Alice Springs offers a unique blend of cultural highlights and natural landmarks for tourists to visit. The landscape itself is ochre-red with fascinating outcroppings of rock forming the gorges, gullies and chasms of the MacDonnell Ranges. This same precarious landscape created the need for several unique services (like the Flying Doctor Service and the School of the Air), which have helped mould the outback into a hospitable place.

Adelaide House
Originally a hospital commissioned by John Flynn, this stone building was constructed in the 1920s. The house broke a lot of technological ground in its infancy, and its original infrastructure included a remarkable cooling system that relied on interspersed air tunnels. This was the transmission site of Australia's first successful telegram, and Flynn along with Alfred Traeger successfully made their first radio broadcast here on the pedal-powered wireless that Traeger invented. Located on Todd Mall, Adelaide House is open for tours and houses an exhibit of photographs chronicling the region's history. Phone: +61 8 8952 1856.

Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve
The first Europeans to settle Alice Springs put down roots on this very site. It was originally one of a dozen telegraph stations along the line that spanned Adelaide and Darwin. Several pieces of well-preserved period furniture are on display, making this is the best-preserved station along the transmission line. Besides its historical value, this is also a nice spot for an afternoon picnic with refreshments served inside. Phone: +61 8 8952 1013.

Gosse Bluff
Formerly known as the Tnorala Conservation Reserve, this area is sacred to the Arrernte aboriginal tribe. According to tradition, the unique, circular rock walls here were formed during the initial creation period as a troupe of celestial women set aside a baby in a cradle while they danced across the stars. The cradle fell from the heavens and formed the rock outcroppings that you see today. The Arrernte people encourage visitors to explore the site, asking only that they respect Tnorala's sacred significance and heed any posted prohibitions or warnings while visiting. Visiting Goose Bluff requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle along with a permit, which must be arranged before setting out.

Hermannsburg Historical District
This unique Lutheran Mission was founded in the 1870s by missionaries from Germany. A number of religious structures and farm houses dating to that period have been well preserved, and there is an art gallery and museum onsite. Be sure to sample the apple strudel, made from an authentic German recipe that has been passed down through generations.

Olive Pink Botanical Garden
This is a nice place to view indigenous plant species in their natural, arid environment. The founder, Olive Pink, lived with a local group of Aborigines and developed a deep appreciation for the distinct ecosystems of the Red Centre. The gardens are located on Tuncks road across the river from Alice's downtown sector. There is a visitor's centre onsite with relevant information and guides to the plant species. A café on the premises serves homemade pastries and other light fare. Phone: +61 8 8952 2154.

Rainbow Valley
Visitors come to Rainbow Valley for the spectacular sunsets, when the day's waning light illuminates the complete spectrum of earth tones locked inside the ochre rock formations. A dazzling array of colours dances across the landscape in the evening, ranging from brick red and yellow to brilliant flashes of white. Occasionally, the rains leave behind reflective pools of water that enhance the light show. Kings Creek Station is also located here, and many tourists arrive early to take advantage of camel and ATV rides, and tours by helicopter.

Royal Flying Doctor Service
In 1912, John Flynn founded an airborne medical service that dispatched doctors to remote corners of the outback where residents live far outside the bounds of traditional healthcare. The practice lives on today, with a total of 15 airstrips and bases that send doctors and nurses off on twin-engine aircraft. Alice Springs plays an integral part in this network of bases, and the facility launches public tours every 30 minutes. Visitors watch an informative film and are privy to first-hand explanations of the communications equipment employed here. A small museum has a number of antique items used in early 20^th century medical practice. Phone: +61 8 8952 1129.

West MacDonnell National Park
This important national park is located just less than 100 miles from Alice Springs city proper. This region is overflowing with natural beauty, and visitors have opportunity to hike the Larapinta walking trail to the isolated heart of the Australian interior. Simpson's Gap is an especially nice place to visit, and mid-afternoon visitors can usually catch sight of a few wallabies. The astounding Stanley Chasm is only a few feet wide, but it takes a sheer plunge to a depth of more than 260 feet.

Climb Anzac Hill. Located north of Wills Terrace, Anzac Hill is a great place to get some perspective on Alice Springs and the outlying MacDonnell Ranges. A trail from the church at Wills Terrace leads to the summit, where the best views occur at sunrise and sunset.

Dine on Billy Tea and Damper. Billy Tea is made by steeping tea and eucalyptus leaves into hot water drawn from a river. Bushmen typically swing the pot around to encourage mixing. Damper is a simple flatbread cooked in a smouldering fire. This treat is an integral part of any outback excursion.

Don a fly net. These outrageous-looking nets cover the head and bear some resemblance to a beekeeper's head-dress. Visitors who don't mind wearing the net in public can enjoy the sites without the nuisance of flies in the summer months.

Ride the Ghan. This iconic train connected Port Augusta and Alice Springs for the better part of a century, making it possible to build a thriving community in this remote location. The tracks have recently been extended all the way to Darwin, and the view along the way is fantastic.

See Ayers Rock. Also known as Uluru, this sandstone rock formation is one of Australia's iconic natural landmarks. The rock seems to gently glow during sunset, making this a favourite time to visit. At 280 miles away, Alice Springs is Ayers Rock's nearest major neighbour.

Sip an espresso in a local café. A strong Italian presence in Australia has paved the way for a thriving espresso culture. Local variations include a ‘flat white’, which is simply a cup of coffee with plenty of cream. A ‘long black’ is a plain black coffee, while a ‘short black’ is an espresso.

Spot a UFO. Wycliffe Well is a famous roadside restaurant outside of Alice Springs that has capitalised on numerous UFO sightings in the area. This region bears a number of similarities to the USA's Area 51: namely, a desert-like environment and a relatively close military base operated by the United States.