Chief Minister Adam Giles today announced free internet access is now available at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station.

The Country Liberals Government is providing $1 million for increased access to free Wi-Fi connectivity in many areas of the Territory.

“Visitors and locals are moving around more than ever and need to be connected to technology and increased digital access across the Territory,” Mr Giles said.

“To make life easier for people checking sites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, you want to have access to free Wi-Fi everywhere, from galleries to cafes’, to malls and parks.

“The government recognises that free Wi-Fi access is critical infrastructure to allow people to instantly upload photos from popular tourism attractions to a world-wide audience on social media.

“Free Wi-Fi at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station follows on from the successful roll-out at Wangi Falls (Litchfield National Park), Watarka (Kings Canyon), Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles), the Todd Mall, Anzac Oval and TIO Traeger Park.

“Free Wi-Fi will also allow Tourism NT to cross-promote experiences in particular regions, supporting tourists to discover other points of interest around the Red Centre. “

Justine Petrick, from the Trail Station, said the free Wi-Fi was great news for the tourism attraction that receives around 100,000 locals and tourists a year.

“We get a lot of international visitors to the Trail Station and we think the free Wi-Fi will be great for them as they are always looking for that kind of thing when they get here,” Ms Petrick said.

“The Trail Station also offers guided tours of the historical precinct, a café and the launch pad for popular walking and mountain biking tracks on the reserve.”

More key tourism sites under the Government’s $1 million free Wi-Fi program will be announced in the coming months and will be spread throughout the Territory’s regions.

“The tourism industry has plenty to celebrate in Central Australia with results in the International and National Visitor Surveys showing that the Red Centre attracted 396,000 tourists in the last financial year, up 18%,” Mr Giles said.

The installation of free Wi-Fi at tourism locations around the Territory is a new initiative by the NT Government that will help develop the north and build a $2.2 million visitor economy by 2020.