http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Oceania , Australia , Northern Territory , Alice Springs en-us Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:43:15 +0000 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:43:15 +0000 Flew from Cairns to Alice Springs where it was a toasty 37c From Cairns to Alice Springs there's a half hour time difference which was a bit weird The taxi driver from the airport in Alice Springs was of Scottish descent but asked us whereabouts in England we were from As it cooled down we took a walk up Anzac Hill in the centre of Alice Springs to see a view of the town and watch the sunset. http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/blog-451527.html The next morning we got up early and packed up our swags and then did our optionals. I did the Camel ride. Others did the AVT's. Everyone seemed to enjoy it enough.After that we headed back to Alice Springs.We stopped for our group photo at Simpsons Gap. It was our down and dirty photo so we all laid on the ground and stacked on top of each other. It was a slightly painful photo but lots of fun.We http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/blog-446590.html Today we stopped at Wycliff Wells the most famous place in Australia for UFO sightings.The highlight of today would be stopping at Devil's Marbles. Majority of people found that as impressive or more impressive then Ularu.The devils marbles are large boulder all stacked on top of each other. They look really cool. It is a sacred site. The Aboriginals believed the Devils Marbles were the Rainbow Se http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/blog-446312.html So..after a week or so in Melbourne catching up with the family I flew to Alice Springs its a strange little town but I finally found the sun Had a day there before going on a 3day tour to Uluru Kings canyon and Kata Tjuta. Had a wander round town and went to The flying doctors service which was interesting about there obviously not being much medical care out thereeverywhere is so so so far a http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/blog-445694.html Monbulk Victoria to Alice Springs.We left Heathrow Tuesday evening and arrived at Belgrave Station in the Blue Dandenongs North East of Melbourne Thursday Lunchtime. The weather was actually colder than at home sunny but with a distinct chill in the air. Debbie was there to meet us and took us back to their place in Monbulk where Syd the camper was waiting for us. We spent Friday getting http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/blog-443366.html Another great day today.This place is a very pleasant place to visit maybe especially at this time of the year. Weather is great and there is plenty to do.Today we visited Standley Chasm Ormiston Gorge Glen Helen Gorge and the Ellery Creek 'Big water Hole'. Each was spectacular in its own way and had we had our van there was great camping at most of them. The pics dont do justice to Stand http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/blog-441980.html Well its time to get the blog underway again for the latest McLennan adventure. Stymied by a dodgy ticker we are forced to take our holiday in Oz cancelling at great expense the well planned and Chris pacifying venture to the US of A.No matter. We challenge ourselves as usual. DARWIN or bustSo we start of on Monday morning not early as we slept in following a hectic weekend. Firstly the Gra http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/blog-441852.html Hi all Well... what a time we've been having. For starters we were able to land ourselves what's called a relocation vehicle. This means a company needs a vehicle brought from point A to B and they only charge us 5 per day for rental and give us 23 of the petrol money back as well. We landed ourselves a Britz 4wd campervan and left Cairns to head the 2500k to Alice Springs which is in the cen http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/blog-437214.html Ayers Rock Olgas Kings Canyon Stanley Chasm Simpson's Gap http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/blog-434534.html ALICE SPRINGS SIGHTS When we arrived in Alice Springs we felt in need of a rest. We checked in to the Big 4 caravan park which costs more than any park in the area but is jam packed with facilities for the kids. There is a gamesTV room jumping pillow 3 pools and a playground. On Sundays they have a free pancake breakfast as well. With all this to choose from the kids were more than happy http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/blog-434202.html Day 129 Alice Springs East MacDonnell RangeItrsquos a young ladyrsquos birthday today Happy Birthday Amy we hope you have a lovely day and with any luck the Beanie Kids will send you a message about what theyrsquove been up to very soonIt was a windy old night last I mean it was windy outside the caravan not inside Wersquod really needed a good nights sleep but Irsquom not su http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/blog-434022.html Day 128 Alice SpringsSweet relief therersquos no need to climb into the walking boots today as wersquore going in to town What with that and the fact that wersquore not leaving til 9am we feel thoroughly spoiltTony Jane have very kindly suggested that we share their vehicle again and we all agree to visit the highly acclaimed Desert Park first off. A number of people that wersquov http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/blog-434021.html Day 127 West MacDonnell rangesThe sleep gods were on our side last night and we feel refreshed and ready to go this morning Up at 6am again and showered ready for the 7am kick off We have a call to make first so head down to the public phone box at 6.30am to ring Lynne and wish her a Happy Birthday We didnrsquot sing which was lucky for the sleeping campers nearby but we did have a qui http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/blog-432680.html Day 126 West MacDonnell RangesFirst things first wersquod like to wish a Happy Birthday to a certain someone today Thatrsquos right we mean you Mrs Lynne Coulsell Happy Birthday chick hope you have a lovely day and wersquoll be raising a glass to you later using your favourite phrase Come on boots lets get walking We were off to explore the West MacDonnell ranges today with To http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/blog-432679.html Day 125 Finke River Rest Area to Alice SpringsWhen we first woke up it was still dark so we thought we had plenty more sleeping time but the next thing we heard was the rest of our group outside and somebody had lsquoswitched the lights onrsquo Dawn had broken without usTony had relit the fire from last night so that was going a good un and Darryl busied himself getting the bacon and eggs http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/blog-432676.html May 18 Monday.Left Ayres Rock around 800 this morning heading east back to the Sturt Highway. Most interesting countryside especially if you take the time to stop and walk into the bush. You miss out on so much if you just keep driving. In the dunes there were tracks of the wildlife that visited the area during the night. It must have been like Bourke Street going by the many imprints to be se http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/blog-432212.html Olgas Kings Canyon and the beginnings of the AliceWith the sudden appearance of rain our time at Yulara Ayers Rock township became restful and an entire day was spent watching DVDs. The next day was brighter so we ventured to the Olgas for another walk.The Olgas Kata Tjuta are a cluster of 36 rock domes the largest being over 500 metres high. This is higher than Ulurursquos 348m and ce http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/blog-431511.html Day 118 Wycliffe Well to Alice SpringsAnother early start to the day and earlier than wersquod actually wanted. Birds are great wersquore quite fond of them unless they are Galahs and they donrsquot understand the lsquoNot before 6amrsquo rule 5 orsquoclock they started squawking this morning and I think they were seeking revenge Mr Howells decided to do a bit of spot lighting http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/blog-430152.html Dad flew in last night so was strange to see to see a familiar face again. We caught up over a couple of jugs of Tooheys then to bed for an early night. Next morning 6am pickup to go on the 'Rock Tour'.Up on time in reception waiting for the bus. Sixthirty it finally arrives Apparently someone on the bus slept in alright for some A full bus 21 on people from everywhere a couple from Lond http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/blog-429382.html Day 13 11082009 Alice Springs7.45 am we were picked up from the Caravan Park for a half day scenic flight from Alice Springs to Ayres Rock airport. Along the way we passed over many natural wonders some we have never heard of before e.g Lake Armadeus a salt lake and Gosse Bluff a meteorite crator just to name a few. We have a heap of photos of the flight too many to publish here but the site http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Northern-Territory/Alice-Springs/blog-427975.html