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Popular Things To Do | Other Things To Do Tips | All Tips (123) around Alice can be arranged or done by yourself, though you must know hat your'e doing
get all information, then prepare well, this country is unforgiving so stay on top of your adventure
Central Australia has not only Desert but also some beautiful Bushland, like the Larapinta Trail and driving on, south toward Hermannsburg and the Wallace Rockholes of early Aboriginal Cave paintings and carvings. but be considered, for the tribes it is sacred ground.
Hermannsburg has an early Mission history of german origin. Leave a Comment Address: Central Australia
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Alice Springs has become a real oasis in the middle of the red center of Australia.
the Downtown Todd Mall, has been upgraded, lovely shops and small restaurants, Cafes everywhere. and the council takes pride in keeping it all clean which is not an easy task, when the desertstorm runs through, take shelter
walk up to ANZAC=Australia New Zealand Army Corps Hill, and you have a pretty awesome overall view over Alice. Leave a Comment
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area around Alice Springs can be hostile and rough. wildlife in abundance
when taking off to explore be careful and don't forget some basic rules
waterbottle, hat, sunblocker and good footwear.
then there is the Desert Park just outside Alice, where you find all forms of vegetation and fauna of the outback. Rangers put on fine demonstrations with trained animals. interesting also the nighthouse, where nocturnal animals are held only active before dust or night Leave a Comment Directions: just outside Alice, information at the tourist center
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Historical Reserve and Geological Formations, around 150km from Alice Springs, along the Old Ghan railway line, then onto a side road, on youre way to Maryvale. this is serious 4x4 country. sandunes and unmarked roads. then you see the Pillars, rising over 60m in height out of the desert. truly an awesome site.
take your time and explore like John McDouall Stuard did in 1860, excellent walking tracks in this area too
go prepared into this rough outdoor playground Leave a Comment
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For many, many years, we've wanted to try hot air ballooning. Each time we got close to actually doing it, something would always go awry. Back in 2003, we were scuttled in Namibia by high winds.
Australia was the magic point for us. We finally had the opportunity to soar with the winds, and it was a blast! There's nothing like hot air ballooning. Gentle peace and intense excitement at the same time. BTW, see my warning tip about "the landing position for ballooners". : )
First of all, I assumed that it would be very, very windy. NOT TRUE. As you are sailing along in the wind, you don't notice any wind yourself. It's so very peaceful.
In Alice Springs, there are several operators who do hot air ballooning. And, there are many different packages. We did a champagne breakfast flight with Outback Ballooning. It consisted of a sunrise balloon flight, lasting approximately 45 minutes, and a wonderfully-prepared breakfast out in the bush, which featured champagne, fresh fruit, eggs, home baked breads, coffee, tea, juice and all sort of other good things. All in all, a most civilized way to start the day.
Also, you'll have the opportunity to "help" get the balloon ready for flight before dawn. If you go in winter, expect sub-freezing temperatures. And after the flight comes the hard part.....getting the darned balloon back into its little bag. It's kind of like overfilling a kitchen garbage bag on a much larger scale.
So, I'll end this tip before I break into a rendition of "Up, Up and Away".... If you've ever wanted to hot air balloon, Alice Springs will offer you the opportunity. Do it. DO IT. ; )
A note...we traveled with Outback Ballooning. But, we launched with and spent time talking to people who worked for Spinflex Ballooning, another outfit. They were very very nice and professional as well. So, I'd say that dealing with Spinflex would be just as rewarding, should you need to look to a provider other than Outback.
The cost?? Our breakfast tour was A$290 per person. Leave a Comment Address: THEY will pick YOU up at your hotel !Phone: 08/ 8952 8723Directions: IF you travel with Outback, say hello to Pilot Frans and his somewhat-abused assistant Louise. : )Website: www.outbackballooning.com.au Other Contact: sales@outbackballooning.com
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A little "humping".... I wonder how many people I've googled into this site with that line. Sorry folks, it's not a porno story.... we're talking camels.
Australia is actually home to one of the largest populations of wild camels in the world. Introduced into the country in the late 19th century, camels are perfectly suited for life in the outback. In fact, Australia exports camels TO the mideast. I wonder if buying an Aussie camel in Pakistan is anything like buying a Toyota in America. Hmmmmm.
Anyway, there are numerous operators who offer the experience of riding camels in and around Alice Springs. We hooked up with Frontier Camel Tours, an outfit that serves both Alice Springs and the Ayers Rock/Uluru area. And, they were an excellent choice.
