Central Australia..recent trip by Jenny Magee

What a wonderful time to visit Central Australia (end of May), it does get cold though in the evenings. I was lucky enough to participate in an educational that took in Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon and many additional sight seeing spots along the way.

Day 1 started when we arrived in Alice Springs early afternoon. After a very informative visit to the Royal Flying Doctors Service we moved across the road to the Reptile Centre, where we got up close and personal with many of the Territories native animals like the Thorny Devil, Frill Neck Lizards, large and small pythons and the resident crocodile Terry. We then moved onto the National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame, which is a centre dedicated to women of history. Founded by Molly Clark in 1933. Molly lived all her married life on Old Andalo Station. The evening was spent enjoying the Red Centre Dreaming and Dinner Show which comprised of a three course Territorian style meal using indigenous native fruits, seeds and herbs, whilst being entertained by Aboriginal performers featuring dancing, weaponry, didgeridoo playing and cultural history, all while undercover overlooking the magnificent MacDonnell Ranges.

Day 2 started with an early rise to take in one of the most visited landmarks in Alice Springs, Anzac Hill, before venturing west to explore the magnificent West MacDonnell Ranges.

We stopped at John Flynn’s grave, located seven kilometers west of Alice Springs, a resting place for the ashes of the reverend John Flynn, founder of the Royal Flying Doctors Service and the Australia Inland Mission, before moving onto Simpson’s Gap, where a dramatic cleft in the range of rich ochre coloured rock walls rising from the sandy creek bed below.

A visit to Ormiston Gorge showcased the spectacular geology and landforms of the MacDonnell Ranges. The Gorge has a near permanent waterhole estimated to be up to 14metres deep at its southern end.

Day 3 Leaving Alice Springs and the main highway we head toward King’s Canyon. We traveled to the aboriginal community of Wallace Rockhole where we saw rock art with a local guide. Our adventure continued on the 4wd track to Gosse Bluff, a comet impact crater. After a picnic lunch we return to the dirt road traversing the Mereenie Wilderness Area, where mountain valleys give way to open plains, before arriving at the King’s Canyon Resort.

Day 4 we begin to explore the majestic King’s Canyon with a sunrise hike around the rim. Panoramic views and steep climbs are not for the light hearted. For a gentler experience stroll through the Canyon floor, amid bird life and ancient cycad plants.

The afternoon was spent at the Uluru – Kata Tjuta culture centre, followed by an exploratory tour of the base of this unique monolith. The crowing touch to the day was a champagne sunset as the magnificent rock changed colors in the evening light.