Royal Flying Doctor Service Alice Springs Tourist Facility
Alice Springs AttractionsAlice Springs Desert Park Alice Springs Reptile Centre Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve Alice Springs Waste Stabilisation Ponds Alice Springs Walks Untyeyetwelye • ANZAC Hill Araluen Cultural Precinct Bird Watching in Alice Springs and Central Australia Central Australian Aviation Museum The Gathering Garden John Flynn’s Grave Historical Reserve Kunoth Bore Olive Pink Botanic Garden Royal Flying Doctor Service
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) state-of-the-art tourist attraction in Alice Springs, bring something special and interesting for both locals and international visitors.
The state-of-the-art upgraded facility was opened in 2012 by the Northern Territory Administrator, Her Honour the Honourable Sally Thomas AM, bringing to Alice Springs an interesting tourism attraction and museum.
Visitor to the facility will learn about this unique service. See how we provide routine medical services to outback isolated areas — towns, communities and homesteads. There are informative video and an amazing presentation where you can observe the coordination of ‘real time’ medical evacuations, live on screen as they happen. Visitors can enjoy interactive museum, as well as purchase from a great range of quality souvenirs, with the knowledge of all profits going to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
All areas of the facility is accessible, providing access for those in wheelchairs.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service is a non-profit organisation, with 100% of proceeds going towards replacement of medical equipment and aircraft.
The opening in 2012 of the new and upgraded tourism facility, followed the official opening of the new $3.1 million RFDS Aeromedical Base in Alice Springs in March 2011 to provide health care excellence for Central Australian communities.
The highlights of the Royal Flying Doctor Service Alice Springs Tourist Facility are:
- Stunning aviation themed entrance
- 70-seat theatre
- Full-scale replica of an operational PC-12 aircraft – giving everyone the chance to sit inside an RFDS plane
- Interactive touch-screen portals
- Observe the coordination of ‘real time’ medical evacuations
- Official RFDS co-branded merchandise
- Café with indoor and outdoor dining
- Function hire and conference facilities
You can see the original R.F.D.S. Drover “John Flynn” aircraft on display at the Central Australian Aviation Museum (just west of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, near the Araluen Cultural Precinct).
Did you know?
Source: Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility information signage
Reverend John Flynn who pioneered the first Aerial Medical Service (AMS), now known as the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) has his portrait on the Australian $20 note.
Also illustrated on the note is ‘Victory’ the de Havilland DH50A cabin bi-plane used in the first medical evacuation from Cloncurry (Queensland) on 17th May 1928. An interpretation of the pedal-powered generator used to operate the transceiver wireless set produced and developed by Alfred Traeger. The medical diagram ‘where doe it hurt?’ devised by Sister Lucy Garlick in 1951, still used by patients today to let the doctor known where it hurts using letters and numbers. Camel and rider based on a photograph of Reverend Col Harland at Oodnadatta in 1919. Rev John Flynn purchased five camels in 1913 for his Patrol Padres, who undertook mission work throughout central Australia.
The museum provides an in-depth history of the vision of John Flynn, the ‘mantle of safety’ for the people of the bush, and how it evolved into the Royal Flying Doctor Service we know today.
In a recent addition to the facility is the latest innovation in holographic technology, where an actor portraying John Flynn tells the story of Flynn’s vision and its realisation into the RFDS of today. This hologram is one of only a couple of life-size ‘human’ holograms in the Southern Hemisphere.
More information on the RFDS website: John Flynn The Hologram.
Check them out on their website at www.rfdsalicesprings.com.au/
Alice Springs AttractionsAlice Springs Desert Park Alice Springs Reptile Centre Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve Alice Springs Waste Stabilisation Ponds Alice Springs Walks Untyeyetwelye • ANZAC Hill Araluen Cultural Precinct Bird Watching in Alice Springs and Central Australia Central Australian Aviation Museum The Gathering Garden John Flynn’s Grave Historical Reserve Kunoth Bore Olive Pink Botanic Garden Royal Flying Doctor Service
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