Telegraph Station Historical Reserve

Laying the Overland Telegraph Line across Australia's harsh Centre was no easy task, as you'll discover at the small museum at the evocative Telegraph Station Historical Reserve. The old stone station dates to the early 1870s and operated until 1932. It later served as a welfare home for Aboriginal children of mixed descent, until 1963.

Guided tours operate between 09:00 and 16:30 (April to October); phone for times. There's also an informative station map that guides you through restored homestead buildings, a blacksmith shop and the telegraph station itself. The spring called Alice (Thereyurre to the Arrernte Aboriginal people), a semipermanent waterhole in the Todd River after which the town is named, is just behind the station. It's all set on 450 hectares of shady land embellished with picnic tables, free BBQs and walking trails. It's an easy 4km walk or cycle north to the station from Todd Mall; follow the path on the western side of the riverbed.