Located in the heart of the MacDonnell Ranges lies Alice Springs, Australia's most famous oasis and the capital of the Outback. This isolated  town is where Arrernte Aborigines have lived  for over 20,000 years, and where pioneer men and women found a new definition of "tough". Here you can race camels, participate in a dry river regatta , and visit MacDonnell siding and the Gahn Preservation Society Rail Museum and enjoy a 14 mile   train ride into the outback.

Along with being hot and dusty there are stunning ranges, refreshing waterholes, palm trees, wildlife, and even a lush golf course. It is the jumping off point to visit Uluru, (Ayres Rock), situated on the stuart Highway, it sits smack dab in the middle of Australia. for being a relatively small town (20,000) there are loads of things to do!

Start the day off with a sunrise balloon ride over the desert,all the while viewing kangaroo, wallabee, cattle, millions of birds , and various other wildlife from high above the landscape in your gondolla.After a champagne breakfast it's time to be off to an aboriginal camp to learn the teaching of the ancient ones, meanwhile sampling a lunch of grub worms and termites. Passing by the Tropic of Capricorn marker on the way, one suddenly realizes how far away from home we are. I wonder why we don't fall off the planet, since we are on the botom of it?!

Observing the way these native peoples still live, I come to realize how privileged a life I live , at the same time realizing we have somehow lost some of the important things and values in life. The aborigines are so tied to the earth , their connection is so close to nature that sometimes their insight is astounding!

The afternoon is spent visiting the MacDowell Ranges,14 miles west of Alice, along with Simpson's Gap, be sure to allow enough time for a swim in Ellery Creek, Big Hole or Ormiston Gorge! With the shortage of water in these parts, no opportunity for a refreshing swim should be ignored! 

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