Red Centre Way West Macs Discovery Centre Opens
18 Mar 2011
Minister for Parks and Wildlife Karl Hampton will tonight open the new Red Centre Way West Macs Discovery Centre in Alice Springs.
“This $3.64 million project fulfils an election commitment to build a West MacDonnell Ranges Visitor Information Centre,” Mr Hampton said.
“Tourism brings $260 million into the local Alice Springs economy supporting hundreds jobs and I believe this project will continue to attract more visitors to this much loved part of the Territory.
“The project involved building a new Discovery Centre at the adjacent Alice Springs Desert Park that will be accessible to all visitors free of charge.
“The Discovery Centre serves as the physical element to what is largely digital and downloadable, so that visitors now have a unique experience where they can take our stories with them through their West Macs journey, offering a greater connection to the landscape.
“No other national park in Australia has produced this cross platform digital interpretive content that encourages unique experiences and I am excited that Territorians and its visitors now have the opportunity to discover the undiscovered.
“The project captures local stories that tell of the natural and cultural values of the region to which visitors can listen while they are exploring the West Macs and beyond, through downloadable digital content.”
The digital elements of the project are:
- Website www.nt.gov.au/westmacs
- iPhone/iPad/iPod touch application
- Over 200 podcasts on the Internet
- A media download centre and digital content at the Discovery Centre that can be viewed through large plasmas operated by touch screen kiosks
- Free Wi-Fi access at the Centre, suitable for devices to download stories and take them on their journey through the West MacDonnell Ranges.
Mr Hampton said tonight’s 7pm official opening of the Discovery Centre is part of The Big Celebration being held at the Desert Park for free from 4pm to 9pm.
The evening will include many family activities including crafts, short films, live entertainment, food stalls and a behind-the-scenes look at the nature theatre to show how the birds perform.