DESTINATION INFORMATION
The capital of the Outback and where the Arrernte Aboriginal tribal group have lived for 20,000 years and where pioneer men and women gave "tough" a new meaning. Situated at almost in the exact center of the continent, Alice Springs is some 1200 km from the nearest ocean and 1500 km from the nearest major cities, Darwin and Adelaide.
It's where they race camels, hold hilarious holiday regattas in dry river beds and where Peter Finch finally caught up with Virginia McKenna in the 1956 film classic "A Town Like Alice". There's plenty to keep you entertained, all in a friendly, laid back atmosphere.
Uluru (Ayers Rock) is approx. 450 kms from Alice Springs, and the journey by road takes approximately 4.5 hours. A World Heritage site, this monolith towers 348 metres above the surrounding plain, and is of immense spiritual importance to the local Aboriginal people, the Anangu. The rock is made up of coarse-grained sandstone, laid down over a period of around 600 million years.
The walk around the base on a well-marked path allows you to take in the scale of the rock, with each vista being different, with the rock changing shape and appearance every few steps. While many visitors consider climbing the rock as a rite of passage, you are politely requested not to by the indigenous Anangu, to respect their culture.
About 30 kms west of Uluru, Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) is 200 m higher and the valleys between the domes are covered with vegetation. Whilst this site should not be missed either, Kata Tjuta is even more sacred than Uluru and as such, strict access limitations are in place.
Situated in the heart of Central Australia, the Larapinta Trail extends over 223 kms along the backbone of the West MacDonnell Ranges. Starting at the old Alice Springs Telegraph Station, this long-distance walking track is divided into 12 sections, each a 1-2 day walk. The trail encompasses some of the key attractions of the Ranges including Simpsons Gap, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen. The Trail also links in with other walking tracks within the West MacDonnell National Park, allowing side trips to explore more of what the Park has to offer.
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WHAT TO DO
- Anzac Hill ~ A memorial paying tribute to the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who have lost their lives in war.
- Central Australian Aviation Museum ~ Located in the original Connellan Airways Hanger on the site of Alice Springs' first landing group. See the early planes used by the Flying Doctors, and other historical aircraft and aviation memorabilia.
- Alice Springs Reptile Centre ~ Housing the largest reptile display in the Northern Territories, see an extensive range of reptiles and snakes.
- Alice Springs School of the Air ~ Delight in the experience of one of the most unusual educational facilities in the world.
- Aboroginal Dreamtime and Bushtucker Tour ~ Learn about the traditional Aboriginal culture on this educational tour lasting about 3.5 hours.
- The Sounds of Starlight Theatre ~ A spectacular musical and visual journey through the landscape, history and space of Australia's Outback. A memorable experience, featuring compositions highlighting the sounds of the didgeredoo and complemented by spectacular images of Central Australia.
- Melanka Party Bar ~ An ideal place to chill out, this bar offers DJ's, music, pool, sports screen, trivia nights and party games, plus pizza, pasta and bistro meals.
- Larapinta Trail ~ This walking trail extends over 223 kms along the backbone of the West MacDonnell Ranges.
Uluru - Kata Tjuta
Australia's greates natural icon, formerly known as Ayer's Rock. Watching the colour of Uluru and Kata Tjuta change is a spectacular sight, not to be missed by any visitors to this part of Australia.
There are numerous options for walks, both guided and unguided. Guided tours are with rangers, and take approx. 1.5 hours, and you will learn about Aboriginal law, stories associated with Mala ancestors, rock art and traditional lifestyle, history and the environment.
Self-guided walks can be taken with guide brochures, available from the Culture Centre, and take approximately one hour. Alternatively, for the energetic, the Full Base Walk (allow 3-4 hours) at 9.4 kms is a good alternative to climbing the rock.
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