Alice Springs Desert Park

The Park introduces visitors to the subtle richness of Australia's arid zone. Designed to move well beyond the boundaries of traditional zoos, botanic gardens and museums, the park has adopted a holistic habitat-based and story driven approach. Visitors can discover the desert in its entirety; the landscapes, animals and plants, and their traditional use and management by Aboriginal people.The Desert Park site covers 1300 hectares and is adjacent to the West MacDonnell National Park. The site is of significant cultural importance to the local Arrente people and includes parts of the Akngwelye artnwere and Yeperenye Altyerre (Wild Dog and Caterpillar dreaming stories). The Desert Park provides a sensitive and realistic insight into Aboriginal culture by display and interpretation of the traditional use of plants and animals. The Park includes various exhibits: The Nature Theatre; The Waterhole Exhibit; The Woodlands Habitat; and the Nocturnal House.