A Town Like Alice Trivia Quiz

Answer: Northern Territory

Alice Springs, or "The Alice" as it is fondly known in Australia, lies inside the Northern Territory, roughly in Australia's geographic centre, or Red Centre. Alice Springs was considered to be part of South Australia until the land boundaries were redrawn upon Australian Federation in 1901.

The elevation of the town is about 545 metres (1,788 feet), which gives comparatively cool nights in winter.

Answer: Todd River

The Todd River rarely exists as a flowing river, mostly it is a dry river bed. Each year the Todd River Race is held. Also known as the Henley-on-Todd Regatta, it is a sand river race with bottomless boats that contestants hold up and run with. It is the only dry river regatta in the world.

Answer: dry scrubby grassland

Xeric scrub is a habitat type defined as small hills of sand and dirt with grass, flowers, salt bush and cacti. The annual average rainfall in Alice Springs is 285.9 millimeters (11.3 in) which makes it a semi-arid climate, but its high aridity rate classifies it as a desert climate. Remember to carry a bottle of water if you visit.

Answer: Uluru

Uluru is a large sandstone rock formation, that stands 863 meters (2,831 ft) above sea level. We generally refer to it as a monolith but is actually an "inselberg", a prominent isolated residual hill that rises abruptly from the surrounding area. Uluru is a major part of the local aboriginal tribe's (Pitjantjatjara) creation myths and the "dreaming" legends. To climb Uluru is disrespectful as you will cross "dreaming" lines.

Answer: MacDonnell Ranges

The MacDonnell Ranges are a 644 km (400 mi) long series of low mountains in central Australia. The ranges were named in 1860 after Sir Richard MacDonnell, who the Governor of South Australia at the time. The headwaters of the Todd, Finke and Sandover rivers form in the MacDonnell Ranges. There are many swimming holes, such as Ormiston Gorge, Ormiston Gorge Creek, Red Bank Gorge and Glen Helen Gorge that provide relief from the summer heat for locals and tourists.

Answer: Telegraph station

The Australian Overland Telegraph Line was a 3200 kilometer (1988 mi) telegraph line that connected Darwin with Port Augusta in South Australia. It was vital in ensuring fast communication between Australia and the rest of the world. The Alice Springs Telegraph Station was sited near a waterhole in the normally dry Todd River.

The water hole was believed to be a spring and named Alice Springs in honor of Alice Todd, the wife of the Postmaster General of South Australia.

Answer: Tropic of Capricorn

The Tropic of Capricorn is the circle of latitude that is the southernmost latitude where the sun can be directly overhead. This ensures Alice Springs is very hot in summer. The highest temperature on record is 45.6 C (114.1 F) first recorded on 29 December 2018.

However, the nights can be freezing, the record low is −7.5 C (18.5 F), recorded on 17 July 1976. This is also the lowest temperature recorded in the Northern Territory.

Answer: gold

Gold was discovered at Arltunga, about 90 kilometers north east of Alice Springs. It was nicknamed 'Strugglefield' due to its remoteness and the costs of carting gold to Mt Isa in Queensland for processing. The discovery of gold bought an influx of Europeans, eager to make their fortunes, to the area.

The first substantial building in Alice Springs was the Stuart Town Goal, which was built in 1909. Central Australia's first hospital, Adelaide House, was built in 1926 and the first railway was built in 1929.

Answer: Simpson Desert

The Simpson Desert is the fourth-largest Australian desert. It is a large area of dry, red sandy plain and dunes in Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland in central Australia. With an area of 176,500 square kilometers (68,100 sq mi) it is the world's largest sand dune desert. Under the desert is Great Artesian Basin, one of the largest inland drainage areas in the world.

Answer: Anzac Hill Memorial

Dedicated on 25 April 1934 (Anzac Day), the memorial commemorates all Australian servicemen and women who have served in all wars and conflicts, not just World War I and the Australians and New Zealanders lost in the Gallipoli Campaign. At 608 meters (1994 ft) above sea level, the Anzac Hill lookout offers a panoramic view of Alice Springs and the surrounding ranges for all visitors.

It is also a Geodetic Fundamental Point for Surveyors.