ALICE SPRINGS CULTURAL CENTRE. Found these wonderful aboriginal art murals on one of the outside walls.....
WEST MACDONNELL RANGES. These ranges extend for a couple of hundred kilometres east and west of Alice Springs. We drove 130 kms into the West MacDonnell Ranges where the road followed the broken ridges.
First stop was Ormiston Gorge.....
Ochre Pits. The swirls of red, white and yellow ochre in these pits were a source of ochre long used by the local aboriginal people. (It has a soft crumbly texture, like talc). White and yellow ochre was used almost daily in cosmetics and decoration and red ochre was used mainly in important ceremonies. It was mixed with animal fat and smeared on the body by hand or with a feather. It was used in medicine, rubbed onto weapons to protect them from termites, or formed into a ball around food - such as berries - and buried in the ground to preserve it as an emergency food source. Because ochre was so valuable to the aboriginal way of life, it was a trading commodity.
Ellery Creek Bighole. A permanent source of water that is deep and cold - a favourite swimming hole....
After all the recent rain, the road was covered with water in low lying areas.....
With so many tourists driving hire cars to these beautiful spots there are these roadside reminders.....
Simpsons Gap. This was an exceptionally beautiful place which we visited in the early evening. The atmosphere was magic.....
A closer view of the gap.....
And further away.... the creek bed with River Ghost Gums
Returning to the outskirts of Alice Springs.... the countryside is surprisingly green!
Here a magnificent excample of a Ghost Gum Tree........
Compere the person standing in front to the size of the Trunk.........
ALICE SPRINGS DESERT PARK. This was a stunning park where we learnt a lot about desert habitats. In the nocturnal house we saw quolls and bilbys and other endangered animals. Here at the outside Nature Theatre we watched a Black Kite. There were walk thru aviaries with wonderful birds such as Crimson and Painted Finches, Black Cockatoos, Blue kingfishers, Superb Blue Wrens......
Thorny Devils, small desert lizards, patiently waiting for ants to walk their way which they quickly licked up. Yum!!
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