ALICE SPRINGS
THURSDAY 29TH MAY
Today we visited the Aralaen Cultural Centre in Alice Springs which showcases aboriginal art and has some paintings by Albert Namatjira. The museum was very interesting presenting an introduction into the natural history of the area and has some great displays on the birds and animals of the region.The Strehlow Research Centre gives a fascinating insight into the life of this man who was one of the first anthropologists to travel through this area and document footage of the songs and ceremonies of the local Arrente (pronouned An-anda) people the local tribe to the area.
FRIDAY 30TH MAY
Visited the 'west mac's' today or the West Macdonnell Ranges. We drove 130kms along Namatjira Drive which seemed like 30 minutes to me (no traffic lights) and arrived at Ormiston Gorge. All the gorges we are seeing today except Standley and Simpsons Gap are located along this road and you can camp in most of them for a small fee or nothing. From the carpark we walked up to the lookout. From here you could see right along the gorge and the view is magnificent. From there we travelled to the Ochre pits which is the spot where the local Aboriginal people got their ochre for ceremonies and dances. Because it is ceremonial you are not allowed to touch or disturb the ochre in any way.The next gorge we visited was Serpentine which is reached along a bumpy red dirt track for about 3kms. Then a walk through a valley and a climb to the top of a sheer cliff. Really getting our exercise today.
Next up Ellery Big Hole a short walk from the carpark and people were dotted around on the grass surrounding the waterhole and some teenagers were swimming and screaming because it is very cold!! There were about 10 lots of people camping here. There are also toilets and water available here.
Standley Chasm is 50kms from Alice and is managed by the Aboriginal people. Camping here is $15 night with power. The walk to the Chasm takes about 15 minutes where you are greeted by steep slopes rising up to a height of about 80m. Entry fee to the site is $10 per person. There is also a kiosk and toilet block here.
Simpsons gap is the closest gorge to Alice. You can ride your bike here on the bike track all the way to the park - about 25kms. There is a visitors centre, picnic area and a chance to spy the elusive black-footed rock wallaby which if you are patient can be seen amongst the rocks above the riverbed.
ALICE SPRINGS DESERT PARK
While Keith went off to watch the footy match on here between Melbourne and Port Adelaide I went off to the Desert Park. The park consists of three different areas, woodland, sand country and desert rivers. The guide presentations were very interesting one on bush tucker and animals and another was about the dingo and presenting their 2 dingo pups (brother and sister). The presentation on local birds was very interesting featuring magpie, stone curlew, kestrel, hawk and barnowl. Macdonnell Ranges is right behind the park and affords a picturesque view. The birds here are truly free flight and are only coming in for little rewards and are free to fly away at will.
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