Days 274-276 Central Australia Part 2

Day 274- Alice the Camel has 5 humps…

To “The Alice” via the Lassiter and Stuart Highways- Tuesday, September 25, 2007

After a very early rise in the darkness of the predawn shy, we packed and ate breakfast under Orion and Venus, rising in the east. We then headed south on the Laritja Highway, which was blocked by 4 wild camels! The bull bar on the front of the bus is there for a reason, but they scampered away before it was required.
We were bound for “The Alice,” what the locals say in reference to Alice Springs, the town made famous by the Nevil Shute novel. Setting up camp at the McDonnell Ranges Caravan Park, our itinerary had us touring the area for the final days of our Wesley College Central Australia Tour. First, we stopped for lunch just south of the town for camel rides. One cannot underestimate the role that this animal has played in the development of the outback. Now, as mentioned, they run wild by the hundreds of thousands. Approaching town from the south on the Stuart Highway, bridges over the dry river beds are reminders that water flows infrequently here, but has shaped this desert environment.
The Alice Springs Desert Park is a magnificent outdoor experience showcasing the wildlife and environments of the desert. It is similar to the Healesville Sanctuary that we have previously visited near Glen Waverley. Walking though the various ecosystems that are recreated, one experiences the variety of living things in the water hole, near the springs, in the sand dunes and near the rocky outcrops that are common here. Two highlights were the Nocturnal Animal House and the Birds of Prey demonstration. Wild Kites, both Black and Whistling, flew in from nearby to be fed, as a Wedge Tailed Eagle circled high overhead. The temperatures were approaching +40 and there was a dark clouds and swirling winds as we departed.
The stormy weather amounted to only a few drops of rain but the change in air was significant as the temperatures for sleeping were much cooler than the last few nights. The night ended with skits (they are called “Red Faces” here) and I played “Johnny Canucklehead, Canadian judge. We made a great deal of fun with Nathalie Marchand, a colleague, who is French. Was she bribed by the Russians?! The kids thought so.



Day 275- Ghost Gums and Flying Doctors

Alice Springs- Wednesday, September 26, 2007

We headed out to Simpson Gap this morning for the group photo by a professional photographer, with all of the Wesley group in our orange shirts. Returning to town, the view over the town from ANZAC Hill this morning was impressive in the cool morning breeze. Temperatures had fallen into single digits overnight. But the desert sky was so blue this morning that it made the photos of the McDonnell Ranges and other scenic stops seem unreal.
Stops were made at: The Royal Flying Doctor Centre, John Flynn’s Memorial, Simpson Gap, Albert Namajira’s Ghost Gums, and Standley Chasm. The walk into the Chasm at noon was incredible, and the orange rocks are like fire with the sun directly overhead.
Late in the afternoon we explored the shopping on the main street, where Aboriginal art and crafts, along with opals, are sold in galleries. We returned for pizza that had been preordered and then drove back into town for glow-in-the-dark 10 pin bowling at the “Dust Bowl.”


Day 276- End of the Journey, Beginning of Another

Alice Springs- Thursday, September 27, 2007

Packing and organizing was done before breakfast, and when all was done, we headed out the Overland Telegraph National Historic Site, which is located at the original spring that gave the town its name. The restored buildings, the McDonnell Ranges surrounding the site and the activities inside the site were very worthwhile. A group of children who normally take their education via the School of the Air, based in Alice, had gathered to meet and participate in life in the late 1800s, when the station was in full operation. Their teachers invited many of the Wesley kids to join in. We chatted with their teacher and learned more about how these children take their lessons via radio and Internet webcam at their homes spread across the Northern Territory. Some of the children had come from over a 1000 km away. We sat under the gums and our students, now showing signs of exhaustion at a busy trip, spoke of their memorable experiences. We were privileged to have been a part of it.
Time was running out, but not before visiting Emily and Jessie Gaps in the East McDonnell Ranges. Ochre paintings of Aboriginal origin are seem here, and were well worth the short drive.
Soon, we boarded the bus one last time, and took the Wesley group to the airport, said our goodbyes and were driven back to the caravan park by John, our driver.