After a long drive from Coober Pedy we crossed the state line into the Northern Territory! This meant we were well on our way into the Australian Outback, the "red centre" of a beautiful country. This was something we had looked forward to since we knew we were coming to Australia.
The Kulgera Pub is the first stop when you cross the border into the Northern Territory. It's the last opportunity for fuel, food and water before the 276 km drive to Alice Springs. It's a lot like Spud's Roadhouse, just more north!
Some of us enjoyed the drive.
At least there is a few trees and a few bits of grass when you get this far north. Despite the desolation this is some of the most beautiful landscape that I have seen. You can only admire the lack of development and the honesty of the land.
The drive into Alice Springs. Desolation all around and then suddenly you are on a tree lined street with sidewalks and palm trees.
We visited the Reptile Centre (http://www.reptilecentre.com.au/) in Alice Springs. This is an olive python that Kennedy is holding. The python is deaf and blind (not sure how they tested for that!). The keepers do give her live food and she hunts it by smell (the snake not the child).
Rhiannon holding a Frill Necked Lizard. They are not slimy despite their appearances. Their skin feels very dry and the points are slightly spikey.
Alex holding a Shingleback Lizard that appears to have a head at either end. This is to fool any predators that are looking for an easy meal. The girls had a great time with all the reptiles. It was a great learning opportunity and helped with any heebie-jeebies you may have about holding them (sort of).
Terry the saltwater crocodile. He looks friendly don't you think?
The "School of the Air" was really cool. The teachers do a lot of their lessons on webcams with students that are living in the outback. The students are mailed their lessons and then the teachers work with the kids through the wonders of technology. This is strictly for primary aged children. When the kids are of the age to go to high school they usually will go to boarding school.
View of Alice Springs from the Anzac Hill. Funny how you have an image of what a place looks like and then you get there and you feel confused. I honestly thought that Alice Springs would be far more desert like and quite isolated. Instead it is a busy little hub of activity that is a gateway for the Northern Territory.
Our campsite in Alice Springs. We had a little trouble finding a campsite as the camel races were the same weekend we were there. Yep, you read it right - camel races. It was really cold at night so the girls are cozy in their flannel pj's on their way back from the toilets.
After 2 nights in Alice Springs we were on the road again. One of our first stops just outside the city was
Simpson's Gap, 18 km west of Alice Springs. You can see the extent of the drought in the country with the girls walking on the river bed.
There is a little water left in the river. My children always seem to find it.
Simpson's Gap. It was hard to get a good photo as it was an overcast day and quite dark by the time you got to the actual gap. It was well worth the walk though!
I think the girls walked twice as far as Steve and I by the time we were done. They climbed everything that they could.
Sometimes Rhiannon goes a bit far in her exploring and needs rescuing.
My favorite shot of Simpson's Gap.
Our second stop out of Alice Springs was Standley Chasm. The best time to stop here is an hour either side of noon so that you can see the reflection of the sun off the rocks. Despite the overcast sky it was still a fabulous sight.
It was a bit of a trek getting right in to the chasm, but a beautiful walk.
My favorite shot of Simpson's Gap.
Our second stop out of Alice Springs was Standley Chasm. The best time to stop here is an hour either side of noon so that you can see the reflection of the sun off the rocks. Despite the overcast sky it was still a fabulous sight.
It was a bit of a trek getting right in to the chasm, but a beautiful walk.
Not for the faint of heart, there was a lot of climbing involved. Well worth it though!
Alice Springs and the surrounding area is beautiful. It seems a bit of an anomaly considering the vast desertness of the surrounding area but it is a welcome sight after the expanse of the outback. We would have liked to spend a lttle more time exploring the Macdonnell Ranges but we loved what we did see. It's hard to be disappointed by anything you see in this country really. Our next stop was Kings canyon and Uluru (Ayers Rock). Yay!
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