Alice Springs was first settled in 1872 and today is a thriving town of about 6500 hardy souls.  It's an oasis in the heart of Australia - almost at the geographic centre!  It's an interesting place to visit, and a great place for a holiday if you like the rough and tumble pubs they have there.   The view here is across the Todd River, which virtually cuts the town in half, which isn't a problem most of the time, but around Easter when the heavy rains come, the river floods and often the water rises high enough to close the bridges across, literally dividing the town!  At that time though the river comes alive with all the fish and frogs and other things that hibernate through the dry period.  It's really quite amazing!