Alice Springs

Having arrived in Alice in the cold and wet we hoped Friday would be a sunny day as forecast, but alas it was barely an improvement although the rain did clear up, it was still very cold. First stop was Anzac Lookout giving a great view over the town and a big flat area for the kids to run around in the freezing cold. Having got our bearings from above we went for a wander around town and had lunch at an inside cafe to keep out of the cold, followed by an ice-cream (go figure) for the kids while Tig moved the car and bought some new boots.


Then to the Information Centre to get all the details of where to visit and where to stay for the next two weeks and check on road conditions after all this unseasonal rain. Next it's into Woolworths for a two trolley food shop for just about everything we need for the next two weeks before we are back in Alice. Tig and the kids went looking for some boots for Maddi while Thea started filling the first trolley. The rest of the family returned successful just in time to do all the fruit and veg.

Back to the caravan park where the kids, who missed out on going on the jumping pillow yesterday, got to jump until their hearts content while Thea took on the huge task of finding a space in the caravan for all the new food and Tig sat out in the cold to supervise the kids on the jumping pillow until the sun set.

Fortunately the sun shone on us on Saturday as we headed out to some of the many tourist attractions in Alice. First up was the Pioneering Woman's Hall of Fame at the Old Gaol. Then across the road to the Royal Flying Doctor Service for a tour which included an interesting 10 minute video and chat with the tour guide about the great work the RFDS does around Australia. After a late lunch on the tailgate of the car in the car park it was on to the Old Telegraph Station north of town. On arrival at the Reserve around the Telegraph Station we realized we should have come here for lunch rather then the car park. The reserve just outside the Telegraph Station entrance is a lovely open grassed area with lots of ghost gums providing plenty of shade. There were a few larger groups picnicking, but with so much room you hardly noticed them. The Telegraph Station itself was fantastic. It had a great selection of buildings, information on what life at the turn of the century (1900) was like and many information boards to read and digest. The kids had fun running around the large open fenced in area and did at one point make a break through the fence in order to climb some nearby rocks. After wondering around a bit more they were rewarded by Tig with a climb up a steep rock to the top of a hill on the other side of the Todd River (which was actually flowing). From the top of the hill they could enjoy a bird’s eye view over the Telegraph Station buildings and call out to Thea below before making the steep descent on feet and bums back down again. On returning back to the caravan park they got themselves some more time on the jumping pillows before dinner and a good nights sleep was had by all.





The next morning we tried to take advantage of the free pancake breakfast on offer at the caravan park but with a queue a mile long we decided to give it a miss and go back to the jumping pillows for coco pops instead. The pancake event wasn’t really our cup of tea anyway as we (the adults that is) prefer the quieter campsites. The caravan park was great for a wash of the hair, van mains power battery recharge and kids playtime but we prefer the National Park camping grounds with basically no facilities and a lot less people and plenty of space. With almost all our jobs completed it was time to pack up and move on to a more relaxing and scenic location. On our way out of town Tig just had to make one last stop. A quick photo opportunity at Bloomfield Street in Alice Springs.


Next installment coming very soon…
Tig and Thea