The railway from Adelaide reached Alice Springs in 1929. On January 2004, the first train (freight) rolled into Darwin completing the Adelaide / Alicesprings / Darwin rail connection.
Alice Springs Masters Games - 9 to 16 October 20010
The philosophy of "Masters Games" was first suggested in Australia by the AUSTRALIAN SPORTS COMMISSION in 1984.
The idea was germinated by a growing demand from mature aged competitive sportsmen and women (Masters of their Game) to be able to actively participate in a more competitive environment.
These ideas were embraced by the NT Government and in 1986 the first Masters Games in Australia was held in Alice Springs attracting some 900 competitors.
The Alice Springs Masters Games have now grown to over 4,000 competitors in 33 sports and they are held biennially during October in every even year.
Alice Springs Masters Games
Phone: 1800 658 951 or (08) 8951 6440
Email:
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Web: www.alicespringsmasters.nt.gov.au
January
Australia Day - 26 January 2009
Local celebrations marking our National Day commence with a Flag Raising and Citizenship Ceremony at the Alice Springs Town Council. Please contact the Australia Day Committee representative for details of other activities being held in Alice Springs.
Contact
Phone: (08) 8950 0502
April
Castlemaine Perkins Alice Springs Cup Carnival - 10 April to 3 May 2010
Four feature race days are conducted over the 3 week period, with each week promoted under a different theme. The final weekend of racing includes events such as a Thoroughbred Yearling Sale, a glamorous Black Tie Ball, (to be held in the Alice Springs Convention Centre), and two feature days of racing, including the XXXX Gold Alice Springs Cup.
Contact
Phone: (08) 8952 4977
Email:
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Web: www.alicespringsturfclub.org.au
RSL ANZAC Parade Ceremonies- 25 April 2010
Dawn Service begins at 6.15am at ANZAC Hill, followed by a traditional Gun Fire breakfast at the RSL Club. A parade of Service and Ex-Service persons march throught the town centre at 9.45am.
Heritage Week - April 10 - 18 2010
Events throughout the week celebrating the 150th anniversary of John McDouall Stuart's first expedition through Central Australia in April, 1860.
May
Bangtail Muster - 3 May 2010
The annual fund-raiser for the Alice Springs Youth Centre, and one of the Centre's major events with plenty of fun for all. The centrepiece is a parade of floats down Todd Mall organised by Central Australian business houses, service organisations and and basically anybody with a madcap sense of fun. The Parade starts at 11am adjacent to the Memorial Club and finishes at Anzac Oval. The story behind the Muster goes back to the old days when cattle were the main industry of the Centre. Stockmen would cut off the ends of the tails to record the number of cattle mustered. The parade is followed by a sports afternoon on Anzac Hill Oval.
Contact
Phone: 0416 238 865
June
Tattersall's Finke Desert Race - 11 to 14 June 2010
Held over the Queen's Birthday weekend in the second week of June, the Tattersall's Finke Desert Race is an off road racing event run between Alice Springs and Aputula Aboriginal community (Finke). The first race was run in 1976 and each year attracts 10,000 spectators along the 235km track to watch 300 bikes and 90 car competitors' race 'there and back'.
Contact
Phone: (08) 8952 8886
Email:
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Web: www.finkedesertrace.com.au
Alice Springs Beanie Festival - 25 to 28 June 2010
The Festive focus is on determining the very best in beanie design, style and character in the following categories:
Beanie that Best Reflects the Spirit of the Land; Best Use of Colour in a Beanie; Best Use of Texture in a Beanie; Well Made Beanie; Craziest Beanie; Cutest Beanie; Most Sculptured Beanie; Best Tea Cosy and two, that's right, two special awards for Interesting or Unusual pieces.
Govie's Muster - 2 July 2010
A fund raiser for the School of the Air. Live entertinment, BBQ, auctions and best saddle bum competiton held at the RSL Club, 7pm till late.
Alice Springs Show - 2 & 3 July 2010
Annual agricultural and horticultural show held over two days includes Grand Parade, sideshow alley, arts, crafts and plenty more. Great entertainment for all the family. Gates open Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturday 8am to 5pm. Friday showday is a declared public holiday in Alice Springs.
Contact
Phone: (08) 8952 1651
Imparja Camel Cup - 10 July 2010
If you're looking for a fun event not just for your family and friends, this is it. Not only do you get a good laugh just by watching the races (guaranteed that no two races are the same) you will also be entertained by fun and interaction between races, with lots of great local stalls.
The start of the race, with up to 15 camels, is confusing ... some off in good stride, others still grounded, some going backwards; it's a nightmare for riders and handlers, but spectacular for spectators - a camel in full stride needs the rider to hang on for dear life!
Contact
Dale McIver
Phone: (08) 8952 6796
Email:
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Web: www.camelcup.com.au
August
Harts Range Annual Races - 7 August to 9 August 2009
Held in the picturesque Harts Ranges approximately 200km north-east of Alice Springs over the Picnic Day long-weekend, the Bush Sports will feature gymkhana, bull ride, ute competition, stock horse races, family sports day, lizard races and plenty more. The highlight will be all the fashion and finery of the Harts Range Ball on the Saturday night. It really is a weekend of quintessential outback fun and frolics at its very best!
Contact
Phone: (08) 8956 6303
Email:
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Web: www.hartsrangeraces.org.au
Old Timers Fete - 7 August 2010
The largest annual fete in Alice Springs, the Old Timers Fete is a fun filled family day with "on tap" entertainment, craft stalls, preserves, cakes, food stalls and oodles of bric-a-brac.
Contact
Phone: (08) 8952 2844
Alice Springs Marathon - 15 August 2010
The Alice Springs Marathon is run the third sunday in August every year. Runners come from interstate, overseas and the territory. With approximately 100 runners we have a marathon starting at 6.00am the half marathon at 7.00am and the 10km classic at 8.00am on Friday. We have a pasta night and after the run a presentation lunch, all runners receive a t-shirt, trophy, certificate plus photo, the run is sponsorered by TIO Insurance & Banking.
Contact
Russell North
Phone: (08) 89521 524
Email:
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ASSA ABLOY Henley-on-Todd Regatta - 21 August 2010
Watching seemingly sane people race in bottomless "eights", "oxford tubs", "bath tubs" and yachts through the deep coarse sand of the Todd River provides an unique spectacle amongst world sporting events. The multi-event program attracts many local and international participants from the audience who often finish up on world TV news paddling canoes with sand shovels and in "land lubber" events like filling empty 44 gallon drums with sand.
Contact
Dale McIver
Phone: (08) 8952 6796
Email:
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Web: www.henleyontodd.com.au
September
Alice Desert Festival - 11 September to 20 September 2009
The Alice Desert Festival showcases the arts and culture of Central Australia. Presenting an exciting, culturally diverse menu of events including art, performance, writing and music.
Contact
Phone: (08) 8953 6111
Email:
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Web: www.alicedesertfestival.com.au
October
Alice Springs Masters Games - 9 to 16 October 2010
The Alice Springs Masters Games are held every two years with thousands of mature aged people taking part in more than 30 sports. The Games have earned a reputation as being Australia's friendliest masters competition.
Contact
Phone: 1800 658 951 or (08) 8951 6440
Email:
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Web: www.alicespringsmasters.nt.gov.au
Events 
The philosophy of "Masters Games" was first suggested in Australia by the AUSTRALIAN SPORTS COMMISSION in 1984.
The Alice Springs Masters Games have now grown to over 4,000 competitors in 33 sports and they are held biennially during October in every even year.