written June 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the entry price? Website doesn’t say. Clicking “booking” goes to a blank page!
Written June 6, 2021
Hi - our general public guided tours are at 9:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm.
Note though that in the summer months (Dec-Feb) we only do general public tours in the morning (9:30 and 11:30).
Written September 5, 2018
We are visiting in mid November and arrive at the airport at 1pm. By the time we get to our hotel, I’m not sure if there will be time to do the walk there to catch the 3.30pm tour. Is there a bus ... or would it be a taxi ?
Written October 14, 2017
Telegraph station is about 4km walk from centre of town, and temps can approach 40 degrees celsius in November. I'd recommend a taxi as there are no buses outside of tour groups.
Written October 15, 2017
What is the duration of the tours?
Written June 11, 2017
The tours last approx 20 -30 mins.
Written June 15, 2017
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