You'll generally have the choice of having a short or longer ride, and perhaps combining said ride with breakfast or dinner. There are overnight camping caravans as well. We chose to do an evening ride followed by a "gourmet dinner". And, as it turns out the dinner was excellent. (See some of my tips on recipes and food)
The camel ride was a hoot. Camel riding isn't the smoothest operation known to man. Getting on can be an adventure, especially if you have a camel named Longridge BECAUSE he gets up and down so fast. He just about launched me over the moon. Our cameleer was a fellow named Dennis, and he was another smiling, friendly Aussie whose path we crossed. Infectious smile, complete with a shiny gold tooth, and a million funny stories. Yep, this was a guy you'd figure as Outback material.
OK, like I say, there are many opportunities to do camel stuff in Alice Springs. I cannot recommend Frontier Camels enough. As a side note, they clearly love and care for their camels well, which always makes us happy.
Say hello to Dennis, his helper Sue, and the master dinner chef Dieter if you visit Frontier Camel Tours.
For more information, you can email them Frontier directly at info@cameltours.com. The cost? Our dinner ride and tour was A$105 per person. Leave a Comment Address: THEY will pick YOU up at your hotel.Phone: 08 / 8953 0444 (Alice Springs)Directions: Again, they will pick you up. But if you must know, the ranch in Alice is located 4 kms outside of town along the Ross Highway.Website: www.cameltours.com.au Other Contact: 08 / 8956 2444 (at Uluru)
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The Kings Creek Canyon is part of the 72.000 ha big Watarrka Ntl Park in the George Gill Ranges.
It is the biggest and most bizarre Canyon of the Red Centre.
Its 200m high sand stone walls look like cut with a knife. On the ground of the Canyon there are permanent Waterholes (where you can also go for a swim). Here it is also quite green. Especially nice is the "Gardden of Eden" with its Vegetation.
On the Plateau above the Canyon, the weather has made some interesting stone formations. They are called the "Lost City", because they look like old buildings (round huts or so)
There are two ways to explore the Canyon.
The 'Kings Canyon Walk' gives you extraordinary lookouts into the Canyon, the steep walls and the sand-stone hills on the Plateau.
But be warned! The first part of the walk is very steep and hard. It goes up the northern flank of the cliffs.
You cross the Kings Creek, and have the opportunity to swim in the green "Garden of Eden". On the way back you have a view on the "Lost City". All in all it is a 6 km long round way. It takes about 4 hours (inklusive stops).
The 'Kings Creek Walk' is shorter and easier. It follows the Creek and goes up to a Look-Out at the Kings Creek.
Its 1.5km long and it takes about 1 hour. Leave a Comment
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Standley Chasm, is a deep chasm with high stone walls that are only 6-9 m apart.
The place is managed by an aboriginal tribe (Iwupataka?).
It is a much visited place, not only because it is so close to Alice Springs, but also because it is a wonderful Place in the Mac Donnal Ranges.
To get there you have to walk some 800 m (15 minutes) starting at the parking space and kiosk along the stony riverbed.
The best time to make pictures is said to be at noon, when the light comes directly from above.
Standley Chasm was named by Missionary Ernest Kramer in honour of Ida Standley, Alice Springs first teacher who worked at the nearby Jay Creek settlement in 1928/29 after teaching in Alice Springs, Leave a Comment Directions: Standley Chasm is located 50km to the west of Alice Springs.
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ANZAC (Australian New Zealand Army Corps)
Each year, on the 25th March a dawn service is held at the monument, and at 10.00am, ex-servicemen march from Todd Mall to the monument where a Remembrance Service is held.
Another intersting site to visit is
www.wilmap.com.au/alice_springs/anzac_hill.html Leave a Comment
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With apologies to the late John Lennon......
"Imagine there's a river,
and the water's deep,
Imagine there are boats too
It isn't hard to do..."
OK, it is pretty hard, isn't it? The Todd "River", which ostensibly flows through Alice Springs, only actually runs about three days a year. Other than that, it's a dry river bed. So, the fun-loving folks in Alice Springs have scheduled an annual regatta to make light of the dry climate of the area.
The boat race occurs in late September, and the "boats" are made of basically anything. Old trucks, rolling beds, lawn mowers, whatever.... The only rule regarding the boats is that they have to "remotely look like a boat". The townsfolk get all dressed up, with many of the men wearing frilly dresses and such, and then parade around the dry Todd River bed with their boats, firing water cannons at each other. My professional opinion, being a former healthcare worker, is that a great amount of alcohol is involved in this process. : )
Anyway, if you're in Alice in late September, head out to the old yacht club and have yourself a beer...or maybe a dozen. This would have to be a funny, funny sight. Leave a Comment Address: The Todd River bed in Alice Springs, NTPhone: 08/8952 3040Directions: For more information, see the contact URL and phone number below....Website: www.henleyontodd.com.au
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