Alice Springs is the regional centre of Central Australia and known as Mparntwe to the Arrente people. It straddles the Todd River near 'The Gap' in the McDonnell Ranges. In 1861-62 John McDouall Stuart led his expedition between South Australia and the north through the area and a decade later work began on an Overland Telegraph Line from Adelaide to Darwin (and then overseas).

Alice Springs has a long history of policing, beginning with the first police camp established at the Telegraph Station in 1879 and later moving to Heavitree Gap in 1886. The Heavitree Gap Police Station served as the primary law enforcement outpost until 1909, after which a new Alice Springs station was constructed to meet the growing needs of the town. Over the decades, the station has evolved to accommodate modern policing requirements, culminating in the 2014 redevelopment.

See a general histories of Alice springs at:

http://www.alicesprings.nt.gov.au/alice-springs/history

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Springs