The Historic Museum

The Alice Springs Telegraph Station is a historic museum precinct with both indoor and outdoor displays, presenting the story of the connection of Australia to the rest of the world via the Overland Telegraph Line in 1872.  Since being declared protected as a Historical Reserve in 1963, the Alice Springs Telegraph Station has become the best restored telegraph station in Australia, with a commitment to authenticity.  The restored stone buildings house furnishings and artefacts from early last century, and are preserved as an historic display.

Alice Springs Telegraph Station Guided Tours

Guided Tours through the heritage museum and precinct are a great way to immerse yourself in the history of the Telegraph Station and learn more about the origins of Alice Springs as a town.  A visit through the museum precinct will provide guests with an opportunity to understand the back story behind, and inner workings of the original Telegraph Station and Post Office.  Our guides will also take you through a working display of Meidinger batteries – replicas of those that powered the Overland Telegraph Line back in the 1870s – which is unique in the southern hemisphere.

Children can complete an educational quiz for the chance to win a prize (Mum and Dad can help too)!

Guided tours of the Telegraph Station run from March to November at 9:30am and 11:30am.

Inside the Museum

The Alice Springs Telegraph Station timeline inside the Barracks – immerse yourself in the history of the museum!

Whether you participate in a guided tour, or decide to self-guide – your mind will boggle! Our visitor maps in a number of languages will guide you around the museum precinct.  They are also a great keepsake from your visit.

You can walk the natural bush grounds of the precinct, reading informative signage, and looking inside the main buildings. The Barracks, the Post and Telegraph Office, the Station Masters Residence and the Station Masters Kitchen are fascinating.  Additionally there are outbuildings such as the Buggy Shed and Store, Battery Room, Shoeing Yard and the Evaporation Tanks with a view of the original Alice “Spring”.

The Post and Telegraph Office

Operating originally as a Telegraph Station and Post Office using morse code, and still a registered and operational Post Office!

Purchase your postage stamps and post your mail at the Trail Station Wi-Fi Cafe.

All mail posted in the original red Postbox onsite is stamped with our unique Telegraph Station Commemorative Franking Stamp.

Original Red Post Box at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station – still a registered and operational Post Office today

All mail posted onsite in the original red Postbox the first post box of Alice Springs), is stamped with the unique Commemorative Franking Stamp