Today I flew from Canberra via Melbourne and Adelaide to Alice Springs in Central Australia. On Friday I am walking the Larapinta Trail for 9 days.
First stop is Alice Springs after an amazing flight with clear views of our barren landscape - an artist's dream - barren but breathtaking.
First views of extensive salt lakes.
Rock formations ...
Dry river beds...
Then to Alice Springs.. a major town of 25,000 people. Following an expedition to the Centre in 1862
by John McDouall Stuart this led to the path for the Overland Telegraph Line from Adelaide to Darwin,
with Alice Springs as the repeater station. (Unfortunately the spring turned out to be a temporary waterhole.
Now the town bases most of its economy on tourism.
First stop was coffee at Epilogue in the Todd Mall, behind our hotel, The Aurora. Fun cafe and restaurant,
where we had all our meals whilst transmitting in Alice Springs.
A walk to the Botanical Gardens...a loose term we felt.
We enjoyed the views over Alice Springs township and towards Mt Gillen and the MacDonnell Ranges.
A beautiful Sturt Desert Pea, growing along the Todd River bank.
We spent the afternoon at the Alice Springs Desert Park - first rate facility and the only wildlife we saw all week!
The park is set against the backdrop of Mt Gillen.
Male bustard or bush turkey.
Female bustard.
Excellent examples of desert flora and bush tucker plants.
Purple flannel flower
Excellent nocturnal house - displays only visible with torchlight. Here is a Pigmy Monitor.
Painted finch
A curlew
There was a skilful bird show with all the birds flying in on call. Here is a barn owl.
We are staying at the Aurora Hotel, close to the Todd Mall. Discount with company booking.
The tourist office gave us helpful information and although Alice Springs is not large, we enjoyed our
walk around town and the visit to the park.
We are looking forward to starting our trek tomorrow, albeit with a little trepidation.
M
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