One of the twelve stops along the overland telegraph route the Alice Spring Telegraph Station Historical Reserve is a great place for a picnic. The reserve has walking tracks, swimming holes, a cycle path and shady spots to rest. There are also free electric barbeques. Several colonies of rock wallabies share the reserve with plenty of other native wildlife and some pet camels.
Many of the buildings in the old Telegraph station have been restored and offer a look at how messages were sent across Australia in the days when the trip took weeks by horse. In the Post and Telegraph Room you can still post a letter and send a telegram (email) to a friend. In the cooler months (May - Oct) the wood-fired oven is lit and damper ('outback bread') and scones are served.
Access to the reserve is free but there is a cost to visit the historic buildings. There are free 45-minute tours through the Telegraph Station or you can self-guide with the map provided.
The park is about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) north of Alice Springs. You can drive, catch a cab or walk or cycle the path from Wills Terrace and Undoolya Road.
