Banks All major banks are located on Todd Mall.

Bookshops Arunta Bookshop, Todd St, is very good for local history plus Aboriginal art and culture. Bookworm, Colacag Plaza (in the block between Gregory and Stott terraces), buys and sells secondhand books.

Camping supplies Alice Springs Disposals, Reg Harris Lane, off Todd Mall.

Car rental Advance Car Rentals (tel 08/8953 3700) have good deals, as do Boomerang Rentals (tel 08/8955 5171). CC Rentals (tel 08/8952 1405 or free call 1800 652 133), at 78 Todd St opposite the council offices, has mopeds, mokes and Suzuki 4WD jeeps, as well as special deals, as does Territory Thrifty (tel 08/8952 9999), on the corner of Hartley St and Stott Terrace. They offer larger and much more comfortable Land Cruiser 4WDs with twin fuel tanks, plus an easily erected roof tent and a bundle of camping gear for just $25 extra per day. Britz Rentals Australia (tel 08/8952 8814) uses more basic Land Cruisers converted into campers which have the advantage of built-in equipment which doesn't rattle around. Maui (free call 1800 363 800) offers identical campers, and Thrifty, at 92 Todd St (tel 08/8952 2400), has bargain-priced 2WDs.

Fuel 24hr service and marginally cheaper fuel at the Shell truckstop on the North Stuart Highway.

Hospital Gap Rd (tel 08/8951 7777).

Internet access There are two internet cafes in town: Outback Email, inside the Outback Travel Shop, on the corner of Gregory and Todd St, or at Melanka backpackers.

Maps The Map Shop, 21 Gregory Terrace (tel 08/8951 5393), for detailed maps of the Centre.

Pharmacies On Todd Mall and in the Yeperenye Shopping Centre.

Police Parsons St (tel 08/8951 8888).

Post office Hartley St (tel 08/8952 1020).

Trains The Ghan leaves Alice Springs each Tuesday and Friday at 2pm and arrives in Adelaide at 10am the next day, with the return leg to Alice departing Adelaide on Monday and Thursday at 2pm and arriving at 10am. Coach class (no bed or meals) costs $170 ($136 from Port Augusta); first class costs over three times as much, with a sleeper and meals included; with "holiday class" you get a four-berth sleeper for around $351, but no meals. Change at Port Augusta to connect with the Indian Pacific line.